SWAG 

As 2024 ends, we reflect on a remarkable year filled with growth, learning, and success. It has been a year of discovery and achievement, with our students excelling in academics, that brought their lessons to life. 

In Science, our Year 12 students stood out in their trial exams and practical dissections of the ear, kidney, and brain, showcasing their dedication to learning. We acknowledge Mrs Amanda Cook and wish her all success in her new school. We wish our Year 12 the very best for their HSC exams and future endeavours. Year 8 students embraced the challenges of understanding of physics such as series and parallel electrical connections, conducting engaging experiments like elephant toothpaste etc, and exploring forces and magnetism with enthusiasm. Agriculture students demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and hard work by harvesting spring vegetables and planting zucchinis and lettuces, making our school garden a vibrant hub of activity. Their hands-on engagement with the planting and harvesting processes reflected their passion and teamwork. Our National Science Week celebration was another highlight, with the whole school participating in exciting activities, experiments, and workshops that inspired curiosity and innovation. These accomplishments reflect the dedication of our teachers, the support of our parents, and the boundless potential of our students. As the holiday season approaches, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for making 2024 a truly exceptional year. 

Wishing all our families a joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with peace, happiness, and continued success. We look forward to another year of learning, growth, and shared accomplishments in 2025! 

Camden High School represented in CSIRO 

During Week 7, five of our wonderful students represented Camden High School at the CSIRO Community Partnerships Showcase, held at the Camden Council Administration Building. These girls showed off their research projects that were aligned to solve issues involving recycling and waste in the Camden Community. This year we have partnered with the CSIRO to help expose our students to STEM, through real world innovative design projects. These projects are designed to build key STEM skills such as critical and creative thinking, problem solving and communication skills.  

At the showcase students spoke about their work to industry professionals, other school leaders and Camden Council Councillors.  

We are so proud of the work these girls have put in. 

Year 7 Explore Biodiversity at Sydney Zoo 

On Wednesday, 13th November (Week 5), Year 7 students had the exciting opportunity to visit Sydney Zoo as part of their science studies along with the Deputy Principal, Head Teacher and team. The excursion was a wonderful success, engaging students in hands-on learning about the classification and biodiversity of living organisms. 

The day included a one-hour workshop focused on the classification of living things, where students applied their knowledge to identify and group various species based on shared characteristics. 

Students experienced a guided exploration of the zoo, during which students completed a classification worksheet provided by the zoo. This activity allowed them to observe animals up close and appreciate the diversity of life forms. 

Throughout the excursion, students demonstrated excellent behaviour and curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and making connections between classroom learning and real-world examples. Teachers and supervising staff were impressed by the students' enthusiasm and teamwork. 

This experience supported the Stage 4 Science outcomes SC4-14LW (Living World) and SC4-4WS (Working Scientifically), reinforcing the importance of observing and classifying organisms in scientific practice. 

The excursion has deepened students' understanding of the natural world and highlighted the importance of conservation and sustainability. 

Year 8 Students Design Rovers for Mars 

This term, Year 8 students in 8G have embarked on an exciting engineering challenge as part of the Camden Rover Project. The task? ... To design and build a rover prototype capable of transporting accommodation pods across the harsh terrain of Mars. 

Students have been exploring how forces interact, including gravity, friction, and weight distribution, to ensure their rovers can overcome obstacles and successfully complete their mission. Using recycled materials, the students were tasked with creating a design that: 

• Supports the weight of a physics textbook, simulating a payload

• Travels a minimum of 5 metres, crossing a small hill without assistance

• Suspends its payload at least 10cm above the ground throughout the journey

Through this project, students have developed a deeper understanding of the role forces play in engineering. They have been challenged to consider how each stage of their rovers operation, from rolling down a ramp to navigating uneven terrain, is influenced by these forces. They are learning that overlooking a single force could mean mission failure! 

While the rovers are yet to be tested, the creativity and innovation displayed in their designs have been impressive. Students have also worked into the logistics of space exploration, calculating the costs of building, testing, and transporting their rovers to Mars. 

This hands-on project has not only enhanced the students' understanding of physics but also encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. We eagerly anticipate the testing phase and can’t wait to see which rover achieves the ultimate Mars mission success!