Faculty News
SCIENCE
Well, Term 4 has been a busy period for our students to say the least! Students ended the 2022 academic year and enthusiastically transitioned into the new academic year after celebrating our first ever “Spirit Week”. Here is a snapshot of our busy little scientists in action.
Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7-10)
After a smooth transition into successive Year groups, our Stage 4 students wasted no time as they started learning all about the ‘Chemical World’! 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 also commenced the new academic year by learning about Atomic Theory and Chemical Reactions. They all practised their laboratory skills by taking part in various experiments and practical activities.
Stage 6 (Year 11 and 12)
HSC 1- Science- Our Year 10 students have now officially started their Higher School Certificate Journey and have commenced the three-by-three pattern of study in Term 4. Chemistry and Biology students have been earning high praises from their teachers for displaying high interest and excellent work ethic. Students wasted no time in practically exploring their new courses by ‘Working Scientifically’!
2023 Year 12
Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Investigating Science students started their first term of their Higher School Certificate. They have been extremely productive and were thoroughly 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 Second-hand investigation on the work of scientists and conducted their own Scientific Investigations. While Chemistry students modelled Equilibrium reactions, Biology students studied the process of polypeptide synthesis and DNA. They constructed models to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of this important biological process.
2022 Year 12 - Students completed their Higher School Certificate Examinations and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.
2022 Victor Chang Awards
Congratulations go out to our Year 12 students Alec and Felida as they both received the prestigious 2022 Victor Chang Science Awards at Blacktown Civic Centre on Tuesday, November 8th. Established by the Victor Chang Cardiac Research institute, in honour of pioneering cardiac surgeon, Dr Victor Chang, the School Science Awards celebrate young, gifted students, and aim to stimulate growth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject areas. Our school community is extremely proud of you, well done Felida and Alec!
The Science Faculty would like to take this opportunity to thank all students and their families for all their hard work during the year that was. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2023.
CAPA
Dance
This Term Year 9 Dance students have begun to learn about the history of Jazz Dance through both theory and practical tasks. Students have been introduced to dances such as the Charleston, the Lindy Hop and Contemporary Jazz and have really been giving all practical tasks their best efforts! Year 10 Dance have been working on developing a deeper understanding of safe dance practise, performance quality and dance technique. Students are working on a Jazz, Funk and Hip-Hop (JFH) dance which will be used to assess students on the knowledge and skills they have developed during the study of this topic.
Drama
This Term has seen a Year 9 Drama Class begin at Evans! This is really exciting for all students as they engage in learning about the Elements of Drama and begin their foundational studies through practical workshops and lots of laughs. Year 12 Drama worked really hard on their Grease Tribute performance for MADDfest during Spirit Week. When they're not practicing their acting, they are beginning to work on the Major Individual Project which will be due in August next year.
Entertainment
This Term has also seen a new Entertainment Class with HSC1. These students are all eager to learn and have already begun looking at their first Cluster Task with Audio. The current rolled over Year 12 group are also working well towards their 4th Cluster Task which looks at Working in the Industry. This was great because students just ran MADDfest a few weeks ago. This saw them come to school early for a days to bump in and bump out the show, they also ran the sound and vision for the entire event, this was a huge activity for them and they did this with professionalism. Keep it up!
Photography
HSC 1 and Year 9 Photography have begun the term in very different ways but with a similar connected theme. While Year 9 are researching the history of photography, HSC 1 are using historical photography methods to create photograms in the darkroom. Year 9 will also learn how to use the large bank of DSLR cameras that Evans High is lucky to have and HSC 1, once finished with photograms, will make their very own pinhole camera and use it to take portrait and landscape images. Year 10 photography students are revising image analysis and using the four frames and conceptual framework to write extended responses to photographic artworks. Year 12 are also busy in the filming stage of their documentaries, so stay tuned for updates on their wonderful films.
