Secondary School

Head of Secondary Update

Work Hard

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking to many parents and students across Secondary school, either face to face or online, as part of the parent teacher conferences. Whilst a myriad of topics were discussed, an overall theme or thread emerged from my perspective. It was about the concept of being diligent to work hard or trying to aspire to this ideal and make it habitual. These conversations about working hard reminds me of a well-known story about Adam and Madam Ant and their encounter with Mr. Grasshopper. It’s based on a famous fable (the ant and the grasshopper).

One winter's day, Adam Ant and his wife Madam Ant, were busy arranging and stacking their storehouse of grain, when along came Mr. Grasshopper. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Ant,” the grasshopper said in his finest English. (He would have tipped his top hat too if he had one, but of course grasshoppers don’t wear hats). “I notice just how hard you are both working this fine and sunny winter day, but I wonder if you by chance could possibly spare me a bite to eat?” After no reply, Mr. Grasshopper cleared his throat and nervously added, “Please. I would be most grateful, for I am simply starving.”

Upon hearing this, Adam and Madam Ant, who had continued to work while the grasshopper addressed them, stopped for a moment. “Why do you not have a storehouse of grain like ours? What in the world were you doing all last summer?” Adam asked, looking quite puzzled. Mr. Grasshopper smiled quite guiltily. “Well, you see Mr. Ant, I spend my summers singing beautifully in the fields of grass for all to hear. I do not have time to work.”

Adam and Madam Ant nodded perceptively. “I see,” said Adam. ‘Well, if you spend your summers singing, you should not expect to spend your winters eating.” And with that, Adam and Madam Ant returned to their work, leaving Mr Grasshopper empty handed and to regret his laziness.

This simple story illustrates lessons about the virtues of hard work and the wisdom in planning for the future. It also reminds me of a common saying, “There’s a time for work and a time for play.” In society, it’s fair to say that displaying a willingness to work is seen as a virtue. Yet, a person who is not willing to work or pull their weight should not be admired but pitied or considered lazy.

“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labour hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest - then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit and scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.” - Proverbs 6: 6-11

The Term 3 holidays are a little over three weeks away however, the year is far from over. For Secondary students there is still much knowledge and learning to gain as they continue to ‘store for their future’. As students approach the final stages of this term, I encourage them to consider the moral of this story and the wisdom and insight from Proverbs. Choose to continue to work hard and reap the rewards of your effort. Choose not to be lazy or distracted. I hope that you have found some encouragement and motivation by reading this. May God bless you as lifelong learners.

God Bless,

Mr James Kumnick

Footy Day

Tuesday 5th September is Footy Day! Primary and Secondary students can dress up in their favourite footy team colours (or free dress).

There will be Years 5/6 vs Year 7 footy game on the oval at lunchtime. Year 9 Humanities students will be selling food and beverages for the event including sausages, hot dogs, cookies, cake pops, milkshakes and traditional lemonade. Order forms will be distributed to students and are to be returned by next Friday. 

Thrive Extension Program

The first week of our Thrive Extension program was an exciting and successful launch! We were thrilled to have 9 enthusiastic students in attendance, eager to explore new opportunities and get assistance from the teachers in attendance. 

Students who wish to utilise this opportunity are encouraged to register using the QR code or URL link displayed on the posters scattered throughout the College. Parents will need to grant a one-time Sentral permission to enable their children's participation in the program. 

Push Up Challenge Award

Last night, our team captain Mr Josh Goschnick attended the official The Push-Up Challenge fundraiser wrap up party. Bayside Christian College received an award and certificate of recognition for achieving a top 3 placing for highest fundraisers in education nationally!

The Push Up Challenge committee only gave out 4 awards and we where the only school that got one which is incredible!

Congratulations to every staff member and student who participated and helped raise almost $10,000 for the cause. What champions!

Years 7/8 Spelling Bee

Last week a group of “extraordinary” Bayside Students took part in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee. This was a “novelty” for us, as this was the first time Bayside participated. Sixteen Year 7 and 8s took up the challenge, and, after a “preparatory” pep-talk from Miss McCann, they made an “admirable” effort with some “abstruse” and challenging words. 

Some students proved quite “proficient” spellers, while the correct spelling did “elude” others. Well done to everyone involved: hopefully the competition “whet” your appetite to “cultivate” a wide vocabulary! The champions will be announced at an upcoming assembly.

You will see above the “inclusion” of some of the words students were asked to spell, indicated by the quotation marks!

