Coding Connection

Digital literacy, especially coding, is one of the top areas of knowledge and skills required by our students as they move on into industry, University, TAFE and other pathways.

In Years 7 and 8 our computer students are currently looking at coding via Scratch and Google CS-First as well as starting to look at simple HTML in some of their projects.

In Years 9 to 12 students electing to study Computer Science look at coding with Visual Basic, Python and online learning tools like “Grok Learning”.

Recently, a number of students have approached me for ways in which they can expand their coding knowledge or have access to our resources as they currently don’t do Computer Science.

In response to this request I have put together a list of FREE resources where students and even parents, can access free coding tutorials, many offering a Certificate at the end of the online course.

Please follow the “coding connections” below and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Kind Regards

Tim Drake

(Head of Technology)

Phone: 9306 7173

Tim.Drake@ststephens.wa.edu.au

Making Robotic Hands

This week the Year 12 General Human Biology class made ‘robotic’ hands using card, string, elastic bands and bendable straws. The aim of the project was to understand how joints, bones, tendons and muscles work together to move our fingers.

2018 House Captain Developmental Training

Time’s Up Escape Room

On Friday 10 November 2017, the newly appointed 2018 Carramar House Captains ventured to the Time’s Up Escape Room in Wanneroo. The aim, to develop better understanding of the importance of teamwork and building resilience.

The Captains worked enthusiastically, with great skill, tactical analysis and perseverance. Makaria and Charis were required to escape from a jail in the Wild Wild West in a challenge known as ‘Wanted,’ whilst Parresia were detectives in the ‘Pursuit’.

All the teams were successful in their quest to escape and they were once again released into the outside world. Finally, the Deans and captains debriefed about the impact of decision making and group dynamics.

Thanks to Mr Batten, Mrs Stockton-Rice and Mr Gilchrist for their leadership and support during this event.

Sports Awards Night

St Stephen’s Carramar had their annual Sports Awards Night on Wednesday 8 November. Over 330 staff, students and parents were in attendance celebrating the achievements of our young sportsmen and sportswomen.

For only the second time St Stephen’s Carramar competed in the School Sports WA Champion Schools Competition and in doing so we had over 400 participants in 65 teams over 18 different sports take the field, court, track and pool in 2017. Whilst we are still chasing that elusive state title we did come close with our cricket, basketball and soccer teams all making the finals stages of the state wide competition.

We have had many individual success stories with many of our students making state and even national teams. In our school community we have numerous state representatives: Thalia Bryant, Imogen Resta and Emily Alexander in Netball, Daniel Vlahov in Basketball, Jordan Waldock in Baseball, Ky Landers, Nathan Alexander and Caleb Lampard in Beach and Hardcourt Volleyball, Brayden Smith, Jacob Smith and Byron Kimber in Swimming, Jaidyn Rodrigues in Lacrosse, Kirstin Rudgeley in Golf, Brooke Hurst in Hockey, Isabella Martin for Triathlon and Ami Dique and Isabella Lawrence in Equestrian. Elijah Thomas received an ACC All Stars nomination for athletics and Brayden Smith and Jacob Smith received ACC All Stars nominations for swimming. We really are surrounded by some amazing talent.

The group photo below shows our All Star Award winners, they are the students who were a part of our athletics, cross country and swimming inter-school teams. An amazing effort by all!

LiveLighter Badminton Championships

Today, Year 7-10 students competed in the LiveLighter Badminton Championships at Kingsway Stadium. Special congratulations to Jak Bussche, Raj Bose, Ashwin Soney and Tom Bussche who all made the quarter finals.

FIRST Lego League

The Brik Pak

Saturday 4 November at Carramar Campus, St Stephen’s played host to 25 schools in the northern division of the FIRST Lego League. Over 200 people were in attendance and the day was an overwhelming success.

A big CONGRATULATIONS to our Carramar Secondary team, The Brik Pak on their performance at FIRST Lego League. The team consisting of Tom Cordell, Cameron Kiss, Abigail Legge, Darcy Beckitt, Christian Harris, Falgun Batavia, Aaron Popich and Cooper Sinclair performed exceptionally well in all 3 components of the competition.

The team excelled in the project presentation, which involved them presenting their innovative idea of a Mosquito Aerial Control & Eradication (MACE) system to a panel of judges. The team won the Research Award for their comprehensive study into mosquitoes, drones and mosquito eradication techniques which involved them speaking to Dr Abbey Potter from Department of Health and Dr Fredrik Christiansen from the Cetacean Research Unit at Murdoch University.

The feedback from people on Saturday was overwhelming in praise of our school, it’s grounds and the volunteers who assisted with the event. Thank you all!

T20 Cricket Blast State Finals

Friday 3 November, the year 7/8 girls’ and 9/10 boys’ Carramar cricket teams competed in the T20 Cricket Blast Finals at Britannia Reserve in Leederville. We competed against cricket specialist schools such as Kent Street High School and both our teams put in some great performances. The boys finished in 4th place and the girls finished in 3rd place. Congratulations to all, on making the state finals.

Spring Soiree

On Wednesday night Carramar hosted its 15^th annual Year 10 Spring Soiree dinner dance at Bridgeleigh Reception Centre. The students were able to showcase their ballroom dancing skills in an evening of dancing and fine dining. Staff at Bridgeleigh commented that St Stephens School was by far the most respectful and well behaved school that had visited the reception centre. Everyone had a fantastic time.