Secondary News
The Year 12 Graduation sashes have arrived and so I checked the calendar, and our Year 12s only have 28 school days left! Scary thought for some parents and students. Some of our Year 12s are working towards their exams for university and others are looking forward to full-time work and independence. Students on either pathway may be feeling some stress and concern about leaving the known to travel into the unknown. Please advise students to share their concerns with House Coordinators, teachers, myself or the school counsellor. We have all been there!
Letters will be coming home to Year 12s and their parents with some calendar “save the dates” for their last weeks at school.
Fingers crossed that the weather improves for next Wednesday so that we can run the Athletics Carnival. We had some very disappointed students this week.
On Thursday, Secondary students will be attending Mass for the Feast of the Assumption at 9am. We will then, “Fingers crossed”, have the Secondary Athletics Carnival Assembly at 9:45am in the Undercover Area at the secondary campus. If you would like to attend, you will be welcome.
On Friday we will have a selection of students who have been training hard attending the Meckering Cross-Country Carnival. We wish them all the best of luck.
God Bless
Sharon Cusack
Head of Secondary
Softshell Jackets
We have a limited number of pre-loved softshell jackets available to purchase for $30 each (cash or card). If you are interested in having a look at what's available, please go to the Secondary Admin Office.
Curriculum News
Science and da Vinci Club - Questacon visit
On Monday 29 July, the Questacon roadshow tour visited the Secondary Campus. Questacon is our national Science and Technology centre, based in Canberra. The aim of the road tour was to highlight and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) options beyond school to Year 9 students. These students will be making course selections in 2025 for Senior Secondary, with sound selections setting them up for a wide array of growing opportunities in these exciting and rewarding STEM fields.
The program, titled ‘Strange devices’, presented the innovation cycle of ‘Think, Make, Try and Refine’ to create solutions to simple problems using an inquiry and collaborative approach.
The two Year 9 science classes ran through the 90-minute challenge, followed by the Secondary da Vinci Club group. All the students found the workshop entertaining and, through participation, it provided an opportunity to identify a process to create solutions using a fresh approach, often finding unique answers.
Thank you to our Questacon presenters Jade and Len and the Australian Government for funding this opportunity. Also, thank you to Mr Bundock, Mr Greenley and Mr Hillyer for involving your groups throughout the day.
Mark Gargano
Head of Science
News from the VET Office
Congratulations to Riley Clayton who has completed his Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies. Riley has completed units underpinning the necessary skills to research information as well as resolve routine issues whilst working in a 21st century workplace. Riley will be able to pursue a variety of educational and industry pathways. Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies units of competency can be used as ‘prior learning’ towards a number of other TAFE courses, including a Certificate III Information Technology or a Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking).
Congratulations also to Bronte Harvey who has completed her second work placement for 2024. This time, Bronte has been working at Simply Spectacles, learning the role of Optical Assistant. After a client has been assessed by the Optometrist, Bronte has been responsible for supporting customers by assisting them with choosing lenses and frames, answering any questions that a customer may have and preparing orders when the glasses arrive from the manufacturer.
Career Directions Expo
All Year 10 students, and students studying the General course in Year 11 and 12, attended the Northam Recreation Centre on Wednesday 31 July to engage with over 50 exhibitors at the Career Directions Expo.
The theme for the 2024 event was ‘Find your Fit’ and focused on providing students with the opportunity to:
- explore different career options and pathways
- connect with real employers about real jobs
- access information on vocational training and further education, and
- learn about apprenticeships and traineeships.
Students asked questions, gathered information and enjoyed the interactive activities.
Messines Bee Farm Incursion
A multiage group of students at the Secondary Campus were treated to an incursion by Messines Bee Farm to talk about career exploration in the area of Apiculture. Thanks to the additional pilot funding from CEWA for an Agricultural Career Taster. The students inspected a real hive and watched new baby bees hatching, listened to a presentation on the history of beekeeping, industry innovation, training pathways and career opportunities, and participated in hands-on activities using a variety of bi-products of honey bees.
Caroline Marriott
VET Coordinator