Senior School

Year 11 Biology

Pulling weeds is not a task a bunch of Year 11 students would normally take on willingly… but seen in the context of helping the environment and preserving biodiversity, they were prepared to roll up their sleeves and do their part in Week 3 of the term.

The setting was Belair National Park, and the topic was Ecology. Students explored various aspects and sections of the park as they photographed and recorded notes about succession, symbiosis and vegetation associations. There were competitions to be the first to spot a kookaburra, kangaroo, spider orchid and other organisms… and then there was the weeding. A member of the Friends of the Park had spoken to the three classes about the importance of managing the area and the effects of invasive species. Armed with this knowledge, the groups were only too happy to help contribute to making the Park a better place for native species. A fun day out filled with learning, exploring and getting hands dirty.

Tony Egan

Teacher

Year 12 Technology Showcase

The Technology Showcase this year was held on Friday, 18 November.

After a couple of years where circumstances required families to attend what was in effect a private viewing, it was wonderful to again celebrate the achievement of students together in an open format where family and friends could come in and peruse completed projects at their leisure. This year students presented work across 5 different contexts: • CAD/CAM • Metal • Textiles • Wood • Robotics and Electronic Systems (for the first time) Regardless of the context student learning took a similar structure. They began the year by establishing a need or problem to be solved within their chosen context. They then applied a framework known as the design and realisation process by firstly investigating and analysing existing products, possible solutions, materials and production processes. They then designed and developed plans for their solutions and created them. Evaluation was undertaken on an ongoing basis during construction and as an assessment of the final product. There was again a wonderful range of projects and those who attended the Showcase were impressed by the quality of the work and the creativity displayed. As Technology teachers, it is always immensely satisfying to see the joy and sense of pride on student faces as they show family and friends what they have achieved. As we listened to conversations, they often centred on the journey, the hard work, the problems overcome, and the techniques learnt. As teachers this is, in one sense, all the evidence we need to indicate that deep and purposeful learning has taken place. It is also part of what makes our job so rewarding. Well done Cornerstone Year 12 Technology Students of 2022.

Jonathan Prenzler

Technology Learning Area Leader/Teacher

Governor’s Reception

Two of the 2022 College Leaders had the privilege of attending the Governor’s Reception on Tuesday, 11 October. The Governor welcomed many bright, young people from a range of schools to come together in one room and to take the opportunity to acknowledge their hard work and achievements. Thank you to Hannah Gray (Year 12) and Ava Battiston (Year 12) who proudly represented Cornerstone College at this memorable experience.

Morgan Brookes

Acting Wellbeing Director / Senior Science Teacher

People’s Choice Winners − Year 12 Art/Design

Thank you to all the Year 12 Art and Design students whose works made for a really exciting and diverse exhibition. Thank you also to families, students and staff who came to support the students and their works by viewing the exhibition and voting for their favourite Art and Design works. It is our pleasure to let you know that the People’s Choice Art prize goes to Ruby Whyatt and the Design prize is given to Lucy Darling.

Carol Kennedy

Art Resource Manager/Teacher

Headspace Seminar

On Thursday, 3 November Year 10 and 11 students attended one of four seminars presented by John Harris from Headspace. During the 45 minute “Looking Out For Your Friend” seminars, John explained the mental health continuum from poor to good mental health and that just like our physical health, our mental health can change due to circumstances, placing us all at various points on the continuum at different times during our lives. He encouraged students to consider a range of scenarios that may indicate their friends could be struggling with a challenge to their mental health and empowered them to be alert for various signs. Building on the ‘RUOK?’ concept, John also provided students with supportive conversations starters and ways to encourage friends to seek extra help, including from a number of external agencies such as Beyond Blue, Kids Help Line and

Headspace. Andrew Day

Senior School Wellbeing Leader

The Hydro Institution

Jaydan Reid from The Hydro Institution to the College to speak to our Year 12 Nutrition students. Our Nutrition students learnt about future farming innovations as part of our Topic – Sustainable Food Systems. Aquaponics and Hydroponics is a soilless farming technique being researched to minimise land use, but still ensure food security. We are lucky that The Hydro Institution is situated here in the Adelaide Hills (Littlehampton) and we had the opportunity to discuss this sustainability option with someone in the practice. Jaydan gives talks to several different schools on this topic, and we had a very enjoyable and educational experience.

