KLA News 

This fortnight we hear from the English, Science, TAS, CAPA and PE areas. 

English

Year 8’s focus this term is “Taste of Shakespeare” 8.2 were lucky enough to interview O’Connor's own actors and get their opinions around 'The Bard'. The students created open ended questions that were relevant and engaging to help move their own understanding and learning forward. It was a good experience for all students to work on their public speaking skills. 

Writer in Residence

Dr Helena Pastor, our Writer-in-Residence, will be at school on Wednesdays and Fridays each week throughout Term 2. Dr Pastor is available to help all students with any writing-related matters – in class or in the library. Dr Pastor has completed two postgraduate degrees in Creative Writing. Her work has attracted nationally competitive awards and her first book, Wild Boys: A Parent’s Story of Tough Love, was published by University of Queensland Press in 2015. Alongside her writing career, Dr Pastor also has extensive experience as a secondary and adult educator; she has taught creative and academic writing skills to secondary and tertiary students since 2010. Aspart of her role as writer-in-residence at O’Connor Catholic College, Dr Pastor is available to work with any staff who are interested in developing their creative writing skills.

Email: hpastor@arm.catholic.edu.au

Science

Mr Daniel Fittler / Mrs Lilly Moar

EXPLORING FORCE: Students investigating all things to do with force.

Year 7’s focus has been on Forces for the past couple of weeks. 7.4 have been conducting first hand investigations into how the forces that surround us every day work. Some of the investigations have included paper robocopters, crash test dummies and magnets.

Crash Test Dummies

Year 8 are wrapping up their Student Research Projects. All Year 8 students have been developing their Science skills by selecting, designing, conducting and analysing an experiment of their choosing. Students have investigated a range of things including: the strength of paper towels, how to remove permanent markers, how exercise impacts on heart rate and how different types of salt affect the boiling point of water.

NYSF APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2023!

Angus Scrivener

Yes! That’s right! This really cool program is back up again for another year of amazing guest speakers, live cross overs to places all over the world, interactive sessions involving science, and career options!! 

It is expected that the program will consist of  2 weeks online (Weeks 1 and 3) and a week in person (Week 2) at one of the hubs of the participants choosing!

Early Bird Applications close 24th July and other applications close 14th August. 

Now the Program fee is a little hefty at $1950 with a non refundable application fee of $25 (early bird) and $65 (other applications ie after early bird). But not to fear! Students are HIGHLY encouraged to go to their local Rotary Club, do a little presentation, and just like me get help from Rotary to pay for the program (usually half the cost). 

SO! Get the word out! It’s an AMAZING program that will literally overflow students minds with all things science!

Click through below for more information about the program. 

TAS

Mr Jon Hawthorne

CO2 Dragsters

WIth the finals of the CO2 Dragsters competion on Monday, our Year 10 iSTEM students were making use of the track this week, setting some great times.

Food Tech

Mrs Healy's Year 8 Food Tech (2) class was hard at work last Thursday preparing their Yum Bowls. Definately a healthy option!

Year 8 Technology (Digital)

Last Thursday Mrs Mitheu's Tech class was learning to use the  Gyro sensor to turn by precise angles and using My Blocks to organise programs.

8 Wood Tech

8 Tech (Woodwork) 2 with Mr Fulloon were well into their spinning toy projects last week. It is always interesting to see the different styles that they design and create. 

8 Technology - Engineering

A great way to learn about engineering, force and structures is through the use of straws and tape. It is amazing how much weight these structures can take as has been seen in video footage in past newsletters. 

CAPA

Miss Melita Roache

Last term, Jade Foster was successful in her audition for Gondwana Choirs. Gondwana Choirs is the most accomplished choral group of young people in Australia.

Jade will join hundreds of other choristers from around Australia in Sydney in December for the 'Voices of Angels' Concert at the Sydney Opera House, directed by Lyn Williams AM. We are very proud of Jade's achievement and are excited to see her represent O'Connor Catholic College in such a prestigious extra-curricular opportunity.

Last Friday, Marisa Suluma competed in three Armidale Eisteddfod Events. She placed in all three events! She came third in the Jazz Vocal Solo event and first in both Musical Theatre Vocal Solo and Popular Song Vocal Solo. Congratulations to Marisa for these wonderful achievements!

Year 8 Band are working hard to prepare for the Eisteddfod next week. They are sounding great!

Armidale Eisteddfod

Last Wednesday our Year 10 A Capella Vocal Ensemble performed at the Armidale Eisteddfod Choir Night.  They performed beautifully, and came third in their section.  

Thanks to Jade Foster for standing in for one of our Year 10’s who was unable to attend the performance. Jade also performed with New England Singers and New England Chamber Singers, representing O’Connor.  We were also lucky enough to have the adjudicator (and past O’Connor student), Katie Rutledge, visit the school on Thursday to do a private workshop with our ensemble.

Composition Workshop at NECOM

Two weeks ago, some of our Year 9-11 elective music students attended a composition workshop at the New England Conservatorium of Music with guest Australian composers Thomas Fienberg and Matthew Hindson. The workshops covered both popular music and art music composition. Every student left the workshop with a composition in progress and many students proved to themselves that THEY CAN DO IT.

CSW Mass

Thank you to the musicians who performed at the Catholic Schools Week Mass at the St Mary and Joseph Cathedral last Thursday. These students confidently led the music for the entire mass.

PDHPE

Ms Camilla Clysdale

Friday’s College Athletics Carnival saw the end of our four week Year 7-10 PDHPE unit - Athletics. Well done to all students on their participation in the schools Athletics Carnival, hopefully all your practice in lessons and at home has paid off. Best of luck to those students who qualified for the Diocesean Athletics Carnival. If you require any further preparation please feel free to contact any of the College’s PDHPE teachers. 

Year 9 PDHPE have been increasing their cultural awareness in our latest practical unit where they have been exploring Traditional Indigenous Games. Over the course of the term students will work in small groups to deliver a Traditional Indigenous Games experience for the rest of the class. Each group will select a game from the the following Yulunga resource, stay in touch with our learning and explore the resource at https://www.sportaus.gov.au/yulunga 

This week 9.1 had the opportunity to experience their first Traditional Indigenous Game - Buroinjin (“bur - oin - jin’). It was well received by our students, below is a link to the overview of the game: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/704818/buroinjin.pdf