Middle School 

Inspiring the next generation of Mathematicians! 

Talking about genders and Mathematics to Year 7 students. 

On Friday, 21st of May, three female Year 11 students visited the Year 7 ACE class to discuss their experience as Maths Methods students. Amineh Araujo, Sofia Escoto Carranza, and Sanober Bhavnagri spoke about the challenges and rewards of being a female student in an advanced Maths class. 

This visit allowed our Year 7 students to deconstruct the idea, held by members of the public and supported by media in many different countries, that girls are not as good as boys in mathematics and science. They talked about social expectations, Maths mindsets, note-taking, work ethics, and grit. 

It was beautiful to listen to their stories and realise how having a Growth Mindset allowed them to overcome their self-doubts about their Mathematical abilities. They are living proof that Stephen Curry was right when he said, “Success is not an accident, success is a choice”.  

Thank you, Year 7 ACE, for your welcoming attitude, and thank you, Amineh, Sofia and Sanober, for your openness and generosity. 

It was a joy to facilitate this encounter! 

Mrs. Soto 

Numeracy Learning Specialist 

Year 8 Creative Writing 

I am very proud to display a smattering of the amazing writing by the talented students we have at Wheelers Hill Secondary College. You can read how the students have considered the kinds of messages they are conveying to their target audiences and the sorts of values and ideas they are representing through their characters, events, and literary devices.  

Enjoy! 

Statement of Intention  

Name: Nick Hetherington  

Audience: The target audience is 12-17 year olds from a range of cultural backgrounds and making them think about things they have that other people don't or might really want  

Purpose: To entertain  

Intention: To make the reader think about things they have that other people don't have   

As the last pudding was set on the table and the final guest arrived, the Mid-Winter Feast had begun. Butlers strode out with their heads held high, their suits laden with twine, laughter and clinking filled the air. The wines that flowed were drunk with great joy and the puddings were ever so rich.  The pasta was piled high on the plates and the meat was cooked perfectly, medium rare. As the singing died down and the plates were licked perfectly clean, the band struck up and the waltz commenced, the sounds moving around like silk, partners bowing and dancing.   

Shattering glass filled the air, shard flew down from every angle like fighter jets. People ziplined down in black suits. The crowd dispersed like a herd of gazelles. Panic filled the hall and people ran around as if their head had fallen off. As the hall was filled with people running around, one person remained calm.    

He rose from his seat and left the building as if nothing was happening. His red suit made him blend in so well and when the time came that the glass would rain down, he had a plan. He had his orders and he knew exactly what to do. It was doing it that was the hard part. He strolled down the hallway ever so calmly, but with so much determination. The statues he walked past watched him and he just passed it off as another distraction and continued his path through the hall. He reached his final destination, a heavy wood door. He looked up and down for the give-away spot. It caught his eye and he began his work. He pulled his paperclip out and was hard at work. The door clicked and he moved in without a sound.  

The sparkles that met his eyes were beyond anything words could describe. Glinting gold, dazzling diamonds and emeralds that could please an empress. The room was roof high with the riches and fortunes of many generations past. He was stuck in a daze, marveling at the shear value of what this could be worth. And then, he marvelled at the crown jewel. It stunned him and he felt as if his knees were about to give in. He walked up to it with trembling hands, the emeralds engraved with his family crest caught the light and spun it in all different directions. He was going to return to his family filled with glory, retaking what was taken from them, giving a little bit of hope.   

His hands fell around it and he hoisted it high above his head with triumph. He fumbled in his pockets, looking for something that wasn't there. This was not part of the plan, he thought, this was not meant to happen. He fumbled and fumbled looking, but it wasn't there. He would have to escape the hard way. He looked around him, for some space he could run in. He backed up and launched himself at the window. He crashed through it, shards of glass flew in every direction. A sound coming from within the house started to wail. He could hear cars already pulling up to the front door and he could picture them hammering on the door to be let in. He only had so much time to escape. He bolted through the gardens, thinking only of getting home. He jumped through the veggie patch and vaulted himself straight over the wall that separated the hall from the rest of the town. He raced down streets and passed cars, only noticing for the first time how big the town actually was.   

He reached deep into his pocket, and pulled out his keys, jingling louder than ever. He dug his heels in the ground, trying to stop himself over shooting his ride. He jammed the keys into the ignition and sped off into the night.  

Harvest Moon  

By Alani Matthewson  

Statement of Intention  

Title – Harvest Moon  

Author – Alani Matthewson   

Genre – Fantasy, War & Mystery  

Purpose – To entertain fantasy-lovers with an interesting story, message and characters.   

Audience – People who have read fantasy before, 12-18 year-olds.   

