HSIE

Over the last week a small number of our HSIE classes have been given the opportunity to do some reflection on 2025 and the year that was. It’s been a catalyst for some great conversations about highlights in learning and activities that have sparked joy and interest! Here are some of the things that were noted:

By and large the feedback amongst 9/2 showed that students most enjoyed our Term 2 unit of Environmental Change and Management where we had the opportunity to explore the impacts that humans have had on our environment over the course of David Attenborough's life. This unit was filled with many interesting discussions and thought provoking questions with Matt, Jandre and Harley all fondly reflecting on the end of unit consolidation activity that saw them take on the roll of the Local Government for Golden Shores where they had to decide what to spend their yearly budget on in order to appease all key stakeholders whilst managing the impact of any projects being taken on.

Students in 7/3 were quickly able to identify two learning activity highlights for the year and their enthusiasm in doing so was contagious! Many students fondly look back at doing “Cookie Archaeology” in Term 1 when first looking at History and historical skills. Quite a number of students including Jake, Birdie-Jean and Kaitlin were also quick to point out how enjoyable they found trying to replicate Quing Hua pottery in the creation of their own ‘blue and white paper plates’ which can be seen below.

Reflecting on these highlights from our unit is a fabulous opportunity to explore the ways in which learning can occur through activities that rely on different skills, ways of thinking and real life connections, helping us strengthen the engagement of our students!

Mrs Amanda McFarland

Leader of Learning (Acting) - HSIE

English

As we move into the final stretch of the school year, Term 4 is an exciting time in English. Students are applying the skills they’ve developed throughout the year—reading closely, thinking critically, and expressing their ideas with creativity and confidence.

Across all of the junior English classes, students are preparing for end of year examination style learning tasks - focusing on building resilience and time management in the classroom setting. We encouraged all students to be reading and thinking deeply and widely about their class texts and how to make the most of out the last five weeks or so of learning that they have for the year.

The Gift of Reading

As the year draws to a close and families begin thinking about Christmas, it’s worth remembering how valuable reading is for young people. Regular reading strengthens vocabulary, builds empathy, improves concentration, and supports academic success across all subjects.

Books also make thoughtful and lasting gifts—encouraging curiosity, imagination, and reflection long after the festive season ends. Whether it’s a favourite novel, a biography, or a book tied to an area of interest, reading together or talking about what your teenager is reading can have a powerful impact on their learning and personal growth.

This Christmas, consider giving the gift of reading—it’s one that truly keeps giving!

Book Week 2026

Don’t forget to encourage your student to come and check out the books in the school library - as always, the English faculty is challenging all students to the 2026 book week reading challenge!

Two of the four book clues have been released and if a student reads all four texts from the school library they will win a $150 canteen voucher!

The clues are as follows;

You are also encouraged to start thinking about your costumes for next year! It is never too early to begin planning!

Miss Jessica Armfield

On behalf of the English KLA team

Science

Year 7

Year 7 have been exploring our place in the universe. Their current unit on Space has taken them through the motion of the planets, the structure of our solar system, and the reasons behind day and night. Students have also been investigating the phases of the Moon and how its changing appearance links to its orbit around Earth.

Year 8

Year 8 have been developing their foundational chemistry knowledge. They have been learning about atoms, elements, molecules and compounds, building skills that underpin all later chemistry learning. Students have recently completed their Student Research Projects, demonstrating independence and curiosity in scientific investigation. They are now preparing to move into chemical equations, where they will learn to represent reactions symbolically and understand how substances change.

Year 9

Year 9 have been journeying through the cosmos, studying the expansion of the universe, how stars form and evolve, and the spectacular phenomena of red giants, white dwarfs, black holes and supernovas. Soon, they will shift their focus back to Earth with a new unit on volcanoes, tectonic plates and continental drift—exploring how dynamic forces shape our planet.

Year 10

Year 10 have been investigating the physics of motion. Their work includes speed, distance and time calculations, interpreting motion graphs, and applying Newton’s Laws to real-world scenarios. Students have also begun exploring waves and how they transfer energy. These concepts form key foundations for senior science.

Year 11

Our senior students have now commenced their HSC course content across Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Investigating Science and Extension Science. With their first assessment tasks approaching, it is important they prepare thoroughly and seek guidance from their teachers whenever needed.

Examinations and Study Support

Years 7, 9 and 10 will be completing their yearly Science examinations soon. These exams help students develop confidence and experience in formal test settings. While there will be opportunities for guided revision in class, students will also benefit greatly from undertaking additional study at home to reinforce key ideas and practise applying their knowledge.

The Science faculty is proud of the effort and enthusiasm students have shown this term. We look forward to supporting them as they finish the year strongly.

