Team Leader's Message

Term 2

The students in Secondary 7/8 have approached their learning throughout the term with responsibility, enthusiasm, curiosity, and persistence.

Energy was high at the start of the term as we launched our maths unit on ‘location’ with an Amazing Race. The build up to the event was electric, with classes working hard to design team uniforms and merchandise. Students and staff alike, collaborated to solve puzzles, follow directions around the school and complete challenges. Teamwork was the key to success. The event highlighted the importance of communication and collaboration, and it was fantastic to see students encouraging, supporting, turn taking and valuing the contribution of team mates.

There has been a buzz of excitement in the air this term as rehearsals for the Secondary Spectacular commenced. Students have been busy learning choreography, song lyrics and lines. We are looking forward to performing for an audience in the later part of term three. STAY TUNED. 

Our Discovery Unit ‘What is Culture?’ was a huge success with students exploring and comparing cultural practices from around the world.  Students in the mixed classes attended an excursion to CERES where they participated in the Indigenous Perspectives program to learn about the practices of First Nations People, one of the oldest cultures on the planet. The experience provided students with the opportunity to identify and connect with elements of Aboriginal Culture, to learn about the connection Aboriginal people have with the land, and to explore how knowledge and traditions are shared and kept alive. The students thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the program, in particular learning about bush tucker, storytelling and ochre painting. 

Students in PreCAL 7/8 continued with their Discovery Unit, shifting the focus from History to Geography. Experience days focussed on developing the students' knowledge and understanding of the relationship between location, climate and physical features.  Classes explored various landforms such as rivers, mountains and forests and how these factors influence culture.  

As part of the inquiry process students were empowered to explore their own cultural ancestry to gain a deeper understanding of what makes them unique, the significance of their families cultural traditions and beliefs, and compare their cultural heritage with classmates. A highlight of our Discovery Unit was celebrating World Cultural Diversity Day with a Bollywood Dance class. Students used bright, colourful scarves as props for dancing. Energy levels were high, with all students busting out some very impressive moves. We are looking forward to celebrating our learning from the Discovery Unit with a ‘travel expo’, where students will showcase the different cultures they have learned about across the term.

Secondary 7/8 would like to thank the parents and carers who came to Open Morning. The theme for the day was ‘150 years of public education’. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to share their learning with visitors to the school. Classes planned a variety of activities such as:

• interviewing visitors about their school experiences and comparing it with their own experiences of school
• playing old school playground games such as elastics and teaching visitors how to play Gaga
• discussing the differences in the way students engage with learning in the past and including visitors in hands-on learning based on our Discovery Unit ‘What is Culture?’

The morning was a huge success and a great learning experience for everyone! 

This term the 7/8 students were fortunate to attend camp. The Year 7’s went to Campase Downs, and the Year 8’s The Summit. The students embraced the camping program and everything it had to offer. Over an action packed three days students completed a range of outdoor activities where they completed challenges, tackled obstacles, encouraged classmates and forged new friendships. The camping program highlighted how resilient, creative, thoughtful and respectful our students are. We are extremely proud of the 7/8  students and the support they offered one another ‘To be the best they can be’.

Kirsten Telford                                                                         Jessica Fitzsimons

Leading Teacher                                                                     Leading Teacher

Teaching and Learning                                                         Wellbeing and Engagement