Senior School
Academy Geography Students - Coffs Harbour Excursion.
Our Academy Geography students teamed up with students from Armidale Secondary College on June 11 to battle 23 C temperatures, calm seas and blue skies and spend a couple of hours whale watching in early June. We were fortunate to see around eight Humpback Whales, including one that breached about 15m from our boat. The cruise and subsequent discussion with the business owners will form the basis of our Tourism case study next term. We spent the rest of the day with a Coffs Coast Dune Care co-ordinator exploring the local sand dune ecosystems learning about their ecological processes, restoration and protection. The following day saw the students walk the Coffs Creek mangrove boardwalk to the Botanic Gardens. They learnt about the importance of mangroves as nursery/breeding areas for many recreational fish species. This was perfectly illustrated by the various sized mullet, whiting and bream seen swimming amongst the mangrove roots. Tori and Lauren also spotted a small stingray. An explanation of the unique features of mangroves that allow them to flourish in a muddy, low oxygen, high salt environment were also part of the learning. It was a most enjoyable trip and provided great illustrative examples and case studies for the HSC. The students listened intently, asked questions, took lots of photos and were a pleasure to take away.
Debating.
On Wednesday 26 June our Year 9/10 debating team participated in their first round of the Premier's Debating Challenge. This was a tough debate against Tenterfield High School with the topic being 'All students in the Year 10-12 should have a part-time job'. Our team was the Affirmative. Although it was a tough debate our team competed well, winning the debate. Thank you to the opposition team from Tenterfield High School and congratulations to Tara, Bethany, Kyrah and Abby on the win!
Senior Chemistry.
Academy Chemistry students have been studying acids and bases in class and part of this has been investigating the reactions of acids. This includes neutralisation, such as the effect of an antacid tablet on an acid, the good old bicarb and vinegar reaction and finally the effect of acids on metals. An interesting example of this is dissolving the outer layer of an aluminium can in hydrochloric acid. This reveals the inner lining that few people know exist inside soft drink cans. The video shown on the school’s Facebook page, shows the point where I lift the can out of the acid and the surface tension is too much for the exposed lining, with the contents gushing from the can. An exciting, visual way to see the reaction of acids on metals!
Hospitality Catering.
This week the Academy Hospitality class completed two functions. The first function catered for the St John’s Craft Group and the second function included past and present staff members of Uralla Central School. The students were required to research and fine-tune the recipes, create the food and beverage menu, prepare the dining room for service and finally prepare and serve the food and beverages to customers.
The main menu included:
Honey glazed ham or silverside
Served with:
Honey glazed baby carrots
Fresh steamed green beans
Cauliflower bake
Potato bake or roast garlic potato (GF option)
The dessert menu included a tasting platter of:
Brownie (gluten & lactose free available),
Oreo cheesecake, coffee mousse shooters,
custard tarts, gluten & lactose free banana bread
and homemade ice cream or sorbet.
The students now appreciate the work that goes into planning a successful function while developing their employability skills such as communication, self-motivation, initiative and working with others to achieve a common goal.
