Junior Secondary 

Year 8 Practise Hike

Blue skies and a warm 26 degree day greeted 51 Year 8 students and 6 staff on Thursday October 19 for their Year 8 Practise Hike. Students walked a 12km loop in the Dandenong Ranges in the beautiful bush between Silvan Reservoir and Olinda. The aim of this walk is for students to gain an understanding of what it feels like to carry a loaded hiking pack in preparation for their upcoming Prom Hike in November. It also gives staff a chance to gauge students' fitness and capacity levels in order to make sure they are assigned to an appropriate hike for their capabilities. The first part of the walk saw students walking uphill, with the Olinda Playspace the destination for a lunch stop, before returning in the afternoon to our starting point. We are thankful the weather was so lovely, the views from the top over the Yarra Ranges and Yarra Valley were stunning and for how well most of the students coped. We're looking forward to the Prom next week!

Michelle Duke

Casual Relief Teacher

What’s happening in Junior Secondary Science?

It is wonderful to witness our young scientists deepening their comprehension of the order and beauty of creation and responding with awe, wonder, innovation and stewardship. Here’s a snapshot of what we have been seeing in Junior Secondary Science.

Year 7

If you have visited the Science department recently you will have seen some carefully constructed wind turbines displayed in the front window. Our Year 7 students were set the challenge of designing and building a wind turbine that could generate the most energy out of limited materials. If you look closely you will see variation in the blade length, width, shape & angle as students sought to produce the most power. This was the culmination of a unit on how we use the world’s energy resources faithfully. This unit also increased our understanding of one of our most precious resources, water!

Year 8

Do you know why an egg floats on salt water? Or why there are gaps left between steel beams when a bridge is constructed? Can you explain why gummy bears take longer to melt than chocolate drops? 

Our Year 8 scientists are investigating matter this term - using particle theory to explain what matter is and how it changes. We have observed matter changing through evaporation, condensation, melting and boiling but the most exciting and unusual change we observed was the sublimation of dry ice! Floating bubbles, popping lids and lots of dry ice fog made for a memorable and fun learning experience.

Year 9

“A world without pain? Can such a place exist? It not only can – it does. But it’s no utopia... In a world where people feel literally no pain (they) reap horrifying consequences.”            Dr Paul Brand 

In Year 9 Science we have marveled at our nervous system. Through modelling neurons and testing our senses we have discovered more about this complex communication system. Our class discussion has also deepened our understanding of pain, reframing it as a gift from God and a wonderful part of his intricate warning system.

Emma Allison

Science Faculty Leader, Chemistry & Science Teacher