Year 7-9 - Coaching Parade Campus

Year Seven Update

In Year Seven, students have continued to settle into their new campus, showing increasing maturity, independence and enthusiasm. 

Year Seven Camp – Monday 28 April

A friendly reminder that camp deposits are required to secure a place for your child by 7 March for our camp at PGL Campaspe Downs, running from Monday, 28 April to Wednesday, 30 April. Please refer to the camp form or check the XUNO post for further information.

Year Seven Student Leaders:

We want to congratulate our Year Seven student leaders who were recently elected:

• Roselyn Kaur
• Ella Delmonte 
• Aditya Madhira
• Lora Ma
• Naivedhya Patan
• Anaya Bansal
• Fathi Fauzi
• Ayaana Bhardwaj

Year Eight Update

Our Year Eight students continue to impress with their positive attitudes and teamwork around the school. Whether collaborating in class, supporting their peers, or demonstrating responsibility in the yard, they set an excellent example for younger students. Their ability to work together, communicate effectively, and show respect in different situations is a credit to their maturity and growth.

Well done, Year Eight —keep up the great work!

Year Eight Student Leaders

We want to congratulate our newly elected Year Eight student leaders:

• Lavishka Kumar

• Hasel Hew

• Cibe Chen

• Sebastian Flood

• Shrestha Tavidisetty

• Devansh Bansal

• Aaraiz Aaraiz

• Xinyan Guo

Year Nine Update

Warm greetings from the Year Nine team! We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents who attended our recent BBQ evening. The event was a great success, with an incredible turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many families come together.

With NAPLAN approaching, we are pleased to see our Year Nine students demonstrating greater focus and responsibility in their studies. The assessments are scheduled to take place from March 12th to March 24th. More details will be shared soon to ensure students are well-prepared for this important milestone.

We have introduced several extracurricular activities to provide students with a well-rounded school experience. Our Cultural Group now offers dance performances every Thursday during lunch; all students are welcome to participate.

Additionally, our students have the exciting opportunity to participate in a one-day volleyball tournament later this month. Many students have already expressed interest, and training is currently underway.

We are thrilled to announce that a Career Expo excursion has been arranged for March 27th. This event will provide valuable insights into various career pathways and future opportunities. We encourage all parents to sign the permission slips so that every student can benefit from this informative experience.

This week, communication was sent regarding Year Nine students and their transition to Year 10 at Homestead Senior Secondary next year. Please find a copy of the communication.

We have observed a positive response to our new school start time, with many students arriving promptly at 8:45 AM. However, some students are still struggling with punctuality. We kindly request parents to discuss the importance of arriving on time, as homeroom sessions are crucial for sharing essential announcements and setting the tone for the day. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s education. 

We want to congratulate our Year 9 student leaders who were recently elected, including our newly appointed School Captains and Vice Captains:

• Maitri Trivedi - School Captain
• Elijah Petersen - School Captain
• Sonakshi Gutta - Vice Captain
• Tiana Fagalilo-Temese - Vice Captain
• Hiba Sheikh
• Tahlia Elliott
• Hayli Hew
• Jaynah Emana
• Kayla Madu
• Veda Patil

Curriculum Highlights

Year Seven Humanities 

Year Seven Humanities has had an excellent start to the year. Students have been exploring the concepts of identity and citizenship, considering their meaning on a personal and national level.

After researching the values that shape our multicultural society, we will focus on how these values are reflected in Australia’s government and legal structures. Specifically, students will explore the Constitution and how its contents represent Australia’s core values and the government’s legal obligations to uphold them.

The term will culminate in a multifaceted, project-based assessment, where students will apply and expand on their learning from the first part of the term. They will identify an issue within their community and propose a solution, considering the necessary steps to bring their idea to life. Students will get the unit closer by presenting their findings to an audience and demonstrating their understanding of citizenship in action. This project will encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills.

Year Eight Humanities

In Year Eight Humanities this term, we have been diving into the concept of identity—what shapes it, how it evolves, and what influences our sense of self. By exploring personal and national identity, we have examined the various factors contributing to who we are as individuals and Australians.

