Out and About

Year 12 Geography Excursion to Yookamurra Sanctuary

On May 11 our Year 12 Geographers spent the day at Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Sedan. Our focus for the day was on the Mallee ecosystem, its functioning and human impacts. Students were involved in three activities: an ecosystem walk, fieldwork on the impact of fire on the mallee vegetation, and a scat (animal poo!) collection task. All activities were designed to assist in understanding the unique mallee ecosystem and the animals that inhabit it. The weather was perfect and a good day was enjoyed by us all.

Analysing animal scats (poo) to determine species presence and health of the Mallee ecosystem.

Collecting data on the impact of fire on the mallee vegetation.

Examining the feral proof electric fence.

Judi Schmidt

Geography Learning Leader

Senior Drama Excursion-

Every Brilliant Thing

We are thrilled to inform you that the Drama Department recently watched Duncan Macmillan’s Broadway smash hit, Every Brilliant Thing, and it was an incredible experience for all involved. The play is a heart-warming and thought-provoking production that explored themes of mental health, love and resilience.

The department had the unique opportunity to get actively involved in the production of Every Brilliant Thing by being seated in the front row during the performance, interacting with the actors and even given their lines to read before the show. It was an incredible experience that allowed our students to immerse themselves in the play and truly connect with the story.

The Drama Department thoroughly enjoyed the show and found it to be a powerful and meaningful experience. The performance was captivating and left a lasting impression on everyone who attended.

We would like to thank Mr Richards for organising such a wonderful experience. This experience cements how valued this subject is to us and the importance of theatre and the performing arts within society.

Jonny Phan and Nathaniel Graham

Year 12 Drama Leaders

SASSA Mountain Bike Carnival

In Week 3, an enthusiastic team of Mountain Bikers headed to Craigburn Farm to participate in the Year 7 & 8 Mountain Bike Team Event. The team participated in a two hour time trial with each participant completing a lap in relay style. It was a great opportunity for students with a keen interest in cycling to participate with other students. Our participants, Sam Garrick, Eddie Keast and Declan Houlahan, showed grit and determination as they participated against more experienced teams. Wil Bleasdale (Year 11) proved to be a reliable official, assisting students to navigate some of the tricky jumps and bends along the trail. Well done to all participants and thanks to parents who transported the students (and their bikes) and cheered our small team along!

Annie Fitridge

Student Pathways Leader

Vertical Reality Indoor Rock Climbing

Recently our Year 10 Stage 1 Outdoor Education classes went on excursion to Vertical Reality Indoor Rock Climbing Gym in preparation for their upcoming camp. The students were allowed full access to the facilities for over 3 hours where they learned the basics of climbing and bouldering, some ropework skills and trusted each other through the belay system. This was designed to streamline the experience on camp where students climb the natural cliff faces at Onkaparinga Gorge.

It was amazing to see the students push each other up the more difficult climbs and put their faith in one another whilst returning the climber safely to the ground. The bouldering wall become a buzz of activity as different challenges were set and accomplished. Chalked fingers and sore limbs were the order of the day as well as the excitement to test our newly acquired skills outdoors.

Scott Charlton

HPE and Outdoor Education Teacher

Year 10 Japanese Movie Making Day

Year 10 Japanese students attended a movie making day at Roma Mitchell on 10th of May. 50 students from 7 different schools from the Northern suburbs attended the event and connected through their passion for Japanese language and culture. Students started their day feeling a bit nervous about meeting new people, but as soon as the activities started, they were mingling with students from other schools with big smiles on their faces. The main activity for the day was to pick a Japanese item and make a TV commercial about it in a small group. Students had to work with people from different schools and produced a short video by sharing ideas and showing their understanding of Japanese culture and language. Our students were highly engaged in the activity and took the initiative in each group, which had significant impact on students from other schools too. One of our groups was chosen as an overall winner for making their commercial very entertaining! It was a great opportunity for us to make new friends and share our love for language learning with people who have a similar interest.

Chihiro Sakamoto

Languages Learning Leader

Helping Hand Mawson Lakes for Brushing Across Generations

Brushing Across Generations is a unique community art project that connects young art students with elderly aged care residents to promote intergenerational friendships and celebrate life in old age.

On Wednesday 10 May, 9 students from Years 11 and 12 visited Helping Hand Mawson Lakes to meet and talk with their elderly partners for this heartwarming project.

The Brushing Across Generations project is entirely voluntary for art students in Years 11 and 12. It provides them with an opportunity to not only showcase their artistic talents but also learn valuable life lessons from the elderly members of our community.

Each participating student was paired with an elderly resident from Helping Hand Mawson Lakes, ensuring a unique and personal connection. The students spent an hour interviewing their person.

Before embarking on their visit to Helping Hand, the students were given coaching sessions to help prepare them for their interactions. These sessions included tips on conversation starters and other useful strategies for establishing rapport with their older partners.

During the initial visit, students spent time talking with their partners, capturing photographs, and explaining the purpose of the project. This time spent together was crucial for building connection and understanding between the generations and laying the foundation for the following creative process. After the initial visit, students began working on their portraits. They used the photographs taken during their visit as reference material and incorporated elements of their partner's personality, history, and interests into the artwork. If necessary, students could arrange additional visits with their elderly partner to gather more information or inspiration for their portrait.

At the end of the project, a celebratory exhibition will be held to showcase the completed portraits. This event will include invitations to the elderly participants, their families, and other members of the community. It's a chance for everyone to come together and appreciate the beautiful artwork while also celebrating the connections made during the project.

After the exhibition, each elderly participant is gifted their portrait as a keepsake. This thoughtful gesture ensures that both the artwork and the memories of the project will be cherished for years to come.

The Brushing Across Generations project had a profound impact on both students and elderly participants. For students, it offered an opportunity to develop their artistic skills to an extremely high standard while also gaining valuable insights into the lives and experiences of older generations.

Andrew Harten

Visual Arts Learning Leader

Serving the Community

Let them eat toast!

The Year 11 Service focus Christian Living classes have started meeting at Ingle Farm Primary School on either Tuesday or Friday mornings to support their breakfast program. The breakfast program operates every morning and fills the tummies of approximately 25 students, to give them the best start to a day of learning.

So far three teams of Year 11s have visited and enjoyed preparing toast and cereal for the students and then sitting with them to have a chat. The experience has been eye-opening, fun and rewarding. Endeavour students have been bringing jam to add to the school's pantry and would welcome other donations via Front Reception if you would like to support this initiative. There is no surprise that jam on toast is the most popular breakfast choice!

In class time we have been exploring the more theological side and considering service from a Christian perspective. We will then move to considering how other religions view service and the role it plays in their faith expression.

Year 11 Service focus Christian Living classes will continue to serve the Ingle Farm Primary School community for the remainder of this term and next term when we hope that the wider Endeavour Community can become involved.

Sandra Barry and Helen Carter

Christian Living Teachers

Lumination

Students had the opportunity to attend Lumination for the Future Thinkers 2023, which is a futures-focused design thinking challenge for students.

Ms Rigby and Mr Singh took a range of students from Years 7-10. This was a half day excursion with 22 student's total.

Students were introduced to the use of immersive technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), coding, 3D modelling and virtual world development.

The problem students were required to solve was: “Invent or innovate a product or service that will influence Australian sustainability positively and leave a lasting impact”.

Students also learned the soft skills around collaboration, communication and listening and public speaking.

In Term 3 the winners will receive a trophy, $500 to donate to charity selected by the school and a Lumination prize pack.

Some feedback from the students: