Exciting Times in English at Thomas Reddall High School

The English faculty at Thomas Reddall High School has had an action-packed and inspiring term, with students from all year levels engaging in a diverse range of activities that build skills, confidence, and creativity.

Our enthusiastic Year 7 students have been learning to write structured PEEL paragraphs, using the topic of sustainability as a springboard for thoughtful discussion and critical thinking. A special shout-out to Ms Cagulada’s class, who have brought energy and performance into the classroom with a very entertaining “Speech Choir” focused on environmental awareness – a highlight that has combined teamwork, literacy, and fun.

Year 8 have been diving into their novel study with depth and maturity. Mr Humphry and Miss Newton are incredibly proud of the class's thoughtful analysis of key themes, especially the complex journey of growing up. Students have been developing their ability to interpret literature and respond with clear, well-supported ideas.

Over in Year 9, Mrs Enthaler’s class has been exploring non-fiction texts and crafting persuasive writing on environmental issues. The students are learning to use rhetorical devices and evidence to powerfully advocate for change – skills that are vital in today’s world.

Year 10 have been turning their attention to the world of film. Under the guidance of their teachers and practicum teacher Mr Aloisio, students have studied film techniques and used their knowledge to create their own storyboards and visual compositions. With a camera in hand and an eye for detail, students have creatively applied what they’ve learned about camera angles and visual storytelling.

In the senior years, Year 11 Standard English students, taught by Ms Marzano, Ms Meyer, and Mr Humphry, have been examining the role of technology in contemporary storytelling. They are preparing to present their own imaginative stories through multi-modal formats,combining written, visual, and digital elements to great effect. Likewise, Year 11 English Studies students are producing multi-modal presentations, with some powerfully addressing issues such as racism in sport – a testament to their maturity and awareness of real-world challenges.

Finally, Year 12 students are hard at work preparing for their upcoming Trial HSC exams. From essay writing to creative responses, they have been sharpening their skills and deepening their understanding of prescribed texts. The faculty is proud of their dedication and looks forward to seeing their efforts reflected in their results.

From creativity to critical thinking, performance to persuasive writing, our students have shown great enthusiasm and growth. The English staff at Thomas Reddall are proud to support them every step of the way.

Update on what we have been doing in Mathematics this term.

Times Tables: Both Years 7 and 8 have been working on their times tables once a week. They have also revised the additive and multiplicative strategies that they learned in primary school. This helps them with their times tables.

Problem-Solving Skills: Mrs. Alam has started working with some classes to help improve their problem-solving skills. She has also distributed Homework Booklets for students interested in doing more maths at home.

Sample question that Year 7 has been working on with Mrs Alam:

Maths Box: Year 8 students have begun their pre-testing for "The Maths Box," which will commence in Term 3. Students will engage with different activity cards based on their level to learn mathematical concepts, focusing on Number Sense and Algebra, as well as Measurement and Geometry.

Maths Olympiad: Our Year 7 and 8 team for the Maths Olympiad has already competed in two rounds and performed well. The next round is scheduled for July 30, 2025. Mrs. Kaur is the organiser for Maths Olympiad.
Half-Yearly Examination: Stages 4 and 5 have just completed their Half-Yearly Examinations. Stage 4 students received support with a Summary Sheet they could take into the exam, while Stage 5 students were allowed to do this independently, to encourage effective study practices in Mathematics.
Upcoming Assignments: In Term 3, students in Years 7 to 10 will complete an assignment, with only two periods allocated in class to work on it. They are expected to use their own time to complete the assignment.
Maths Club and Homework Centre: A reminder that Maths Club meets in A15 every Thursday during Break 1. Additionally, Ms. Osborne from Science runs the Homework Centre every Wednesday after school, where students are encouraged to attend for support with classwork and assignments.

Ms. Mesba: Lastly, we would like to wish Ms. Mesba well as she goes on maternity leave at the end of Week 8. We thank her for her contributions to Mathematics at Thomas Reddall High School and wish her and her husband all the best.

