What's been happening in our Faculties?
Term 2 has been another busy and engaging semester for students and staff in the English faculty. Across all year groups, students have continued to develop their reading, writing, speaking and critical thinking skills through a diverse range of texts and learning experiences.
Our Year 7 students explored how film can be used to communicate important messages about sustainability. Through analysing a range of visual and audio techniques, students developed their understanding of how directors create meaning and influence audiences.
Year 8 students examined how traditional fairy tales have evolved over time and continue to resonate with modern audiences. They explored contemporary appropriations of familiar stories before applying their learning through creative writing tasks, crafting their own imaginative alternate endings and adaptations.
In Year 9, students studied the novels Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden and Lockie Leonard by Tim Winton. These texts encouraged students to explore themes of identity, resilience and growing up. Students also developed their communication skills through presentations, building confidence in speaking to an audience and expressing their ideas effectively.
Year 10 students investigated themes of individual empowerment and social change through the films Freedom Writers and Hidden Figures. Through their analysis of film techniques and representations, students considered how storytelling can challenge social norms and inspire positive change.
Year 11 Standard English students explored the Contemporary Possibilities module, examining the impact of technology on society and the ways texts shape and reflect our understanding of the modern world. Year 11 Advanced students studied George Orwell's Animal Farm as part of the Narratives that Shape Our World module, analysing how narratives influence perspectives and communicate enduring ideas.
Our Year 12 Standard English students engaged in creative writing and studied The Truman Show alongside M.T. Anderson's novel Feed, exploring the impact of media, technology and social media on individuals and society. Year 12 English Studies students continued their English in Travel unit, developing practical literacy skills and exploring how language shapes travel experiences.
The English faculty would also like to acknowledge and thank Miss Rahardja for her valuable contribution to our school community. We wish her all the very best as she embarks on an exciting new opportunity teaching in Japan.
We congratulate all students on their efforts throughout the term and thank families for their ongoing support. We look forward to another successful semester of learning in Term 3.
Mr Mathew Humphry
Head Teacher English
It has been a busy Term 2 in the Maths Faculty at T-Red.
Students in Years 7 to 10 have now completed their Semester Examination. For the exam, students were allowed to bring in an A4 page of summary notes. A new expectation has been introduced: all bags—including phones that are already switched off—must be left at the front of the classroom during assessment tasks.
A friendly reminder: assessments must be completed on the required due date. Notifications are given two weeks prior to the task. If a student misses the due date or is away on School Business, they need to complete a misadventure form with their classroom teacher or Head Teacher on the next day they return to class. This process ensures all students complete their tasks and allows teachers to report accurately on student learning.
Year 7 students have been working on Indices and Algebra, while Year 8 students have been solving up to 2-step equations. Year 9 students are tackling equations as well, including 3-step equations. Year 10 students are exploring Linear Relationships.
Year 11 Mathematics Standard (Week 10) and Advanced (Week 11) classes will be completing Assessment Task 2 in class. A reminder that Maths Club is available every Thursday during Break 1 in A15. Ms Mesba has also been working with her Year 11 Mathematics Advanced class during this time in A16.
Two of our Maths classrooms—A14 and A15—now have new furniture. The whiteboard tables have been particularly useful for solving equations.
Year 8 classes have been solving up to 2-step equations using the whiteboard tables:
The Australian Mathematics Competition will be held at T-Red early in August. Permission notes for the competition will be distributed soon. If your child is interested in participating, please see Mr Raj for further details. Last year, one student achieved a Distinction, and two students earned a Credit.
We look forward to another successful competition this year!
Mrs Ana Latu
Head Teacher Mathematics
QuickSmart Numeracy Program
The students in our Year 8 QuickSmart Numeracy Program have continued to thrive this term. Many of the students have achieved automaticity in addition and subtraction and are now focusing on multiplication. Next term students will also be working on their problem-solving skills using the CUBES Strategy, which will continue to be the focus for Terms 3 and 4.
Students were rewarded with an afternoon tea at the end of last term and are currently looking forward to a BBQ towards the end of this term, to celebrate their hard work & success. Keep up the excellent work!
Mrs Kim McCarthy
QuickSmart Coordinator
This term, year 7 have been looking at what makes different places nice to live in. They have studied what factors are considered when deciding if someone might experience high or low liveability in an area, and how different demographics of the population might have different perceptions of how liveable somewhere is. The classes have been able to demonstrate their town planning skills to create the most liveable towns on a limited budget. It has been great to see what different students feel are the most important parts of towns, or most worthy of investing our money in and how passionate they have been about defending their choices. It seems we may have some future town planners and political leaders amongst us!
