BHCS Did You Know...
Yr 10 Cerberus - 'Naval Gazing Day'
On their final day as Yr 10's, 23 students boarded a Defence Force bus and traveled to Cerberus at crib Point for a 'Naval Gazing Day'.
The day started with a look at the sleeping and living quarters where new recruits spend 11 weeks of initial training. Learning how to fold your shirts so they are all exactly the same specific size when stacked and how to make your bed for both formal and informal inspections (and what happens when you don't). Discovering that your shoes don't just have to be clean on the top side but also underneath was all part of the introduction to the life of discipline which is crucial to the Defence Force.
Next we visited the hull of a ship that is flooded to 3 different depths. Here recruits need to carry out emergency tasks under these scary conditions. We watched a team of very soggy recruits as they debriefed after this exercise. We also checked out the sizable gym and pool where sailors work out. Sport is a big part of Defence life and opportunities to compete and travel are aplenty.
A hot buffet lunch was delicious with curry beef, lamb shanks, crumbed fish, lentil stew and a selection of salads or veggies making for a difficult choice.
The engineering department was a highlight for many of us. Everything looks to be 1000 times bigger and louder than the machines we are accustomed to dealing with. From here we were shown some of the combat gear including very heavy vests and an assortment of firearms.
On our final stop we were treated to a couple of items from the Navy Band. They were amazing and really happy to perform for our little group. So much more than a marching band, we were treated to some Navy Rock and Roll!
So after the threat of rain had us all prepared with coats and hats, the sun was out for us all day and the students arrived home much more informed about life and opportunities with the Defence Force, and perhaps a little more excited to tackle Yr 11.
By Michelle Visser - Pathway Coordinator
Year 7 Switch visits YRTS
Last Thursday the Yr 7 Switch students visited Yarra Ranges Tech School (YRTS).
Opened in 2017, Yarra Ranges Tech School was built under the $128 million Tech Schools Initiative. It aims to prepare students for future careers in STEM by introducing them to cutting edge technology, collaborating to solve real-world problems.
At YRTS, the Yr 7s worked in groups to design prototypes of wearable technology using LittleBits (snap-together modular electronics).
Some of the amazing innovations they came up with included:
- A heart-rate monitor for asthmatics, that alerted another device via a wireless transmitter
- A pressure-sensing mp3 player with a built-in step counter
- A stealthy vibrating morse-code machine for students wanting to chat during class
The possibilities were endless, only limited by the imagination.
Here are some comments from the students:
"I thought the excursion to YRTS was great because I learnt many new skills. I learnt about Littlebits and their different functions. I also really enjoyed it as I learnt a lot about current wearable technology as well as the future of it." Kieran L
"At the YRTS excursion we got to play with little bits, while making our own wearable tech. (Poppy, Emma and I made a spider man watch together. Great idea Poppy!) There was so much you could make with the little bits: Torches with dimmers, Heart rate monitors, step counters, sound trackers, Morse code senders, microphones... the list goes on. Overall the YRTS excursion was heaps of fun - Definitely not something you get to do every day!" Hannah F
"On the excursion I enjoyed the challenge of making the wearable device. I also enjoyed using the Littlebits." Will T
"Some things I really enjoyed about the excursion to YRTS were that we were allowed to experiment with the little bits and we didn't have to follow any rule books. We could use our imaginations to build whatever we wanted which made it heaps of fun." Emma H
"I really enjoyed that most of the YRTS work was hands on and there was always something to wok on or something new to find out! The YRTS staff were also really nice and willing to help in any way possible!" Sam B
"I had such an amazing time at the YRTS, learning many new things and experiencing new things. I very much enjoyed the time that we got to experiment with the little bits and discover what we could do with them. Thank you so much to YRTS for having us and teaching us new things, and to Mr Messenger for setting up this excursion and for taking us there. We all had an awesome time." Lili G
By Adam Messenger - Head of Middle School
Music Soiree Review
Come - See - Hear- Celebrate
That's what our Music Soiree on Monday evening was all about. What a wonderful night of student performances from Junior levels to VCE.
We applauded the beginners, the intermediate and the more advanced musicians. It was a night of variety with items on violin, piano, drums, flute, saxophone, clarinet, bass guitar and acoustic guitar plus vocalists. We had solo items, duets, and a student band. We had classic melodies on piano and flute from famous composers like Schumann and we had the driving beat of Midnight Oil's Power and the Passion on drums. Thank you to our team of tutors encouraging the musical talent here at BHCS and thank you to each of our Monday evening performers for sharing their developing skills with us.
By Kath Donker
Year 7 Outdoor Education Caving Excursion
This week the Year 7 Outdoor Education classes went caving and hiking at Brittania Caves near Wesburn.
The students have been learning all about caves prior to the excursion in their Outdoor Education lessons at school. It was wonderful to see them face the challenges and for some; overcome their fears as they explored the caves. The caving company commended our students on their lovely manner and great enthusiasm.
Many thanks to Mr Scampton, Mr Kenny and Mr McDowell for giving up their time to come on the excursions and cave with us. Please enjoy the amazing photos taken by Mr Scampton on both days.
By Teresa Douglass - Middle School Teacher
