In and around the classroom

Debating

Asking questions, navigating varying opinions, conducting research, and forming impenetrable arguments— this is what debating is all about. Debating requires a keen mind, a confident voice, and the ability to think quickly and critically. The Homestead Debating Team have these elements in spades, and is continuing to develop and hone their skills in the debating arena. This year, our team consists of about 9 students from years 10 and 11 who have put their hand up to test their logical and argumentative abilities. So far, we have won one debate, arguing that there should not be a maximum wage, and prepared for another which the opposing team ended up forfeiting. This debate asked us to argue that political donations should be banned in Australia. Even though a forfeit means that we win by default, the students were all disappointed that we didn’t get the chance to demonstrate our debating prowess and claim another well-deserved win in competition. We look forward to our next debate- a secret debate- which means the team is given their topic only one hour prior to the debate taking place. These secret debates are especially challenging as teams do not have access to online research materials to help them build their arguments! Nevertheless, HSSC Debaters are up for the challenge and are excited for this new endeavour and opportunity to develop their collaboration, thinking and speaking skills.

Congratulations to the Debating Team (Joel Betsu, Safwan Bin Mahfooz, Howard Chang, Bhoravi Gumber, Mansukh Mahal, Abdur Minhas, Ayaan Rahil, Namish Saini, Calvin Tran, Samuel Whelan), for their proactive, positive attitude, and their willingness to push themselves! Keep up the amazing work!

Year 10 Wellbeing Day

Year 10 students engaged in a Wellbeing Day at Homestead. Students went through workshops around the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum, including Contraception and Vaping. These sessions were designed to be informative for students around the importance of safe sex and the dangers of vaping. In addition to this, students sat in two presentations. The Butterfly Foundation provided information on body image and strategies around body image. The Pat Cronin Foundation presented their Be Wise session, surrounding the story of Pat Cronin and ending the coward punch.

The day concluded with a trivia for students in the gym. Well done to our winners who received at $50 JB HI-FI, $30 Rebel and $15 Boost Juice gift card!

Homework Club

Homework club has been extremely well attended this term which is amazing. 

While all subjects can be a focus, the Math and English departments run this program and offer extra support to students who wish to get the extra help. It might be that they just want to complete homework and not take as much home. For some, it is a more engaging way to study as it is with their friends. 

All students are encouraged to attend when they can.

Homework club is held in the library from 3pm-4:00pm each Thursday.

Garden Project – Year 11 VM

The garden needed to be completed. Soil was brought in and we filled the garden bed and installed an irrigation system.

We discovered ways to work well as a team to get the job done.

Yr 11s planted herbs and vegetables.

The project assisted the students to demonstrate the course requirements of applying resilience, effective communication and problem solving in a work place setting.

Next term, we will be using the produce to research and make some healthy dishes.

Thanks to Glenn [Maintenance Keeper]  and Julie Connell (teacher) for giving us some advice and support.

-Year 11 VM class

Homestead Sports Program 

This year, Homestead has introduced the ‘Homestead Sports Program’ which runs on Wednesday nights. During the Sports Program, students have been training and participating in various sports, in which we compete, in the Hobsons Bay Division.  

During the first five weeks, the focus of the Sports Program was on Volleyball.  Students from years 10-12 all came down and participated in training and matches against each other. It was amazing to see the culture at Homestead between the students. All students were interacting with each other and being supportive of their abilities. This was also a great opportunity for the inter-school sports team to get training for the upcoming tournament where they competed extremely well. 

The next focus of the Sports Program was on three different sports, which were: Badminton, 

Netball and Soccer. During these sessions, we were fortunate enough to have over 14% of the school attend. This shows the level of commitment and interest that students have for sport at Homestead. The students participated in all three sports and have been training extremely hard for the upcoming sports in term 2. 

We are extremely proud and grateful for the efforts the commitment shown by each, and every one of the students who attend the Homestead Sports Program. It is amazing to see the culture at Homestead each week.

Year 12 Physics Excursion  

This year, the year 12 physics class went on an excursion to the Lunar Park with the great purpose of “learning physics everywhere in life”. There is no doubt that we can learn more about physics and have a stronger understanding of things like special relativity and the kinetic energy produced in an electron if we feel the multiple forces acting on us on a roller coaster. 

As year 12 physics students and, more importantly, as part of the Homestead Secondary Senior School community, even in an excursion that was full of knowledge but absolutely no fun, we still remembered and enforced our number one mission: to be the best and beat every other school.Therefore, when everyone else was screaming, crying, and yelling like little kids, we showed how strong our mentality is, recorded data, and analysed it (we definitely did that) like a real scientist.

Ok, I was being a bit sarcastic, but to be fair, we did get some change in kinetic energy (work done, get it? ), and it’s really a good chance to take a break in the most stressful year and in one of the most stressful subjects. Anyway, we had a fun day. May the mass times acceleration (force) be with you.

-Michael Qin

Hot Cross Bun Day

The last day of term was Hot Cross Bun Day at Homestead. To celebrate the end of a long term, students were treated to a Hot Cross Bun, Cafe was open and music was going off!

We hope that every one has a restful and safe Easter Holiday break and comes back to term 2 refreshed for another term.