In their assessment task they were able to demonstrate their understanding of the geographical skills of labelling a compass rose, using grid reference, and interpreting pie charts to understand the different uses of soil in Australia. Year 7 have all shown great skills and understanding in Geography this semester, and we are excited to be wrapping up our learning to dive into our History topics next term.
Year 8
Year 8 are currently finishing up their final history topic for the year before they move on to Geography next term. They have finished learning about The Black Death and have moved on to Polynesian Expansion across the Pacific. They have learnt about the different theories of how people travelled and settled on the many islands that make up Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia, and the importance of art in these cultures.
Students have also learnt about the mystery of Easter Island and the importance and history of the huge Moai statues which guard the island. Year 8 have shown great interest, respect and knowledge towards these cultures when learning about them, and many have been able to offer valuable insights and personal stories to deeper connect and strengthen students learning of the topic. Well done year 8 for a great first half of 2026!
Year 9
In Year 9, students have been learning about how places and change and the effects of urbanisation on towns, cities and countries. Students have gained insight into why people may choose to move from one area to another for both positive and negative reasons, how this can boost the regions culturally, economically and socially when the begin to boom and how this allows for more services to be more readily available. In contrast, they have also studied the different consequences of these moves socially, economically and environmentally. In these studies, year 9 have considered both Australia and other countries around the world and been able to make comparisons between how the different countries are impacted by these population changes and the changes that are brought about by them.
Students have been able to work on their collaboration and critical thinking skills when faced with different scenarios around new infrastructure or natural disasters occurring in an already urbanised city. In groups they had to think about potential consequences of these scenarios and come up with solutions on how to mitigate these issues. They showed great depth of knowledge through this process and were able to come up with some fantastic solutions to real world problems. It has ben great to see such dedication to their studies and look forward to seeing what year 9’s study of History brings.
Year 11
In Modern History this term students have been learning about the Romanovs and their reign of over 300 years. They have looked into how Russia felt about them being in power, the consequence of their leadership and the events that ultimately led to their downfall and the ways this impacted many other nations before and during World War One. Students looked at the story of Anastasia and were able to discuss and evaluate how modern day films such as Disney’s representation of Anastasia can helpful when considering why sources are not always correct or reliable, and often cinematic value takes over the need or desire for accuracy.
Alongside this, Modern History students have been busily working on their historical investigation assessment tasks. This is a deep dive into a significant historical figure, evaluating why they are still relevant to society today. The students have chosen a wide variety of figures to study, and have been able to demonstrate their understanding of how to find reliable and accurate historical sources, when investigating people of the past. We can’t wait to see the presentations students come up with.
Ms Rebekah Pearson
HSIE Teacher
This term has been an exciting and rewarding one for our Science students, with the standout event being the Macarthur Science and Engineering Challenge hosted at Thomas Reddall High School in Week 7.
In the lead-up to the challenge, our students dedicated many hours to planning, designing and testing their solutions. Their hard work and commitment were evident throughout the day as they competed against students from schools across the Macarthur region. Our teams demonstrated outstanding teamwork, creativity, problem-solving skills and school spirit in every challenge they undertook.
A particular highlight was our first-place finish in the bridge-building competition. Our innovative “Bendy Bridge” impressed judges with its clever design and engineering principles. In a thrilling finale, it narrowly withstood the force of the infamous Bridge Buster, securing victory and earning our students a well-deserved first place.
The challenge provided an excellent opportunity for students to apply their scientific knowledge in real-world situations while developing valuable collaboration and communication skills. We are incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, resilience and determination displayed by all participants.
Congratulations to everyone involved for representing our school so positively. We look forward to seeing many of these students return next year as we aim to build on this year's success and come back even bigger and better.
Mrs Alpana Kumar
Head Teacher Science
Year 7 PDHPE: Building Bonds & Breaking a Sweat
This term in PDHPE, Year 7 students have been exploring what healthy, respectful relationships look like, an important topic that has sparked thoughtful and meaningful conversations in the classroom. Through this unit, students have developed a greater awareness of how to build and maintain positive connections with others, a skill that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
In their practical lessons, students hit the ground running with an aerobics and fitness unit. As part of their group aerobics assessment task, students worked collaboratively to create and perform their own rhythmic exercise routines to the iconic Nutbush City Limits. Students then transitioned into a soccer unit, where they have been focusing on developing fundamental skills including dribbling, passing, and spatial awareness, all while embracing the spirit of friendly competition and collaboration.
Year 8 PDHPE: Mental Health Matters & Taking to the Court
Students in Year 8 have been engaged in an important unit on mental health and wellbeing this term, developing an understanding of the dynamic nature of mental health and moving beyond the surface to appreciate that caring for their mental health is just as essential as caring for their physical health. Students have explored the signs of both positive and poor mental health, developed strategies to support their own wellbeing, and examined ways to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges, developing an informative resource designed to raise awareness of a specific mental health condition for their term 2 assessment task.
