Around the College
Year 12 Geography
A Chinese Proverb says: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
The annual 'Geography tree planting' took place on Tuesday 27 November. Since 2007, Year 12s have come back to plant a tree on our eastern perimeter and if you haven't seen the trees down this avenue, then you should pay it a visit. What a fabulous legacy they leave their future classmates. Thanks to our Geography teacher Mr Sloan for continuing this tradition.
Year 7 Endeavour Way Day
Our last Endeavour Way Day this year was on Tuesday 20 November and was based around Forgiveness. We had lots of fun and did lots of different activities, including finding out how issues are solved at Endeavour College, finding out more about our classmates, and just overall we had a lot of fun! It was educational and, yes, I'm going to say it again, fun. I feel that this day was an important reminder that forgiveness is a very important thing for all of us to show.
Brendan Jasiunas
Year 7 Student
Year 6 into 7 Transition Day
On Monday 26 November Endeavour College held a transition day to welcome over 130 Year 6 students who will form the 2019 Year 7 cohort. Next year is significant as we introduce a 5th class, with the biggest ever group of Year 7 students at Endeavour College. The day was designed to familiarise the students with the College, meet key staff that they will be working with and to provide an opportunity to meet some of their peers for next year. Students were involved in a series of lessons aimed at getting to know one another, did some team building activities, and were also given the opportunity to participate in specialist lessons such as Science, Art, Food Technology and Literacy. There was a real buzz in the air as the students had opportunities to make new friends and enjoy themselves trying new things.
The Year 7 teaching staff are looking forward to working with this keen and eager group of students next year.
Louisa Mulligan
Director of Middle Years
Science Incursion
The learning experience in a classroom can be enhanced by the use of technology in many ways. Year 7 Science students and some Year 9 Geography students got to experience the use of virtual reality (VR) in their classes last week, exploring either the solar system or indigenous culture.
The Year 7s were taken on a tour of our solar system, stepping into the shoes of an astronaut. They got to experience the view from space of a number of planets and their comparison in many aspects to Earth. Students appreciated the extra third dimension that VR brought to their learning experience.
“The experience itself had good graphics and presented the information in a fun, exciting way”.
“It was fun and educational and had a good format. I found it cool to actually see the planets up close”.
“The VR experience was great because I got to learn so many different things and it was fun because it felt like I was in space for real.”
“I have always wondered how some of the planets worked and it was great to view it using technology like the virtual reality”.
The Year 9 Geography students discovered more about indigenous perspectives. They were placed in the centre of a traditional tribal dance and were shown elements of bush tucker and traditional shelters. Students were also able to play educational VR games which were both exciting and engaging.
VR is a technology that allows the user to have a 3D learning experience. We hope to see more of this technology within our classrooms over the coming years.
Sasha Loveday
Science Teacher
ARA Youth Ambassador
This year I have had the privilege of being a part of the Australian Refugee Association’s Youth Ambassador Program. The program began with a three-day camp at Woodhouse that helped us to build on our public speaking and leadership skills in preparation for the challenges we would be faced with during the year. These challenges included raising awareness for the Australian Refugee Association, volunteering at events run by the Australian Refugee Association and organising and running a fundraising event. In Week 5 of Term 4, I ran a carwash for the staff to fundraise for the Australian Refugee Association. Many students got involved to help wash cars during their lunch times throughout the week and I am very grateful for the help of each and every one of them. Through this event I was able to raise $317.90 for the Australian Refugee Association, which will go towards their various programs aimed at helping new refugees settle into Australia.
I would like to thank Charlie, Mr Pearse, Mrs Koch and the Property Management Team who all helped me greatly in making this event possible and I am very grateful to all of them for their work. I would especially like to thank Ms Ward for being my staff sponsor for the year, particularly for her work in helping me to brainstorm fundraising ideas and helping me to organise the carwash. Her support this year has been appreciated.
The program finished for the year with a graduation service. Nineteen students graduated from the program having completed all of the challenges given to us. We now have the opportunity to continue in the program next year as Peer Leaders for the next group of Youth Ambassadors.
Meaghan Koch
Year 10 Student