Mrs A Latu

HT Mathematics

QuickSmart Numeracy Program

25 students from our current Year 8 cohort are currently involved in the QuickSmart Numeracy Program. The program consists of 30-minute lessons three times a week.

The QuickSmart program aims to improve the student’s automaticity to free up their working memory. Each session involves flash cards, speed sheets, a computer quiz and games. Terms 3 & 4 will also focus on problem solving skills using the CUBES Strategy. We are seeing some excellent improvement with our QuickSmart students. Many of the students are currently working on their multiplication skills now that they have achieved automaticity in addition & subtraction.

Students were rewarded with an afternoon tea at the end of last term and are currently looking forward to a BBQ at the end of this term, to celebrate their hard w

Mrs K McCarthy

QuickSmart Coordinator

Busy Term for the HSIE Faculty

Its been a busy Term 2 for the HSIE faculty and students with many subjects completing their second assessment task and looking forward to making the History/Geography swap in 7-10 HSIE.

Year 7 are looking at Landscapes and Landforms in Geography this term.

Year 8 are learning about the Black Death and Polynesian Expansion in the Pacific. Some students have been involved with practical reenactments of historical events. 8W have been enjoying demonstrating their knowledge of History using performance. They demonstrated their knowledge of Black Death treatments using different tableaux (freeze frames). Students thoroughly enjoyed the practical lesson and showed incredible teamwork, enthusiasm and bravery. 

Year 9 have learnt about human geography in their topic Changing Places

Year 10’s focus has been on Australia’s contribution to the Vietnam War.

The HSIE faculty focus this Term was on our ANZAC Day ceremony, held earlier this term. As always, student behaviour was exemplary. It was wonderful to see some of our 2025 Year 7 students volunteering to help run the ceremony, which was led by Kayden Coggins and Kaitlyn West, our student cadets.

HSIE Junior Electives have also been working hard this Term

Psychology have been delving into the world of psychological experiments, focusing on changes over time to the ethics surrounding this. They are working towards writing and carrying out their own ethical experiments later this term.

Commerce have been learning about the law in Australia and are looking forward to next term when they begin to learn about financial independence.

Elective History have been investigating Criminal and Forensic investigation techniques as part of their Crime and Punishment unit, and are really loving the gory bits!

Aboriginal Studies have been working on their understanding of Aboriginal Art through the development of a work to tell a story of their choosing.

Student have learned traditional symbols, different art forms and the importance of Art being a means of story telling and teaching.

We’ve been so impressed by the quality and deep meaning of the pieces created. These will be displayed at an Art Exhibition during NAIDOC Week next term, alongside some of the beautiful works by students from across the school.

Stage 6 Electives offered in HSIE include Business Studies, Ancient and Modern History as well as Legal Studies. We would like to congratulate all students studying these subjects for their focus, dedication and drive.

All in all a really busy term in HSIE and we look forward to working with our students for the rest of 2025 and meeting parents at the upcoming parent teacher night.

Mrs B Jones

HT HSIE/Languages.

Science Department Newsletter – Term 2 Highlights 🧬

What an incredible Term 2 we’ve had in the Science department! Our classrooms have been buzzing with creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning. I'm thrilled to share some of the exciting highlights from across the term.

🔬 Year 7 – Chemical Reactions Our budding Year 7 chemists explored the rates of chemical reactions through hands-on investigations. Through careful experimentation and observation, students gained insights into how different variables affect the speed of chemical processes. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and growing confidence in the lab.

🧫 Year 8 – Cell Models

Year 8 students channeled their inner biologists by designing and constructing cell models as part of their assessment task. Their work was both creative and accurate, showcasing an impressive understanding of cellular structures. The effort and attention to detail were truly commendable!

⚛️ Year 9 – Atomic Structure This term, Year 9 students tackled the complexities of atomic theory by building atomic models. Their creations reflected not just content knowledge, but also critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

🧬 Year 10 – Genetics and DNA Models Year 10 students explored the fascinating world of genetics, producing intricate DNA models that demonstrated a strong grasp of genetic structures and functions. Their sophisticated approach to this topic was impressive and reflects the depth of their learning.

