Middle School

Year 9 Young Women in STEM

In Week 7, a group of Year 9 girls had the opportunity to attend the Young Women in STEM event held at the University of Adelaide. Here is an overview of the day from one of the girls who attended. 

"At the Young Women STEM excursion at Adelaide University, the Year 9 girls explored different types of science and engineering, participating in multiple engineering challenges. We launched matchstick rockets and tried to create a working crane out of newspaper in 25 minutes. It was a great experience for all of us who went, as we got to see a snapshot of potential careers in STEM." 

Leah (Year 9)

Nicole Brookes

Middle & Senior School Teacher

From Year 7 Rodda

We have had a fun time in 7R these past few weeks! Aside from naming the local pigeon, Gary (a regular at our classroom window), competing in an ongoing, heated Connect 4 tournament, and decorating the classroom, we embarked on a journey of self-discovery and creativity in Christian Studies. We combined the exploration of our God-given individual character strengths, with the world of Pokémon.

Beginning by taking the VIA Character Strengths Survey, a tool that helps identify our top personal qualities, each student thought over their results, asking themselves: “Is this a good representation of me? Is there anything I would like to improve? How could I practice these strengths to develop them in my life?”

The class had thought-provoking discussions, inspired by two passages from the Bible. 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV)

 The passage reminded us that while we all have different gifts, they are all given to us by the same God. This inspired an insightful discussion about diversity and unity, with students realising the value and significance of their unique gifts.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. Romans 12:4-6 (NIV)

This reference to the Church as a body with different parts led to reflection on the importance of diversity, unity and interdependence.

Taking these inspiring discussions to a creative level, each student crafted a unique Pokémon card, incorporating their two or three top strengths into the card's design. These Pokémon cards, just like our students, showed the assorted mix of unique abilities and strengths in the class. (See the below photos of the colourful array of Pokémon cards the students created!)

We were reminded that while we are all unique, we're part of a larger community where everyone’s strengths contribute to our collective success. Our journey of self-discovery, reflection, and creativity was a beautiful reminder of the diverse and powerful abilities each of our students possess. We’re looking forward to nurturing and developing these strengths throughout this year

Nick Rodda

Year 7 Homegoup Teacher