Moama Anglican Grammar Newsletter

Secondary School

HSC Music Study Day

On Thursday 20 June, Year 10 and Year 11 music students embarked on a journey to Wagga Wagga for an enriching day of study at the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. The event, held on Friday 21 June, was designed to support Year 11 and 12 students in their preparations for the HSC Music 1 and Music 2 courses. It attracted a strong turnout of music students from across the Riverina region. Throughout the day, students engaged in workshops focusing on Aural Skills, Composition and Performance. These sessions provided valuable opportunities to ask questions about the course material and to review recently submitted compositions and viva voces, gaining insight into the standards required to achieve top marks in these electives. The afternoon featured performances by Year 12 students, showcasing their HSC pieces on instruments such as violin, voice, guitar, bagpipes and drums. The study day offered Year 10 students a glimpse of what to expect in the HSC Music 1 and Music 2 courses, while Year 11 students gained a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their HSC year. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Riverina Conservatorium of Music and Mrs Joanne Burrows for hosting and organising this invaluable event.

International School Trip to Italy

Did you miss the deadline? Well, it’s not too late! We have one position on the International School Trip to Italy that has become available. 

If you would like your child to be part of this unforgettable experience, you can sign up today.

For further information or to sign up, please call Reception on 03 5480 5900 or contact Mrs Westblade via email on kwestblade@moamagrammar.nsw.edu.au.

Year 11 Primary Industries 

Late last term, Mrs Smith and the Year 11 Primary Industry students visited the broadacre cropping farm of Chris, Trudy & Nick Fanning's at Deniliquin. Here at "Wynlea" the students demonstrated that they were competent at inspecting and cleaning machinery for plant, animal and soil materials. We extend a very big thank you to the Fannings for demonstrating the safe use of equipment and providing a very hospitable learning environment.

Year 12 PDHPE Camp Report

In the last week of Term 2, the Year 12 PDHPE classes travelled to Melbourne and Ballarat to enhance their knowledge and understanding of key concepts taught in the syllabus.

 

Ikon Park Visit

We first arrived at Ikon Park, home of the Carlton Football Club. We toured the facilities to understand what a day in the life of an AFL athlete entails and to see the resources available to them, including gym facilities, hot and cold pools, an indoor 50m training facility and their nutrition station. After the tour, we watched the team complete a warmup and training drills before engaging in a game simulation between the first and second teams. Once the game concluded, Brodie Kemp, Charlie Curnow and Sam Walsh came over to chat with our enthusiastic class. Following the conversation, we took a group photo and then departed to our next location, the Harry Brookes Allen Museum of Anatomy and Pathology at Melbourne University.

 

Anatomy and Pathology Museum Visit

The visit to the Anatomy and Pathology Museum greatly enhanced our understanding of human anatomy, helping us appreciate how our bodies function. The museum featured displays of human organs, skeletons and models illustrating bodily functions. We examined preserved specimens showing various diseases and conditions, which were both intriguing and enlightening. Rohan, the museum curator, provided detailed explanations, allowing us to deepen our knowledge. Following this, we travelled to Ballarat, ready for our next day's adventures.

 

VO2 Max Testing at Federation University

At Federation University in Ballarat, we participated in a session on VO2 max testing. This test measures the maximum amount of oxygen a person can utilise during intense exercise. Curtis was selected for the test, during which he cycled with a mask that calculated the amount of oxygen inhaled compared to the amount exhaled. After about ten minutes of increased intensity, Curtis reached his maximum limit, and we analysed the collected data to determine his VO2 max score, which was 50, considered above average.

 

Biomechanics Laboratory Session

Following the VO2 max testing and a lunch break at the Fed Uni cafe, we engaged in a biomechanics session consisting of four tests: a throwing test, a sprint test, a vertical jump test and a force test, led by Ryan.

  • Throwing Test: Jaxson threw a tennis ball as fast as possible with each arm, while Ryan used a radar gun to capture the speed and videoed the throws in slow motion. We compared the techniques Jaxson used for each arm.
  • Sprint Test: Kody sprinted 20 meters with 1kg and then with 15kg of resistance. Ryan videoed both sprints, allowing us to compare Kody’s techniques.
  • Vertical Jump Test: Bella stood on a scale-like machine connected to an iPad and jumped as high as possible. The machine measured her jump height based on her air time.
  • Strength Test: Georgia stood on a force plate with a fixed bar and the platform measured the downward force of gravity acting on her. She then pulled the fixed bar with maximum force and Ryan’s computer calculated the force exerted by Georgia.

This session unexpectedly revisited Year 9 physics, requiring us to recall Newton’s three laws of motion and their relevance to PDHPE.

 

Lake Wendouree and Evening Activities

Upon completing the testing at Federation University, we travelled to Ballarat’s famous lake, Lake Wendouree. This lake is 6km in circumference and hosts sailing and rowing competitions, including the 1956 Olympic Games. We made our way around the lake, some faster than others. We then headed back to our accommodation for a PDHPE syllabus quiz and a night of MasterChef, where we cooked up a storm.

 

RADcentre Visit

The following morning, we made our way to the RADcentre for our final activity. The RADcentre is a High-Performance Company specialising in optimising human performance. They offer strength & conditioning, physiotherapy, injury rehabilitation, and dietetics. RADcentre has assisted in developing numerous athletes, having worked with VIS, Netball Victoria, Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Storm. The Head of Performance & Education Coach and Strength & Conditioning Coach took us through a staged training session that targeted different muscle groups. Our favourite activity was definitely the swiss ball wrestling.

 

A massive thank you to Ms Thompson, Mr McMahon and Mrs Brewis for making this trip possible. The camp was an enriching experience that expanded our knowledge and appreciation of physical education and sports science.

 

Written by a collaborative effort from the HSC PDHPE students