Secondary School News

During Term 4, there has been a variety of projects and excursions available to enrich our students’ learning. Here is just a brief snapshot of some of the events and activities most recently on offer. 

Mock Trials - Year 7 Civics and Citizenship

Our Year 7 students have been studying Civics and Citizenship and recently held a mock court case to illustrate the Australian Legal System. Members of the class took up roles of the court, including; jury members, witnesses, barristers, judges and court reporters. The Year 7s thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to experience and understand the court system by acting out the different roles in the court room, with the jury reaching a not guilty verdict. Thank you to the Head of Year 7, Ms Fisher and to our Year 7 teachers for providing this real world experience to enhance our students’ learning.

New Metrics for Success Project - Year 9 Civics and Citizenship

As part of our partnership with the University of Melbourne on the New Metrics for Success project, our Year 9 students in Humanities are currently working on a Campaign Party unit of work. Students have collaborated in groups to create a political party, constructing their Party policies and campaigning to win an election. This involves creating posters, brochures and ‘How to’ vote cards. Students are required to consult widely to ensure that their Party policies reflect current public concerns. Following the preparation for the campaign, students present their policies to the class with an election to be held. Ballot papers will be counted using the preferential voting system with students demonstrating the skills of active citizenship and collaboration. 

Economics and Business – Year 10 Humanities

Year 10 Humanities students have been busy completing their Economics and Business task of “Buying your first car”.  Students have largely selected to purchase second hand cars with a $20,000 budget which includes factoring in the cost of insurance, servicing and maintenance, as well as registration. This task has been a valuable real-world exercise for our Year 10s, with all students gaining a better insight into the true cost and responsibilities of car ownership.

Castaways Sculptures - Year 9 Visual Arts

On Monday 30 October, Year 9 Visual Art students visited the Castaways Sculpture Awards at Rockingham Foreshore. Castaways is an annual outdoor sculptural exhibition showcasing artworks created from repurposed materials. Our Year 9s were treated to a special tour with one of the artists, Rachael Lemon. Thank you to Acting Head of The Arts, Ms Lin and to Mr Morgan, for facilitating this wonderful excursion for our students.

Gardening and Enterprise – Years 9 and 10

Year 9 and 10 students in the Gardening and Enterprise class recently had a visit from the Activ Property Care Team. The students heard about opportunities for work experience and employment around the Perth metropolitan area where they could use skills gained through the Gardening and Enterprise option in a real-world context. The students learned what a typical day working with the Property Care Team might be like and were impressed with the array of electrical and motorised equipment available to operate. We look forward to exploring these opportunities further with our students through the MYPath program in the years ahead. 

Unlocking the Secrets of DNA - Year 10 Science

Year 10 Science students have begun an exciting journey into the world of DNA, by becoming genetic codebreakers. Using the four DNA bases; adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine, our budding biologists created their very own secret message. The real fun began as students challenged each other to decode their messages. Thank you to Mrs Piccolo in Science for coordinating this interactive learning opportunity for our Year 10 students.

Workplace Learning – Year 10

Many of our Year 10 students have been busy applying for Workplace Learning (ADWPL) for next year as part of our Year 11 MYPath program. Workplace Learning is a SCSA Endorsed Program which enables students to receive points towards Secondary Graduation and WACE achievement, as well as providing invaluable experience in the workplace. Students undertake one or more work placements to obtain transferable workplace skills. Thank you very much to the Head of MYPath and Careers, Mrs Leach and also to Mrs Atthowe for their support of our students through the interview process.

Next Generation Innovators – Year 10

Curtin Business School has launched a new unit offering for the Curtin University Rising Scholars Program. Our First Lego League Year 10 students ‘Team Crashers’ were nominated for this opportunity and were successful in being selected for the October school holiday intensive program. Congratulations to Cheria and Thomas in Year 10 who receive a full university credit towards the Bachelor of Innovation which is a fantastic achievement.  This one-week intensive unit challenged Cheria and Thomas’ critical thinking, creativity, resilience, teamwork, and other key contemporary skills in the most interactive way.

21st Century Collaboration – Years 8 – 11 English

21st Century Learning is the development of a highly valuable skill set for the future. Students across Years 8 – 11 English have been actively working to develop their 21st Century Learning skills including  the competency of collaboration. Year 11 students have completed multi-modal presentations in groups to visually represent a text of choice, whilst Year 10 students have been working together to prepare and present tutorials on the conventions of the Science Fiction genre. Year 8s have also worked creatively to develop character bags to enhance their understanding of characterisation in the novel Skellig.  This specific focus on competencies such as collaboration will help to ensure that our students have the skills they will need to prepare them for life in a rapidly evolving world.

Vaudeville Night – Years 7 - 11

Last week, Vaudeville Night in the VMAC included a showcase of performances from students in Years 7 to 11. The evening was largely student-led, giving our performers the opportunity to explore their creativity. Well done to all involved and thank you to Miss Thomas and to everyone involved for making this an enjoyable event for the audience.

Year 12 ATAR Examinations

The Year 12 ATAR Written Examinations commenced this week in The Commons and will continue until Friday 17 November.  We wish the Year 12 ATAR students well with their study, revision and preparation for the examinations ahead.

Kathryn Paul

Dean of Teaching and Learning

Year 11 Final Dance Lesson for 2023

As part of the Upper School Sport Program, Year 11 students have enjoyed both social and ballroom dance tuition throughout Terms 3 and 4. Please see below for a clip of their final lesson, great preparation for the upcoming Year 12 Ball in 2024.

Year 11 Leadership Day

Last week, six of our Year 11s attended the 2023 WAASA Student Leadership Day at the Anglican Schools Commission. Karthik, Katie, Arthlay, Anna, Georgia and Mia joined some 100 Year 11 students, from 16 WA Anglican Schools; for a valuable day of growth and development. Below are some reflections on the day.

'I'd say that I'm feeling pretty grateful for this opportunity, not only because it allowed us to mingle with the other schools of our ASC, but as we talked with them, we got a feel for how things are run differently in other schools; the good and the bad; and were able to build upon that to reflect on what's best for us, and the decisions we will make in the future. The leadership advice from across the ASC was really applicable to our current circumstances and was relevant as well.'   

Karthik Avasarala, Year 11

'Personally, I reaped the benefits of both the religious and general sections of the day. I learnt a lot about servant leadership and how it contrasts to other methods I've learnt about previously and I really enjoyed the labyrinth and reflection time we were allowed on the day. Hearing a similar message from multiple speakers delivered in different ways was beneficial for me as I learnt a snippet of the content in each session. It was interesting seeing the variation between schools and their style of leadership and titles and responsibilities offered.'   

Katie Henderer, Year 11

'It was interesting to learn about different people's outlook on leadership, we discussed what it is like to be a leader, as well as what leader inspired you the most and why? After talking to people from other schools, I learnt that there are so many different leadership roles compared to what I thought there were, also speaking with others and learning their experience within their school and how it is different to ours. bouncing ideas off each other and helping create plans for what we want to do in the future.'  

Georgia Barnden Sidwell, Year 11

Although the end of year is fast approaching, there is still a great deal to look forward to. Our Year 10 and 11 students are in the process of applying to be our Peer Support Leaders and House Seniors for 2024.    Families are invited to attend the final House Colours Assemblies to be held on Wednesday 15 November.  Your child's Head of House will be in contact with further information.

Kylie Virgo

Dean of Pastoral Care