Secondary School

Year 7

In Science, Geography and English, Year 7 have been looking at water scarcity, the water cycle and the novel ‘Parvana’. Today the Year 7 students walked around with water in buckets to understand how water is not accessible to all humans in the world and that some people, like Parvana, need to fetch water for survival. This is the third year that the Year 7s have undertaken this task. 

Year 8

Visual Art

Mrs Paterson's Year 8 students are learning how to construct newspaper armatures for a clay portrait bust. 

Year 9

Forensic Science

Students making impressions of tools for forensic examination. 

Chemistry

Chemistry investigating exothermic and endothermic reactions.

Year 10

Genetics

Science students building deoxyribonucleic acid (double helix) models out of lollies.

Year 10 students carrying out DNA extraction from pea material during Genetics class.

Year 11

Othello on the Oval

Theatre always feels better in the open air. This term, our Year 11 Advanced English students used their innovation to select an intriguing array of costumes and perform Shakespeare's infamous tragedy, Othello. The class watched on as Cassio and Rodrigo came to blows, and shed a tear over Desdemona's death.

Year 12

HSC Primary Industries Sustainability Field Trip

Where do you find a frost fan, fish ladder and French-literate Border Collie dog?  No where other than a Primary Industries Field Trip! 

The HSC class recently embarked on an expedition to enhance their understanding of environmentally sustainable work practices.  First stop was Crossie’s ‘Cados where Mr Andrew Crossman blew us away with not only a gigantic frost fan, but his extensive knowledge of modifying the elements and efficiently using river and underground water to produce gourmet avocados. Previously a dairy enterprise and before that a tobacco farm, Mr Crossman outlined the property’s current integrated pest management strategies which included allowing sufficient air flow between rows of trees to discourage the presence of pathogens.

Next on the itinerary was the Torrumbarry Weir where Mr Scott Thomson guided us through the management of Murray River water which has the competing interests of environmental needs, primary production and recreational users.  We observed massive doors that regulate river flows, fish ladders that allow native fish to migrate upstream to spawn and a fish trap that allows native fish through while cleverly capturing the noxious carp die to their jumping behaviour.  Mr Thomson, who is rostered on to manage the weir 24/7, highlighted the career opportunities within Goulburn Murray Water Corporation.  In the office we were surprised to see A3 pages of current handwritten data and a huge graph - vital information if the computers break down!

Our final destination was Hunyani Nature Reserve – the property of Ms Sian Turner, who you will know as a Science teacher at MAGS.  Another ex-tobacco farm and more recently a lucerne farm, Ms Turner is using regenerative principles to manage her Gunbower Island property.  We were astonished to learn that Gunbower Island has reportedly more bird species that Kakadu National Park and Ms Turner has trained Louis the dog to obey commands in French!  Ms Turner uses water absorbent crystals when planting quandong (native peach tree) seedlings in her sandy soil, strategically plants them alongside other species because they are hemiparasitic and protects them using tall “Skippy Guards”.  We also learned about the growing interest in harvesting the seeds of a species of wattle (currently worth $400 per kilogram), rabbit control, Ms Turner’s manual removal of weeds and her long-term vision of harvesting timber sustainably.  We also strolled through a plantation of timber established by the previous owner due to a carbon-offset arrangement.

Entertained by the anecdotes of the local lass (Isabella) as we navigated our way through the backroads of Torrumbarry and Gunbower, we had much to ponder after such an informative day.  We thank Mrs Michelle Jettner for giving up her time to assist all day and also Mr Crossman, Mr Thomson and Ms Turner for hosting our visits.     

Mrs Carolyn Smith

HSC Primary Industries Teacher