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This term, our grade 7 scientists are working through their first high school chemistry unit. During this unit students will build their understanding of mixtures, including solutions, and understand how they contain a combination of different substances that can be separated using a range of techniques.
We have started the unit by investigating the three main states of matter (Solids, Liquids & Gasses), looking at their physical properties and how substances can transition between the different states.
Grade 8 English – Advertising & Adaptation Study
In Term 1, Grade 8s completed a unit on Advertising. Students explored different types of advertising (e.g., billboards, television commercials), persuasive techniques, and were taught how to create effective logos and catch phrases. Logos, pathos and ethos were also explicitly taught as a lens for analysing various advertisements. This unit culminated in students creating their own advertising campaigns on a product of their choice. Their work in Advertising allowed for a lot of creativity and benefited from learning many fundamental skills which can be applied in their upcoming units.
Grade 8s have begun Term 2 with an adaptation study on the story of legend, Robin Hood. They will learn about the history of storytelling and how stories have changed through the ages. They will read and view different versions of Robin Hood, including the novel, Outlaw by Michael Morpurgo and the 2018 feature film, Robin Hood.
Year 10 students have completed their study of trigonometry, including investigations using this knowledge to calculate the height of trees and buildings from their distance and the angle of elevation.
We have now begun exploring measurement, including surface area and volume of traditional and composite objects. As part of this unit students have examined how the dimensions of a prism can change the relationship between surface area and volume, and considered the implications this may have for commercial products regarding required packaging and product volume.
Year 9 HaSS students are currently completing their study of the impact of the Industrial Revolution. Investigating the lives of children who worked from as young as five has certainly opened their eyes to some advantages of life in contemporary Australia. While some students have been particularly interested in such social conditions, others have been more attuned to advances in technology and grateful for the invention of telephone technology and automotive vehicles. The final assessment task, which most are now completing, requires students to create fictional diary entries or a newspaper article, appropriate for the time. Through this work, students are learning to be aware of historical context, research effectively to find reliable sources of information and base their writing on feasible events. Who knows? We may have some future historical novelists in our midst!
Archie
Tuesday 21st 1841
Diary, sorry I haven’t written in you in so long. I had to learn to write again after breaking my arm in a machine at work. I was cleaning them and according to my big boss “wasn’t careful enough” and caused damage to myself and the machine so not only am I in debt and must pay the money I have earnt over the years back to the big boss. I’m fired and no longer have a job to keep my family alive.
Heath
Poor children like me had to work in the factory which I called the horrid place because it was so dirty and filled with smoke from the machines and it was hard to handle until you worked there everyday then you get used to the looks of it but the worst thing about working in the factory was the smell, it smelt so bad that even a few kids passed out from the smell.
Outdoor Education was busy in term 1 – straight into a camp and testing students skills.
In week 4 term 1 the 9/10 outdoor ed class went on a camp to South Mount Cameron. We went for 1 night and had a wonderful time.
On day one we began the climb to the top of Mount Cameron. While climbing the mountain we saw many amazing views and made sure to get lots of photos. The resident teacher at Mount Cameron, John, guided us to the top of the mountain and taught us facts about Mount Cameron and its history. We stopped at ‘the maze’, an interesting rock formation, that were scattered around, making a maze shape, as the name indicates. After a long walk we finally reached the top and were amazed by the view. We started climbing back down, with less enthusiasm as the hike up. We made our way down feeling accomplished but worn out and hungry. When we finally made our way back to camp, all of us were all quite hungry, so got straight to dinner with our Trangia’s. There were many amazing meals cooked. Some were very successful and had great dinners, others didn’t go as well. As it got dark, we got into warmer clothes and lit the campfire, we talked, told jokes and cooked some marshmallows. We ended the night with a couple of night activities and made our way to bed. The next day we finished our adventure doing some team building activities led by John, such as all aboard, where we had to stand as many people as possible on a wooden box. We then packed up our tents and started the long drive home.
