Middle School Leaders | Words of Encouragement to Year 7 Students

Our Middle School Student Leaders were asked to write words of encouragement to the Year 7 students as a way of supporting them as we entered Remote Learning Stage 2. Their words and thoughts are genuine, reflecting a positive care for students. Take time to read and acknowledge that one day these young people may well be our Leaders. Thank you Year 9 Student Leaders.

Ms. Jacinta Wilson | Year 9 Coordinator

"Hi Year 7s! In these crazy times once again, we've had to continue to overcome challenges. One being remote learning for the second time. Every one of you are doing amazingly well and are pushing through these hard and uneasy times. The Middle School Student Leaders and your teachers are available on teams if you need any help or just want to have a chat. 'You're a fighter, look at everything you've overcome. Don't give up now!'" - Tayla S.

"Hi year 7s. During this second round of remote learning remember to keep a positive, organised and engaged mindset. Work to your best abilities and stay resilient. Keep in mind that your 2020 student diaries are a great way to stay on task and well prepared for the weeks ahead. You’re all doing an amazing job so far, keep it up!" - Nicholas C.

"Hello Year 7s. I hope you are all doing well during these tough times and making sure you stay safe. I know this schooling process may be a little difficult to understand but us, the Middle School leaders, along with everyone else in Wheelers Hill College support you and are here to help. Please don't be afraid to send us a friendly email if you have a question or a comment on this whole situation, because I'm sure we will be able to help 🙂. Remember, always try your best and stay positive." - Zienna McC.

"These times are different, they can be hard sometimes, unable to see your friends or participate in the fun activities you may have been hoping to do. If we all work together however, by wearing our masks, staying at home and doing the right thing, we can aim to get our non-corona-fied times back! Stay strong and stay positive." - Matilda D.

"To all Year 7 students that are feeling scared, nervous or worried, there is nothing to worry about. This is because we are all in the same boat. You can ask anybody for help as they are all going through the exact same thing as you." - William M.

"Hello Year 7s. As we return to remote learning it's important to stay positive and focused to get through these unexpected times. Staying concentrated on your learning is essential, but maintaining good health both physically and mentally is equally as important. If you ever find yourself anxious or stressed about remote learning, don't forget that there are people around you who would be more than happy to help you out." - Maia R-H.

"Hi Year 7s. As one of the Middle School Captains, I wanted to congratulate you all on the unbelievable work you all are doing whilst in this tough remote school experience. I hope most, if not all of you are adjusting comfortably to the new schedule since the second lockdown has started. I, along with the other Middle School Student Leaders are here to support you. Please message us. As Chuck Palahniuk said, 'It's going to be hard but hard does not mean impossible.'" - Amineh A R.

Year 7 Science “Zoobook” | Student Spotlight

Currently our Year 7 Students are exploring the living world remotely in the topic of Classification. One of our champion Science students, Adam M, went out of his way to create a Facebook Page for the funny-looking Pygmy Marmoset!

Here are also some thoughts from Adam about his awesome project and our current Year 7 Science topic:

Why did you do your Zoobook page on the Pygmy Marmoset?

“I searched up on the internet, 'smallest monkey' and that's what showed, so I decided that's what I would do.”

What did you learn by making your Animal Zoobook Page?

“That animals are more than just Fascinating, they have so many unique traits.”

What do you enjoy most about this Science topic and why?

“I love this topic because I've always loved animals.”

What do you want to be when you finish school and why?

“I would love to be a biologist so i can study animals and see how they cope in the wilderness, i also love being able to find out new things.”

Great work, Adam!

Mr. Pedro Mello | STEM Specialist

Year 9 Forensics | Crime-Scenes

The Year 9 Forensics elective classes have been learning about processes involved in approaching crime scenes and how to classify evidence. To show their knowledge, they were asked to create their own crime scenes using whatever approach they liked. Their creations were incredible – students used a range of strategies such as drawing their crime scene, using online programs to design them, making videos of the crime-solving process or staging real life crime scenes with their families*. Congratulations to all involved for their creativity and innovation!

*No siblings were harmed in the making of these crime scenes.

Ms. Gemma McMahon | Forensics Teacher

“This project was chosen to be done since it shows many techniques and strategies that are used in many crimes. As an investigator, there are many things that need to be looked at in crime scenes, such as types of evidence and clues surrounding a crime scene.  There are many types of evidence involved in this task. This includes direct evidence (observations, videos, witnesses, and confessions), circumstantial evidence (this shows proof that the suspect was at the scene – a gun, hair, etc), physical evidence (physical proof left behind – tire tracks, weapons, drugs, etc), biological evidence (parts of the body, body fluids, etc), and trace evidence (small bits of evidence which can relate to DNA, fingerprints, blood, strand of hair, and more).