Ms Katie McCann

Indonesian Cultural Day

On Tuesday 22nd August, Indonesian students celebrated Indonesian Cultural Day by learning a few interesting Cultures of Indonesia. The students learned two different dances: Tor-Tor Dance which is a Social Dance from Sumatra and Sajojo Dance which is a line dance from Papua. They had the opportunity to try different types of Indonesian traditional costumes. They looked stunning in the costumes.

The last activity which was also well-liked by the students was cooking Indonesian traditional fried noodles. Many of them said it was the best food ever! 

We were also privileged to be visited by our servicemen and servicewomen from NAVY, Australian Defence who shared the benefit of learning Indonesian.

I was so proud to see how the students were thoroughly embraced and immersed themselves in the activities, having fun and learning at the same time. I want to say thank you to all who have helped, students and especially to the Lord who made the day memorable 

Bu Chandra Schokman

Science Week

Last week was National Science Week. Students had the opportunity to engage with a number of lunchtime activities to test and enrich their Science skills. 

Students reflections: 

Last week, many high school students participated in Science Week. The week was to celebrate the different and diverse branches of Science. The week consisted of many enjoyable activities including balloon rockets, elephant's toothpaste and water pumps. I really enjoyed the week and would encourage people to join in next time! - Isaac Kidney

My favourite part of Science Week was doing all the fun experiments. My favourite part of the week was doing elephant's toothpaste and balloon rockets. Overall I really liked science and it was really fun. - Ebony Lucas

Science Week was absolutely indescribable, I have no words for the amount of fun all of it was, a scavenger hunt, balloon rockets, Elephant's toothpaste. What more could a kid want? I had so much fun with my friends in the scavenger hunt and watching the elephant's toothpaste go up in the air. Science week was truly well thought out and easily slotted into my day. - Lucy Pistone 

Ms Paris Farr

Specialist Maths

In Specialist Maths we have been working on mathematical equations of ellipses (a circle that has been pushed in like an oval) and of cardioids (a heart shaped object) amongst other shapes. We discussed these mathematical equations of ellipses and cardioids which are found in nature, like that of a peacock.

The eye pattern in the peacocks’ feathers

We also talked about the design of the peacock being more than sufficient and compared it to added beauty in columns.

There are at least 20 genes required to specify the beautiful features of the peacock tail. Considering how many base pairs are required for just one gene I showed how it would be mathematically impossible to get at least one of these genes by chance with no known mechanism to arrive at these genes which must be integrated into peacock. All this for just one gene let alone 20 genes.

One of the students commented that both design and also random selection (mistakes) require miracles. I said true, but at least with design one has a sufficient cause for those miracles being the creative all powerful God of the Bible. When I see something complex, I don't think randomness, I think design.

We can look at the peacocks design with respect to the creation, fall, redemption account. God created a world that was very good, things have decayed after the fall (mutations/mistakes destroy and do not create things like new novel proteins/genes, this is just assumed to be true) and at the end, creation will be redeemed.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you” - Job 12:7 

Mr Peter Beissmann

Legal Studies excursion to the Supreme Court and Juries Victoria

Departing school at 7.30am on a mini bus, we took part in a tour of the Supreme Court, beginning with a Q&A session with a former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice David Harper. Seated in one of the smaller courtrooms, our Year 11 and 12 students engaged with Justice Harper for one hour, asking excellent questions and drawing out very interesting information, stories and experiences. 

We then moved to the main courtroom of the Supreme court where we observed a murder trial. We found out that this particular courtroom was the original court of the High Court before Canberra became our capital city. Students experienced some very technical questioning of an expert witness by the prosecution and were able to get a feel for the way in which a trial is conducted. 

We then explored the Supreme Court Library with its historic and beautiful dome, extensive circular library with thousands of books and displays of old newspapers and some famous cases (such as Ned Kelly). After lunch, students went across the road to the County Court where they took part in a session with Juries Victoria. Here they learnt about the process of selection, empanelment and the responsibilities of the jury once chosen for a trial. 

Students particularly enjoyed the mock trial, with a select few being able to sit at the bar table and judge’s desk. This was a fantastic experience that brought much of what we learn in the classroom to life. 

Mrs Sonja Campbell

Track Building Community Group 

Well done to our dedicated group of Year 7 and 8 students, who volunteered to work on the North Campus mountain bike track during the wonderful community group sessions this term. I was really impressed with the enthusiasm and dedication these students brought to this task.

Mr Ken Berry

9/10 OES Coastal Walk