National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week

On Thursday 26 May, the College recognised National Sorry Day, a day where we remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people forcibly removed from their families, also known as ‘The Stolen Generations.’

Students and staff at the College created an artwork of hands which were displayed at the front of the College to recognise this day and to show a commitment to the healing process. Following on from National Sorry Day was National Reconciliation Week. The theme of which this year was Be Brave. Make Change which is a challenge to:
• Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation
• Make Change for the benefit of all Australians, change starts in your daily life – where you live, work, play, and socialise.

Student to Staff Feedback

Each Semester the College undertakes a process of feedback, where-by students feedback to teachers to measure the teacher impact on teaching practice and student engagement. The three domains measured are:
• Classroom Environment
• Instruction
• Relationships

Each domain is rated out of six. A summary of this data is shown below.

There was very little difference in the data between male and female students, year groups and learning areas. Heads of Learning Area are working with their teams using the data to inform practice and working on the following three questions which are areas for growth
• This teacher asks questions that make me think deeply (4.48 / 6)
• This teacher helps me set challenging learning goals (4.47 / 6)
• This teacher connects their teaching to my life (4.37 / 6)

Despite the COVID-19 climate we have been working in this year and the disruption to learning through student and teacher absence the data is very strong and demonstrates that students are very happy with the teaching and learning taking place and shows the commitment that our staff make to improve student outcomes.

The feedback surveys will be completed again towards the end of Term 3.

Staffing

There has been some movement amongst the Dean of Students to accommodate staffing changes. Mr Craig Rodgers has returned from his Long Service Leave and has taken back up his oversight of Years 7 and 10. Mrs Susan Russell has moved to Years 8 and 11 to replace Miss Shannon Smith who is Acting Deputy Principal. These staffing changes are in place until the end of Term 3.

Mrs Sara Jennings
Acting Principal

Academic Excellence Awards

At the recently held assembly we (finally…after many cancelled events) had the opportunity to honour the students who achieved academic excellence in Semester 2 of 2021.

To attain these awards students had to meet the following criteria:
• Year 7 to Year 10
Achieve a minimum of six A grades and no lower than a C grade in all other courses.

• Year 11 and Year 12
Achieve a minimum of four A grades and no lower than a C grade in the remaining courses.

The standard required to gain an Academic Excellence Award is quite high and students should be proud of their efforts. I wish all the recipients continued success in their studies.

Mr Danny Battistessa
Deputy Principal – Curriculum

Homework Hubs run every Monday and Tuesday during the term, in the Library until 4:30pm. All welcome!

Year 8 Level 3 students used a computer program to draw isometric shapes. Well done Year 8s! - Mrs Wanda Swart

Rehearsals are underway for the upcoming Catholic Performing Arts next term! A Performing Arts / Production Incursion for our Music and Production students will be held at school in Week 10 on Wednesday and Thursday.

Remember it is never too late to learn an instrument! If you wish to learn how to play guitar, piano, drumkit, trumpet, saxophone etc. Please email jacqui.matheson@cewa.edu.au or liz.hille@cewa.edu.au for more information.

Mrs Jacqui Matheson & Ms Lizzie Hille
Music Coordinators

Year 8 Heart Dissection

Year 8’s have been looking at various body systems and were very excited to take part in a heart dissection.

Year 7 Classifying Leaves/ Dichotomous Key

The Year 7s are starting the new topic of Biology and in particularly, classification, food webs and food chains. They had the opportunity to head out into the school grounds and collect different shaped/coloured leaves around the school. In the classroom, the task was to classify these leaves into groups and create a flow chart. - Miss Casey Donaldson

Year 8 Flower Dissection

In Week 5, students were learning about the reproductive system and in particular, asexual and sexual reproduction. Students had the opportunity to complete a dissection of a hibiscus flower to show how asexual reproduction occurs. This gave the students a visual explanation of ovule, ovary and stigma and how flowers require pollination to reproduce or not.

Year 9 pH scale

There is always room for colouring to help remember important science concepts. In this case, Year 9’s are looking at the different colours that represent the pH scale and various substances that have that particular pH.

Year 9 Forensics Chromatography

Forensics students were disappointed when the chocolate box bought into class was empty except for a note written by the Science staff member who had eaten all the chocolates! Luckily Forensics students had learned about a technique called chromatography which helped them determine which pen had written the note and so which staff member had eaten the chocolates.

Year 9 Photon Investigation / Einstein First

Albert Einstein’s theories of light and general relativity describe the scientific nature of our reality.

​Evidence of the existence of photons led to quantum theory, and evidence that space can curve confirmed Einstein’s general theory of relativity. These discoveries unleashed the technological revolution, forming the basis for computers, mobile phones, GPS, etc. Few of these civilisation-changing concepts are taught prior to Year 12.  The Einstein First project aims to change that.

Dr Carroll and his Year 9 Science class are working with Kyla Adams, a PhD student from UWA, to see how Einsteinian concepts can be included in the Year 9 syllabus.  Student are using a variety of easy to access materials to model quantum mechanics concepts such as the effect of photons on different objects, challenging students understanding of the modern world.

Year 10 Marshmallows

How effective are airbags in a crash?  Students in Dr Carroll’s class have used marshmallows to model airbags to test how they protect the passengers (clinkers) in event of a crash.

Year 12 General Human Biology Heart Dissection

Students in Year 12 General Human Biology were given the opportunity to dissect a brain as they are leaving about the nervous systems.

Their task was to find the four main components of the brain, connective tissues, and nerves. This practical allowed them to be further prepared for their test after the break.

Mrs Naomi Geoghegan
Head of Learning (Science)

For the College Calendar, please see here.

www.aranmore.wa.edu.au