"All of these leads listed above have been used in the crime scene which I created. This includes samples of blood (biological evidence), a tracing of where the body was left, and a knife (physical evidence), and others. This was quite a fun and exciting experience since you get to create a scene and understand types of actions which are conducted by investigators when scanning a crime scene. I was also interesting playing a part of the villain and spreading parts of evidence across the scene. I would really enjoy doing this again and creating a different crime scene with different elements.” - Alana E.

"Year 9 forensics has been focusing on evidence/crime scenes so far and this creative crime scene task was a perfect way to show off our understanding on how evidence can be collected from a crime scene and how it can be classified. The process included planning out a story, using household items to create that story, collecting evidence from it and then finally classifying the evidence. I think this task was really enjoyable and great way to showcase our progress!” - Matilda D.

"This is the crime scene I created for Forensic Science as we’re learning how to identify and analyze the types of evidences such as direct or circumstantial, physical or biological, class or individual. I really enjoyed making my crime scene by using IbisPaint for the sketch, PicsArt for filtering and Tayasui Sketches for shading and adding details (e.g. the blood on the wall and the blood on garbage bag)." - Kiara T.

"In forensic science we are working on how to identify pieces of evidence at the scene of the crime. As you can see, the three pieces of evidence that are included consist of a murder weapon (the knife), a motive (the victims empty wallet) and the cause of death (a slice to the neck from the attacker). This crime scene can therefore be thought of as a robbery gone wrong." - Will M.

"In Forensic Science, the class has been focusing on how to analyse and investigate a crime scene. For a fun activity related to this topic, the class had to create a type of crime scene from different objects and items from their house. The task could have been completed in any way such as a drawing, a model, or a physical diagram. Since I can’t draw, I got my sister to lie on the ground in my backyard as I made a crime scene around her. This was a very fun activity to do and my sister also enjoyed participating!" - Zienna M.

Year 12 English | Power Writes

Can you write something that includes subject specific language and sophisticated vocabulary in 2-3 minutes without stopping? Not sure? Haven’t tried?

The expectations of Year 12 students for end of year exams is intense. They are expected to write for three hours and somehow incorporate everything they have learned into one high stakes task?  How is that possible? 

All we can do as teachers is offer strategies that develop writing stamina and thinking in a series of drills and activities. Just as coaches prepare athletes through exercise and practice for competition, teachers prepare students for that crucial exam period. 

Here is an example of a Power Write and our wonderful Year 12 students explain the purpose of the low stake strategy.

"Power writes are an activity that have been introduced to Year 12 English this year. It involves the teacher giving us 2-3 minutes, and a topic relating to the text we are studying. During this set time, we write whatever comes into our minds on the topic and construct it into coherent and concise sentences. We are encouraged to incorporate the vocab words that we learn at the start of each class before the power write. After the power write is finished, we self-evaluate it and peer-evaluate, looking for features such as word count, subject specific language, interesting words and words that could be heightened / improved. We then set a goal on how we can improve and then re-do the power write at the end of the lesson with our newly learnt knowledge and an aim to achieve the goals we set after our first power write.

"We conduct this activity twice every lesson to build writing stamina, which is an essential skill needed for English exams where you have to write three essays in three hours- that’s roughly 12 pages of non-stop writing! Power writes helps us to train for the final exam and the writing stamina and quick thinking needed to do well. It has helped me to think fast and write full and complete paragraphs under timed conditions, a skill I will rely on to get me through all of my final year 12 exams." - Jemma F, 12B

"At the beginning of the year, the English teachers introduced a small activity called a power write which we complete at the start of each class. This activity involves writing a small paragraph about a given topic for 2-5 minutes. This activity has been helpful for a better understanding of our English topics. Not only does this help us improve our writing stamina and quick thinking, it helps us commence our study by putting the students in the right mindset and gain an understanding of what the learning intention is for the day. For a 2-3-minute activity, it is very beneficial." - John S, 12A

"Power writes are a new tool/activity that has been introduced, that provides students with the ability to further their interpretation and development of ideas at a fast pace.  This ensures that we are prepared for future SACs and exams which are conducted under time constraints. Giving us this chance to improve on our writing and idea generating skills, provides us with the opportunity to be 'the best that we can be' and earn the best marks possible." - Hayley S, 12C

"Power Writes are a writing exercise we do in English, in which a prompt is given to us and we have between 2-5 minutes to write to our hearts desire. This power write is then given to a peer to read over and highlight key terminology. Doing power writes over the last year has allowed us to engage in low stakes writing, that additionally trains our writing muscle to help us think about and analyse prompts quickly and on the spot, as well as make our writing pace faster to aid us in the end of year exam." - Ayesha S, 12C

Ms. Claire Hanley | Literacy Specialist

College Productions | Student Reflections

Production 2020 is ever evolving – responding to the changing global climate. We are looking forward to producing our film… but in the meantime, will cherish the remote rehearsals as a chance to laugh, dance and sing together – in the comfort of our own homes! We thought we would use this newsletter, as a chance for our Year 12s to reflect on what The Production means to them. Here are their thoughts.

