Secondary School
Head of Secondary
Seeing God During Holidays
I can’t quite believe that we are a week away from the mid-year break, nearly at the end of June, and a few days from the 2023 Winter solstice this Thursday (the day of the year that has the least daylight hours). During the last week of Term 2 in Secondary, we see our Year 9 students involved in Service Week, the Year 10’s off completing Work Experience, and the Year 11 & 12’s having already started their Unit 2 & 4 studies respectively.
In the blink of an eye, Year 8-10 students will be selecting their 2024 subjects at the beginning of Term 3, with this process commencing at our Secondary Pathways Expo on Thursday 20th July. Finally, the Year 12’s have just 11 school weeks to go until they are at home preparing for their end of year VCAA exams, which begins with English on Tuesday 24th October. Where has the year gone? At least we have holidays to look forward to in the meantime.
When I think of holidays, weekends and free time often my mind inevitably heads in the direction of one of my family’s favourite ways to spend quality time together – camping. For my wife, Kate and I, it was an easy decision to make for our family as we have always felt that this is a fantastic way to have our two children experience life, see Australia, meet new people and develop some resilience along the way.
One of my personal favourite spots to camp is in Victoria’s high country. For some, you will know this area for a well-known landmark ‘Craig’s Hut’, which is perched atop Mt. Stirling. From this vantage point, you are able to take in stunning three hundred- and sixty-degree views of the ranges including Mt Bulla. First built as part of the set for a famous Australian film ‘The Man from Snowy River’, the hut, which has been rebuilt on a few occasions now, has become an iconic symbol of Australia’s early settler history.
When not at the campsite for the night cooking up a campfire meal or in the car listening to music, sharing stories and a laugh, I like to stretch my legs atop this beautiful mountain range and take in what can only be described as, some of the most amazing scenery and views. It’s during these particular times that I now reflect back on and has become the source of inspiration for this article.
In my personal Christian faith, I have always sought to ‘see’ God in all aspects of life. For me, it makes my walk with Him seem more tangible and real. As a young boy, I still remember being captivated by the beauty of the natural world around me – God’s creation. So, standing atop of Mt. Sterling, taking in some of the most majestic views, it’s just another occasion in life where I can spend time in awe of creation whilst truly feeling the ‘realness’ and immensity of our Creator. I admit, it also makes me feel so small and insignificant, as the view stretches for hundreds of kilometres in every direction the eye can see.
I would like to leave you with two Scripture verses to ponder and a question ask of yourself:
Romans 1:20 says “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – are clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Job 12:7-10 says “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Finally, my question: How do you see reminders of God in your life? May God bless you and your family as we head into a well-deserved break from school routine. See you all next Term.
Save these Secondary key dates in your calendar:
- Friday 23 June: Last day Term 2
- Monday 17 July: Term 3 commences for all Secondary.
- Thursday 20 July: Years 8-11 Subject Pathways Expo Evening, 4:00 - 7:00 pm.
- Monday 24 July: Years 9-10 Subject Selection Interviews, 2:30 – 8:00 pm. By appointment.
Reminder: Please check your email inbox from last week for important information that was sent about these Secondary Term 3 student subject selection events (for 2024).
God Bless,
James Kumnick
Head of Secondary
Years 7/8 Food Technology
Students participating in the Year 7 Food Technology Class have been completing their cooking session on a Sweet and Savoury rotation. Students most recently completed their last cook of the term where they tested two different slice recipes the students had researched early in the term.
Year 8 students have been working through recipes also on rotation. Recipes based around meal times: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Dessert. The most recent cook Year 8’s completed was a super moist, cream cheese frosted carrot cake. This was very popular with the students!
Miss Laura Scouller
Secondary Teacher
A snapshot of VCE Health and Human Development
Did you know that smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in Australia? Or that not all fats contribute to dangerous cholesterol? And our environment, especially family, have a huge impact on our health and wellbeing?
Our Unit 1 and Unit 3 HHD students know all this – and so much more!
Unit 1 students’ focus has been on nutrition and the big health issues impacting youth in Australia, such as alcohol use, vaping, mental health and weight issues. Next semester, we learn about all stages of development in the lifespan; from conception to old age, and take a look at Australia’s healthcare system.
Unit 3 students have also focused on nutrition and they learnt about why there are differences in population health status e.g. females living longer than males. They have discovered how Australians’ health has, and can, be improved over time.
We now move onto world health and will explore how and why there is such a disparity between Australians’ health and that of our low-income country brothers and sisters. Excitingly, we will also discover that there have been improvements, and how we can be part of this.
Indonesian Years 9 and 10
It was fun for Years 9 and 10 Indonesian to spend their last week in Semester 1 learning the Cultural side of the language by cooking Indonesian traditional food, after diligently learning the language component in class. The students cooked Bi Hun goreng (Fried vermicelli). Students learnt and used different ingredients such as Bok Choy, Indonesian red onion, and Indonesian sweet and salty soy sauces that are often not used in our cooking here.