Mr Daniel Fittler

Leader of Learning - Science

PDHPE

Year 9 Child Studies Hosts Montessori Preschool

Recently, the Year 9 Child Studies students experienced a successful hands-on learning experience. We had the pleasure of hosting the children from the Montessori Preschool at our College. This visit was the culmination of our students' learning about child development, with a specific focus on gross motor skill acquisition in the early years. Our Year 9 class took on the role of activity leaders, designing and running a series of engaging, age-appropriate gross motor sessions. They planned and set up different stations, including an obstacle course, relay races, and target throwing activities, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge about coordination, balance, and spatial awareness directly.

The session was a fantastic success, providing our students with invaluable, real-world insight into the practicalities of working with and educating young children. They demonstrated excellent patience, communication skills, and responsibility while interacting with the young visitors. The Montessori children thoroughly enjoyed exploring the activities, and the Year 9s gained a deeper understanding of child development and the importance of play in learning.

We are incredibly proud of their effort and look forward to more collaborative opportunities like this in the future!

Year 10 PASS

This week Year 10 PASS visited the Armidale Golf course to experience 9 holes. This was a great experience for students as they learnt about golf terminology, game play, scoring and golf etiquette. Many thanks to the Golf Club for accommodating our school. Thanks to Mr McCann and Mrs Clydsdale enabling this community sporting experience for all students.

Year 10 PDHPE

Year 10 PDHPE also experienced a Zumba lesson this term as part of their Alternate Sports unit. Thanks to ex-student Ella-Rose Carson for running our sessions here in our College Gym, the sessions were high energy and a fantastic taster of what to expect at a Sport UNE ZUMBA class. Thanks to Mrs Smith for organising this incursion with Sport UNE.

2025 Lifesaving Program

Dear Parents and Carers,

As part of the Personal Development, Health and Physical Education program, students from Year 7 and some students from Year 8 will be involved in the annual O'Connor Lifesaving program in Week 9 of Term 4. It is important that all students attend (non-swimmers included) as swimming is a skill for life. Just over the last 12 months there has been a 4 fold increase in drowning deaths for 15-24 year olds, which is a 38% increase. Poor swimming skills are a major factor in these statistics, that could have largely been avoided. The College will also be able to record students’ ability for future excursions and camps that involve water activities and swimming.

The program will run on the following days at the Monckton Aquatic Centre, Armidale from;

Tuesday 9th of December to Thursday 11th December(8:50am - 3:20pm each day)

All standards of swimming are catered for, ranging from learn to swim to the Bronze Star Award. All staff members accompanying the students are trained RLSSA instructors and have CPR qualifications.

Students will go to school each morning for normal PAC, then assemble in PE classes in the Gym at 9am, and then walk with staff to the pool each day to complete their lifesaving skills sessions until 3:20 pm. Students will be dismissed from the pool at 3:20 pm each day. Students who normally catch the bus home from school will be shuttled back to school in time for buses.

Could you please consent, fill in the swimming ability of your child and any medical conditions the school needs to be aware of by completing the questions on Compass

If you have any questions regarding the arrangements for this valuable program do not hesitate to contact the College.

Thank you

Mrs Camilla Clydsdale

Leader of Learning - PDHPE

Mathematics

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, our Mathematics classrooms remain busy and focused. With still three weeks of valuable learning to go, students are encouraged to maintain their effort and engagement right to the end. All year levels will be completing assessed tasks over the coming weeks, providing important opportunities for reflection, consolidation, and demonstrating the progress they have made throughout the year. It is essential that students continue to finish strong, as meaningful learning is still happening every day.

Year 7 are completing their study of Angles, learning to classify, measure, and apply angle relationships in a variety of geometric contexts.

Year 8 are also working on Angles, extending their understanding to include properties of parallel lines, transversals, and the foundations of geometric reasoning.

Year 9 are finishing units on Quadratic Equations and Probability, strengthening their skills in algebra, graphing, and chance, and applying these to real-world problem-solving.

Year 10 continue their learning along two pathways:

The Advanced/Extension Pathway is working through Data and Statistics, analysing real datasets and developing critical thinking skills essential for senior mathematics.
The Standard Pathway is completing a unit on Financial Mathematics, applying percentages, budgeting, and interest calculations to practical financial decisions.

In our senior courses, students are progressing steadily through their final content for the year:

Year 12 Advanced students are studying Geometrical Applications of the Derivative, applying calculus techniques to rates, tangents and curve sketching.

Year 12 Standard students are working on Networks, with a particular focus on their investigation task, where they use shortest paths, spanning trees, and network modelling to solve practical scenarios.

Year 12 Extension 1 students are beginning their introduction to Vectors, laying the groundwork for the more advanced applications they will encounter next year.

