Category: Academic New Year

Mousetrap? Year 9 Science

November 27, 2017

As part of their study of the Scientific Method, the Year 9 Science students planned, designed, built and tested an original Rube Goldberg machine, with the aim of catching a mouse!

 

 

The students incorporated a number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics principles to make the machine work. After multiple test runs and various last minute adjustments, the students were ready for a final attempt. There were a few little hiccups, but on the whole it was a success.

Ben Nicholson

Science and Mathematics Teacher

 

“For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” – Hebrews 3:4

 

Yumilicious Learning

November 27, 2017

The students in Year 10 Foods were required to research a functional property of food and choose a recipe to demonstrate thi

These budding Chefs, created the most sensational cakes, worthy of selling! 

Angela Robertson

Home Economics Teacher

 

“Heap on the logs, kindle the fire, boil the meat well, mix in the spices…” – Ezekiel 24:10

Service Tour of India

November 27, 2017

The inaugural trip to India has been an eye-opening experience for staff and students. After a long journey they finally made it to Woodstock School.

Students are immersing themselves in India’s rich culture on the once-in-a-lifetime India Service Tour. On day four at Woodstock, students spent the morning painting the new library at Kaplani Village School, before setting off on an Indian food safari to the town of Mussoorie.

What an amazing opportunity.  Follow the students’ blog here: http://bit.ly/2jUon5K

Below are just a few of the photos from the trip so far:

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35

SSS OW Course

November 27, 2017

Below are some pics from the pool dives with our SSS OW course this year. The students are year 11 and 12’s from the Marine & Maritime Studies classes and are learning their dive skills in the pool before hitting open water.

Rebecca Hudson

Science Teacher

“Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever.” – Psalm 146:6

Diving at the Rockingham Wreck Trail

November 27, 2017

Below are some pics of the dive groups we have down at Rockingham Wreck Trail for the first Open Water Dives! All groups had no problems getting to 12m and even though the visibility was average they saw the planes, boat and a sea snake!

Rebecca Hudson

Teacher Science

 

“He caused the storm to be still, So that the waves of the sea were hushed.” – Psalm 107:29

Library Lifeline

November 24, 2017

With the increased reliance on devices, it is more important than ever for us to offer charging amenities for our students. Devices like laptops, iPads and phones have become important educational tools that facilitate a productive learning environment. As the popularity of such devices continues to grow, keeping a device charged can be an issue. A dead battery limits student productivity.

The Secondary Library has installed a Charging Station with a multitude of different chargers.  Charging stations are fixed units that feature separate locking compartments where a student can leave their device to charge safely.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – Thessalonians 5:11

 

SEQTA – what to expect and some guidelines

November 23, 2017

 

Dear Parents

SEQTA is an amazing tool for schools and I would encourage both students and parents to check it regularly.

Please note that SEQTA is a resource to supplement teaching NOT an online substitute for the relationship between a teacher and student. Your child spends 320 minutes a day in personal contact with their teachers – and your child has every opportunity to receive help, ask questions and take ownership of their work. I would encourage parents to  grow the independence of their children rather than to expect SEQTA to be the prime source of information.

SEQTA is a great insight for parents – but again, the conversations that are then initiated between parents, teacher and student are of the most value.

I would encourage parents and students to ensure that they are aware of the documents attached to each course: course outlines, assessment schedules and other resources are available in SEQTA for reference, saving or printing at any time. I would also encourage parents to ask for help and to keep an eye out for the SEQTA information evenings which are often run at the start of each year.

Teachers will on occasion deviate from their teaching plan because students may require extra time for understanding and consolidation. That is part of good teaching and might disrupt a plan previously put in place.  We all know that parents and teachers constantly adapt as the needs of children evolve. Individual teachers will decide the format or formats for the submission of work – sometime these may be in hard copy, sometimes they might be uploaded to SEQTA, emailed or handed in on USB. This will depend on the nature of the task and the format the teacher feels is best. Teachers are striving to meet the expectations below. Some teachers already exceed these and use SEQTA very extensively. The expectations below are our target and while many staff will go beyond these, staff are not expected to.

 

The SEQTA experience for parents

Duncraig and Carramar Secondary

 

Cover Page

The purpose of the cover page is to contain an overview of the course. It should be an easy reference for information about the entire year of work.

It contains a copy (or a link) to the assessment schedule, program and syllabus.

 

Assessments

  • The assessment schedule should be developed at the start of the year. Lower school students are to have the entire semester of assessments visible to parents and students. Year 11 and 12 are to have the entire year’s assessments visible
  • Assessment titles should include the weighting and clear labels that are succinct.
  • Task sheet/assessment description and marking guide/rubric are to be added at an appropriate time.
  • Marks for summative assessments should be made visible, within three weeks of the assessment being finalised.
  • If there is more than one class, all marks are to be made visible at the same time.
  • Exam marks are to be released at the end of the exam period.
  • Formative assessments can be visible with a weighting of zero.
  • Assessment feedback will be placed in the Marks Book on a regular basis.

 

(Lesson) Planning

Students, parents/carers and other staff should be able to see what has been planned on a week-by-week basis (as a minimum). Clarity in lesson naming is essential.

 

Lesson Resources

It should be clear where students can access resources and links. Students may be required to enter homework themselves on occasion.

 

Documents Section

This is used to store documents that parents/carers might need to access at any point of the year.

Documents include anything from a Parent Information Night slide show, Curriculum Handbooks, and the Assessment Policy.

Bruce Titlestad

Head of Secondary

Murdoch Mail

November 23, 2017

Featured in this volume is:

  • Murdoch Year 12 Horizons Summer School – A new three week university experience designed especially for students transitioning between Years 11 and 12 to complete a university-level subject at Murdoch while they’re still at school.
  • Save the date for Careers Masterclass 2018 – Careers Masterclass is Murdoch’s annual careers teachers professional development day and will be held on Thursday 29th March in 2018.
  • Carols at Murdoch – Bush Court provides an intimate, beautiful grassed setting for a picnic with family and friends under the trees. This is a free family friendly event for all of the community to enjoy and will feature free face painting, balloon twisting, “snow” ball pit for the children to play in and of course a visit from Santa!
  • Telethon Community Cinemas – Murdoch’s beautiful Lower Bush Court will proudly host the Telethon Community Cinemas until the 3rd February 2018. We invite you to enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars this summer.

Stephen Kernutt

Careers Advisor

Costume Challenge

November 23, 2017

Carana Costume Challenge had students channelling their inner fashion designer last week, creating a costume that best resembled their favourite Disney star.  Can pick the characters?

Looks fun!

 

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15