This was a very exciting first camp and although we had less than 4 weeks to plan it, it was very successful. Because it was so early in the term, we are now able to reflect on what we did right, and what we could’ve improved on. We were all very good at making sure we had enough clothing, for hot or cold weather. This worked well for us but some of us now know what clothes we do and don’t need to bring and can possibly downsize for our next camp. We also learnt about Trangia’s and what foods can’t be cooked on them. It's best to take something easy to make, but also warm and comforting at night-time. Some meals we saw at camp took a long time to make (and even longer to wash up!). Overall, it was a very fun camp and we are all looking forward to the rest of the activities and camps that have been planned.
The View from the top of Mount Cameron
The 27th of April was a terrific day for students at the Inter High Athletics, with many students earning outstanding individual performances in what proved to be challenging due to the weather in the late afternoon.
As a team we placed 2nd in the junior shield and 4th in the senior shield. Coming away with an overall placing of 2nd place behind Riverside. This is a fantastic achievement for our school and our best results for a few years.
Thank you to Mrs Otley, Mr Crawford and Mr Goss for accompanying the team for the day.
Students have been cooking a selection of recipes including French Toast, Breakfast Burrito and Egg in the Hole. Last time students had to design a breakfast parfait, which included making a custard from scratch. They made ingredients choices from all 5 Food Groups.
These photos show their final results.
In Digtal Technologies we are learning many different things from game making to binary and data representation, our students are getting hands-on experience with the latest technologies and software.
In garde 7 and 8, students are learning the fundamentals of programming. They are introduced to coding concepts such as algorithms, loops, and conditionals using programming languages such as Python and Minecraft. Additionally, they are gaining an understanding of how computers store and process information using binary code. These courses are essential in developing students' understanding of how technology works and are usefull skills in a variety of fields.
In garde 9/10, students are exploring the exciting field of game making. They are learning the basics of game design, including how to create game mechanics, develop characters, and program game logic. Through this process, they are gaining valuable skills in problem-sloving, critical thinking, and creativity.
The first two photos are some rewards recipients in grade 7. The last one is two representatives from out 7D class who won the TG challenges for Term 1.
Welcome back to the beginning of Term 2. This week is slightly longer than usual with an 11 week term finishing on Friday July 7. We really do have an action-packed term with the start of our winter sports competitions on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, Mountain Bike Championships, Science and Engineering Challenge, Australian Geography Competition, Cross-Country, Mental Health Week, Year 10 camp and Reconciliation week to name just a few.
At Queechy we always provide significant opportunities for students to learn in different ways, not just within the classroom. I always stress to students the importance of making the most of the opportunities we provide.
We spent last term reviewing and refining the way we support positive student behaviour at Queechy and have begun implementing this work already term 2. Keep an eye out in upcoming newsletters as we share our approach to supporting students to be engaged and positive at all times.
Winter sports rosters begin shortly and we encourage parents to come and watch your children compete if you are able to on either Wednesday afternoon for our year 9-10 students or Thursday afternoon for the year 7-8’s.
The inter-high athletics were held last week and even though it was a little wet in the afternoon our students represented Queechy brilliantly. Well done to all students, (over 100) and staff involved!
I welcome a new staff member this term, Lynda Hain who has come to us from Queensland. Lynda is a very experienced teacher who has made a tree-change and fortunately landed here at the end of last term. Lynda is teaching English across year 7 and 8.
Start Term 2 right by making every school day count!
Going to school every day gives your child every chance to learn and grow, and connect with their mates and teachers. It’s where bright futures start and where they’ll benefit the most.
When your child goes to school every day, it helps them to:
- learn better
- find interests
- make friends
- connect with teachers
- be happier
- have a brighter future.
We have lots in store for this term, including Cross Country, Inter High Cross Country, Bulldogs Cup, Garde 10 Camp, Naidoc Week.
If you’re struggling to get your child to school, help is available. Please talk to us at school about your situation. We’ll support you, in whatever way we can.
To find out more, visit the Anything can happen website.