🏆 Science and Engineering Challenge 2025

A standout moment this term was our school's proud role as host of the 2025 Macarthur Regional Science and Engineering Challenge! Students from Years 8–10 competed with 7 schools from around the region with enthusiasm, creativity, and teamwork—earning an impressive 3rd place finish. This achievement is a testament to their collaboration, resilience, and innovative thinking under pressure.

👏 Congratulations to all our budding scientists! Your hard work, curiosity, and passion for discovery have made this a truly memorable term. I’m so proud of each of you and look forward to what we’ll explore together next.

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and well-deserved winter break. See you in Term 3 for more exciting scientific adventures!

Warm Regards 

Mrs A Kumar

Head Teacher Science

Busy Term For PDHPE

This term in Year 7, students have been studying a unit on Relationships and have been investigating what it means to be in a safe, inclusive, and respectful relationship. During practical lessons, students completed an Aerobic and Fitness unit, in which students worked in small groups to choreograph a fitness routine to the song Nutbush City Limits. The results were amazing, with some of the best routines used as class activities. Students also fine-tuned their fundamental movement skills in the Soccer unit.

In Year 8, students worked through the Mindset Matters - Mental Health and Wellbeing unit. During the unit, the students researched and developed a Health Promotion Pamphlet that helps challenge the stigma around mental health diseases. During practical lessons, Year 8 participated in a range of sports, showcasing high levels of engagement and improving skill levels. Volleyball was a fan favourite, with some class versus class competitions taking place.

Year 9 have been working through the Healthy Life unit, where they have been looking into and learning about what it means to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle. Students have gained a deeper understanding around the recommended daily food intake for children and teenagers, as well as the recommended daily physical activity guidelines. This has reaped benefits with teachers seeing an increase in the practical side of our subject. Students have been eager to take part in the Invasion Games unit, playing activities like dodgeball and capture the flag. Students were also interested in participating in their own Invasion Games, which they designed as part of the Term 2 assessment task.

Year 10 started the Term learning some Aussie Bush dance classics and moved on to fine-tuning their skills in the Salsa and Tango. This gave students the basics and some ideas to experiment with their own dance moves and contribute to their group dance assessment task. Some very entertaining and skilful performances were on display.

As part of the compulsory Life Ready course that all Stage 6 students have to complete, Year 11 students had the opportunity to attend the Stand Tall excursion held at ICC Sydney in Darling Harbour. The Stand Tall program aims to share a message of hope with young Australians through promoting positive role models and facilitating important conversations around mental health. Stand Tall aims to address a range of topics, including self-harm, suicidal ideation, peer pressure, bullying, and social media, through inspirational stories from Jazz Thornton, Matt Purcell, Leila Abdallah, and Daniel Flynn. These guest speakers shared their stories, how they overcame adversity and their challenge in finding forgiveness, purpose and self-belief. These powerful and moving stories resonated with both our students and teachers and hopefully we can practice some of the skills we took away with us in these areas of self-development.

Mr B Lugg

Head Teacher PDHPE

Exciting Things happening in the World of TAS and Music

We have had some exciting things happening in the world of TAS and Music this term. Year 7 Technology Mandatory students have been continuing to work through their modules of work this term. Classes have been looking at Coding, Textiles and Dragsters projects and have been developing their practical skills in these units. In the Textile component students can thread a sewing machine, refill a bobbin, sew hems, and experiment with a variety of different machine stitches. They also showcase their creativity by tie-dyeing their aprons with unique and colourful designs. In our Dragster unit students plan and construct their own toy dragsters. Students have enjoyed the challenge of doing this and have come up with some creative and innovative designs for their dragsters. We look forward to seeing their finished projects in action!

During Reconciliation week students looked at the work of an indigenous designer and used the Reading to Learn strategy to help design their own symbols to use as part of their fabric design.

