QUEST

Year 10 Civics and Citizenship Pilot Program- Congratulations to Grace Williams   

A new pilot program offered by the NSW State Government has given Year 10 students across the state the opportunity to enter an essay competition on the topic of democracy in Australia. Our student, Grace Williams was a successful applicant and will be one of thirty students in the state to travel to NSW Parliament on October 27th on an all-expenses paid, overnight excursion. She will have the opportunity to participate in discussions with students across Australia via a broadcast from the Museum of Australian Democracy on issues impacting Australian youth.    

Courage to Care Program 

On Wednesday, August 31, Kurri Kurri High School had the privilege of a presentation and workshop delivered by the Courage to Care team from Sydney. Students from Year 10 History Elective, 10.1 HSIE and Studio School; Year 11 Modern History, CAFS and Big Picture; and Year 12 Ancient and Modern History participated in the event. The Courage to Care program addresses the historical event of The Holocaust and links history with a call to becoming an ‘Upstander’ in society- someone who challenges discrimination, prejudice and bullying in today’s world. Our students listened to the stories of Holocaust survivors and rescuers; people who risked their own lives to help and save Jewish people from transportation to the concentration and extermination camps. The Courage to Care team consisted of Barbara, Mimi and David who are all descendants of Holocaust survivors who were rescued from certain death; and have since migrated to Australia. Using these inspirational stories, our students considered how they too could be ‘upstanders’ in society. The Courage to Care team were extremely impressed with the respect and engagement demonstrated by our students. Our Year 10-12 students can be proud of how they represented their school and community.  

Some of our student evaluations of the experience (as shared by the Courage to Care team) via a student feedback survey: 

"It was emotional to see the experiences and learn just how selfless some people were for others when they had no reason to and I felt it was definitely inspiring to know people like that are out there"                                                                                                   

"I will try to be a better person to others in my life, even if it is hard and frightening, I will try to stand up for those who can't"                                                                                             

"show more respect and empower others"                                                                                      

"It was very inspiring when we were learning about the different upstander stories during the holocaust" 

Farewell to Year 12

Term 3 is always bittersweet as it is the time of year we celebrate and farewell our Year 12 students. Earlier this term, students studying Society & Culture finished and submitted their Personal Interest Projects (PIP’s) which was a relief to all four of our students and their dedicated teacher, Mrs Kellie Tilden. At this point of the term, all Year 12 classes are preparing and revising for the HSC exams and many of our students have been working diligently towards the HSC all year. We wish them all the very best in their exams for Ancient History, Business Studies, Legal Studies, Modern History, Society and Culture, English- Advanced, Standard and Studies; and in their post-school endeavours. On behalf of all Year 12 teachers in the HSIE and English faculties, we offer our congratulations to Year 12 for completing your high school education; and we look forward to hearing about the next phases of your lives, whether it be further education, employment or adventure!  

-K. Flanagan (Ancient History); K. Edwards (Legal Studies); K.Tilden (Modern History and Society & Culture);  A. Watkins (Business Studies); S. Golding (English Advanced and Extension); A. Miller (English Standard); and A. Noone (English Studies) 

Year 12 Aboriginal Pedagogy- Moiety sharing 

Recently, Year 12 Ancient History engaged in a lesson using traditional Aboriginal pedagogy, that of moiety sharing, to revise their understanding of their final HSC topic, Persian king Xerxes as an historical personality. Moiety sharing honours the cultural belief that two halves make a whole; and as a learning strategy it focuses on students being split into two groups who first work separately to become experts in certain aspects of their topic and then come together to teach each other. It proved to be a very successful and engaging lesson and we even got to enjoy some sunshine in the process.

Year 9 Commerce Elective                                                        - Breakfast Cereal designers 

This term, Year 9 Commerce Elective have been exploring the unit on Marketing and Selling; and were given the design challenge of inventing and promoting their own cereal for teenagers. As part of their process, students researched the various cereals already on the supermarket shelves and identified a ‘gap’ in the market for their product to fill. Some of the cereals developed were Newby’s Super Crunch, Hooks Ahoy and Fruity Superstars Breakfast- all utilising different marketing strategies such as the influence of celebrities, teenager’s desire for adventure and the appeal of superhero powers. Look out for these products in the future...we may have a budding breakfast cereal entrepreneur in our midst!

Year 8 High Potential                                                                   - Romeo and Juliet WHOOSH! 

This term, Year 8 High Potential students have been asking themselves ‘What are the codes and puzzles of English?’ and of course, what could be more of a puzzle than Shakespeare! In an effort to interpret the wise words in Romeo and Juliet, students participated in a story whoosh where they hear excerpts of the plot and work together as one big collaborative hub to create a living image of that plot point. The students used their classroom space, bodies and props to make some wonderful churches, brawling in the streets of Verona and of course, a beautiful wedding scene. Mr Wheeldon even made a feature in many of these living images! 

Acknowledging positive behaviour 

This term, all Quest students are being reminded of what is looks like to be a Kurri Kurri High Student who is always ‘above the line’ and doing the right thing in classrooms. These students have been acknowledged daily by text or email to their parents and as a bonus, were entered into a raffle for $25 gift cards. The following students were our week seven winners – thank you for your awesome efforts! 

Year 8: Jye MacFarlane-Dooley

Year 9: Ella Wotherspoon and 

Year 10: Claire Chedzey