Colleen Bradfield

Teacher

Road Awareness Program

On Monday, 7 November Nigel Osborn from the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) and Eli Murn (a road crash survivor) visited Cornerstone and presented the Road Awareness Program for our Year 11 students.

We were also fortunate to have four members of the local MFS attend with a fire truck to support the presentation. Following are a selection of written feedback comments given by our students following the presentation: “I have learnt so much and will continue to work towards adopting safer road habits.” “After watching, I have decided to become as safe as possible on or around the roads.” “Brutal but necessary clips. I really value the presentation and will change the way I drive.” “This really made me think about my driving.” “Very confronting, but worth it. I definitely want to be a safer driver after this.” “I appreciated Eli and the courage for him to come and share his story and recovery.” “I love that you gave us someone with first hand experience. This really put it into perspective.” “Eli’s story will change how I drive from now onwards.” In response to the question, “Following the program will you adopt safer road behaviours?” 90 out of 90 participants said “YES”.

Students taking notes – Henry Kowald and Caitlin Neller

Year 10 Environmental Geography Field Trip

The Year 10 Environmental Geography class recently undertook a field trip to the Adelaide Beaches of Seacliff through to Glenelg North. The purpose of the excursion was the explore the environmental changes that have taken place on the Adelaide coastline as a result of human intervention and the steps that are being put in place to restore the coastline. Prior to the field trip the class explored the changes and impacts of the development of our Adelaide coastline. Exploring things like housing development, tourism, infrastructure and the natural cycles of the area. They then learnt about the variety of soft and hard engineering options that are available to local View of the Marina and Rock Walls at Glenelg North

councils to manage their coastlines. The group explored the variety of engineering options that have been put in place such as rejuvenation of sea grass, groins, dune conservation and rockwalls. They looked at the impact of items like the Glenelg Marina, walking paths, houses and the proximity of shops and other infrastructure to the dune systems. The group will complete an excursion booklet and field trip report researching one of the key engineering activities that has been put in place.

Meg Molenaar

Cross Disciplinary Studies Learning Area Leader/Teacher

Year 10 Drama – Our Town

The Year 10 Drama class recently performed Our Town by Thornton Wilder.

Set in the early 1900s, in America, the play explores the cycle of life and urges us to engage and enjoy our time on earth while we have it.

The students carried the lengthy production well, excelling at the American accents required. We look forward to seeing more performances next year from this talented group of students.

Jane Bennett Thompson

Teacher

Year 12 Art and Design Exhibition

It was this time of the year again to celebrate the Practical works which the Art and Design students created in Term 3 this year. Our classroom, which is usually filled with students, multiple easels vying for space, paint, brushes, clay, paper and so much more, made room for an empty, calm space, hung with the varied and personal creations of their makers. The exhibition opened on Friday, 18 November with the Year 12 students celebrating amongst themselves, with family and friends invited later in the afternoon. It was an absolute pleasure spending time with the students again and sharing stories with their family members and friends. I am extremely proud of the students, their dedication through successes and struggles, seeing lightbulb moments and joy in the process of creating their works. Well done to all of you and thank you to the parents/caregivers who have supported their children on this journey.

Carola Kennedy

Visual Art Teacher

College Art acquisition 2022

Every year the Principal selects a Year 12 artwork to be purchased by the college. Currently Cornerstone has a collection of close to twenty artworks which are displayed in various locations in our College. It is a joy to view these and understand the journeys of our students over time. The artworks chosen reflect originality in concept, use of materials and show very good technical skill. They also display a strong personal story which is important to share with others.

The Art department very much appreciates the support of Mr. Fielke and our past principals, which has enabled the Arts to flourish in our College. The work chosen for 2022 was created by Poppy Montague, titled Shattered Depths. "My artwork expresses the anger and anguish which the wildlife of the ocean is feeling towards the human defamation it is facing. I wanted to explore it from a different perspective, forcing people to face the damage we have caused through a living creature. The ocean has always been a safe space for me after doing a research project on the damage being caused; it felt like my safe space was being taken away and I wanted that to be shown through my work." Thank you to Poppy for being gracious in parting with her artwork and we look forward to being able to appreciate your work for many years to come.

Carola Kennedy

Visual Arts teacher