On Wednesday, March 26th, our Stage 5 Food Technology & Hospitality students were treated to a hands-on experience with Cris from Wheely Gourmet, as part of our exciting Food Truck Incursion! Students had the opportunity to prepare and produce their very own delicious burgers and crispy onion rings. Cris shared his valuable insights into the hospitality industry and what it's like to run a food truck, offering students a unique glimpse into the world of mobile cuisine. They even got to step inside the food truck, exploring the kitchen setup and equipment. Students also practiced their customer service skills by serving their peers refreshing drinks straight from the food truck.

Our Stage 5 & 6 Food Technology and Hospitality students recently had an unforgettable experience during their excursion to Sydney Tower. The day began with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Tower's state-of-the-art kitchens, where students gained valuable insights into the operations of a high-end culinary environment.

They also explored the Tower’s three signature restaurants, each showcasing a unique

approach to fine dining and menu design. This provided a first hand look at the diverse range of hospitality careers and the professionalism required in top-tier food service.

The highlight of the day was a delicious buffet lunch at Sky Feast, where students enjoyed a wide variety of international dishes while taking in the breath taking panoramic views of Sydney.

This excursion was an inspiring opportunity for our students to connect classroom learning with real-world industry practice —truly a memorable day of food, learning, and sky-high experiences.

Thankyou to Mrs Feeney and Ms Sakopo for organising such wonderful opportunities for our students to experience.

Stage 6 Construction students have been busy working on their Evidence Central submissions for achievement of their competencies. Both year 11 and 12 students have a mandatory work placement component coming up soon for this course. Year 11 students must have their white card uploaded to Evidence Central and have achieved their Cluster A task to be able to complete this. Year 12 Construction students have been working with Mr Mackie in designing and constructing plans for a covered bus shelter for students.

Our Year 8 Music students have been diligently preparing for their Ukulele performance at the Formal Assembly, proudly showcasing their growing musical abilities. Year 12 students are focused and working hard to refine their HSC performance and composition pieces. Meanwhile, three of our Year 11 Music students, Ashton, Kingston and Danilo, who participated in the Conscious NXT Program successfully completed the 10-week initiative, during which they wrote and recorded an original song with industry professionals, including L-Fresh the Lion. The song will be showcased at a concert hosted by Campbelltown Arts Centre, celebrating their creativity and collaboration.

Mrs C Edwards

Head Teacher TAS and Music

Wellbeing and Learning Support Term 2 Update

Over the next few weeks, our Wellbeing and Learning Support Faculty will be working closely with students in Years 7 to 9 to complete a range of important assessments. These include the South Australian Spelling Test, the PAT Maths Test, and the YARC Reading Assessment.

These assessments play a valuable role in helping us better understand each student’s learning needs and current levels in spelling, mathematics, and reading. The information gathered allows us to identify strengths and areas where students may benefit from additional support or targeted teaching strategies. It also assists in guiding our classroom practice and ensuring that every student receives the right support to thrive in their learning.

We appreciate the effort and focus shown already by all students during these assessments. The results will be used to inform planning and provide tailored learning experiences across the curriculum.

If you have any questions about your child’s participation in these assessments or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Learning and Support team.

Breakfast Club

Please feel free to encourage your child to come and check out our Breakfast Club each morning in The Hub from 7.45-8.15am.

Attendance

Education for your child is important and regular attendance at school is essential for your child to achieve their educational best and increase their career and life options.

During Week 5 the school was involved in an attendance initiative known as the Non-Attendance Interview Program in Schools. The program is run by a team including the Home School Liaison Officer, Aboriginal School Liaison Officer, Head Teacher Wellbeing and Deputy Principal Inclusion and Support.

The objective is to reduce the number students who have unexplained absences and seek out how the school can support each student to improve attendance. The team spoke to students whose attendance is of concern. The team intends to raise awareness in the school and home environments of the importance of regular attendance.

Please contact the school if you require any additional Wellbeing/Learning and Support assistance.

Mrs R Hutchinson

HT Wellbeing and Learning Support

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