Specialists

 

Secondary 7/8 Term 1

Digital Tech

Secondary 7/8A, B, E & H have had a great start to their semester of Digital Technology, beginning the unit called ‘Technology and Me’ which is focused on using technology safely and with purpose. First, they created a short moving animation using visual code in the ScratchJr app. They then showed fantastic teamwork skills while playing in Minecraft, following group expectations when building a Minecraft tree house village in each class. 

Each week we discuss a safety tip to help us learn how to use technology safely including treating equipment with respect such as when we use the Apple Pencils and our laptops. 

Next term we will create a stop motion movie and document our learning in PowerPoint. 

Music

After a quick refresher on instrumental techniques, students have begun working on the song 7 Years by Lukas Graham. Classes have been learning to perform this piece as an ensemble, with all instrumental and vocal parts covered by students. Their teamwork is becoming increasingly strong as they coordinate their parts to create a unified sound.

PE

This term, students in Secondary 7/8 explored basketball in depth during their Physical Education lessons. They worked hard to practise new skills and demonstrate them in modified games, showing clear progress across the unit. Students learnt to communicate effectively with peers and develop stronger teamwork. Their enthusiasm on the court contributed to a supportive and energetic learning environment.

Social Competencies

Secondary 7/8 students revisited the Concord School Expectations and reflected on what they need from themselves and their environment to be successful learners. They practised strategies such as using fidgets, incorporating movement and setting individual goals to support regulation and engagement.

Students made a strong start to Drug Education, exploring what medicines are, why they are used and how food and medicines travel through the body. Through practical activities, they increased their understanding of how the body works and the effects medicines can have. Next term, students will learn about prescription and over‑the‑counter medicines, focusing on safe and responsible use.

Next term, students will focus on learning about prescription and over-the-counter medicines, with an emphasis on how to use them safely and responsibly to protect themselves and others.

Visual Arts Highlights

Secondary 7/8 students started the year revisiting fine motor skills through bright Pop Art‑style name designs featuring strong shapes and patterns. They then developed accuracy by drawing simple shapes for a collaborative display, working alongside classmates to combine their pieces. Students explored key art materials, pencils, crayons, paint and brushes before illustrating them in a cheerful Kawaii style. Their increasing confidence and readiness to experiment with new ideas have been wonderful to see.

Creative Media

This term ⅞ students have enjoyed using costumes to make their favourite characters come to life. We used iPads to take photos, taking in turns in front of and behind the camera. It was challenging learning a new program and turning our photos into old style wanted posters. 

Food Tech

Students in Secondary 7/8 have been introduced to the five food groups: Dairy, Grains and Cereals, Fruit, Vegetables, and Meat and Protein. 

This term we focused on Dairy, Fruit and Vegetables. Students learnt about dairy farming in Victoria and followed the process from farm to supermarket. They identified products made from milk, created their own smoothie, and some even made butter from cream. We also explored how different fruits and vegetables grow and identified the ones we prefer, which helped us plan and prepare our own fruit platter. Students have shown great curiosity as they explore where their food comes from.

Science 

Students in Secondary 7/8A, 7/8B, 7/8E and 7/8H have participated in a variety of exciting experiments and demonstrations about surface tension, diffusion and chemical reactions this term. So far, experiments have included Pepper Swim Away, Amazing Milk, Acids and Bases, using red cabbage indicator to test pH, and our volcano model during an acid/base reaction. 

Students are looking forward to our Coke and Mentos demonstration in the final week of Term One.