KLA News
This fortnight we hear from the HSIE, Maths, Praxis, RE and VET Key Learning Areas.
HSIE
Mrs Cherie Stoessel
There is so much good learning it is difficult to decide what to focus on for this issue of the newsletter.
Stage 5 classes are continuing their learning in Geography. Currently Year 9 students are looking at how humans alter biomes around the world for primary industry including grazing, cropping, animal husbandry, textile production and mining. The focus of their learning will change in coming weeks to looking at options available to humans to ensure food security for the world’s growing population. Year 10 meanwhile, are looking at other issues of the growing world population and that is urbanisation. They are investigating the continuing migration of human populations from regional and rural areas to large cities and some of the problems this can create.
Stage 4 classes meanwhile are studying History. Specifically, year 7 classes are learning about the complementary disciplines of history and archaeology and how historians and archaeologists work. 7.3 HSIE enjoyed an activity designed to simulate an archaeological dig using choc chip bikkies.
Meanwhile students in year 8 have been learning about the European Middle Ages including the importance of the Catholic Church in the lives of people; the Crusades to recover the Holy Lands between the 11th and 12th centuries; and feudalism, the social and economic structure of the mediaeval world. Students in 8.4 took part in a role play designed to demonstrate the concept of land for service and how a person’s ‘lot’ in life determined the quality of life they enjoyed at this time.
PHOTO: Classroom set up ready for role play
PHOTO: Subjects bow as the king makes his way to the throne
PHOTO: The King.
PHOTO: Serfs sit at the feet of their lord and master.
PHOTO: The king feasts on food produced by serfs.
PHOTO: The king deals with a serf who stole food from his Lord.
PHOTOS: The first night
Mathematics
Mr Mark Harris
Students in Year 12 have just completed their Trial HSC and their teachers are busily marking these to get them back for crucial feedback and to target areas to help move our students forward. Congratulations on achieving another milestone. Now is the time to show some grit when receiving results. So much further improvement is possible between Trials and the HSC exams.
Year 11 students are fast approaching their end of course exams in a couple of weeks.
Year 10 are working on trigonometry and linear relationships
Year 9 has just completed a unit on indices - I am aware of some fantastic results here in the learning task and one particular young lady in Year 9 achieved full marks.
Year 8 are continuing with a unit on data and statistics.
Year 7 have just completed a unit on algebra and now move on to fractions, decimals and percentages.
I take this opportunity to remind all students that they need to come to class fully prepared for learning. They need pens, pencils, a ruler, calculator and a fully charged device each day.
Smarties Day!
On Wednesday 10th August, Mr McLeish's Year 8 Maths class learned about some different ways of displaying data by using Smarties.
Students were given a small packet of Smarties each and told not to eat them until the end. The temptation was excruciating for some.
They were then asked to count their Smarties. This information was later used to create a frequency distribution table.
Via the use of a Powerpoint presentation, students were guided through the creation of dot plots, column graphs, divided bar graphs and sector graphs and encouraged to photograph their work for future reference.
Eventually, after an agonising wait, students were allowed to eat their Smarties. Many previous students have remembered this lesson for years.
Religious Education
Miss Melita Roache
Year 8 RE are currently doing a unit Striving for Goodness. Students have explored the church's teachings to develop their own understanding of what goodness looks like in our community and our world. Keep an eye out around the school for random acts of kindness in the coming weeks. Also, 8.4RE will be spending a few lessons preparing for the Year 8 Mass in Week 8.
VET
Mr James Healy
Construction
ALL DONE: Mr Healy, Nixon Bird, Jessica Dwyer and Lachlan Haycock finished their projects this week.
This week, some of out construction students finished off their latest project, a tool box stool. We have continued to be impressed with the quality of their work produced.