On the practical side, students began the term in an ‘over the net’ unit — developing their communication, coordination, and teamwork skills in volleyball — before progressing onto ultimate frisbee, a fast-paced game that challenges students to think on their feet while working together toward a shared goal.
Year 9 PDHPE: Who has the Power & Athletics Unit
In Year 9 students delved into the dynamics of power, influence, and decision-making in various contexts, helping them develop critical thinking and personal awareness. Students completed an assessment task which involved creating a Health Promotion Pamphlet, applying their knowledge to encourage healthy choices. Alongside this, they actively participated in the Athletics practical unit, which focused on enhancing their skills in track and field events, improving fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Students also took part in the school athletics carnival, applying their skills in a competitive and supportive environment.
Year 10 PDHPE: Risky Business & So You Think You Can Dance
During this term Year 10 students examined risk-taking behaviours, their potential consequences, and strategies for making informed decisions to stay safe and healthy. Complementing this, the So You Think You Can Dance practical unit allowed students to develop their creative expression, teamwork, and physical skills through learning and performing a variety of dance styles. As part of this unit, students completed a group dance assessment task, choreographing and performing their own dance routines.
PASS Elective – Sports Coaching & Over the Net
In the PASS Elective, students have been engaged in the Sports Coaching theory unit, where they explored essential coaching techniques, leadership, and communication skills. Their understanding was assessed through an assignment requiring them to design a detailed coaching plan and deliver the session to a small group of junior students. In the practical Over the Net unit, students developed their skills and strategies in table tennis and badminton, enhancing coordination, agility, and teamwork.
Year 11 SLR: Sports Administration & Athletics Assessment
In Year 11 SLR, students gained valuable insights into the planning, organisation, and management of sporting events and programs. Additionally, students completed an Athletics Assessment Task based on their participation in the school athletics carnival. This practical experience allowed them to demonstrate their athletic skills and apply their understanding of fitness and performance in a competitive environment.
Year 11 CAFS: Diving Deep into Families and Communities
Year 11 CAFS students have been deeply immersed in their second module, Families and Communities — exploring the diversity of family structures, the roles individuals play within them, and how informal and formal support helps families navigate change.
As the centrepiece of their assessment this term, students completed a literature review on the topic of gender socialisation, drawing together their understanding of socialisation, the life span, and the role of families and communities to produce a sophisticated piece of academic work. Miss Newton has been consistently impressed by the genuine curiosity and engagement students have brought to the content explored in the course — a wonderful sign of things to come as they progress through the year.
Year 11 Life Ready: Standing Tall — Big Lessons Beyond the Classroom
On Thursday 4th June, students from the Year 11 cohort had the privilege of attending Stand Tall, Australia's largest youth wellbeing event at the ICC in Darling Harbour. The event forms part of the students’ Stage 6 Life Ready course and featured an inspiring lineup of speakers including James Chapman, Jessica Watson, Emma Carey, Duku Foré and Michael Crossland. Each speaker shared their personal journey, delivering powerful messages about identity, resilience, self-belief and overcoming adversity.
Students were left moved and inspired — a reminder of just how impactful it can be when young people hear directly from others who have faced life's challenges and come out the other side.
Looking ahead, Year 11 students will attend bstreetsmart next term — Australia's leading youth road safety event, designed to educate and empower young drivers to make safer choices on the road, this too forming part of their Stage 6 Life Ready course.
Together, these events play a vital role in preparing our senior students for independent adult life as they step into the world beyond school, delivering real-world learning around personal health, safety, wellbeing, and decision-making in a way that no textbook can replicate.
A big thank you to Mrs Adamson who organises these experiences for our Year 11 students each year.
Year 12 SLR: Sports Coaching & International Sports
Year 12 students have been engaged in the Sports Coaching theory unit, where they explored coaching principles, leadership skills, and effective communication strategies essential for guiding athletes. Their learning was assessed through a comprehensive assessment task that required them to design coaching plans tailored to specific sports contexts. Additionally, students participated in the International Sports practical unit, developing their skills in sports such as table tennis and badminton.
It has certainly been a busy term. Wishing you all a safe & relaxing Winter break.
Mrs K McCarthy
Relieving Head Teacher PDHPE
Term 2 has been filled with exciting learning opportunities across the TAS and Music Faculty, providing students with valuable real-world experiences, practical skill development, and opportunities to showcase their talents.
