Senior School
From the Head of Senior School
Like many of you I am sure, I am enjoying watching the Tokyo Olympics very much. I have been struck by a few things - particularly the awful pressure to succeed placed on some of the athletes. The expectations they carry are massive, and in some instances overwhelming. My heart went out to American gymnast Simone Biles who withdrew from the teams event after a disappointing performance on the vault - she had talked a day or so previously of the burden of expectations she carries.
Similarly, Naomi Osaka's loss early in her home tournament must have been very challenging. It was Naomi who withdrew from the French Open, unable to deal with the stress of post-match media hype and scrutiny. While distressing to see, it is also very encouraging though, to see high profile people like this acknowledging their mental health challenges. It is courageous and admirable of them to speak out, and in doing so they are validating and reinforcing that it is not only OK, but wise and desirable to acknowledge difficulties and seek help.
Perhaps we all need to reflect on the pressure we put on our sportsmen and women to 'do us proud'.
I was also sorry for the athlete I saw interviewed, who, after training and sacrificing for five years, found his Olympics over in a few minutes when he lost his first round fight. It reminded me that often in life we do have to perform 'on the day'.
In schools every year is an Olympic year; for our ATAR students this means peaking for the exams in October/November! The way ATAR is structured, it is still imperative to perform in the exams. Year Ten is the slog of repetition and practice, to lay a platform so that highest achievement can be produced when it counts. In Year Eleven, pathways and goals are focussed, and levels of expertise developed. While General/VET students are largely spared that academically intense pressure, they are entering highly competitive fields - the pressure is on them in interviews and the work place.
Hunger Heroes are at it again
'Hunger Heroes' is a group of passionate students identifying people within the school and local community who are in need of nutritious meals, due to illness, domestic violence, loss of employment, and/or being homeless.
Planning and preparing food to sell to students at school has been a way of fundraising to collect funds so ingredients can be purchased to prepare and freeze meals that meet the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
As part of the Values and Christian Services for Term Two the 'Hunger Heros' team raised funds during lunch time, selling homemade brownies and icecream. Yesterday the 'Hunger Heros' were able to purchase well needed supplies from Woolworths at Bayonet Head and delivered them directly to Food Bank, Albany.
The very friendly staff at Food Bank weighed the items and calculated the amount donated would equate to 70 meals! Well done team!
Mr Mark Bonnin | Head of Senior School
Hospitality
Year Ten Hospitality
Throughout the first half of this term our Year Ten Hospitality students are investigating Italian cuisine, its influence on Australian eating patterns, and learning about a range of production skills to complete recipes. During the last two weeks students have learned about the storage of premade foods for future use. We have made homemade pasta (producing lasagne sheets), a nutritional ragu, a cheese bechamel sauce, and garlic bread using traditional Italian ciabatta bread. This culminated in a delicious takeaway meal of lasagne and freshly baked garlic bread that students could enjoy for their lunch.
Year Eleven VET Hospitality
We continue our focus on producing suitable appetisers for customers of all ages this term. Our Year Eleven VET Hospitality students prepared churros-style pastry twists, made a decadent chocolate dipping sauce, and accompanied those with a selection of ‘toppings’ that could be enjoyed by children (and young adults!) at functions.
Mrs Teresa McAllister | Teacher