Outline – Kinsley’s girlfriend, Inari, is chosen to be the Guardian of the Harvest Moon, a deity that comes in the form of a Moon that is fiery orange. The last Guardian recently escaped the grasp of the Moon, so this Harvest Moon festival, Inari is chosen as the new Guardian. This is heartbreaking for Kinsley, who has deeply loved Inari for a long time and planned to marry her soon. Kinsley then goes up to the Spire where Inari is, where she tries to confront her. She finds Inari controlled by the Harvest Moon, unable to move but can still feel emotions. When Kinsley goes too far trying to talk to Inari, she is singed by her fire powers and falls to the ground. Then Inari speaks a cryptic prophecy to her in the language of the ancients, which Kinsley knows nothing about. She promises to find what Inari’s last words to her were, and the story ends.   

Message: To let go of the past and focus on the present.   

Values: Brave, Accepting, Bold and Loyal.  

Literary Devices: Imagery, Simile, Metaphor, Symbolism, Colloquialism, Flashbacks.  

  Prologue   

It had been nearly a century since the last was chosen. The moon was flaming, firing as the town grew quiet. It had nearly reached the stop of the spire, where it would acclaim its destiny. Variegate had congregated around the spire, all were hushed under the pressure. Tension seizing my chest, I held my breath. The stars were aligned. The Harvest Moon found its place, and the fire began.   

I had never seen a Choosing before. But this was the most stress, anxiety, nervousness I had felt in my life. I heard the whispers, ancient tongues slithering through my ears, and I let out a crying breath. A scream sounded out into the night, a voice filled of agony and pain, and I whirled my head around. The power was flickering, ready to collapse. This was not who I wanted, who I had wished to be chosen.   

Everyone was screaming. There was one louder than all the others, painful and hoarse, perhaps it was my own. My head was full of anger, rage and fear. I didn’t want this to happen. She was my flame, my hope. She was gone. The Harvest Moon had found its new Guardian, in the place of my best friend, my partner. She was engulfed in flames, her eyes glowing in the pitch black. Flames surrounded her and the crowd was pushed back. No one wanted her, she was everyone’s beloved. My beloved.   

Inari.   

Chapter 1  

I didn’t go to sleep. I lay awake, too hot and somehow freezing as well. My brain was hurting, why of all people, would Inari be chosen? She was the nicest and sweetest girl in the whole town, everyone had loved her. I loved her.The Harvest Moon was evil. I knew this now. I didn’t want to celebrate it anymore, and I didn’t think anyone else did. I sat inside my hut alone for a long while, my sister and father that were supposed to be taking care of were out in the war. They were risking their lives for the smallest war ever. I had seethed over this too many times, shouted at them when they got back but never relented. It was pointless.   

I stood up and started pacing. Inari had been my only love, I’m sure that my family still cared about me but not in the way that Inari does- did. Would Inari still see Kinsley through the Moon’s curse, the Moon’s power? I wasn’t sure, the last guardian never seemed to talk to anyone. But maybe that was their personality. I stopped pacing for a moment, tapping my foot idly. What if I tried to communicate with her? I knew that the Guardian always stayed in the tower. If I could sneak up there before anyone woke up, maybe I could talk to her, make sure she was okay.   

I opened my door quietly, my internal clock telling me that the sun was about to rise, but there could possibly be other people still up, cleaning up the confetti and decorations that usually accommodated the Harvest Moon festival. But when I looked out into the freezing air, I could see no one out there. My body gave a violent shiver before I ran back to get my coat and stepped out in my snow boots. I looked like I was on my way to the snowy mountains around Variegate, but honestly no one was awake to see me like this. I froze as I heard a door creaking, but it was just a bitter wind that flew through the town that had swung a door open. I knew whose door that was, they would definitely be gone, out in the unnecessary war.   

The Spire of the Harvest Moon stood in the center of the village, the town seeming to surround it perfectly. The chipped stone on the sides told me of its age, perhaps it was really the first thing built here, then they built the village carefully around it. The autumn was setting in, but I couldn’t stand to look at the flaming orange leaves, seeing the blemishes on the stone where Inari had been Chosen. I looked up with determination and continued on my venture to the Spire.   

I finally reached the Spire, shivering with the cold that was quickly seeping through my thick coat. I looked down at my fingers, slightly blue. I shivered and fumbled for the doorknob of the big cedar wood door that stood imperiously before me. Thankfully no one ever came to the Spire so no one could ever be bothered to lock it. After all, who would ever want to visit a Guardian? I grasped the freezing doorknob, silver and soaking up all the coldness, and sighed in relief. I forced feeling back into my hands and turned the doorknob painfully, pushing the door open with my shoulder. I looked up as I realised just how tall this Spire was, intentionally the tallest and biggest tower in the whole continent. How was one supposed to get up to the top, where I knew the Guardian would be? Stairs, as far as my eyes could see. I gave a tired sigh and set my foot on the first step.   

