Visual Arts – Vera Mitchell

Secondary 9-12 students participate in a double ceramics session for a Semester. The content covered included exploring a variety of techniques, associated with the medium of clay. The students were required to understand how clay works and the essential process to turn the material into ceramics. These students also used the potter's wheel and experienced the complexity involved when using it.

Physical Education – Rachael McKeown and Hayley Northridge

This Term the P.E program has provided students to further develop their fundamental motor skills by working in pairs, individually and in teams. Throughout the term the students also worked on good sportsmanship and the skills required to be successful in team game situations. The students took part in basketball circuits and were able to transfer these skills into a basketball game. Each Term the students participated in a timed run working on improving their time and fitness.

Performing Arts- Justin Hall

This term in music the elective groups in Year 9 through to Year 12 have been exploring song writing through both music production software (Ableton) and more traditional instrumental based writing. Students have created some amazing pieces while learning the mechanics of this new software and truly embracing their creativity.

Outdoor Education – Donna Thomas

This Term students in Secondary 9/10 have been learning how to kayak at La Trobe University using the swimming pool. Students have learnt a variety of skills including entry and exit of a kayak and how to paddle around in the water using an oar. We have had a lot of fun!

Science – Sam Hutson

Students in Lower Primary, Secondary 7/8, Secondary 9/10 and Secondary 11/12 have participated in a variety of experiments and hands on activities as part of the science program. Beginning with exploration and immersion in Lower Primary, students in PKS, PKW and PMM have participated in science activities as part of Thursday afternoon rotations. Each group has participated in a four week program, engaging in science activities that are visual and demonstrate cause and effect. These experiments have included; Bicarb Fizz, Orange Sink and Float, Lava Lamps, Blowing up a Balloon and Bubble Painting.

Secondary 9/10 students in the ‘Lab Legends’ Elective have been learning about the science areas of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. They have explored the concepts of classification, life cycles and basic needs of living things, cells, microorganisms, elements and the periodic table, states of matter, chemical reactions, forms of energy and Newton’s Laws of Motion. While there is a focus on learning key science concepts, each session students have participated in a practical experiment or activity to help consolidate their learning.

Digital Technology – Jess Mitchell

The focus for Digital Technology this year is movie making. The Secondary 7/8 classes dove into making a LEGO Movie using the LEGO Movie Maker App and their choice of characters. To film, they had to move their LEGO characters in very small movements and then take a photo, then move it again and then another photo. The smaller the movements, the smoother the film looked. It took a lot of patience but it was worth it to see the moving LEGO at the end. The 9/10 classes had a chance to create a short movie in front of the green screen. They could use costumes if they wished and then used the iMovie program to change their green background to any picture they wanted. They also created new music using Garageband to add to their movie. It has been a fun semester!

Career Education – Annemarie Holmyard

This year we have introduced the Secondary 9/10 students to the concepts of entrepreneurship and enterprise. Students have investigated successful businesses and have presented these ideas to a ‘Shark tank’ Panel – Sarah, Colin and Helen for school approval and investment. This included ‘Bath Bombs’, Bus Cleaning and a Slushie day. A small group of students worked with Colin Daisley leaning the school buses and also have successfully run a Slushie day where all proceeds donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. We were extremely fortunate that a local business kindly donated the slushie machine for the students to use - Flamingo Slushie Hire. This term the students have organised a smoothie, basketball and movie day to happen in the last week of term. Information to be sent home to Year 9/10 families.

We look forward to new groups and topics for Semester 2 in all our programs. If any parents/carers have any questions or queries about the specialist programs, please feel free to contact the Acting Specialist Team Leader.

Jane Stacey

Acting Team Leader and Food Technology Teacher

Dates to Remember

Term 2

Term 3