Faculty News
SCIENCE
Stage 4 - Year 7 and 8
After being introduced to their first Science unit of work, “Science in Action” in Term 1, Year 7 students were well equipped to enjoy learning about “Forces” through many hands-on activities during this term. These activities allowed students to engage in collaboration and planning and they thoroughly enjoyed applying their scientific knowledge of the Scientific Method to conduct various practical investigations, including their first ever Science Research Project as their second Assessment Task.
Year 8 students enjoyed learning about Chemistry and Biology. Students had an engaging time in Science, as they conducted various practical activities. Students also appreciated the benefits of collaboration and teamwork as they completed various group tasks. Year 8 have concluded the term by completing their Half-Yearly Examinations as their second Assessment for the year.
Stage 5 - Year 9 and 10
Year 9 and 10 students have explored the Chemical and Physical Worlds. Year 9 were engaged in learning about Waves and Motion, while Year 10 classes had an insightful time in Science by learning about chemical reactions. As always students loved completing practical activities. Stage 5 have concluded the term by completing their Half-Yearly Examinations.
Stage 6 - Year 11 and 12
Stage 6 have been extremely busy completing Assessments, conducting Depth Study Field Work and attending various excursions and incursions.
Year 11 - Biology and Investigating Science students conducted Field Work as part of their Depth Studies by visiting Penrith Lakes Environmental Education Centre. Our students did us proud as they productively engaged in the activities of the day! Students are embracing the concepts of learning by collaborating, planning, and conducting many hands-on activities in their lessons through working scientifically.
Year 11 Biology students also participated in an incursion to learn about adaptations of Australian reptiles, conducted by our very own resident expert Mrs Newsome.
Year 12 – Biology students studied the process of polypeptide synthesis and DNA. They constructed outstanding models to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of this important biological processes.
Chemistry students, on the other hand, visited Western Sydney University to participate in experiments requiring specialist equipment and instrumentation. Our students impressed university staff as they skilfully and confidently participated in all practical activities!
The Science Faculty would like to take this opportunity to welcome Sue Wong, our relieving laboratory assistant, to our wonderful Science family! We look forward to providing many more practical experiences for our students with your collaboration!!
HSIE
Term 2 has been another exciting and busy term for our students in their HSIE classes. Year 7-10 HSIE classes have all completed their first semester topics and have all swapped to History or Geography respectively. The HSIE teachers were so proud of the first lot of assessments and exams that the students produced in their HSIE classes and cannot wait to see what the next lot bring this semester.
Year 10 HSIE were lucky enough to go on a long awaited excursion earlier in the term during their study of the Holocaust. Students and teachers made their way in to the Sydney Jewish Museum at Darlinghurst where they were taken around the various exhibitions seeing artefacts and memories from the Holocaust. The students were also lucky enough to have a live talk from a Holocaust survivor who shared her experiences as a young Jew in France who was hidden and saved by the famous mime Marcel Marceau. Students all found this experience deeply touching and all left the museum with a far better understanding of the experiences of Jewish people during the Holocaust and the importance of remembering.
The rest of the year is set to be just as busy and exciting for students in their HSIE classes, just a friendly reminder for students to make sure if they haven't already, to get a new book for their new HSIE topic. Years 7 and 9 are now studying History, Years 8 and 10 are now studying Geography.