Year Seven

Mathematics

Over the last few weeks in Maths, Year Seven students have been learning about linear relationships, where they have located coordinates, plotted linear graphs on Cartesian planes and solved linear equations. Through the completion of the water park project, students finished their own design of a virtual water park, displaying their enthusiasm and creativity. As a result, our students were able to demonstrate how well they understood the knowledge of Number and Algebra. 

Students have also explored the concept of location and transformation where they described translations, reflections, and rotations of multiples of 90° on the Cartesian plane using coordinates. They also learnt how to identify line and rotational symmetries.

In the next two weeks, we will dive into money and financial mathematics, which will allow our students to have the opportunity to connect math concepts with real world money problems, which they can implement in their day-to-day life.

Science 

In Science, Year 7 students have continued their journey of exploring our neighbouring planet, Mars. As part of this exciting project, students have been deeply engaged in designing their very own Mars Rovers. They began by researching the challenges of the Martian environment, then moved on to drafting and planning their designs with careful consideration of engineering principles. During the construction phase, they discovered the importance of adaptability, making thoughtful changes to improve their models as they brought their ideas to life. This hands-on activity has not only enriched their understanding of space exploration but also developed their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

As the year comes to an end, we reflect on what a wonderful year it has been for our Year 7 students. From exploring exciting science projects to building new friendships, they have grown and achieved so much in 2024. We are proud of their hard work and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in the years ahead. Well done, Year 7!

Athlete Development Program 

Students in the Athlete Development Program have been hard at work completing their physical testing to track their progress and set new goals. In addition to their fitness work, they explored nutrition by cooking pancakes in the food tech rooms, learning about a typical athlete’s breakfast. Students also wrapped up their final coaching session with Coach Jack, where they mastered the proper technique for serving before putting their skills to the test in a friendly game. While the boys gave it their all, the girls showcased the importance of teamwork, ultimately taking the win. We extend our gratitude to all families for their ongoing support of this subject—your encouragement has been invaluable in making this term a success.

Year 7 English: Persuasive Advertising and Shark Tank Pitches

This term, our Year 7 English students have been diving into the fascinating world of persuasive advertising. They’ve been learning how words, visuals, and emotions are used to captivate an audience and sell a product or idea.

The highlight of the unit was a hands-on project where students created their own innovative products and prepared persuasive pitches, taking inspiration from the popular TV show Shark Tank. Working in teams, they brainstormed product concepts, developed marketing strategies, and designed eye-catching advertisements.

Students applied their knowledge of persuasive techniques, such as appealing to emotions, using slogans, and presenting clear evidence to convince their audience. In a mock Shark Tank session, they presented their ideas to a panel of “investors” (played by their classmates and teachers), showcasing creativity, teamwork, and excellent public speaking skills.

From eco-friendly gadgets to futuristic inventions, the pitches were as entertaining as they were convincing! It was fantastic to see the students’ confidence grow as they shared their ideas and fielded questions from the panel.

Congratulations to all our budding entrepreneurs for their hard work and innovation. Who knows – we may have witnessed the beginnings of the next big business idea!

Spanish: A Year of New Beginnings

What an incredible year it has been! 

I feel so honoured to have taught every Year 7 student at Saltwater this year and to have shared in the excitement of their first year of secondary school. Getting to know each of you has been a true privilege, and I hope Spanish classes brought you both a sense of achievement and plenty of fun along the way!

To the students and families, thank you for warmly including me in the Saltwater community. Your support has made this year so special, and I am deeply grateful to have been part of your journey.

Next year, as you take on the challenge of learning Mandarin, I encourage you to embrace it with enthusiasm and curiosity. Every new language opens doors to new perspectives and experiences.

I wish you all the best in your future endeavours and hope to see you around the in the community. If you spot me, please say hola! And remember, my email will stay the same—I’d love to hear from you in the future about all the amazing things you’re doing.

Gracias y buena suerte,

Señorita Hewat

Visual Art 

As we approach the end of this incredible year, it’s a perfect moment to celebrate the creativity, growth, and dedication our students have displayed in Visual Arts. From exploring new techniques to expressing meaningful ideas through symbolism and storytelling, this year has been an inspiring journey for everyone.

I am incredibly proud of each and every one of our Year 7 students. Their hard work, creativity, and courage truly shone through in their final projects, where they developed a range of artworks that conveyed powerful and personal messages. Through this process, they explored how art can communicate identity, emotions, and values, demonstrating not only technical skill but also thoughtful self-expression.

Throughout the year, students embraced challenges, experimented with new materials, and refined their abilities to analyse and evaluate their work and the work of others. Watching them grow into reflective and innovative thinkers has been one of the greatest highlights of the year.

Thank you to all the parents, guardians, and supporters who have encouraged our young artists in their creative journey. Your support and encouragement have been invaluable in fostering their confidence and enthusiasm.

As we look forward to the new year, I am excited to see how our students will continue to evolve as artists and thinkers, building on the strong foundation they have established this year. I wish everyone a joyful and restful holiday season and look forward to another year of artistic discovery and inspiration!