O'Connor Catholic College Newsletter

Around the KLA's - students and their learning

 

CAPA

Miss Melita Roach

On Wednesday this week, Year 9 and 10 Music classes attended a day of music workshops at the New England Conservatorium of Music in Armidale. (NECOM)  They were lucky to have the expertise of musicians such as conductor and composer Paul Jarman to help develop their music skills and provide inspiration. From group singing to belly dancing, there was a wide range of musical activities on offer.

PDHPE

Ms Camilla Clydsdale

 

A number of male and female cricket legends visited our school on the 25th of February as part of the Australian Cricket Association Masters Tour and ran a cricket clinic with our students. Our PDHPE students and College cricketers enjoyed each of the cricket clinic activities offered and the coaching expertise.

The Masters included and are pictured below:

  • Mark Cosgrove
  • Scott Coyte
  • Jason Krezja
  • Julia Price
  • Josh Lalor
  • Greg Matthews
  • Rhiannon Dick
  • Steve O’Keefe

GREAT LEGENDS: We were lucky to have such a wealth of talent visit Armidale last week.

Photo: Australian Cricket Association

Science

Mrs Lilly Moar / Mr Daniel Fittler

 

On Wednesday 3rd of March, 27 students from Years 9 and 10 took part in the annual Science and Engineering Challenge event held at UNE. Sponsored by the Armidale Central Rotary Club,  the day consists of a number of activities that get students to think about constructing solutions to problems that usually. These challenges usually have two competing aspects to them that are needed for the optimal solution such as in the tower challenge; taller towers get more points but towers that hold more mass also score more points - so students have to plan their solution with some tradeoffs in mind. The challenges on offer today were;

  • Helter skelter shelter - a tower building activity
  • Confounding communications - a code making activity
  • String ways - a train service networking activity
  • Future power - an electricity distribution activity
  • Turbine - a water powered turbine activity
  • Grasping at Straws - a “bionic” hand making activity
  • Flat Pack - an activity in which students build cardboard tables and chairs to support pets
  • The Bridge - Students build a bridge to support a moving trolley that carries a changing amount of mass.

BUILDING A BRIDGE (Video): Our students performed well in the bridge challenge.

 

We performed well in all the activities but our students built the strongest flat pack, the bridge that was able to take the most weight, the second best turbine and were excellent code communicators. Overall we came second with high hopes of going one better next year.

Above all, our students enjoyed themselves and got to test their ideas knowing that the science that they have practiced in school has led to a better understanding of how to apply it in the real world.

Religious Education

We were fortunate to have Dr Joseph Turner come to speak to our Studies of Religion students last week about ethics in medicine. They had great questions to ask and we appreciate the time he took out of his work schedule to come and share his knowledge in this area.

 

TAS

Safety is #1@ OCC

All students studying practical subjects in Technology must complete safety training before commencing practical lessons. The theory component of the safety training is completed through the ONGUARD training system. Students need to complete a series of competency based tests online. The records for the tests are kept in a safety register. Students will then undergo practical instruction in the use of specialised equipment. One of the most important things technology students can do before class is to make sure they have the right equipment including the correct leather school shoes

A commonly asked question is what type of school shoe satisfies WH&S regulations in practical areas. Below is a poster that clarifies this. It is unfortunate when students do not come prepared as they can miss important practical lessons.

Agriculture

Guyra Show

SHOWING THEIR STOCK: Our students honed their skills at the Guyra Show. Photo: Makaala Dodd.

 

Show season is well and truly underway. Following a successful show at Glen Innes, our Agriculture students traveled to Guyra last Friday to display their skills and animals. Thank you again to Mrs Janet Price for all her efforts in this busy time of year for Agriculture at O'Connor.  

GALLERY: There was no rest for any of our students last Friday at Gurya Show. Photos: Makaala Dodd.