Science

What a big week! The year 10 students have been doing an Assessment task on Chemical reactions. They checked many household substances that can be found in the pantry, laundry or garden shed for pH and then did a drop bottle titration to look at the reaction between an acid and a base for neutralisation.

Students handled the environment very well and enjoyed the lab work.

Next week, teachers will have a PD with the STILE online environment to experience how it can be used in the classroom to support learning. It will be especially valuable to see how the Stile team has developed the new syllabus which we will deliver to Year 7 and Year 9 next year. 10.1 science will be the class that experiences this new learning tool.

Year 9 are ready to finalise their assessment on their own personal health metrics. They have been gathering data and information with some groups having done their blood pressure and lung capacity before handing in a well developed scientific report for marking. It has been a big Depth Study, preparing students for their Student research project in Year 10.

Year 8 students have started their study of the body systems. Students will dissect a heart to understand the movement of blood through the heart to supply the body with oxygen and nutrients and how it interacts with the respiratory system. They all seem to be looking forward to that.

Teachers are busily collecting data from student performances and working their way through understanding the changes that will take place for the Year 7 and Year 9 students in 2025 as we deliver the new syllabus. We are also preparing to welcome the prospective Year 7 of 2025 to the College on Wednesday 18th September and Thursday 19th September for our science transition lessons.

Mrs Rebecca Jensen will be busy with a brand new addition to her family, when she welcomes the birth of her son in 2025. We wish her all the very best and look forward to meeting him.

Year 11 students should be working hard with the study of the courses so far for their Preliminary exams. We wish them well as they show what they know and can do.

Best wishes for a relaxing weekend

Esther Dumbleton (Science Leader of Learning)