This term, one of our first activities was creating our Identity Shield, a visual representation of the factors that shape our identity. Students explored personal influences such as family, culture, traditions, beliefs, and experiences, using symbols, colours, and words to reflect their unique characteristics. This project helped us understand that identity is complex and is shaped by many different aspects of life.

In addition to personal identity, we have been learning about the key influences shaping Australia’s national identity. Australia's identity is rich and diverse, from Indigenous heritage and multiculturalism to historical events and environmental landmarks. Through discussions and research, we explored what makes Australia unique and how its identity has evolved. Year Eight students also discovered how Australia’s identity is represented in various creative forms. Whether through the iconic landscapes in paintings by Albert Namatjira, the storytelling of authors like Tim Winton, the songs of artists like John Williamson and Men at Work, or films such as Rabbit-Proof Fence, we discovered how Australia’s culture, history, and environment are reflected in different artistic mediums.

Over the coming weeks, Year Eight students will creatively explore Australia’s identity, reflecting on its diverse culture, history, and modern influences. Each student will choose their preferred format to present their project, expressing their personal perspective on what makes Australia unique through thoughtful reasoning and examples. From Indigenous traditions to multicultural contributions, their work will showcase the many aspects that shape the nation’s identity, celebrating Australia's rich and evolving character.

Year Nine Humanities

Year Nine students are embarking on a journey to explore the theme of “Who Are We?” as they delve into concepts of national identity and belonging and Australia’s role in the global community.

Students will investigate their backgrounds and how these shape their identities. We’ll examine how Australia’s national identity influences a sense of belonging and perspectives on diversity. Students will learn how identities are created and shared across cultures by exploring global movements and systems.

Students will analyse various factors that influence identities and attitudes towards diversity. We explore what it means to be an informed citizen, considering different viewpoints on national identity. Our discussions will focus on what it means to be a good global citizen, encouraging students to consider multiple perspectives and the complexities of identity. We look forward to an engaging term that promotes understanding and respect for diverse identities, both locally and globally.

Music at at Saltwater – Get Involved!

Our Year Seven students thoroughly enjoy their classroom music lessons, developing valuable performance, composition, and music appreciation skills. However, as some students won’t have music timetabled until Term Four, we want to ensure that everyone can engage with music throughout the year.

Instrument lessons are available if you’re eager to start or continue your musical journey! If you have musical aptitude or are interested in learning a new skill, spots fill up quickly, so don’t miss out. We offer lessons in Guitar, Voice, Bass Guitar, Piano, Drums, and Ukulele.

If you're interested, please see Mr Sutton to sign up and secure your place!

Year Eight Music – Exploring the Sounds of the Decades!

Our Year Eight students are diving into an exciting journey through the history of modern music, exploring the iconic sounds of the 1950s to the present day. They step into a different musical era each week, listening to influential artists, analysing song structures, and even trying to perform classic riffs and rhythms.

From rock ‘n’ roll pioneers like Chuck Berry and Elvis, to the grunge anthems of Nirvana, students are gaining a deeper appreciation for how music has evolved. Whether they’re strumming along to The Beatles, experimenting with synth-pop melodies, or creating their digital tracks, this unit is all about hands-on learning and musical discovery!

We can’t wait to see what they come up with for their final “Decade Challenge” performance, where they’ll showcase a song inspired by their favourite era! Stay tuned for some amazing music from our talented Year Eights! 🎸🎶

Year Nine Music – Play Anytime, Anywhere!

Our Year Nine students are taking their musical skills to the next level by mastering the four Chord Formula—the secret behind countless hit songs! By understanding and experimenting with I, V, VI, IV chord progressions, they’re discovering just how easy it can be to play popular music on demand.

Each student will choose a song to perform, applying their knowledge of chord structures and musicianship. Those looking for an extra challenge can tackle a more complex piece, pushing their skills even further. The ultimate goal? To gain the confidence and ability to pick up an instrument and play music anytime, anywhere!

We can't wait to hear their performances as they implement their learning! 🎶🎸🥁