KLA News 

PDHPE

This term the College welcomes Mr Oliver Munday to the PDHPE Department. 

Mr Munday joins us from Doncaster in England. Mr Munday has been traveling and exploring Australia and will be at O’Connor until the end of this school year. Mr Munday will be teaching Year 7-10 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) and Year 10 Physical Activity and Sport Studies (PASS). Mr Munday’s passions outside of school include Football (soccer), athletics and cross country running. 

Fun fact: he was born on St Patrick’s Day and his middle name is Patrick!  

Students in Year 7-10 have been busy learning in our PDHPE classes. Please see the spreadsheet below indicating which tasks are due for each year group this term. Each of these learning tasks are visible on Compass under the Learning Tasks tab. 

Year 9 Child Studies

The Year 9 Child Studies class has concentrated on the concept of Child’s Play this term, with a particular focus on Risky Play and its implications for child development following the 6 categories that Risky Play in the early years is broken down into: Rapid speeds, Dangerous tools, Dangerous elements, Rough and tumble, Great heights and Disappearing or getting lost.

The objective of their studies has been to analyse the advantages of play, particularly those involving physical activity. In the past week, students engaged in several activities classified as Risky Play and subsequently participated in discussions about how these activities exemplify the concept of Risky Play. The activities included Hide and Seek and Tyre Races. The experience was both enjoyable and educational for all participants.

Maths

Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter.

A lot has been happening in the Mathematics KLA in past few weeks.

The College has made a return to the Australian Mathematics competition this year with 60 of our top Mathematics students taking part. The competition takes place in 3 secondary stages.

Students get to compete against 1000’s of students across Australia and NZ.

Years 7-8 sit the junior paper, Year 9 and 10 the Intermediate paper and Year 11 and 12 the senior paper.

It’s fair to say the students certainly found it challenging but applied themselves well in the 75 minutes they had to complete the paper. There effort was obvious and application to the task at hand was admirable.

I look forward, with anticipation, to the results when they are released next month.

Now let’s focus on our seniors for a  while.

Year 12 have just completed their Trial HSC exams and their teachers are excitedly marking and seeing what their students were able to show they can do. Results will be shared next week and I know all the year 12 Mathematics teachers cannot wait to get back into class. Remember that no matter how the results pan out for you individually there is the opportunity for substantial growth between now and the final HSC examinations. I see it every year, keep going, show some grit and continue to strive to improve.

Year 11 are fast tracking towards Final Exams in  Week 9. Here we share a recent highlight from our Year 11 Mathematics Standard lesson. Our students participated in an engaging and collaborative revision activity known as the "Gallery Walk," designed to enhance their mathematical skills and foster teamwork.

In this exercise, as seen in the photos, students rotated through various stations along the Ursula Mathematics Block hallway, each window featuring a different Mathematics problem. At each station, students solved the problem and documented their working out. After a set period, they moved to the next station, where they reviewed and evaluated the solution provided by their peers.

This interactive activity reinforced students' mathematical skills and also promoted critical thinking and effective communication. The collaborative setting allowed students to learn from one another, improving their problem-solving techniques and gaining valuable insights into various methods.

We acknowledge the Year 11 students for their enthusiasm and dedication during this activity. Their active participation and constructive dialogue are key to their continued success in their studies in Mathematics.

Mr Mark Harris

Mathematics Leader of Learning

CAPA

Showcase Night

Congratulations to our yr 12 HSC Music and Drama students who put on a fantastic showcase night, performing some of their major works. We wish all our performing arts students the best of luck in their upcoming practical examinations.

Drama- Manon Perrin, Jenna Alkalaldeh, Jessica Ferris, Riley Fittler, Amber Hahn and Sam Harris

Music - Olivia Fenton, Ian Berney, Lily Croft and Fraser McQueen

Stage 5 Electives

Over the past few weeks, we've been discussing elective options for Year 9 and Year 10 with our students for the upcoming year. In the Creative and Performing Arts department, we offer the following electives:

• Drama
• Music
• Visual Arts 
• Visual Design

Yr 9 Visual Arts students working on their self portrait paintings

Artist of the Month 

Congratulations to Elijah Croft for being the recipient of Artist of the Month, this month.

Miss Melanie Sampson

Leader of Learning, CAPA

TAS

Golden Techman Awards for

Yr 7 & 8 Rotation 4

In the last few weeks 22 Yr 7 & 8 students were presented with Golden TECHMAN Awards for outstanding work in ‘TECH’nology ‘MAN’datory Rotation 4 units. The awards are constructed in the school workshops using CAD (Computer Aided Drawing) & CAM (Computer Aided Manufacturing) Technologies.