The stairs were long, too long. I panted for breath, caught in the crossfire of terror and rage. I knew I shouldn’t be here; it was forbidden from everyone in the town, except for the Harvest Moon’s Guardian. I felt so much hate, anger towards that title now, it had taken away the only thing left that really loved me. My family was gone to me, my father out in the war, battle hardened and emotionless. My mother was in a state of sadness, not even the strongest healer able to save her from herself. My siblings, Briar was still loving and caring, forgiving to everyone. Perhaps she would be my anchor, pulling me in from the sadness I would soon join my mother in. My oldest sister, Priya, was in the same state as my father, pushed all her emotions to the side to stay fierce and powerful in the war, even though the war had barely made a scratch.   

Variegate, my sanctuary, had been at war with Marolate for a few years, but the fight wasn’t really too fierce enough to worry about. At least she hadn’t been forced out into the war, still a Battalion’s apprentice. This was what I thought about to distract myself from the pain and exhaustion that was settling quickly upon me. I didn’t quite realise what ordeal I would have to go through just to climb a stupid Spire.   

Finally, when I was just about ready to completely give up, I saw the slight glowing light of the fierce fire lanterns. I knew these lanterns; I had watched them choose Inari just a few hours ago at the Guardian’s Incantation. I gritted my teeth and quickly got up the stairs and found Inari’s short, cropped hair glowing in the darkness of the dawn. Her hair was a bright red, like a fire that had just been lit. She was standing on the balcony surrounding the spire, not moving a single bit and watching the sun as it rose over the mountains that surrounded Variegate. The town sat in a valley, protected from the outside forces such as the small war with Marolate.   

I tried tapping her on the shoulder, gently nudging her to get her back to the world. Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes unblinking and staring into the rising dawn. She was as frozen as the lake in the winter season, eyes faintly pulsing with power. I knew that she now had the powers of fire, she was completely changed. I hadn’t met the other Guardian before, other than in the twice-a-year rituals when the Harvest Moon arrived. She was completely her, besides the fact that she now had flaming eyes and hair, she could no longer speak, and wouldn’t ever be her Inari again.   “I-Inari?” She tried, patting her former girlfriend gently on the shoulder. Inari had always loved when Kinsley would run her hands through her hair, but I couldn’t touch her hair for the heat that simmered within it. I quietly hissed, my fingers now darkened by burns. I tried murmuring quiet comforts to her, but she still didn’t divert her gaze. She hadn’t moved, her arms under the fiery robe were now covered in goosebumps from the coldness of the night.   

I seethed, annoyed and irritated by Inari’s lack of warmth. She could create fire from her hands, why couldn’t she use that to warm herself up? I tried to grab her forearms and started to shake her, my chest hurting. The cold was seeping into my skin, making me shiver even with the sun starting to rise behind me. My head pounded, the terror that Inari was changed pounding. Changed forever, without a way to ever get her back. I would get her back. I would.   

Suddenly after trying to kick Inari in the shins, she turned around, her eyes glowing like fire and her hair flaming like a lit ember. I stepped back, fear less of losing her and more of what she was about to do to me. Her eyes were completely orange, pupils and all, looking like film set on fire as she stared into my very soul. Then she finally spoke, the words sounding like they were bring torn from her very core, her truths and memories being stolen from her into these words. They were raspy, croaky, scratching my heart as those eyes stared at me.   

“Kerniz fehu isa uhef sowulo. Kenaz raido teiwaz. Ansuz raido eithwaz.”  

Chapter 2   

I screamed and fell back; the flames of her eyes having singed my arm. As soon as I looked back at Inari, she was fine again, looking back at the dawn. Had I imagined it? She had said some gibberish, but I didn’t know exactly what. I rolled my shoulder painfully, having thudded on the unforgiving concrete underneath me. My back was aching like hell, but I forced myself to stand up, I felt small and about to be singed again. My arm was burning, but at least it was only a small scratch, compared to the scratches in my heart that she had just left.   

“I-Inari?” I said tentatively, my heart heavy. Was this the only way my beloved could speak now? She was so bubbly, the best in learning our language in class. She had always been an amazing writer with a good sense of grammar and knew how to spell most words. Now she was decimated to this language of the ancients, unable to speak in any other language, if she were to speak at all. The sun rising was blinding, and I quietly stood beside her as she stood stock still, staring into the light. “If possible, could you repeat what you just said? I didn’t quite catch it.”  I scrambled to find something to write on, and I found a folded piece of paper, one of Inari’s love letters to me. I swallowed the lump in my throat before I heard Inari speaking softly, the words that she had said before repeated to me in a soft whisper, exactly how she had talked to me when we were hanging out in the back of class, her head leaning into my shoulder while I twirled that one tiny bit of hair that refused to go short. I blinked firmly and focused on writing down exactly what she was saying. Maybe I had gotten the spelling wrong, but it sounded exactly like what I had written down.   

