Camps, excursions and activities. 

Ecolinc Excursion

Genetically Modified Organisms

As part of the VCE Biology course Year 12 Biology students attended a workshop at Ecolinc, a research facility located in Bacchus Marsh, on Thursday 5th March. 

In workshop students:

• Learned how to extract DNA from foods

• Learned how PCR makes copies of the target DNA

• Discovered techniques for setting up, running and staining electrophoresis gels

• Discovered which of the food samples have come from a genetically modified plant

Students:

• Extracted DNA from a variety of foods

• Used PCR to make copies of target DNA

• Set up and ran gel electrophoresis

• Analysed results

Year 11 Work Experience

Part of our Year 10 and 11 Work Experience program at Donald High School is for students to have work placement either locally or in Ballarat. The Year 11 component gives students the opportunity to stay and work in Ballarat for a week and encounter life in a bigger regional centre. Ten students travelled to Ballarat from the 2nd to 6th of March and two remained in Donald and Patchewollock.

Students worked in a variety of different fields either organised by themselves or were assisted by Geoff Rigby, Kim Griffiths and Stuart Potter. This year, placements occurred in the retail, building, mechanical, agricultural, steel fabrication, electrical, education and accountancy areas. Some were returning employers, others new.

We continue to access generous employers who have regularly hosted Donald High School students. One ex-Donald High School student, Bryce Abbott, was again involved in hosting a student in his building business. The positive reports and reputations from past years have allowed our students to be placed without hesitation. These employers support our program to the extent they have also transported our students to the workplace.

The experience is not only about work and gaining insight into potential future careers. Students had the additional pressures of commuting to work on the Ballarat bus system and navigating stops and connections. Some were required to leave our accommodation very early to attend sheep sales, head to Melbourne to the wool stores, or arrive at building sites across Ballarat. Students were expected to be independent, get their breakfast and lunches organised and live communally with others (including wearing the correct boots to work!). Many students had spoken to their workplace contacts but were working with people they had not met. There was some trepidation when they were dropped off on Monday morning. By the week’s end, most students had gained confidence with the transport system and their workplace interactions. Work experience is an opportunity for students to have a taste of working life and while the placements may have been different to their expectations, skills were observed and learned.

Activities were organised in the evenings and students enjoyed dining out each night at various venues in Ballarat. We went to the Regent Cinema one night. The ten-pin bowling and arcade games were enjoyed by all. Students enjoyed access to the fast-food establishments, and some tasted more gourmet fare, including ice cream. Opportunity was taken to use the facilities at our accommodation to play basketball, swim in the pool or indoor spa.

The students were accompanied by Mrs Karyn Goode and Mr Eric Bott. Positive comments were received from employers about our students’ work ethic and overall placement success. When we visited the workplaces, it was obvious that our students

had settled in and had been given as much responsibility that is possible on work experience. We were complimented by hospitality staff on the behaviour of our students.

Very well done to you all on a successful week!

Karyn Goode and Eric Bott.

Year 9 Practice Bushwalk

On Thursday 5th March fourteen Year 9 students and 2 staff members participated in a Practice Bushwalk of 14km around town. This is in preparation for the Grampians Bushwalk camp which is coming up in last week of Term 1 (March 30 - Apr 2). On this camp students will walk 38 km all around Halls Gap carrying everything in their packs.