Independent Learning 

From First aid to School of Rock

As the end of the academic year approached, and with many formal assessments completed, students and staff took a new approach to the final days of school with a trial of Independent Learning Week.

Teachers and support staff offered an array of learning opportunities over three days, and some of the courses and initiatives students covered first aid and the skills for becoming a first responder; developing the wisdom and know-how for safe and sensible online conduct - presented by West Australian of the Year Paul Litherland; mathematics and STEM-focused problem solving activities and a range of creative, health and wellbeing and service-based activities. There were two excursions, one for the Italian students to Fremantle and the Humanities staff conducted a Museum Tour, whilst the opportunity to join in an Afro Beats Dance class or Acrobatics and Dance was also on offer.

The challenge of this program was in providing a range that were free of assessment, yet still encouraged students to see value in what they learn and how they can carry this forward on their journey towards adulthood. Dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity, missing out due to limited places and having to adapt may be considered skills for modern life. A valuable lesson was also to develop greater awareness that your intrinsic motivation to see value in what is offered and decide the degree of engagement. 

As we review Independent Learning Week for 2021, our planning for the format and structure in 2022 will consider how we continue to adapt as the world adapts to new ways of working and learning.

Mr R Dowling

Dean of Studies

Check out some great pictures and a list of all the courses offered below:

More pictures below!

The full list of courses : 

First aid, skills for becoming a first responder

Internet Awareness & Cyber Safety presented by West Australian of the Year Paul Litherland;

Mathemagical Mysteries with out in-school math magician; 

The Scale Down STEM Challenge, working in groups to explore, design and test using science, technology,engineering or mathematics; 

Christian Meditation & Mandala colouring; 

Board games; 

Biscuit making; 

Creating Christmas cards for the elderly; 

Warrior Mail, writing cards of encouragement for young children currently experiencing illness or going through cancer treatment; 

Build a Bike (Pedal Prix), designing and re-skining a trike; 

Solar Buddies, building solar powered light to be donated; 

Cosmetic Chemistry (making cosmetics in the science lab); Google Digital Garage, completing an online course; quiz competition;

Tabloid sports; 

WA Museum tour; 

Christmas carol singing at the annual singing event for the residents of the Harold Hawthorne Day Centre; 

Master Chef & Mystery Box, preparing recipes for our Masterchef judges; 

Basic Barista & Sugar Cookie decorating course; 

Resume Workshop, to identify key strengths and produce a professional looking resume;

Growth Mindset Seminar (self-reflection and goal-setting); 

Think Outside the Box (team solutions to everyday problems); 

Wizard of Aus (movie making); 

Martial arts; 

Climate Canons planning (sustainablity committee); 

Theatre sports; 

Jewellery making; 

Buon Natale (Italian Christmas baking and making cartoline di natale/Christmas cards);

Japanese Anime (examining distinctive Japanese film techniques); 

Italian excursion to Fremantle; 

3-on-3 basketball; 

Table tennis; 

Acrobatic workshop; 

13 Useful Phrases (in other languages); 

Taskmaster (replicating the comedic game show); 

Chess challenge; 

Wellbeing & Chill (switch off and focus on the present); 

Study...Help! Workshop; 

Volleyball; 

Afro Beat Dance; 

Origami; 

Philosophy Seminar; 

School of Rock; 

Reading for relaxation.

Master Chef & Mystery Box

On Wednesday, 8 December, during Independent Learning Week, seventeen Year 8 and 9 students competed in the Master Chef Mystery Box Challenge. Each team were given a box with a selection of either savoury or sweet ingredients. They had to research their own recipe, prepare, cook and present it to our guest judges, Ms Rainford, Mrs Mark and Mrs Kippen. 

We had a colourful and tasty range of dishes including; Steak and all sorts, Chicken Fried Rice, Flavoursome Nachos, Chicken and Sundried Pasta Salad, Lemon Slice, Chocolate Raspberry Brownies, Mini Apple Pies and Apricot and Coconut Oat Bars. It was a close competition but after much debating the judges awarded 1st place to Chloe Ciccarone & Edie McKnight for their Lemon Slice, 2nd place to Keisha Cayabyab & Isabella Zeeb for their Chocolate Raspberry Brownies and 3rd place to Indie O’Brien & Charlize Smith Sarginson for their Chicken Sundried Pasta Salad. All place winners received a Master Chef certificate and engraved wooden spoon as a memento. Congratulations to all participants’ you did an amazing job, and had lots of fun along the way.

Special thanks to my lovely judges, Ms Rainford, Mrs Mark and Mrs Kippen, to Mrs Allard for all your assistance to plan and set up the competition boxes, Mrs de Luca and Mrs Quartermain for taking photos, and to Mr Lawson and Ms Harvey for preparing the prizes. It was a hectic but rewarding activity for students and staff in the final week of the 2021 school year.

Ms A Frazier 

(Food Science & Technologies Teacher)

Museum Trip

Fifty students from Years 7 – 9 visited the Western Australian Museum, Boola Bardip. Students boarded the train accompanied by staff from the Humanities and Social Sciences department for a morning of exploration, visiting an array of the museum’s permanent exhibitions which unearths WA’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The students had a fun time discovering the interactive features of the displays and the historical collections of the museum. Many students left with new insights and are eager to visit again. 

More photos from Independent Learning Week:

Mrs L Quartermain

(Community Relations and Marketing)