“I just wanted to say, Inari-” I swallowed another lump and quickly wiped away a tear that was trickling down my cheek. I blinked again and let another tear tickle my face, proud of it. “I just wanted to say, I’ll really miss you. You were an amazing girlfriend, I really wish we could have gotten engaged before the Harvest Moon. Inari, you were a beautiful, smart and caring person, I’m so sorry that you were the one Chosen as the new Guardian. But a moment never lasts, and we have to move on. I have to leave you on this Spire, even as much as it breaks my heart, I have to. I have a family, a little sister, a father and an older sister that should be coming back very soon. Inari, my love, I wish you happiness and peace for eternity.”  

The sun broke fully over the mountains, highlighting my flowing tears that were quickly soaking my cheeks. I rose my head, soaking up all the sun. I would find what Inari had said, her last words to me and possibly ever, asides from the rituals she would be forced to perform. I took her hand carefully, standing side by side and watching the dawn rise around Variegate Sanctuary. I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw Inari’s face streaked with tears as well. Maybe she really was in there, she could hear me, just couldn’t control her body. I gave her a light kiss on the cheek before starting the descent from the Spire. This was my destiny, to find the prophecy that Inari had spoken to me.   

Statement of Intention 

Title: Fear’s Clutch 

Author: Maya  

Genre: Gothic 

Audience: Young Adults who have wanted not to fear what other people think and who want to stop carrying the burden of their troubles I feel will align with my text.  

Purpose: To entertain 

Outline: This is a poem about how it feels to keep your problems locked up. It’s about how someone may feel scared to consult someone about their troubles. I used the metaphor ‘breaking us down to dust’. It suggests that these ‘problems’ may be big and weighing this person down. They may feel as though there is no escape. I wrote; ‘As day always turns to night’. This metaphor implies that they are in an endless cycle and are trying to escape but feel as though they can’t. Eventually, one day it will become too much and then you will no longer have to fear what will happen because you will know.  

FEAR’S CLUTCH 

We are the lonely. 

The left behind and unseen. 

Our voice locked away, 

No sound audible, not even a scream. 

We lurk in the shadows, 

Searching for light. 

An endless cycle, 

As day always turns to night. 

For each other are the same. 

Betrayed, belittled and broken. 

We keep to ourselves, 

Our troubles our tokens. 

They eat us alive 

Breaking us down to dust. 

Making us feel as though we are alone. 

Questioning who to trust. 

Wherever we go, 

They are always near. 

A voice inside, 

 Only we can hear. 

Until the day comes, 

Where it becomes too much. 

Finally, we will be free, 

Free from fear’s clutch. 

Felicity Graham-Prowse 

Literacy Learning Specialist 

English Domain Leader 

Year 8 Personal Best Program 

Year 8 students enjoyed their long-anticipated Surf Day at Smith Beach early in Term 2. They were instructed by professionals on rips, beach safety, and surf lessons. A huge thank you to staff Mr. Woods, Mr. Ellis, Miss Lay, and Miss Yao for their enthusiasm and supervision. The photos here show the students’ skills and participation. 

Comments from students included “It was so cool”, “I had a fabulous day”, and “I had never surfed before and it was really good” 

Miss Jacinta Wilson 

Year 8 Coordinator 

 Year 9 Robotics and Coding  

I am very proud to display the projects of the Year 9 Robotics and Coding students, at Wheelers Hill Secondary College. You can see how the students have used EV3 Lego Mindstorms to create unique projects. To the left is a picture of the Robotic Claw.   

Angeliki Vogiatzoglou  

Digital Technologies & design Engineering Teacher 

Year 9 Forensic Science

Our Year 9 students are able to undertake the Forensic Science elective. This subject investigates the roll of science in legal investigations by exposing the truth and glamour of CSI. It looks at the skills and tools used by scientist to examine evidence and make inference as well as the limitations and reliability of tests. It also looks at the basic process of gathering evidence, testing and validating claims and applying science in a legal framework. Some areas covered include forensic anthropology, hair, teeth and bit marks, blood splatter, DNA analysis, fingerprinting, chemical analysis, fibre testing and chromatography. 

Recent activities have involved students attempting to find fingerprints on various surfaces using dusting materials and examining the structure of long bones to see how they are adapted to provide support and locomotion as well as producing the blood cells that mammals require. 

Warning – the following content may be of concern for some people. 

Light and Vision - Year 8 Science 

As part of Year 8 students' investigations into the nature and behaviour of light they learned how vision works and the form and structure of the eye. 

How can this not lead to a dissection where a bull's eye is opened and divided into its various components to better understand how light can be changed into what we see in the world.