This rotations recipients were:

Agriculture

Primary industry students have been busy continuing the upgrading of fences and gates around the farm. 

Mr Jon Hawthorne

HSIE

OREO PLATE TECTONICS

Students in year 7 classes have been discovering the role of plate tectonics in forming the features of our planet.  

Convergent boundaries occur where two tectonic plates move toward each other. This can lead to a variety of geological features depending on the nature of the plates involved. When some oceanic plates collide, deep ocean trenches and volcanic mountainous areas can be created. Others form deep-sea trenches and volcanic island chains. When two continental plates collide, this forms mountain ranges like the Himalayas.

Divergent boundaries are where two tectonic plates move away from each other. This separation allows magma from below the Earth's surface to rise and solidify, creating new crust. Examples are the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East African Rift Valley.

Transform boundaries occur where two plates slide past each other horizontally. The friction between the plates can cause them to get stuck, and when they finally move, it can result in earthquakes. 

Each type of boundary plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's surface, leading to a range of geological features and activities.

In our year 7 classes, we used Oreo biscuits to explore how this happens and its effect at these three types of plate boundaries.

Mrs Cherie Stoessel

Leader of Learning, HSIE

English

Reading plays a crucial role in personal development, sparking imagination, expanding knowledge, and fostering empathy. It's a gateway to understanding diverse perspectives and cultures, and it strengthens critical thinking skills. In a world increasingly dominated by technology, reading helps maintain a deep connection to language and storytelling, which are vital for communication and self-expression.

New South Wales' Book Week in 2024 is a celebration of this very essence. The event not only encourages young readers to discover the magic of books but also highlights the importance of reading in nurturing creativity and intellectual growth. By connecting the community through literary activities and events, Book Week serves as a reminder of how reading enriches lives and strengthens the bonds between generations. It's a time to emphasize that reading is not just a skill, but a lifelong journey that opens doors to endless possibilities.

Whilst Book Week was celebrated for many students on the 17th August, in order for all of our students to participate this year, O’Connor has delayed this until Thursday 5th September. The theme for Book Week this year is:

On Thursday of Week 7, our students will have the opportunity to showcase their love of reading with a costume dress-up and Book Week assembly! There will be prizes and games to celebrate reading and literature. We encourage everyone to join in the fun, and we can't wait to see your costumes!

Ms Lauren Donnelly 

Leader of Learning, English

Science: Exciting Times in the Lab and Beyond!

Year 7: The Science of Clean Water Year 7 students have been diving deep into the world of mixtures, with a special focus on the importance of clean water. Understanding how mixtures can be separated and purified is not just a classroom activity—it's a real-world issue, especially when it comes to ensuring safe drinking water. The students will soon be completing an assessment task on the water purification process. To make the topic even more relevant, they’ll explore how water purification happens right here in Armidale. This hands-on learning experience will help them appreciate the science behind something as vital as clean water.

Year 8: From Rocks to Recycling Year 8 students have been getting their hands dirty with rocks—literally! They've been studying different types of rocks and learning about renewable and non-renewable resources. This knowledge will be put to the test in their upcoming assessment on recycling, where they’ll explore how we can turn waste into something useful again. The focus on recycling ties in with their studies on sustainability and the importance of conserving our planet's resources for future generations.

Year 9: Exploring Energy in New England Year 9 is buzzing with energy! Students have been exploring different types of energy and the importance of energy conservation. As part of their studies, they will be conducting a research project into the solar farms currently under construction in the New England area. This project will give them an opportunity to see how renewable energy sources like solar power are being harnessed locally and understand their significance in the global push towards a sustainable future.

Year 10: Chemical Reactions in Action Year 10 students have been immersed in the fascinating world of chemical reactions. They are currently working on their individual research projects, which involve conducting self-guided science experiments. These projects allow students to explore a topic of interest in depth, apply their scientific knowledge, and develop critical thinking and research skills. The experiments they conduct will form the basis of their assessment, showcasing their ability to investigate and analyse chemical processes.

Year 11: Preparing for the Final Countdown Our Year 11 students are in full study mode as they prepare for their final exams, which are scheduled to take place in Week 9. This is a crucial time for them to consolidate their knowledge and ensure they are ready to tackle the challenges ahead. We wish them all the best as they put in the hard work to achieve their goals.

Year 12: The Road to the HSC Year 12 students have just completed their trial exams and are now entering a period of revision. This time is essential for them to review their exam feedback, address any gaps in their knowledge, and finish off any remaining course content. As they gear up for their final HSC exams, we want to wish them the best of luck. Their dedication and perseverance throughout the year have been commendable, and we’re confident they’ll rise to the occasion.

Mr Daniel Fittler

Leader of Learning, Science