Ms. Genelle Lentini | Performing Arts Leader

"I have been involved in the production all these years because it has been a creative outlet for me outside of the usual classes and subjects that I took part in every day. It’s also a fun and safe space for everyone involved where we can all express ourselves and not be judged for anything we do. I signed up again this year as I wanted to have one last hurrah and enjoy my final year doing something that I love very much with people that I appreciate and respect very much. What I hope to learn from this experience now being in isolation as well is how art can be made even when we aren’t together and how it can bring people together as it is something very amazing that anyone who is interested or thinking of it should join because what do we have to lose." - Austin A.

"I've been performing in WHSC productions since year 7 as it's always been a place where students of all year levels and staff from all domains can come together to collaborate on one performance that is such a big part of the school's year. The college production has been the highlight of my school year every year and every part of the process from auditions to rehearsals, trying on our costumes or the first time, doing each others makeup in our dressing rooms, taking our bows together, crying on closing night and obnoxiously singing songs from the show whilst covered in glitter in a maccas after each show has been one that I have so thoroughly enjoyed. I knew after my first WHSC production that this was a yearly tradition that I'd want to carry out until my final year at Wheelers Hill. I remember the excitement in the theatre when the show was announced, and the buzz from the college community on what they'd imagine this years show to be like. Although we were disappointed that our yearly production wasn't going to play out the way it normally does, we were so blessed for the chance to continue making art, and excited to take on a new challenge. Going through this new process in my final year of highschool has taught me that art can always be created through any circumstance and that it can bring people so much closer together. It has taught me that no matter the circumstance or setback, if you are passionate, work hard and have an amazing support system, you can achieve anything you put your mind to and make all of your dreams and ideas work." - Ayesha S.

"I've joined up to participate in the production for the past two years as it offers me a creative outlet amongst schoolwork, and has provided me AND others with an opportunity to meet new people who share similar passions in the performing arts! I signed up again this year as I knew this year would be another opportunity for self-growth and that I'll be given one last chance to celebrate the excitement and joy that is performing, alongside my fellow Year 12 students for the final time!! I hope to learn and further my ability to work alongside others who enjoy this event as much as I do myself!" - Regan G.

"Being involved in the production for that past 5 years has given me an opportunity to create new friends and form a production family. It is such a great opportunity to share your love for music, dancing and acting. It has also opened my eyes to the world of theatre and how it can affect your life in ways you could never expect such as gaining confidence. By signing up again this year just adds to my experience, and excited me to learn about the play of Mary Poppins. What i have learnt and hope to continue learning is how working from home can't stop us from doing what we love. It has been such an amazing experience and I encourage everyone to try and experience it at least once in their life." - Iliana S

"I started a bit late when it came to production only really getting involved in year 11, and honestly It made me realise that I should have gotten into it sooner. The effort and passion that is put into the productions every year is incredible. From the costumes, to the rehearsals to the performance nights there is always something going on and something to be apart of. Production is an amazing creative outlet and allows for me to express myself in so many different ways whilst being among individuals who share the same passion for the performing arts as I do. I would push for anyone who even gives joining the college production a second thought to follow through and participate at least once. As the memories that I have made will last a lifetime." - Jorja L.

"I choose to be involved within the production as it’s a good way to meet and work with other students from many year levels, which I wouldn’t usually do in my everyday classes. Production is a safe environment where I can explore and express different creative outlets that I am unable to do in most of my classes. Participating in productions is always the highlight of my year, which is why I chose to do it again. Since participating in the production since Year 7, I have enjoyed all aspects of it from rehearsals, to production camps, to auditions and even going to the shops after every dress rehearsal. I chose to participate in production again this year as it was my last year and it allows me to meet new people and work with teachers and students who I may not know, and to perform alongside my fellow year 12’s one last time. Through these uncertain times, I am still extremely excited to be able to participate in Mary Poppins this year, even if it’s very different to usual. I am keen to take on this new challenge and learn new skills from my fellow peers and teachers, to broaden my performing skills so we can achieve the completion of another amazing production." - Gabby G.

Library News | August Update

Library staff received a nice surprise when they returned to Term 3 – an updated circulation desk! From this, to this!

In the short time we were back this term, the Library received additional shelving and bay ends. Staff worked hard to empty and move existing fiction shelving to accommodate the additional bay. We are very excited at how the library looks now!

Library staff are also continuing to catalogue and cover new books during stage 4, and are looking forward to restrictions easing so you can come in and borrow them! Here are some of our new books:

WHSC Library Team

Wheelers Hill College Newsletter

Respect | Excellence | Creativity

Issue 5 · 14 Aug 2020

In this issue