From the Humanities & Cultural Studies Department

Zariya to Represent Blue Mountains in Japan

Zariya Janine (Year 9) has been selected to be a Junior Ambassador to represent the people of the City of the Blue Mountains at Sanda City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, through the Blue Mountains City Council’s Sister Cities program.

Zariya, who is currently studying Japanese, will spend two weeks in Sanda City during the September school holidays, visiting local secondary schools to promote the Blue Mountains to her Japanese peers and meet the goals of the program, which seeks to foster cultural exchanges with the sister cities of the Blue Mountains.

The applicants were asked to prepare a written submission, and the finalists attended interviews with The Blue Mountains Sister Cities Committee, in which they had to demonstrate a basic ability in the Japanese language, knowledge of Japanese society and culture, a good general knowledge of the City of the Blue Mountains, including its people, the environment and its governance.

Applicants were also required to be a resident of the Blue Mountains and were not to have stayed in Japan, continuously, for a period of more than two months. BMGS Japanese teacher, Mrs. Yukie Evans, commented that: “This is the second time that our Japanese students were selected since Eloise Field was in 2018. I am delighted that Zariya has earned this honour; her keen interest in Japanese culture and her dedication to the study of the language, both through the School’s program and in her own time, will serve her well in fulfilling the role of Junior Ambassador for the Sister Cities program. It is a wonderful achievement.”

Year 11 Legal Studies Court House Excursion

On Tuesday, the Year 11 Legal Studies class attended the Katoomba Local Court - dually noted as observers and not participants! The visit aimed to provide a hands-on learning experience about the judicial system to complement their studies in class.

The students, accompanied by their teacher, Ms Wade, were given a guided tour of the courthouse including the cells, the district court and even the Judges' chambers. They had the unique opportunity to observe local court proceedings; ranging from mention listings, pleas and some sentences being handed down.

During the visit, Magistrate Robinson took time to speak with the students, answering their questions about the judicial process and the importance of the legal system in maintaining social order. This experience offered the students a real-life experience on courtroom process, legal terminology, and the roles of various court officials.

We extend our thanks to Magistrate Robinson and the court staff for being so welcoming on the day and broadening our understanding of the workings of the justice system!

Lauren Wade

Senior School Teacher

Year 12 Economics Meets Matthew Parsons

On Wednesday 5 June, our Year 12 Economics class travelled down to Hurstville Civic Centre to attend an Economics study day. 

The day was run by Matthew Parsons – the author to their textbook, Strategic Economics – and who in our class has become a much-loved icon.

The day consisted of Parsons-run workshops engaging with the specific styles of questions asked in Economics exams, as well as guidance on how to maximize marks.

Matthew went through common graphs and mathematical elements of the course, systematically reviewed the Balance of Payments, and – to his shame – expressed his support for the Queensland Maroons!

Matthew was highly approachable, speaking freely to students during the breaks. 

At the end of the day, the class approached Matthew and asked to have a group photo, which will take pride of place in our classroom.

I would encourage anyone who is vaguely interested in economics to pursue the subject as a senior; it provides a refreshing and immensely interesting perspective on our world and how it functions in ways which we often don’t see. Special thank you to Mr Heckendorf for arranging the trip.

Thomas O’Connor, Year 12

Jordan Heckendorf

Senior School Teacher