Secondary School
Year 7
Love Bites Sessions
On Monday and Tuesday this week, our Year 7 students participated in the Love Bites program, facilitated by our school Wellbeing Team, Liz Smith and Emily Flanigan. The respectful relationships education initiative was developed by the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). The workshops are designed to support young people in building the knowledge, skills and confidence required to engage in safe, respectful and positive relationships.
Across the sessions, students explored key themes including:
- Understanding respectful relationships
- Recognising personal values and boundaries
- Identifying qualities of healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Developing communication and help-seeking skills
Considering consent and personal safety
Students were highly engaged throughout the program. They contributed thoughtfully to discussions, extended one another’s ideas, and demonstrated maturity in exploring their own values and beliefs. They were encouraged to reflect on the type of person they want to be, reinforcing the importance of integrity, empathy and accountability.
The final component of the workshop involved a creative collaboration session. Students worked together to consolidate and communicate the key messages they had learned. The outcomes were impressive, with groups producing posters, role plays, raps and songs that powerfully conveyed themes of respect, boundaries and standing up for one another. It was encouraging to see students confidently articulating these messages in ways that were meaningful to them.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our Senior Leaders, who generously cooked a delicious BBQ for the students across the two days. Their support helped create a positive and connected atmosphere, rounding out a valuable learning experience for our Year 7 cohort.
The Love Bites program provides an important foundation as students navigate the social and emotional changes of early adolescence. We commend Year 7 for their respectful participation and thoughtful engagement.
Year 8
Discovering Plant Cells Up Close
Students in Year 8 Science explored the microscopic world by preparing a wet mount of onion cells. They carefully observed cell structures under the microscope, developing essential laboratory skills while deepening their understanding of how plant cells are organised and viewed at high magnification.
Year 9
Year 9 Accelerated Science
In another hands-on investigation, the year 9 Accelerated Science students dissected a bull’s-eye to explore light and the function of the eye. Through this task, they examined how light travels, how the eye focuses images, and the different parts of the eye and how perception is linked to vision—connecting physics concepts to real-world biology.
Bacteria Up Close: Year 9 Science Investigation
Students investigated the growth of bacteria from common surfaces using agar plates, observing how microorganisms grow and learning about hygiene and contamination.
Year 10
Year 10 Students Explore the Science of Vision Through Eye Dissection
Our Year 10 Science students recently took part in an engaging bovine eye dissection, giving them a hands-on opportunity to explore the structure and function of the eye. Students were fascinated to observe how the lens refracts light, helping to create a focal point on the retina, and enjoyed identifying the blind spot within the eye.
This practical activity helped bring learning to life, strengthening students’ understanding of vision, light behaviour, and eye anatomy. Most importantly, students showed great curiosity, teamwork, and enthusiasm as they explored how science explains the way we see the world.