Secondary News
Founders Week
Thank you to our staff and students for the enthusiastic organisation of, and participation in, Founders Week. Students were engaged in many activities throughout and were very well behaved. From the live band and carnival games on Monday, through to the Tabloid sports on Friday, it was a very successful week.
On Monday we started the day with a rather chilly whole school Mass at the Primary Campus. During the day the students enjoyed an excellent band along with carnival games such as sumo wrestlers and laser tag. The Year 11s spent time with the Kindergarten children in a range of activities. The Year 12s walked the final stage of their Camino and then began their retreat.
Tuesday was a busy day with the Year 7s out at the Perth Museum, the Year 10s attending a St Vinnies Incursion, and the Year 11s involved in a range of community services for their MaJEC day. Students at school completed the Great MaJEC Quiz as well as a Games – Inc activity for the Year 8s.
On Wednesday, we had two year groups out on excursions. The Year 8s went to the Fremantle Prison while the Year 10s attended the Boshack Outback Eco Farm. Both of these were new excursions for the School, and the feedback from staff, students and the very valuable parent volunteers was that these were excellent excursions. We had incursions for Making Jesus Real, and it was excellent to hear that the year groups involved displayed appropriate and respectful behaviour. This was also the final day of the Year 12s NAHRA retreat; thank you to Lloyd Reidy for all the time and effort to make this retreat run.
Thursday saw the student arrive in PJs with some very colourful and warm outfits. We had the Year 9s out on their Camino, finishing at the halfway point. The Year 8s enjoyed a Numero Challenge whilst the Year 7s enjoyed a PE challenge. The Year 12s visited the Primary school Pre-kindergarten students, and the Year 7s and 10s had their turn at the MaJEC Quiz.
Friday started with a whole school assembly at the Primary Campus with the Founders Day awards being presented. Congratulations again to the worthy recipients. Following the assembly, the Year 10s did an excellent job running the Tabloid Sports.
Holidays
I would like to extend my wishes for a safe and restful holiday and look forward to seeing all of our students back on Tuesday 16 July, after the Parent Teacher meetings on Monday 15 July.
Amy Bennett
Acting Head of Secondary
Making Toys
This term, the "Making Toys" ISP class has been working on ugly teddies, based on the fugglers currently being sold at Kmart. The students did a fabulous job of designing and producing their teddies.
Carol Farson
Teacher
Physical Education
Year 10 Outdoor Education
In Week 8, the Year 10 Outdoor Education class travelled to Lake Leschenaultia to apply their Mountain Biking skills on more long distance and challenging trails. The students spent the day riding around the lake and using the down hill trails. Students also ran camp games such as sardines, mafia and team challenges.
All students involved demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork as well as improved mountain biking skills.
Thank you to Cameron Greenley for helping run the event and jumping in on the more challenging Mountain biking trails.
Eagles Cup
On Tuesday 18 June, a group of Year 8, 9 and 10 boys made their way to Northam Recreation Centre to compete in the Annual Eagles Cup. The students had the opportunity to play against two Northam Senior teams and a combined East Avon team. The team put on an amazing performance, winning the Carnival undefeated.
Congratulations to Jayden Oliver for being named the Best Player for St Joseph’s. Thank you to Mr Ryan Sinclair for coaching the team to success and Mr Cameron Greenley for coordinating behind the scenes.
AFLW Dockers Visit
On Friday 21 June, a group of AFLW Dockers players came to visit St Joesph’s. Among the group was ex-student Emma O’Driscoll, currently playing as number 3 in the back line for the Dockers. Female students from Year 7 to 10 were fortunate enough to get involved in some short training sessions run by the AFLW players.
During lunch, a meet and greet was set up with many students getting the opportunity to meet the girls and have posters and other memorabilia signed.
We are very grateful to have the AFLW girls visit our school and especially proud to invite our very own Emma O’Driscoll back to inspire the next generation of AFLW and AFL players.
Thank you to Michelle O’Driscoll and Tanika Pember for helping coordinate the sessions.
Adrienne Suckling
Head of Health and Physical Education
Secondary da Vinci Club
Our students returned to da Vinci Club activities after the semester one examinations, and were presented with three different opportunities to enhance problem solving and critical thinking over the three-week period. Each group had challenges to work through and use some practical content to provide a solution.
Robotics
Many of us recall having a remote-control car. Did you ever imagine the car controlling itself?
Our da Vinci robotics students have managed to solve this problem. They use LEGO Mindstorms, which are robotics kits that combine LEGO bricks (a computer) with programmable components, including motors and sensors.
First the robot is constructed with the kits LEGO for the mission. Next, the motors and sensors are programmed with the Scratch block code. The code includes loops, branches and variables and it instructs the motors and sensors to respond to the environment. The responses are prompted by information being returned to the sensors, which is processed by the code. The end goal of the robot is to locate a constructed cube, pick it up and bring it back to the starting point. The group has worked very hard and enjoyed the challenge of their project.
Soil Environmental Analysis
Our da Vinci Club environmental analysis students have been conducting research on soil types, an educational activity that combines hands-on learning with environmental science.
Students began with soil samples from various locations from a farm, noting the differences in texture, colour and moisture. They then performed a series of tests to measure water content, carbon content, pH levels, nutrient content and composition, using tools such as pH indicators, test kits and microscopes. Throughout the process, students learned about the importance of soil health for plant growth, ecosystem balance and sustainable agriculture. This fosters a deeper appreciation for the natural world, making science both fun and relevant to everyday life.
Goldberg Machines
A Goldberg machine, or a Rube Goldberg machine, is a device that completes a simple task in a deliberately complicated way. Goldberg machines can be observed in a variety of media settings, such as ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoons and movies such as ‘Back to the Future’ or ‘Wallace and Gromit’.
As our students discovered, designing and creating a Goldberg machine, relies upon identifying and utilising various energy transfer systems, where there is a conversion of one energy form to another to change a location or position of an object.
The students involved in this rotation certainly had a lot of fun (and learnt a bit about conservation of energy) creating their machine from a range of products including paper rolls, conduits, plastic piping, straws, pegs, dominoes, plastic cups, and various toys and other pieces of laboratory apparatus.
We look forward to our full cohort of 22 secondary da Vinci Club students returning in week one next term, where along with fresh rotations to fire up the neurons, the students have a couple of additional activities including a problem-solving workshop with the Questacon team and participating in the Big Ideas Challenge in Perth in September.
There are many exciting opportunities ahead for our gifted and talented students.
David Bundock, Mike Hillyer, Nita Budas and Mark Gargano
Secondary da Vinci Club staff
News from the VET Office
Congratulations to Monica Gustak who has completed 55 hours of Workplace Learning at the Northam Police station. Monica gained experience assisting the community with firearm matters, police patrolling, attending crime scenes and observing police forensics.
Monica is now deciding on her pathway into the police force, either through the cadetship program or directly into the Police Academy.
Congratulations to Tom Adams who completed 55 hours of Workplace Learning with Verlinden’s Electrical Services in Term 2.
By learning basic skills needed as an electrician, Tom’s placement will put him ahead when it comes time for applying for an apprenticeship.
Caroline Marriott
VET Coordinator