Secondary Department
Future Teachers Club STEM Days Inspire Young Learners
On Wednesday, 13 May, Uralla Central School Future Teachers Club (FTC) students joined 110 FTC students from schools across the state at the University of New England (UNE), where they worked together to design engaging STEM lessons for Stage 3 students. The lessons focused on four fascinating categories: Mechanics, Stomp Rockets, Catapults, and Earth and Water.
Seven dedicated FTC students from UCS collaborated at UNE to create these interactive lessons, and five of them delivered the lessons the following day. Thursday 14 May, saw 450 Stage 3 students - including 28 from UCS – attend Armidale Secondary College for the FTC designed and delivered STEM lessons. Students from seven schools in the Armidale area participated, making it a vibrant and diverse learning experience.
The event was a wonderful success, with FTC students receiving resoundingly positive feedback for their creativity and teaching skills. This initiative not only showcased the talents of our future educators but also offered younger students a hands-on experience with STEM concepts, fostering curiosity and a love for learning.
We congratulate all the UCS FTC participants for their enthusiasm and professionalism in making this STEM event a memorable and impactful experience for everyone involved.
Careers Expo
Our Academy II students headed down to the North West Careers Expo to learn about the huge range of job and training opportunities available.
Touch Football
Our opens girls touch football team had a fantastic win against Warialda High School on Tuesday the 19 of May. The rain made conditions difficult, but we aren't in a position to wish the rain away presently. Despite the awful weather, our girls controlled all aspects of the game and produced a dominant performance, winning 5 tries to 1.
This was the first time Uralla Central School has had the chance to host a home game for many years, and the support shown by students and staff on the day was fantastic to see. Central schools provide unique opportunities for kids of all ages and the most impressive part of our win was the manner in which our girls conducted themselves on and off the field; always smiling, supporting each other, and showing respect to all competitors. The girls will play Glen Innes High School at home in the coming weeks.
Educational Pathways Program
Year 12 Chemistry - Do try this at home!
Year 12 Chemistry students have commenced their study of Module 5- Acid/Base Reactions by investigating natural indicators. An indicator is a chemical that changes colour in the presence of acids and bases. Students prepared red cabbage indicator and used it to determine the acidity of a number of household substances.
Farm Vehicle Safety Course
Recently, students in Primary Industries participated in a two-day course at TAFE focused on operating quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles. Despite the damp and cold conditions, students embraced the experience with enthusiasm and demonstrated a positive attitude throughout the training.
Over the two days, students developed practical skills and knowledge in safe vehicle operation, including completing pre-start checks, understanding the importance of active riding techniques and learning strategies to safely navigate obstacles in paddock conditions. These are valuable industry skills that support both workplace safety and confidence when operating machinery in agricultural settings.
The hands-on nature of the course gave students the opportunity to apply their learning in realistic conditions while building their awareness of risk management and safe work practices.
A highlight of the experience was that all students successfully completed the course and were able to take home a brand-new helmet to support their continued safe use of vehicles in the future.
The TAFE instructors were highly complementary of our students, commenting on their excellent behaviour, strong focus on safety, responsible approach to operating the vehicles and outstanding engagement throughout the course. They also appreciated the positive banter and rapport students developed over the two days, helping to create an enjoyable and productive learning environment.
Year 9 Science
In Year 9 Science this year we have implemented the new syllabus. In class, students have started the Disease module. Having recently finished investigating the nervous system, students were lucky enough to be able to dissect sheep brains. This hands-on experience is a great way to deepen understanding of concepts. In coming weeks students will learn about different body systems, diseases associated with them and have more hands-on experiences to complement their learning.
Sports
What a huge Term we have had so far….
The Phoenix Flies High
Our Open Girls Touch Team are into the North West Final after beating Warialda in trying weather last week. Our resident UCS Teacher Historians have stated it has been a considerably long time since we have had a side compete in the North West Finals. The girls will play a home game against Glen Innes in Week 7. We hope to have a huge crowd cheer our girls on.
The girls have also qualified for The Round of 20- the top 20 high school girls touch teams in NSW. We will play a home game against a Sydney based school in the near future. This is a fantastic achievement for our Open girls team who have shown such dedication to Touch over the last four years, training at lunch times and mornings before school. Well done girls, so very proud.
Netball
We wish Eloise Oxley all the very best this week as she returns for the Third Year as a North West Representative at the NSW CHS Netball State Championships in Port Macquarie. A huge achievement to represent our region three years in a row. Well Done Eloise!
Football (I mean Soccer)
Our very best wishes to Jackson Davison who heads to Sydney this week to compete at the NSW CHS Open Boys Football State Championships as a part of the North West side. Well done Jacko!
Athletics
Our Athletics carnival is next Thursday 4 June. Runners who want to compete in the 800m need to see Mr Auld or Ms Gregory to nominate as this event will run on the morning of the carnival at 8.30am. If any serious runners wish to nominate for the 1500m event you will need to see Mr Auld or Ms Gregory to nominate. This event will be run based on nominations.
More Touch
We wish our Open Boys and Girls and U16s teams the very best of luck this week as they begin their Central School Knockout campaigns to hopefully qualify for the State Championships in Dubbo in Term 3.
Even more Touch news
We wish Brydie Williams, Ava Saint Julian, and Becky Williams the best of luck as they compete at the NSW CHS Opens Touch State Championships as a part of the North West side.
And good luck to Fynn Williams as he competes at the NSW U15s CHS State Trials in Coffs Harbour.
Armidale Eisteddfod
Our First Performances at Armidale Eisteddfod!
The Armidale Eisteddfod is underway, and Uralla Central School’s first performances were in the HSC Music 1 session, with David and Jonathan Kpayah proudly representing the school. While this session was not competitive, both students performed challenging pieces beautifully and received positive feedback from the adjudicator. It was also a valuable opportunity to hear students from other schools undertaking the same course and to perform on a superb Shigeru Kawai grand piano. With around four months until their HSC practical exams, this was a wonderful step in their preparation. Well done, David and Johnathan!
Industrial Arts
Our Industrial Arts facilities — including the new workshop — have been a hive of activity recently.
From HSC Major Works to Building & Construction and Industrial Technology Timber classes, combined with the growing Potential Tradies Club, our students have been busy developing practical skills, creativity and a strong work ethic.
It’s fantastic to see so many students engaged in hands-on learning and taking pride in their projects.
