Around the KLA's

CAPA

Miss Melita Roach

Miss Roache's Year 7 and 8 Music classes are busy preparing their ensemble pieces for their end of semester performance. Every student has worked hard to contribute to the class pieces, and we will share their performances with the community soon. It was great to have Miss Jessica Suann drop by to see the students' growth. Jessica taught as a prac teacher at OCC for 7 weeks in Term 3 and it was wonderful that she could see the pieces coming together. 

GALLERY:  Year 7 and 8 music classes perfecting their performance piece on Friday.

Dance Films In The Making

Mrs Melissa Killen

Year 9 and 10 dancers are currently enjoying the challenge of working with the medium of film to communicate a concept to an audience. In order to develop an idea from their chosen stimulus, students have improvised, manipulated, articulated, selected, refined and rehearsed movement in anticipation for their dance shoot at various locations in Armidale. 

COVID restrictions have certainly not hindered their creativity! From the curious world of Alice In Wonderland through to the sad demise of screen and stage star Judy Garland, we are excited to share our completed films with you before the end of the year. We are so grateful for the incredible insight and skill that our past HSC students Eliza Clark and Taryn Ramage have contributed to all dance experiences this year.

Arts Captain's Reports

Charlie Fittler 

Hi I’m Charlie Fittler, I’ll be representing the O’Connor Arts Community for 2021, collaborating with Meg Lawry my co-Arts Captain. I would firstly like to acknowledge the privilege and honour I feel to serve the O’Connor Arts and CAPA (Creative & Performing Arts) department for 2021.

Both Meg and I share an immense passion for the Arts, with both having vast knowledge in different aspects of the area. I’ve experienced the ups and downs of the music industry, throughout my career in performing country music. Meg brings an array of expertise and knowledge in her choral endeavours and past performances. 

Meg Lawry 

Together as Arts leaders for 2021 we are beyond excited to promote the Arts Department (CAPA) through understanding, involvement, and pride for each individual student and their  talents within the college community. We are both excited to see the development of the new performing arts building currently under construction with its endless possibilities to showcase our students of OCC. The experience and talent of Charlie is something that is admired by both teachers and students and the same energy is portrayed into both our  passion for the development of the arts and people. Music has been a soul contribution to my life from a young age. I am continuously motivated and inspired to find opportunity and possibilities, and with that drive, I evoke  the same  passion and commitment  to  the O’Connor Arts Department. 

Design and Technology

Mr Jon Hawthorne

Year 12 Major Projects

We are now allowed to share images of the major projects with the O'Connor community and have included them in the College Newsletter on a individual page. 

PDHPE

Ms Camilla Cydsdale

As part of the Physical Education / Health / Personal Development program, students from Years 7 & 8 will be involved in the life saving program in Week 9 of Term 4. It is important that all students attend (non-swimmers included) as the college will be able to record students’ ability for future excursions that involve swimming.

The program will run on the following afternoons at the Armidale Aquatic Centre from; 

12noon to 3:20pm Monday 7th December to Friday 11th December. 

All standards of swimming are catered for, ranging from learn to swim to the Bronze Star Award. All staff members accompanying the students are trained RLSSA instructors and have CPR qualifications.

Cost of the program is $3.50 entry each day to the pool. Other costs have been included in the Sports Levy paid earlier this year. If your child gains a bronze star award, an additional fee (of $5) will be required to cover the award.

Students will go to school each morning for a normal period 1 and 2 and Break A and walk to the pool at 11.40 am to complete their life saving skills sessions until 3:20 pm. Students will be dismissed from the pool. Could you please fill in the swimming ability of your child, any medical conditions and travel arrangements on the permission note (your child should have received this already, if not please print the form below). Life Saving Permission Note

If you have any enquiries or problems with the arrangements for this valuable program do not hesitate to contact the College.

Year 9 Child Studies

A visit to TGs Armidale for the Year 9 Child Studies class allowed the students to make some real-life links with their studying of the unit Child's Play. The visit allowed the students to observe life as an Early Childhood Educator in a day care centre setting and allowed them to have hands-on experience about how learning through play occurs with young children.

Natalie Mellowship-Brown

Lifesaving Instructor Training

In preparation for our annual Lifesaving Week, the Year 9 and 10 instructors have been busy getting ready to lead our year 7 and 8 students. As part of their training, they spent a morning down at the pool practicing their skills so that they can deliver the content of Lifesaving safely and effectively. 

Natalie Mellowship-Brown & Ruth Patrick

Year 7 first aid in PDHPE

Science

Mr Daniel Fittler

Science Teachers Association of NSW Awards Recipients

Congratulations go to Emelia Rice and Alex MacMahon who both won awards at this prestigious event.  Emelia won the AARNet Electronic Communications Awards and Alex won a  Row Scientific Bronze Award for his Physics Depth study. Congratulations Emelia and Alex!

UNE GRASS Scholarships

Congratulations to Isabel and Sam who were successful in gaining a full UNE GRASS (Growing Regional & Agricultural Students in Science) Industry Placement Scholarship for 2020!! This was after an intensive application process that included a written submission, an elevator pitch and  engagement on the online experience. Well done! 

VET (Vocational Education and Training)

Mr Glenn Watson

In VET news, congratulations to Banjo Clark who recently secured a School Based Apprenticeship in Plumbing with Peter Fittler Plumbing. Banjo spent a week of Work Experience with Peter Fittler before being accepted for an apprenticeship.

Well done, Banjo!

PHOTO: Banjo Clark with employer Peter Fittler and Industry Training Consultant Tim St Clair from Apprenticeship Support Australia at the sign-up of Banjo’s Training Contract.