Year Seven

Humanities: Tackling the World Water Crisis

We are excited to share that our Year Seven students have been engaged in an important and inspiring project: exploring innovative solutions to the global water crisis. Over the past few weeks, they have delved into understanding the challenges related to water scarcity and contamination, and have been actively discussing and developing ideas on how to address these issues.

Why This Project?

Water is a fundamental resource essential for life, yet millions of people around the world lack access to clean and safe water. By educating our students on this critical issue, we aim to foster a sense of global responsibility and empower them to become part of the solution.

What Have the Students Learned?

Our students have learned about the various causes of water scarcity, including climate change, pollution, and inefficient water use. They have also explored the far-reaching impacts on health, education, and economic stability. Through interactive lessons and activities, they have discovered innovative solutions being implemented around the world, such as:

• Water Purification Technologies: Learning about tools like Lifestraw and Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) that provide safe drinking water.
• Agricultural Advances: Understanding methods like drip irrigation and drought-resistant crops that help conserve water in farming.
• Rainwater Harvesting: Exploring techniques for collecting and storing rainwater to use during dry periods.

We encourage you to discuss with your children what they have learned and their ideas on how we can all contribute to solving the water crisis. Simple actions at home, such as conserving water and supporting water-related charities, can make a significant difference. Additionally, students are encouraged to share their knowledge with family and friends to spread awareness.

Music

As the school year progresses, our Secondary Music Department is abuzz with excitement and activity. At the start of the year, we were thrilled to introduce a range of new instruments to our program, including guitars, keyboards, a drum kit, and ukuleles. These additions have opened up new musical opportunities for our students in Years 7-9, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

The introduction of these instruments has been complemented by the arrival of two talented instrumental staff members. Mr. Smith has joined us, bringing his expertise in guitar, drums, bass, and ukulele. His dynamic teaching style and vast experience have already made a significant impact on our students, many of whom are quickly mastering their chosen instruments.

Joining Mr. Smith is Mr. Silva, who specialises in voice and piano. His passion for music and dedication to nurturing young talent is clear in our department. Mr. Silva's lessons are always engaging and inspiring, and it's been wonderful to see students thrive under his guidance.

The enthusiasm for these new lessons is evident, with spaces filling up rapidly and most already nearing capacity. It's clear that our students are eager to take advantage of these new learning opportunities, and we are delighted to see such high levels of participation and enthusiasm.

One of the most exciting outcomes of these new additions is the emergence of a new school band. This group of talented students has come together to explore their musical creativity, blending the skills they've acquired in their lessons. Their rehearsals are filled with energy and collaboration, and they are quickly developing a unique sound that we can't wait to share with the school community.

Overall, the start of this school year has been a fantastic time for our secondary music department. With the new instruments, the expertise of Mr. Smith and Mr. Silva, and the enthusiasm of our students, we are looking forward to a year filled with musical growth, creativity, and performance. Stay tuned for updates on our new band and other exciting musical projects throughout the year!

There are a few spots left if your student is keen to further pursue musical endeavours. I'd like to thank the school community for your ongoing support. 

Mathematics

We are pleased to announce that our Year Seven students have completed their unit on measurement. Throughout this unit, they engaged in learning activities focused on area, perimeter, and volume. Using Essential Assessment, students were able to measure their improvement and identify the next steps in their understanding. This tool has been instrumental in providing personalised feedback and guiding our students’ learning journey.

We have now embarked on an exciting new unit on fractions and real numbers. Students have been exploring equivalent fractions and various methods to simplify them, including using the highest common factor (HCF) method. They have also delved into the differences between proper, improper, and mixed fractions, learning how to convert between improper and mixed fractions. This knowledge is crucial as we build towards more complex fraction operations.

Looking ahead, our focus will remain on fractions as students learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide them. Additionally, we will explore real number concepts to deepen their mathematical understanding and application. These skills are essential for their continued growth and success in mathematics, providing a strong base for future topics.

We are excited about the progress our students have made and look forward to their continued success in the coming weeks!