Faculty News
ENGLISH FACULTY
Year 7
In Term 2, Year 7 have been studying William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. They will be learning how to write an analytical essay as their assessment task on the play in the first two weeks of Term 3, using an ALARM scaffold and in-class teacher support.
Year 8
Year 8 have completed a visual literacy unit on the works of Tim Burton, analysing how his use of visual techniques represent characters and ideas. They are now completing a study of the play Stories in the Dark by Debra Oswald, exploring ideas associated with war and conflict.
Year 9
Year 9 have completed a close study of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth this term, exploring ideas related to power and personal values and reflecting on the consequences of decisions and actions. Their assessment task was an in-class analytical essay on the play, prepared with the support of an ALARM scaffold and teacher assistance.
Year 10
Year 10 have been studying a poetry unit this term, primarily focusing on different poetic forms and the impact that this has on the representation of ideas. They spent time studying different poetic forms, using their imagination to compose their own short poems, experimenting with the different forms and analysing both prescribed and related texts. Their assessment task was an in-class essay, where students composed an essay to an unseen question that was similar to an essay question that they had prepared over the previous several lessons in class with the support of an ALARM scaffold and teacher assistance.
HSC 1 and Year 12
Students have been working hard on their prescribed modules, analysing their texts and completing their assessment tasks. Students are encouraged to keep up the regular homework and study they are doing to ensure that they are well prepared for the HSC Trial Examinations in Term 3.
MATHEMATICS FACULTY
Term Two has been a very busy period in Mathematics with Reports issued, Parent Teacher Night meetings and many assessments tasks completed.
Year 7 have been working extremely hard to complete their homework (MathsOnline tasks) to a high standard. It was amazing to see the majority of the class winning the MOTIVATED awards for finishing their homework on multiple days. Ms Joseph appreciates your hard work and your commitment to your learning.
Year 8 completed their class test this term on Rates and Ratios, measurement and probability.
Year 9 had been working on budgeting and savings tasks for their Financial Mathematics unit. Our motivated and trustworthy students have come in during their lunchtime to get extra help completing their assessment tasks. All students have been working extra hard and asking many questions. Thank you to Mr Kidd (our Preservice Teacher for Term 2) for assisting during these lunchtime sessions.
Year 10 5.3 have just completed a statistics investigation task and a task to buy their first car. This learning sequence was designed to ensure students have the skills and knowledge to accurately register and insure their first car; as well as investigate claims made via graphs and data in statistics presentations. Year 10 5.1-5.2 also completed an assessment task on Savings, Rates and Ratios and Equations.
The Year 11 HSC1 Standard 2 class have just completed a Linear modelling assessment task which was quite challenging and summarised the first three chapters of their Year 12 content. They will now be preparing to sit their open book test in Week 1 of Term 3. Year 11 MFW students completed their assessment task called New Job, New Adventure. Students explored finding a new job and moving to a new town and investigating their expenses, budgeting and taxation. Students had to decide whether the move was a viable option based on their new income and expenses in a new location.
Year 12 are now preparing for their Trial exams which are coming up in Term 3. They have almost completed their classwork for their respective courses, and can now look forward to preparing for Trial exams and then their final HSC exams.
Some ongoing housekeeping from us: Please ensure that every student comes well-equipped to class with a scientific calculator, a 5mm grid exercise book (150-200 pages) and the required stationery. Homework is set to support students review their skills, complete missed classwork and develop strong and effective study skills. Extra lessons are available through MathOnline for any content the student is struggling with and they can seek further assistance from their teachers.
All students doing Mathematics are required to have a scientific calculator. It is used extensively in classwork and in all examinations including NAPLAN and the Higher School Certificate. Students can purchase the Casio fx82AU Plus II at the front office for $25.
Students should be utilising Maths Online/ Mangahigh on a regular basis at home to consolidate their learning in class. Parents are able to receive an email detailing what their child has achieved each week. If parents would like their child’s login details, please email individual Mathematics teachers. Students are especially encouraged to enhance the speed and accuracy of their mental arithmetic skills with Speed Skills. https://www.mathsonline.com.au/games/speed_skills Awards will be presented to students with the most improved scores and the highest achievers in each class.
TAS FACULTY
There is always something exciting happening in the TAS Faculty. Students have the opportunity to design, create and build using a variety of materials. A small sample of the fantastic work of our students can be seen below:
Year seven Technology Mandatory students have worked on their first project for their Engineering Topic. Look at these amazing creations for the “Balsa Plane Project.”
Year 9 Food Technology students have been enjoying making a wide variety of dishes.
Our Senior Hospitality students have been busy catering for various school events and they have also opened a school cafe. These students are very popular indeed.
CAPA FACULTY
Term 2 has been a crazy busy time for CAPA students at Evans HS with lots of excursions, exciting practical projects and preparation for the World Refugee Showcase to mention just a few. Below is just a snapshot of what has been going on in and out of the classroom for CAPA students at Evans.
Visual Arts and Visual Design
In Visual Arts, Year 7 has had an exciting term learning about Ancient Egyptian history and how to make a canopic jar out of clay. Year 7 further developed their understanding of Egyptian history by going to see a number of Ancient Egyptian artifacts including mummies and real canopic jars at the Chau Chak Museum (Sydney University). They also enjoyed completing a scavenger hunt in other current exhibitions on display. Thank you to Mr Dempsey for his hard work in making this excursion possible and to all the teachers who joined Year 7.
