Parent & Student Matters  

What's happening in the College? 

• Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys 2020
• Science Club Report
• National History Challenge
• P&F AGM
• 2021 School Travel Applications are now open
• Important Information for Current Opal Card-holders

Duke of Edinburgh - Adventurous Journeys 2020

In support of our Duke of Edinburgh Award program, training has started again for our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students (predominantly Year 9) on Monday afternoons in S1 from 3.30 pm – 4.30 pm. This training is in preparation for their Adventurous Journey. Due to risk minimisation considerations, students who do not complete this pre-training will not be permitted to participate in the Adventurous Journey component of their Duke of Edinburgh Award through the College. Students are advised to read the school daily notices.

Training has been put on hold for our Silver participants as we are unable to safely offer overnight hikes that will meet the required COVID-19 protocols. Hopefully these opportunities will be able to be offered again in 2021.

At this stage, we are looking at offering a one-day hike later in the term to meet the Adventurous Journey requirements for the Bronze Award. If your son is unable to attend this activity then there are companies external to the College that offer these Journeys. Some companies are also offering ADVENTUROUS Journeys for both the Silver and Gold Award.

A reminder that Co-Curricular commitments always take priority over organised College Adventurous Journey’s. Discussion must take place between the student and the coach well in advance of a departure date if there is a clash. Being released from a co-curricular commitment is at the coach and sport convenor's discretion.

Mr Paul de Silva - Outdoor Education Coordinator

Science Club Report

Last week Science Club took on an environmental focus, with students learning about worm farms. Students were able to observe the red worms interact in a mini farm, as well view them up close and personally with the use of monocular microscopes. Students could see the digestion of food scraps through the almost transparent worm skin. Student discussion centered around the importance of reducing waste going to landfill.

It was an awesome way to spend a lunchtime!

FUN FACTS

Did you know that more than a third of your waste is food waste and that could be given to your worm farm? One in five shopping bags end up in the bin, which equals $3,800 worth of groceries per household each year. AND, food waste accounts for more than five per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.

By worm farming your food scraps at home, you can:

1. Improve your soil so you can grow healthier and more resilient plants;
2. Reduce the need for watering and the use of artificial fertilisers;
3. Encourage helpful garden worms and micro-organisms into your garden; and
4. Help keep garden vegetation out of landfill, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and odour problems.

At Science Club, we encourage students to be proactive, putting theory into practice.

Ms Denise Ramsey and Mrs Veronica Bamber - Science Teachers

National History Challenge

Last term, Year 9 History Elective students participated in the National History Challenge. This Challenge is a research-based competition, giving students a chance to be a historian and investigate an aspect of world history that relates to a different theme each year. This year’s theme was “CONTESTED hiSTORIES”, which tied in very well with our topic “Heroes and Villains”. Students had to research one significant individual in history who had been considered both a hero and a villain over time, then present their research in a 1000 word essay. The students researched a wide range of ancient, medieval and modern individuals, but in the end only six could be selected for the next stage of the competition. 

Congratulations to the following students who received Bronze Awards in the 2020 National History Competition:

• Ryan Battley - Richard III
• Joshua Biefeld – Richard III
• Christopher Elliot - Jim Jones
• Rhys Ho – Genghis Khan
• Andre Mury – Ned Kelly
• Edward Turner - Richard III

Finally, a very special commendation must go to Year 8 History student, Cameron M, who also took part in the National History Challenge, in addition to all his other course work and assessments. Cameron investigated the contestability of the Vietnam War, specifically comparing the portrayals of the war by the American government and media. His essay displayed a high level of research and an extensive understanding of a complicated conflict in modern history. Congratulations Cameron for your Bronze Award in the 2020 National History Challenge!

Mrs Sophie Casamento - History Teacher

P&F AGM

2021 School Travel Applications now open

Applications for student travel in 2021 opened on Monday 12 October 2020.

Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass for 2021 can now apply online. A new application should be submitted if a student is applying for a school travel pass for the first time or requesting an additional pass as a result of a new shared parental responsibility situation (e.g. joint custody).

Students who have changed school/campus, changed address, repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should re-apply or update their details.

Please see the attached document for further details:

Important information for Current School Opal Card-holders

From January onwards, there will be a number of School Opal cards expiring, as the physical card has reached its lifespan. 

These are cards for students who will be in Years 8 to 12 in 2021, and only those Opal cards which haven’t been replaced in the last five years.

Impacted students and/or their parent/guardian will be contacted directly by Transport for NSW via email or post. They will be asked to confirm their details online in order for a new School Opal card to be sent to the correct postal address in time for the new school year. 

If contacted by Transport for NSW, details should be submitted online by December 1, 2020 at the latest. Affected students who do not confirm their details in time will have a new School Opal card posted to the address Transport for NSW currently have on file.