Peter Corkill
Principal
Dear Parents and Students
Off to a Great Start
Term Three has begun in earnest and the next few weeks will be characterised by much activity and plenty of challenges to meet time demands. The early part in term three is characterised by follow-up selection processes for the selection of Year 10’s and Year 11’s to join the school in 2020, as well as current Year 10 and 11 students choosing their courses for 2020. So it is very much a busy time for all.
Interstate and International Trips at the End of Semester One, and coming up
The end of semester one was highlighted by trips both interstate and overseas for students. My sincere congratulations to the students and staff who represented the school on such significant events:
Korea Science Academy Science Fair, June 26 – June 30: Students attending were Matthew Yau (Year 12), Cally Ferguson (Year 12), and Jasmine Junawan (Year 11), accompanied by Ms. Caitlin Ryan and Assistant Principal Andrew Chisholm. The event was an absolutely outstanding experience for all, with students and teachers treated to some outstanding discussions, presentations and demonstrations in contemporary science and technology fields. Matthew and Cally’s project on Machine Learning in the study of Skin Cancers was incredibly well received, and Jasmine won a prize for her project on Stem Cells.
Reef and Rainforest Trip to Far North Queensland: 43 students and six staff headed to far North Queensland for the annual Reef and Rainforest event. This was another outstanding success, with the weather at its spectacular best, while we hear that Melbourne froze! The data gathered by our students on each of the four rotations (Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Fitzroy Island and Atherton Tablelands) is always much appreciated by our partners at James Cook University, and their biologists and guides were amazing in their understanding of country and the insights they provided.
We also greatly enjoyed the opportunities to engage with people indigenous to this part of Australia, and their knowledge and understanding gave the whole group some memorable moments and learnings.
I enthusiastically endorse our Year 10s to consider maintaining the tradition and going next year. A huge thanks to staff colleagues Fiona Bui, Peter Charalambous, Evelyn Xu, Catherine Gallus and Tom Bourke-Finn for their wonderful work and collegiality on this trip. It was a privilege being there with you all. Finally to the students – a simply amazing group of young people who represented our school so well. Thanks for the hard work, friendship and fun. Treasure the memories.
The following trip opportunities will be soon advertised on Compass and emailed to students currently in Years 10 and 11 and we enthusiastically look forward to receiving their applications:
The Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF), at Ritsumeikan Science High School in Kyoto, Japan, November 3rd – 7th this year – THREE students needed;
The Thailand International Science Fair (TISF), at Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, Bangkok, Thailand, January 29th – February 5th in 2020 – UP TO EIGHT students needed;
The International Students Science Fair (ISSF) to be hosted by the Kamnoetvidya Science Academy School, Thailand (100km from Bangkok) to be held from January 15th – 20th in 2020 - THREE students needed.
Parent Teacher Student Learning Conferences
Parents and students need to note that the semester two round of parent-teacher-student learning conferences are scheduled for Tuesday August 20th (12noon – 8pm). Students will not be required at school in the morning but will be required to attend the interviews with their parents in the afternoon or evening. We very much look forward to meeting you all again on the appropriate afternoons and evenings to celebrate the successes of our students and co-construct plans for suture improvement. Bookings as usual will via the Compass portal, and these will be available for booking soon.
Peter Corkill
Principal