In the fascinating world of grade 10 science, we have been learning about the fundamental concepts of classical mechanics - Newtons 3 Laws of Motion.

This is in preparation for making our water rockets, which we will be launching at the end of term. Be sure to keep an eye out for any rockets launched on the main oval!!!!!

During term 3 English, grade 10 students have undertaken a comprehensive unit of work exploring war literature. Throughout the unit students have been exposed to a range of war poetry, aimed at sharpening their analytical skills and deepening their understanding of the significant impact of World War 1.

A central component of this unit has involved some intensive work around style analysis, focusing on Wilfred Owen’s renowned poem ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’. Students were tasked with dissecting Owen’s use of literary devices, exploring the poem’s vivid imagery and uncovering the themes and messages woven into its verses. These activities encouraged critical thinking and allowed students to appreciate the power of words in conveying the harrowing realities of war.

Finally, students have had the opportunity to complete some creative writing to apply creatively some of the new understandings and concepts they have learned.    

In grade 8 math this year, we have dived into the cool stuff like figuring out how much space things take up (volume). We have also learnt about letters and numbers working together in algebra, which helps solve puzzles with unknown answers. When it comes to comparing things like speed or amounts, students will use rates and ratios to make sense of real-life situations, such as using km/h.

This term 9B HaSS have been studying the patterns and trends in peoples travel habits over the last 100 years. We have researched the wider impacts, both positive and negative, of increased human travel habits. Our students were particularly absorbed in studying the technological marvel that is Japan’s Shinkansen rail system (Bullet Train) giving consideration to how such a system would work in the Australian context.

We have also learned the causes and effects of European imperial expansion and the movement of peoples in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The impact of colonisation on the First Nations Peoples of Australia from their experiences and perspectives.

Earlier in the year, we had 37 students from Grade 7 -10 participate in the Australian History Competition. Students had 40 minutes to answer a series of questions relating to historical terms and concepts, source analysis and key events in history.

Students are awarded certificates ranging from participation, merit, credit, distinction and high distinction.

We have two students at Queechy that have received the highest mark in the state for their year group. To have two students from our school winning this award is an excellent achievement! We would like to congratulate students who achieved a merit or higher award:

Grade 10 –

Mikaela – merit

Phoenix – Merit

Josh – credit

Lucy – credit

Jespah – Distinction

Daniel – High Distinction

Celeste – High Distinction

Grade 9 –

Ellen – Merit

Aarden – Merit

Noah – credit

Grade 8 –

Koby – Credit

Hudson – Credit

Harrison – Credit

Harry – Distinction

Sky – High Distinction

Grade 7 –

Pluto – Merit

Millie – Merit

Skye  from grade  8 and Celeste  from grade 10 received their medallions for getting the highest mark in Tasmania for their age group.

Well done girls! And well done to everyone that participated in the event.

Another competition we participated in was the Australian Geography Competition. Again, this was offered to students from grades 7-10. We had 17 students compete with 6 students receiving strong results.

The following students all received a Credit:

Charlie, Callum, Harison and Ruby.

Celeste received a Distinction and Daniel who received High Distinction and getting Top 1% in the state.

A massive congratulations to all students involved. Please consider entering one or both comps next year!

Grade 9/10 Drawing and Painting

This term we have been focusing on using different drawing media and learning the various techniques which can be used to create different visual effects.

Our latest task was to create a drawing with colour pencil where the composition had to include a circle. Two different colour pencil techniques needed to be used for the drawing. The students chose techniques such as hatching, cross hatching, stippling, burnishing, scribbling and layering.

In term 3 all garde 7 students changed options so that 3 new classes commenced MDT. These groups are progressing well with acquiring basic woodworking skills in marking, cutting, and chiselling, as well as coming to recognise a range of different timbers and their uses. 

All are now progressing with their first project, which is a 5-tea light candle holder made from 2 different timbers. 

Garde 8 students are now well advanced in producing personal choice projects, incorporating evidence of individual design. Many are now incorporating lathework into their work 

All grade  9 & 10 students have completed several self-designed pieces and are now working on their major project for the year. 

This term has also seen a new lathework area with 4 compact wood lathes available for students to use easily and safely. 

The machine area including sanders, lathes. band saws, drop saws etc has been significantly upgraded with better dust extraction.

Students have cooked and created a wide variety of café style foods. Some of these were offered to staff to purchase.

For example: Banana Bread with Honeyed Cream Cheese topping

Students designed and created their own version of a mocktail. They all got inspiration from our visit to Drysdale Restaurant. Students worked in small groups to make coffee, mocktails and chicken rice paper rolls. They were given expert advice about how to carry and serve food and drinks.

Café Culture has also had the fortunate opportunity of visiting the Cypress Cafe at Newstead College. This time students were served pizza and dessert. We were even served by some ex Queechy students! Students will complete the term and their course by making a café style recipe of their choice.

Around the Q

Winter Sports Finals

Congratulations to all teams and coaches for an extremely positive winter sports roster over the last two terms. We had several teams make the finals, well done to all!

Our Thirds Football team came away successful at Youngtown on Wednesday against Cressy. Our other results were:

Finals:
Div 3 Football Seniors

QHS 34 def PHS 24

AFLW Seniors

PHS 42 def QHS 35

Netball Div 2 Seniors

CDHS 40 def QHS 18

Senior Sport Placings: 

AFL: Div 1 finsihed 3rd
Netball: Div 1 finished 4th, Div 3B finished 3rd
Soccer:Boys Div1 finished 3rd,

Junior Sport Placings:

AFL: Junior 1sts finished 3rd
AFLW: Junior 1sts finished 5th 
Netball: Junior 1sts finished 5th, 3rds finished 5th
Soccer: Junior1st finished 2nd

Year 6 Transition

We have hosted all our prospective 2024 year 7’s this week with many excited young people exploring our campus, finding out more about the learning and meeting more of our staff. We look forward to ongoing additional transition visits for students who will benefit from spending even more time with us before the end of the year with all students on-site together for our transition day later in term 4.

We would love to welcome our grade 6 parents to our parent information night on Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st from 7 til 8. 

Year 10 Exams

Our exams are quickly approaching with all students encouraged to engage in this formal process. Not only is it great practice for all our students heading on to study pre-tertialry subjects but it also helps students develop study skills, reviewing and revising important concepts and ideas from their subjects. The exams also help students understand exactly how much time needs to be invested in their learning to ensure they have more than just a surface level understanding of the work covered in class.

Student Leadership Board

We have over 30 year 9 students who have progressed through to our interviews and onto their speeches. The speeches will take place next Tuesday with all students working with myself and Cat Attenborrow to refine and practice in preparation for next week. I have been very impressed with the organisation and thought gone into the speeches this year and I look forward to the students across the school learning more about the vision and direction for each of our candidates. Well done team!

Mountain Bike Camp

This week has seen two camps at Derby as our mountain bike class get to practice their skills on the trails of the North East. This is a great example of opportunities we provide for our students at Queechy. A huge thank you to Ryan Innes and Megan Pooley for your organisation and running of this memorable activities! Another big thank you for one of our Queechy partner schools, Waverley Primary, for the use of their bus to make camps like this achievable.