Years 9 and 10 Visual Arts have continued to develop their understanding of different material practices. Year 9 students have worked on large-scale drawings and are now moving into ceramics and Year 10 have explored Lino printing and are now moving into soft sculpture. HSC1 students have also had an exciting term transitioning from the preliminary program and are starting to develop ideas for their HSC Major Artwork. Year 9 Visual Design students have been creating Mondrian-inspired pop art paintings and scale design models for architectural design and are looking forward to a visit to the Powerhouse Museum in Term 3.
Photography
In Photography and Digital Media this term, Year 9 students have just started a new unit using miniature train model figures, inspired by the work of British photographer Slinkachu. Year 10 has completed a Zine making unit. There are fan zines on a range of topics from Scooby-Doo to famous sports stars. HSC1 and Year 12 classes are now working on their personal projects, where they can undertake a photographic or video artwork of their choice, with a range of mediums being explored by seniors this year. Some students are focusing on digital photography and photo manipulation, while others will be returning to the darkroom and one student is making a prequel film to the short film made previously in this subject.
All year groups in Photography went on excursions this term. Year 9 enjoyed their visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art, where they focused on the artists using photographic media in The National 4 exhibit. Both Year 10 classes saw two separate photographic displays at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at Sydney University, one with a historical focus and the other with a contemporary flavour. Senior Photography stayed local and saw the wonderful exhibition by Mervyn Bishop and Darren Bell at Blacktown Art Centre.
Drama and VET Entertainment
In Drama and Entertainment, students have been working on group performances and putting on shows in class as part of assessments. Entertainment students have been especially busy preparing the cue sheets for the World Refugee Day show. They are expected to run the show completely and communicate using a wireless comms system that they have been getting familiar with. Unfortunately, this show did not use a lighting system as it was outdoors but we can learn about lighting when the new hall is complete. We can't wait!
Music
In Music, Year 9 and 10 students have had so much fun preparing their performances for our World Refugee Day show. For some, it was their first time performing in a school show whilst for others, it was their first performance as a soloist. We had pieces from a range of cultures such as the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa and even a good old classic by Elton John! The students put on an amazing performance and this is a credit to all the hard work they have put in throughout the term.
Year 7 and 8 students learnt how to play a variety of instruments this term through Rock music, repertoire by Australian artists and cultural pieces. Year 7 students learnt how to sing and play the ukulele in a group and showcased a marvellous in-class performance for their peers. All students should be immensely proud of their efforts thus far and we look forward to learning and making more music at Evans!
SCIENCE FACULTY
Term 2 has seen our students thrive in all areas of Science!! Students ended Semester One, having participated in so many experiences offered by our amazing Science faculty! Here is a snapshot of our busy little scientists in action.
Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7-10)
Our Stage 4 students loved learning all about the ‘Chemical and Living Worlds’ of Science!! They enjoyed applying their scientific knowledge of the Scientific Method to conduct various practical investigations and worked collaboratively to gain essential knowledge of subject content and skills.
Our Stage 5 students were also busy, enthusiastically learning about the ‘Physical and Living Worlds’ of Science. They all practised their laboratory skills by taking part in various experiments and practical activities.
Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12)
HSC 1-Chemistry and Biology- Our Higher School Certificate Science students are to be commended for their hard work and dedication towards their coursework and the way they have embraced the three-by-three pattern of study. Chemistry and Biology students are now well on their way through the Higher School Certificate course. It is very encouraging to see them take advantage of every opportunity in the laboratory to enhance their practical skills.
2023 Year 12
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Investigating Science students have been engaged in completing their Assessment Tasks. Students are embracing the concepts of learning by collaborating, planning, and conducting many hands-on activities in their lessons through working scientifically. Investigating Science students conducted a Depth Study by writing case studies that highlight society’s perception of Science. While Chemistry students completed a Practical Examination, Biology students investigated infectious diseases.
Chemistry Day at Western Sydney University
Our Chemistry Higher School Certificate students earned high praises from Western Sydney University academic staff as they skilfully and eagerly took part in practical activities in the “WSU Chemistry Day”, organised by LAZSTA Science. Students used sophisticated laboratory equipment to complete investigations on Ultraviolet and Atomic Absorption spectroscopies and quantitative analysis of sulfate content in fertiliser.
Science Taster Lessons
It was that time of the year when little scientists from our local Primary Schools visited and participated in Science Taster lessons. Thank you, Mrs Marasinghe and Dr Khunger, for providing an engaging preview of what awaits our future Year 7 students.
The Science Faculty would like to take this opportunity to thank all students and their families for all their hard work and collaboration. We wish everyone a safe winter break!
PDHPE FACULTY
Year 12 SLR Excursion
During Term 2, Year 12 Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation class went on an excursion to Red Hands Cave in the Blue Mountains National Park. Students enjoyed being outdoors and witnessing Aboriginal art in the Blue Mountains. It was a great experience further developing outdoor recreation skills that students have already learnt in the classroom.
Year 11 SLR Excursion
Students in the HSC1 course for Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation have been studying ‘Individual Games and Sports.’ As part of this topic, students went on a bowling and laser tag excursion to Zone Bowling West HQ at Rooty Hill. Students were able to join into teams and verse each other in bowling. Some students demonstrated great skill and ability in bowling and were able to reach high scores. The laser tag competition was a fun and interactive way of using teamwork, non-verbal communication, and various skills necessary to score points for their team.
