Safe, Respectful Learners

What’s the chance?

Year 8 have been studying probability through games and experiments this term. Students have learnt about how chance works with random events such as dice rolls and coin tosses. They have then had the opportunity to use their knowledge to improve their strategies with dice games. Finally, some students had the opportunity to play or design a “fairer” game. 

Sci-fi in English 

For most of Term 3, Year 9 students have been studying the sci-fi genre in English. They have read extracts from classic texts including ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley and ‘The Invisible Man’ by H.G. Wells, and short stories such as ‘Robot Dreams’ by Isaac Asimov. They have watched and analysed films including ‘Independence Day’ and ‘I, Robot’. They have discussed ‘What if?’ scenarios and can identify the elements of the sci-fi genre. They also designed and built models of their own sci-fi devices then explained to the rest of the class the purpose and capabilities of their device.

Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival 

Year 9 and 10 Child Studies students attended the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival at the Auburn Botanic Gardens. The day involved a Cherry Blossom Trail walk where students were able to photograph the scenery and actively walk around the garden. Students took advantage of the free putt putt Harajuku golf course and tried foods from a range of cultures. The Onigiri was popular and the decorative bottles. Everyone was glad that the sun held out and allowed us to travel to and from the venue safely. 

Old Government House

This term, cross-curriculum skills have been embedded into the community access program to expand students' horizons of learning and empower them with exemplary knowledge to link to the past events that make the history of Australia. Junior L.E.A.P students visited the Old Government House at Parramatta. The Old Govt house, Australia's oldest public building, offers a glimpse into Sydney's colonial past. It is also listed as a world heritage site. The building treasures a collection of Australian colonial furniture, as well as early textiles and significant homewares from the time of the colonial governors. A visit to the Old Govt House provided students with exemplary knowledge about the 1820s classroom setting, including the props used by teachers to teach students during colonial times.

The students showed their passion for learning about the 1820s style of schooling and lifestyle in general. The students asked questions about the 1820 school system and enquired how life was back then without electricity and modern technology. One of the volunteers at the Old Govt house dressed up as 1820 teachers and conducted a lesson in a traditional classroom setting. The students had an opportunity to dress up as students, convicts, and soldiers in 1820. It was indeed an excellent experience for students to cherish. 

Year 11 Escape

Year 11 Family Studies Students attended Scram Escape Rooms in Parramatta. They were all able to successfully solve problems and safely get out of their allocated rooms. All students were grateful to Mr Prasad for allowing them to attend the excursion. They hope to be able to attend again in the future.

Education Week 

The theme of Education Week 2022 was "Creating Futures – Education Changes Lives" Students from Year 7 through to Year 10 took the time to consider their future and wrote a letter to their future selves reflecting upon their educational goals and aspirations. The letters have been sealed and given to their Year Advisors. These letters will be returned to students at the beginning of Year 12.  Additionally, students from Year 7 and Year 8 took part in a Portrait of my Future Self Artwork Competition. Student took the time to consider their future professional goals and created portraits to reflect their future professions. 

Working Sustainably in a Business Environment

The Year 12 Business Services classes completed their final unit on ‘Working Sustainably in a Business Environment’. The students went around the school and counted the total number of desktops in the office, computer labs, staffrooms and the library. Incorporating their skills of using MS Excel, they created a spreadsheet whereby they used mathematical formulas to calculate the annual energy consumption and associated cost of using each desktop. Analysing their research, the students made recommendations to minimise the energy consumptions for the school by opting for green offices, more solar panels, energy-efficient equipment and keeping the air-conditioning temperature between 21- 23 degrees. With the completion of the unit, the Year 12 Business Services students are progressing well towards the attainment of Certificate II in Business.

Assisting with Maintaining Workplace Safety

The Year 11 Business Services students completed the unit ‘Assist with Maintaining Workplace Safety’ within their qualification of Certificate III in Business. The students learnt about the importance of safety in a workplace and enhanced their understanding of compliance with the WHS legislation. The students conducted a safety audit around the school where they went around in small groups and identified hazards. Based on their findings, they completed their risk assessment forms and recommended a range of risk control measures utilising the ‘Hierarchy of Risk Control’ which was then communicated to the WHS representative. The students are enjoying the Business Services course as it develops their skills associated with employment after school.  

National HPE Day

On the 7th of September, PDHPE classes engaged in sport and physical activity to promote a sense of belonging and active lifestyles. It was great to see students engage as players, referees, time keepers, scorers and selectors. The PDHPE faculty and Sport teachers thank all participants and prize winners for their contributions to make the day a success.

Head to https://hpeday.com.au for more information.

Treetop Adventures

16 Year 8 students attended a Treetop Adventure Park to develop relationships with peers and their Year Advisor Mr Belista. The day was full of new heights and challenges. We hope to have more students attend future excursions planned by the cohorts Year Advisors. 

The Green Giant

Throughout this term the Year 8 students from 8E have been studying Poetry, they have studied a variety of poems. Students have been learning about a wide range of language techniques and the vivid images these techniques can create based upon the poem.  Students have transformed the poem that describes  “The Green Giant”  into a drawing using their understanding of the language techniques used to describe the Green Giant from the poem. 

Safe Respectful Learners

At Merrylands High School, students are encouraged to follow the school policy of safe and respectful learners. To reinforce the message our school ethos, Glen Clarke, Fairfield/Cumberland Youth Engagement officer from Fairfield Police station, addressed the L.E.A.P students and discussed strategies to be aware in public and consistently follow safety rules and procedures. The students were excited to meet with Glen and asked him questions about maintaining safe practices at school and in the community.

L.E.A.P Pillows

The L.E.A.P students have been working on a project where they have been making pillows from found items.  They measured the fabric, cut it to shape, and then sewed and decorated their work.  Here are some images of them proudly displaying their work in the library.

Science Week

Science week saw the completion of some wonderful assessment tasks where students were required to make a display of a system in the body of humans or animals.  Below are some images of their displays, showcasing their work in the library.

An Awesome Day Out At Sydney Taronga Zoo

Year 11 Biology students were fortunate enough to have perfect weather and good health when visiting Sydney’s iconic Taronga Zoo this term. The visit was to support their learning in their 3rd module - Biological Diversity, learning about adaptations in animals at the zoo’s world class education centre. They had hands on experience with some of the cutest and creepiest animals, learning about how they survive in their habitats.  

Building Bridges

In term 3, Year 7 students were to construct bridges in relation to structural loadings and design durability. Students constructed a structurally sound bridge to withstand various loadings till failure. Everyone was happy to test their bridge designs for further understanding on the effects of structural loading in the design processes. 

UNICEF Australia

Year 10 students participated in the ‘Better World Youth Summit’ excursion organised by UNICEF Australia. The students participated in a range of activities and shared their views about mental health and the challenges faced by teenagers with the guest speakers. The students also represented Merrylands High School by preparing an environmentally sustainable city for the future generations that focused upon the importance of green spaces and energy efficient devices in households with the experts from The Urban Developers. Lastly, the students enjoyed walking around Luna Park and enjoyed their lunch in the sun. 

Year 12 Escape Room

Year 12 Community and Family Students attended Scram Escape Rooms to test their problem solving and communication skills. After missing out due to COVID during the Year 11 course, they were excited to be able to embark on one last excursion together before they graduate and apply their skills in a world beyond Merrylands High School.