What's happening in the classroom??
Year 9 & 10 PASS Classes
These students have been studying a unit on aquatic sports. This has involved practical activities like lap swimming, pool games and surfing. We would like to thank Saltwater Surf School for their coaching and supervision during our surfing lessons. Students have also been learning about the use of technology in sport and how this has changed how we view and analyse sports.
Year 5/6M & 5/6W
Students in 5/6M and 5/6W have explored the world of Bridges this term for Science. Using discovery learning they have found what structures are the strongest. They looked at many different types of bridges and had the opportunity to make a number of them using varied materials. The students cooperated in groups and learnt to listen to each other’s ideas and opinions.
Year 8
Learning fractions using Spheros!
... and in Science attempting to purify water
News from the Art Rooms
All of our dedicated Visual Arts students have been working hard in the art rooms on a variety of tasks. Here are just a few snapshots of what has been happening in Term 1 of 2019.
Year 5 and 6 created an impressive lounge of lizards that are to be exhibited in the Information Services Centre for Grandparents’ and Open Day. Be sure to take time out to look at them on the day.
Year 7 have been creating landscapes that feature aspects of our own school's picturesque views.
Year 8 worked on creating linoleum prints with an aquatic theme. Some have embossed them, printed on paper and some are printing on t shirts.
Year 9 and 10 are painting portraits of Balinese youth from an orphanage to share with them and bless them.
Musical - Singin’ in the Rain JR. - And during lunchtimes, sport times and after school on Thursdays, many students are continuing to create sets, costumes and props for the school musical – Singin’ in the Rain JR.
Thank you for all for your hard work, students. The art works are looking impressive and I am sure they will create a wonderful display for all of our visitors, family and friends on Grandparents’ and Open Day!
Mrs Grimwood
Year 9 & 10 Mathematics
This term in Year 9 Mathematics, students have been studying a unit on “Tools of the Trade”: how mathematics is used in various industries and occupations and the many day to day calculations we have to make. The very complex formulas associated with specific jobs has also been explored. Students also had the opportunity to discover how using the appropriate mathematical techniques can help solve real world problems. The random shaped cookie was one of the activities this term where students had to select a cookie recipe, price the cost of production and then determine the selling price to cover costs and potentially make a profit.
This term in year 10 mathematics students have been working through a unit called “Decision Makers”. Statistics and data have made up much of the unit with students exploring ways to collect and display data, methods used to analyse data and who needs to collect data and why. Probability was explored with students researching data on the weather and ways used to predict rainfall and hot days, as well as the use of the coin toss and other methods to determine outcomes in various sporting events. The class also had to design and build a scale model of a passive solar house. This was completed using information learnt about passive solar house features and data collected about the average temperatures in the Manning Valley.
Year 5/6 Miss Cowley
A great poem...
Words by Darcey Hazlewood
Words are like fires,
Words are like flames,
They spread and they spread,
The world’s greatest bane.
Words can be flowers
Or even a kiss,
But they can be hate,
Or even a fist.
Words are the bullets,
But our mouths are the guns,
Be careful of what you speak,
Because your words might just leak.
Year 12 Agriculture
Soil Your Undies...
Late last year, Year 12 Agriculture ‘planted’ three pairs of cotton underpants in different locations around the school.
After two months we checked the level of decomposition, with idea that if there’s not much left of the undies you have good biological activity, which indicates healthy soil.
As you can see, we got some excellent results!
Farm Visit
As part of our Plant & Animal Production Unit, Year 12 Agriculture visited the farm of Bill and Alison Archinal, to hear about the significance of having a diverse pasture mix and the effect different species have on the nutritional needs of sheep and cattle. It was great to hear from Mr and Mrs Archinal and we thank them for welcoming us and giving up their time to show us around and talk to us.
Russel the Fish... Science
We have a new addition to the school’s family, Russel the Jade Perch. He lives in his tank in C8 and was kindly donated by the James family. Though we feed him pellets and blood-worms, in the wild he would normally eat zooplankton, small crustaceans, aquatic insects, molluscs, algae and plants. The Jade Perch is an Australian native fish that originates from central Queensland. Jade Perch is not only edible, but very good for you. If you would like to meet Russel, see Ms Amber from Science to be introduced.
Year 12 Chemistry
Year 12 Chemistry have been learning about acids and bases this term. One of their investigations involved testing the pH of water from different sources. When I put an email out to teachers for water samples, I had a tremendous response. Teachers wanted to know the pH of their pools, fish tanks, dams, rivers, gullies, water troughs and even near where they swim and surf! We obtained some interesting and peculiar results, especially from Mr Low's green slimy pool. Thank you to all the staff who showed such keen interest.
Year 7 Science... Edible Cells...
Year 7 Science are learning about Cells this term and will be creating 3D models for their end of term CELL-ebration. Last week Mrs Duffy’s class created edible plant and animal cells made from biscuits and cake decorations. The students learned all about the various organelles inside plant and animal cells and, afterwards, were able to enjoy a delicious treat.
Next week they’ll be looking at a variety of cells under the microscope.
2018 - The very first TCC STEAM Project
Here’s some action photos of our very first TCC STEAM project a fractal Christmas tree.
2018 our current Year 7 students @ their Orientation Day
In the ISC 2018 Term 4 (Information Services Centre)
Planting a seed
This term Kindy students are learning the basics of computer science and internet safety. To begin to understand what an algorithm is, kindy students made a ‘real life’ algorithm, using the steps needed to plant a seed.
Our Kindy students have been busy learning how to program. Students practiced writing precise instructions as they work to translate instructions into the symbols provided.
Stage 2
This term Stage 2 students are learning coding with algorithms, loops, conditionals, and events. To encourage them to learn the skills they need to code, they undertook an activity which encourages them to learn perseverance and deal with aspects of frustration. Their task was to create a structure that was higher than a toothpick and that could hold a book. They were only allowed to use toothpicks and play dough.
Stage 3
Our Stage 3 students were busy using our Ozobot Line robots in the ISC, drawing colour codes for the tiny robot to follow.
Knitting for a cause
Our Crazy Crafters group in 2018 were busy knitting for a cause. Led by Mrs Ruth Sumpner and her daughter Maitrix, we were knitting lengths to assist the Manning Great Lakes Police District in their quest to knit the longest white ribbon, raising awareness of domestic violence.
On Friday, November 23, the ribbon was laid on the 19th fairway of the golf course in conjunction with the Domestic and Family Violence Expo.
Our group hope to be launching a new 'Knitting for a cause' initiative this year, knitting beanies for premature babies. We welcome parents, teachers, Year 6 and High School students to join us every Friday at lunch in the ISC.
Lunchtime Robots Club
Linsley Platts and Jonathan Hill were busy building robots at lunchtime in the ISC. Both boys built a remote controlled tank and Linsley recently built a remote control car. Both boys used the LEGO Mindstorms robot kit, however have constructed the robots themselves, preferring not to use instructions. We are very proud of their accomplishments in this area.
2018 - Year 7G Visual Arts - hard @ work.... shhh