Learning the Indonesian language will open up students to many different skills, and future employment, also adding knowledge to our world perspective in this case Indonesia and our neighbouring countries which is very important. This can be very interesting, satisfying and rewarding.
Bu Schokman
Secondary Teacher
Year 7 Science
In Year 7 Science, students have been learning about how substances change state. They did an experiment called ‘’Changing the Boiling Point of Water’’. They found that the boiling temperature of water is one hundred degrees. When salt is added to water, the boiling point is higher.
Years 7/8 Volleyball
On the 31 May the undefeated Bayside team played against the second place Balcombe for the SIS title. The Balcombe team displayed a strong skill set and great defence, but Bayside beat out Balcombe in a tight contest 25-19 in the first set and 25-23 in the second set after being down 1-8. This secured back to back Year 7 & 8 Boys Volleyball SIS titles for Bayside. This is the first time we have done so in a sport since joining the SIS in 2021.
A special mention to two players (Mitch Hooper and Reed Watson), who were members of the team both seasons. The season was highly enjoyable to coach and it was great to see the level of efforts the boys put into their training and competition.
Years 9/10 Volleyball
On Friday 3 June the Years 9/10 boys team put on a strong display against Mornington Padua at Padua winning the first set 25-8 and the second set 25-11 to close out the contest. It was a very strong all around team effort, highlighted by some fantastic serving.
On Friday 10 June the undefeated Bayside team went into the game second on the ladder up against the top of the table and the reigning back to back champion St John’s team. Unfortunately the game was on the schools report writing day but a number of Bayside players elected to come in on their day off and have a crack at winning the flag, rather than forfeiting.Bayside played very well in the first set, just going down 22-25, before conceding the second set 14-25. Bayside came back to win the third set 25-15. This was the second year in a row the Years 9/10 team has finished second behind an undefeated St John’s team, who played to a very high level. I am very proud of the fight and passion this team showed not just in their last match, but over the course of the season.
Year 8 Art
Year 8 Art - Observational Drawings
The Year 8 Art class has been completing a unit on observational drawing this Term. They have been focusing on portraiture, and achieving accurate proportions when drawing facial features. One of the tasks they completed required them to enlarge an image using a drawing grid to ensure accurate proportions. They have also been exploring rendering techniques, and the use of different pencil weights, to represent tonal variation in their drawings. Here are some examples of the drawings they have produced.
Year 9/10 3D Art
This semester in 3D Art, students have focused on ceramics. Throughout the unit, there has been a focus on good craftsmanship, as students were required to demonstrate five different ceramic modelling techniques.
The first project required them to create a pot design inspired by the character Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. Some students also chose to also represent a different character for their inspiration. These were created using a pinch pot technique, painted with acrylic stains and sprayed with a gloss sealant.
The second project required students to design and create a unique ceramic box with a fitted lid. These boxes were created using a slab technique, and were then painted with ceramic underglaze and gloss. There were some very unique designs created, and the student’s attention to detail was evident in the final products produced.
The third project required students to design a vase using a coil technique. Unfortunately, not every student had enough time to finish this project, but there were still some excellent pieces completed. This class has certainly kept me busy firing all of their projects this semester.
VCE PE News
On Friday 16 June students went on an excursion in class time to the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve. This was done as part of introducing them to their Unit 2 studies “Physical activity, sport and society”.
Students engaged with components of different types of physical activity such as active transport and recreational activities. Students were also prompted to consider various barriers and enablers to physical activity and the variety of benefits to the different dimensions of their health.
Year 12 Chemistry
In Chemistry, we have a lot of fun, not only by getting our gloves dirty, but by applying what we are learning at an atomic level to a hands on, practical level. We have been learning about how electroplating works, discussing differences from how batteries work, and overcoming challenges we encounter in the lab.
We also had the opportunity to go to the University of Melbourne and try some equipment that is too expensive for most schools to purchase. We saw what modern laboratories looked like and learnt about different analytical techniques used in the industry. Chemistry is good fun! 🧪👩🔬
Miss Amy Partridge
Secondary Teacher
Years 8-11 Pathways Expo
On Thursday 20 July from 4pm-7pm on North Campus we will be running our annual Subject Pathways Expo for all students entering Years 9-12 in 2024. This will be a great opportunity for students and parents to learn more about subjects offered at Bayside prior to their subject selection interviews.
Go Lead Student Leadership
9/10 OES Hike
Push-Up Challenge
At the start of “The Push-Up Challenge” this year, we set 3 goals:- have 50 people register and participate- do 100,000 push-ups- raise $2,000 for lifeline. As it currently stands:
- we have had over 90 people register and participate as an individual or team
- the team has done over 100,000 push-ups (Congratulations to Kayden De Haan for doing the 100,000th push-up for our team- raised over $8,5000
So in short, our team is smashing it!!! We have less that 24 hours left for the challenge which finishes tomorrow on the last day of the term (Friday, 23rd of June). The plan is to meet up and do our last 10 push-ups together straight after school, so if you’re a participant, come on down!
Mr Josh Goschnick
Secondary Teacher