Year 9 Music
This term Year 9 Music dive into the world of Classical Music! Year 9 has begun learning about the Classical, Baroque and Romantic periods and the significant composers of its time. They will work towards arranging and performing a classical piece in a more contemporary style, allowing their creative side to run wild. Year 9 will continue to work in ensembles this year to learn and perform music from various genres and styles such as Popular Music, Jazz and Blues. This year’s Year 9 Music class is filled with such great talent so keep an eye out for a few of their acts in MADDFEST 2023!
Visual Arts
In Year 9 Visual Arts students commenced the new academic year with a unit of work called, “The Motif”. Students are exploring the work of Australian artist, Paul Boston. Specifically focusing on his use of symbols and a motif. Students have completed a title page and are undertaking a research project before embarking on a series of large scale mixed-media works inspired by Boston. This series of practical works will incorporate materials like collage, charcoal, chalk pastel, texta, coloured pencil and oil pastel. Students have settled well into their new elective course and are enjoying the tasks thus far.
HSC1 Visual Arts
This term HSC1 Visual Arts have hit the ground running with an intense introduction to the basics of drawing and art history. Students are learning about a number of drawing practices including lead and colour pencil, chalk and oil pastel as well as experimenting with charcoal and elements of collage. For the theory element students are learning about a range of artists from Reg Mombassa, Joy Hester and Pablo Picasso with a focus on using the frames to deconstruct meaning and artist intention. Stage 6 Visual Arts is very excited to be going to the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in week 10 to expand their understanding of postmodern practice.
Visual Design
The Capa Department is thrilled to be offering a new subject for year 9 at Evans this year. Visual Design joins elements of art but focuses more on the design process and the role of the designer in elements of product design, architecture, model making, wearable design, cartoon and character development. Students are starting with the basic elements of colour, line, shape, typography, texture and space to create some design works in the design practices of drawing, painting, digital media and collage.
HSIE
The 2023 academic year has begun and students are enthusiastically working on their course content across the HSIE faculty. As we lead into the summer break, students are reminded to ensure that in addition to taking some time to relax and unwind, that they are staying on top of their studies across the six weeks. Particularly our senior students and students that have assessment tasks to work on. We would also like to remind them to take the time to reach out to their parents and carers if they are having any difficulties with their work.
The HSIE faculty would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our students for their hard work across the 2022 Academic Year. Students achieved some extremely pleasing results and we are excited to see what they can achieve during 2023.
PDHPE
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
Year 8 have been focusing on respectful relationships in their theory content, allowing them to navigate the different relationships they have in their lives and how to overcome the different challenges they may face in these relationships. In practical lessons Year 8 have started their striking games topic and have been participating in different sports including cricket and t-ball. Early next year they will participate in their first assessment on t-ball.
Year 10 have started learning about creating the best version of themselves by exploring topics such as personal identity to promote health, enhancing personal strengths and developing strategies to manage changes, power and abuse. In practical lessons students have been participating in a number of invasion games including Oz-Tag, capture the flag and netball.
Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS)
Year 9 PASS have started learning about Body Systems in theory lessons. They are growing their confidence in naming all the bones in the human body. This week we will start learning about muscles. In practical lessons, students have participated in a range of team sports such as Endzone and Oztag.
Sport, Lifestyle and Recreation (SLR)
HSC 1 students have begun their theory content on Healthy Lifestyles. They have learnt about the factors that influence healthy lifestyles such as work, diet, family and personal interests. In practical lessons, students have participated in a range of sports. Next year we are planning on organising a few excursions to explore Individual Games and Sports such as bowling and laser tag.
Community and Family Studies (CAFS)
Year 12 have started their HSC content head on. Students have been working on their first HSC assessment, the Independent Research Project this term. They are researching the effects bullying has on wellbeing, they designed a survey and were able to ask the different year groups around the school on their experiences with bullying.
Sports Coaching
Year 12 Sports Coaching have almost finished their Cluster Task on Inclusive Coaching. Students have been learning how to cater for individuals with disabilities and how to include them in sport. This term, Year 12 will plan sessions to run with Year 8 and put their learning into practice. They will also begin to speak to specialist teachers so that they can further develop their knowledge on creating Individual Learning Plans.