Year 12 Extension 2 students are learning about Mathematical Proof, developing precision, logical structure, and high-level reasoning skills.

We congratulate all students on the progress made so far and encourage everyone to stay committed and revise thoroughly in these final weeks. Valuable learning and reflection opportunities still lie ahead, and the Mathematics faculty looks forward to seeing each student finish the year with confidence and pride.

Thank you to all students, families, and staff for your support throughout 2025. We look forward to an even bigger and better 2026!

I leave you with some action shots from Year 9 getting hands on with an angle investigation.

Mr Mark Harris

Leader of Learning - Mathematics

TAS

Wicking Beds Have Arrived at O’Connor

A Practical Approach to Ag/Food Technology in Stage 4

The Stage 4 Mandatory Technology syllabus requires students to engage with the Ag/Food (Agriculture/Food) Technology context, focusing on sustainable practices and food production. Wicking beds offer an ideal, practical, and highly relevant application of several key syllabus concepts, making them an excellent teaching tool for students aged 12-14.

With the help of the Ag teachers & Ag students in particular Mr Bolger, O’Connor has recently built 5 wicking beds which are located for easy access to the food technology rooms in the courtyard between TAS & Music.

What is a Wicking Bed?

A wicking bed is a self-watering garden system . It is essentially a large, watertight container with a water reservoir at the bottom, separated from the growing medium (soil or potting mix) by a layer of geotextile fabric and a gravel or scoria layer.

The core principle is capillary action, or "wicking." The water is drawn upwards from the reservoir into the soil, keeping the roots consistently moist. This method mimics the natural processes of a swamp or wetland, delivering water directly to the root zone from below.

Integration with Mandatory Technology Units

Wicking beds provide hands-on experience and illustrate key learning outcomes:

Design and Production: Students can design and construct the bed themselves, applying technical skills like measuring, cutting, assembling, and sealing. This involves selecting appropriate materials (e.g., recycled plastic or timber), calculating volumes, and ensuring the structural integrity of the reservoir.
Sustainability and Water Management: They are a powerful example of sustainable water use. Traditional gardening loses significant water to evaporation and run-off from surface watering. Wicking beds can reduce water usage by up to 50% compared to conventional gardens, teaching students about efficiency and resource management in food production.
Food Production and Growth: Once constructed, the beds become a practical laboratory for growing vegetables and herbs. Students can investigate the effects of different soil mixes, fertilizers, and plant types, directly linking the technology (the bed system) to the biological outcomes (plant yield and health).
Systems Thinking: The wicking bed is a simple system with inputs (water, soil, nutrients, light) and outputs (food, waste). Students analyze how the components (reservoir, overflow pipe, soil) interact to maintain the optimal growing environment. The overflow pipe, for instance, is a critical design feature that prevents oversaturation and root rot, demonstrating the need for control mechanisms in a functional system.

Educational Value

Utilising wicking beds moves the Ag/Food unit beyond theory into applied learning. It fosters problem-solving skills, encourages teamwork during construction, and offers an observable, measurable outcome (the harvest). By engaging with this technology, students gain a deeper understanding of how innovation in design can contribute to a more sustainable and productive food future.

Other AG News

The Chook House Improvement & Renovation Program (CHIRP) is in full swing. A big thank you to Mr Hearly and his 11/12 Construction class and Mr Dave McMillen for their hard work getting the chooks a new home for Christmas!

Mr Jon Hawthorne

Leader of Learning - TAS

CAPA

Creative and Performing Arts at O’Connor

O’Connor Catholic College’s Term 4 showcase is coming up on Tuesday 2nd December at 5:30pm at the OCC Performing Arts Centre. Come along to see wonderful work from our students!

Holy Horns performed at Black Gully festival on November 8. The band was well received, playing 7 pieces of soul, blues, and R&B from the 60s and 70s. The band is looking forward to their next performance at the showcase. Watch their performance here: https://youtu.be/lOWG1U8Fa_A

Music room timetable:

Tuesday Break A – Trumpets
Tuesday Break B – Ensemble
Wednesday Break B – Open Room for any student wishing to practise
Thursday Break A – Saxophones
Thursday Break B – Holy Horns

Year 9 Visual Arts CLAYMATION Stop Motion Pro Workshop

Students recently attended a workshop hosted by The Armidale Council War Memorial Library to learn about making a claymation animation. There were lots of giggles and fun over the two hour workshop.

The first step was to create a simple paper storyboard.

Then students set about making their characters from logo, plasticine and other items.

Sets were constructed for the action to take place.

Next the animators captured their scene using Stop Motion Pro.

Adding sound made the animations more engaging.

These are some of the final animations for you to enjoy! Great work Year 9.

Mr Bruce Myers

On behalf of the CAPA team.

Sport

Cricket