Students in Stage 4 Technology have been busy in the woodwork rooms this term, applying their design and practical skills to the construction of timber jewellery boxes and BBQ caddies. Throughout the project, students have developed a range of
valuable woodworking skills, including accurate measuring and marking, safe use of hand and power tools, cutting and shaping timber, assembling components, sanding, and finishing techniques. As they progressed through the production process, students demonstrated problem-solving, attention to detail, resilience, and effective time management while working to industry-standard safety practices. It has been fantastic to see the pride students have taken in their craftsmanship, with many producing high-quality finished projects that showcase both their creativity and growing technical expertise.
Our Year 9 and 10 Child Studies students recently enjoyed a rewarding visit to Ambarvale Public School, where they spent the morning working alongside Stage 1 students as part of their elective studies. Throughout the visit, students participated in a range of engaging activities including skipping, running races, imaginative play in the Tiny Town area, and exploring the playground equipment. Our students took on leadership roles, facilitating games, encouraging participation, and supporting positive social interactions with the younger children. It was wonderful to see the confidence, enthusiasm, and communication skills demonstrated by all students involved. The experience provided an authentic opportunity for our Child Studies students to apply their classroom learning in a real-world setting while developing valuable interpersonal skills. We extend our sincere thanks to the staff and students at Ambarvale Public School for their warm welcome and for providing such a positive and memorable experience.
Students from Year 9 and 10 Food Technology, alongside our Year 11 Hospitality and Food Technology class, recently embarked on an exciting excursion to Sydney Tower, gaining a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into one of Sydney's most iconic hospitality venues.
The day began with an exclusive tour of the Sydney Tower kitchens and revolving restaurant, where students learnt about the large-scale operations required to serve hundreds of guests each day. They also discovered the innovative technology behind the restaurant's famous rotating dining experience and gained valuable insight into career opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Following the tour, students enjoyed lunch at the restaurant's buffet while taking in spectacular 360-degree views of Sydney and its surrounding landmarks. The excursion provided a valuable connection between classroom learning and industry practice, allowing students to see hospitality and food service in action. It was a day filled with learning, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences.
Our Year 11 Hospitality students have held their first TRED Café service of the year. This practical learning experience enables students to gain experience in both back-of-house operations, including food preparation, cooking, and kitchen management, as well as front-of-house responsibilities such as customer service, communication, and table service. These authentic experiences play an important role in preparing students for future employment and hospitality careers.
This term, students in Year 8M Music have been developing their ukulele performance skills through the study of popular songs including I'm Yours, Riptide, and Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride.
Students have focused on learning chord progressions, refining strumming patterns, and improving the fluency of their chord changes. A key aspect of the program has been encouraging students to set personal performance goals and actively track their progress throughout the term.
Working collaboratively in small groups, students have pursued a range of individual learning pathways. One group has been preparing for a formal assembly performance of Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride, while another has focused on achieving specific assessment goals. A third group has worked closely with Mr Hobden, receiving targeted support to strengthen strumming techniques and chord transitions.
The growth in confidence, persistence, and musical ability demonstrated by students this term has been outstanding. We look forward to seeing their continued progress and celebrating their achievements in future performances.
As Term 2 comes to a close, we congratulate our students on their hard work, creativity, and commitment across the TAS and Music Faculty. We look forward to seeing them continue to develop their skills, confidence, and talents in Semester 2.
Mrs Cherie Edwards
Head Teacher TAS and Music
The Hub remains a busy and welcoming space for students. Many students continue to use The Hub during breaks to connect with others, play the Nintendo Switch or board games, or use a Chromebook in a calm space.
We are continuing to support students with food when needed. Breakfast Club is still available for all students, and toasties are available during breaks for students who may have forgotten lunch or are not able to bring food from home.
This term, we have continued working with a number of external providers who are supporting students across different year groups.
Year 7 students have been working with Big Yellow Umbrella. They have taken part in sessions about self care, where they have been learning about looking after themselves, noticing when they might need support, and building healthy habits. Year 7 students have also completed a transport workshop, helping them learn more about safe and confident travel in the community.
Year 8 students have been working with Uniting through the What’s Going On program. These sessions give students a chance to talk and learn about some of the things young people may face as they grow up. The program helps students build confidence, understand themselves and know where they can go for support.
Year 10 students have been taking part in Mental Health Workshops with Traxside. These workshops focus on mental health, wellbeing and support-seeking. Students have been learning about how to recognise when they or someone else might be struggling, as well as positive ways to look after their mental health.
Alongside the year group programs, Mission Australia has run the RAGE Program with a small group of students. This program supports students to better understand anger and learn safe, positive ways to manage strong emotions.
The Street Uni has also continued working with individual students. This support helps students feel connected at school and gives them another trusted person to speak with when needed.
We are thankful for the ongoing support of these providers and the work they are doing with our students. The Hub will continue to be a place where students can access support, build connections and feel part of our school community.
Mrs Alison Fretwell
Relieving Head Teacher Wellbeing/Learning Support