Humanities News

Humanities Week

As a celebration of all things Humanities, Week 4 of Term 2 has seen a range of activities put on offer to complement what takes place in our History, Geography and Legal Studies classrooms each day. Beginning in the morning notices throughout Week 3, students were provided with a range of interesting historical, geographical, and legal information. This ranged from the fact that from 1912–1948, at least 151 Olympic medals were awarded for events in the Fine Arts (literature, architecture, sculpture, painting, and music), Hurricane Ida in 2021 being the 5th most expensive weather disaster with costs estimated to be around $70 billion, and the requirement that in Western Australia, according to Section 22 of the Marketing of Potatoes Act of 1946, anyone who is found selling, delivering, or purchasing 50kg or more potatoes could face a penalty of up to $2,000 for first-time offenders and $5,000 for subsequent offences.

Monday began with all things historical. Students could test their knowledge in a trivia competition or see who could create the most realistic Egyptian Mummy in the fastest time – with linen bandages (in this case, toilet paper), funerary masks, a staff, crook, and scarab beetles provided for decoration and authenticity. Costumes, including a Medieval Knight, a Viking warrior, or a Roman Emperor were also provided for students to try on. Lastly, escape rooms were set up to challenge the boys’ ability to work in teams and solve problems, both logically and creatively.

Tuesday saw a ‘Race around the College’ to test the boys’ understanding of Geography. Working in teams, the boys began at the Podium before being presented with their first clue. This led them to the next location – the Resource Centre – whereupon the correct answering of either a trivia question, labelling a map or even identifying oceans, would give the teams the next clue and the next location. The process repeated across the break with teams eventually making it back to the starting point for the final challenge – a game of charades to see which team could act out a rainforest. 

Wednesday was devoted to Legal Studies. As part of their studies into the criminal investigation and trial process, a ‘crime scene’ was established inside the Resource Centre. Starting at the Podium, students raced to the library to find Ms Walsh, deceased. Clues led them to the next two locations, before a final led them to a willing Year 12 student. The final piece of information led them back to the Resource Centre with hopefully, the correct answer as to what happened to Ms Walsh, and who was responsible. 

A special thanks must go to all the staff in the Humanities Department for their efforts in ensuring the three days ran smoothly. Each of the activities required both planning and organization and the hard work of all staff in putting everything together must be recognised. As well, thank you must go to the staff in the Resource Centre for their good will and humor as the library was taken over by Trivia, Escape Rooms, and Egyptian Mummies. Lastly, special thanks must go to both the Year 12 students who helped organize events, as well as every student who participated; we hope you enjoyed the three days. Listen out for next year, it will be bigger and better in 2024!

Year 9 Legal Studies

This term in Year 9 Legal Studies, students have focused on the topic Sports Integrity and the Law. With legal issues such as Match Fixing, Sports Contracts, Assault and Doping being analysed. Students are currently completing an assignment on Doping in Sport and were blessed to interview a professional athlete to gain first-hand knowledge on how important it is to comply with sports law and regulations. Will Valentine, who studied Legal Studies at MCA and is now a professional Water Polo player (and Tradie) generously gave up his time to speak to assist the class with valuable research material- thank you Will! 

Max Hatton, Ephrem House

Will Valentine is a MCA Old Boy and a professional Water Polo player. He came to our school to speak to my year 9 Legal Studies class. In this time, Will talked about some important apps that athletes must use to make sure their drugs tests are not coming up positive. Will spoke about his experiences with doping around professional athletes he talked to us about how they can mostly eat normally but must watch what he ingests.  He highlighted different features of the law including the Therapeutic Use Exemption and Strict Liability. Will also mentioned that everyone must watch what supplements they take, as the supplement industry is not regulated.

Will Lambley, Foley House

Our Year 9 Legal Studies class was fortunate enough to receive a speech from a Will Valentine, a professional athlete, but also an Ashgrove old boy. From his experience in international water polo, Will was able to provide us with a valuable insight into the systems behind doping in sport. He spoke about the steps every national athlete must take before going pro. These included multiple courses from SIA (Sports Integrity Australia) along with submissions of used supplements and random drug tests. It was a pleasure to hear from Will, who has a great understanding of the importance of integrity within sport.

Year 10 Legal Studies

This Term, Year 10 Legal Studies have embarked on a Crime Investigation unit.  On Wednesday 10th, the students were fortunate to investigate a simulated crime scene with a real police investigator.  Inspector Mick Ackery kindly volunteered his time to assist the Year 10s to carefully inspect the scene, question several key witnesses, and analyse evidence.  A huge thank you to the team at the Tuckshop who allowed a “fake” crime scene to be set up directly outside their workplace; the two witnesses, Ms Amy Grounds, and Mr Pierce Hardy (key witnesses) and especially, Inspector Ackery who gave up his time to assist both classes.

Charlie Garton, Gilroy House

Last Wednesday 10 May, Year 10 Legal Studies boys took part in an incursion in which they were visited by an experienced police officer and Marist dad, Inspector Mick Ackery.  The boys investigated a crime scene and were guided through the process of questioning witnesses and gathering information about evidence.  Inspector Ackery demonstrated questioning a witness and answered many of the boys’ inquiries, as well as helping both classes write reports about the evidence.  Overall, this day was an eye-opening and hands-on experience that was enjoyed and appreciated by the students and provided an insight into the life of a police officer.