9 minute read
SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS
This edition of the Heritage is reflective of the many experiential learning opportunities that take place across the Senior School to develop the whole child, in and out of the classroom.
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If education is to prepare students to meet the demands of our unpredictable world, we must support learning to take place beyond the traditional setting of a classroom.
The articles published in this edition highlight the multiple forums in which students build knowledge, develop character and broaden their sense of place.
Students better engage and retain new information when the subject matter can be experienced through activity, rather than theory alone. Being an active participant in the learning process consolidates students’ understanding of new knowledge by bringing their understanding of a subject to life through experience.
Excursions, co-curricular activities, competitions, camps and work experience are all examples of how learning is enrichened through experience. Students not only broaden their knowledge of curriculum-based concepts, they develop essential life skills, including teamwork and confidence, to equip them for the real world.
With the world a much more uncertain place than in recent years, generosity of spirit to help those less fortunate than ourselves has never been more important than now. I am so proud of the efforts of Senior School staff and students to support those in need this year. From care packages for those impacted by Cyclone Seroja (page 6) to the Year 12 students that cut or shaved their hair (page 19), the SRC’s promotion of Blue Tree Project (page 18), the inaugural PCOutYonder program (page 9) and the more than $12,000 raised for the Anglicare School Sleep Out (page 19). These projects are evidence of our values in action, bringing comfort and support to those in need as well as a sense of perspective, comradery and accomplishment for those who give.
Student voice matters in the Senior School and acknowledging students’ perspectives on their experiences has helped shape our understanding of what is important to them.
Led largely by the SRC and Year 12 Council of Student Executive, students have engaged in numerous opportunities to have their say about school life this year, identifying some key areas in which we will continue to progress – student wellbeing, inclusivity of all students, the ongoing conversation to support mental health, raising awareness regarding respectful relationships and protective behaviours, as well as consultation on key student policies (page 19).
I hope you enjoy reading about the diverse and rich offerings we have experienced so far this year.
Shani Andrews
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Year 9 Students Help to Improve Ecology at Copley Park
In Term Two, Year 9 students tested their resourcefulness and knowledge in Science through project-based learning.
Focused on the topic of ecology, students visited Copley Park throughout the term to assess the park for negative human impacts, Indigenous relevance, biological interactions and endemic animal and plant life.
In teams, they were tasked with suggesting three changes to decrease the human impact and increase ecological interactions and Indigenous plants to benefit the park's ecology.
Following park visits, experiments, research, lectures by visiting experts and peer critiquing, these proposals were proudly presented at an Ecology Exhibition in June. Perth College staff, special guests from Millennium Kids and a City of Stirling biologist were invited along to judge the best ideas.
Some groups looked at building gardens on top of the toilets to increase the surface area of vegetation in the park, while others suggested introducing bees and pollinators. One group researched how to convert dog droppings and food scraps at the park to make a compost and another looked at decreasing the number of bricks at the park to improve evaporation and water run-off.
Science teachers, Shea Halge and Beth Axford, said they were impressed with the students’ engagement in the process and the quality of their final projects. “This task started three years ago. We were trying to bring in more of a teacher-guided learning area, rather than teacher-centric,” they said. “Some of the students love learning this way because it isn’t assessed traditionally like with a test, but you can present your learnings in different ways. The focus is on the students guiding their own discoveries.”
Ninghan Station the New Home of Year 10 Camp
The annual Year 10 camp headed north for the first time this year for 10 days of hiking through Ninghan Station, four and a half hours north of Perth.
With an unaccompanied hike, Indigenous culture information session and a solo day also thrown into the mix, the camp focused on building resilience and fostering connections.
Year 10 student, Rhiannon, described the experience as challenging, yet also grounding. “We saw wildflowers of all shapes and colours and even animals, such as wild horses and echidnas. Although we were thrown out of routine for 10 days, I’ve never felt more at peace within myself,” she said.
Somy said she wasn’t expecting to even be able to complete the requirements of camp, let alone actually enjoy it.
“I found it very hard, as most things I was expected to do I had never done before. Thankfully, I was able and the sense of achievement felt rewarding,” she said.
“I’m very happy to be back in the real world, I’m also grateful I decided to go on camp as it taught me many valuable life lessons, like never taking things for granted.”
Raising Awareness for Blue Tree Project
This year, the Student Representative Council (SRC) chose to raise awareness of Blue Tree Project – an organisation that encourages people to speak up about their mental health concerns.
By painting trees blue, they help break down the stigma that is still largely attached to mental health and spread the message that "it’s OK to not be OK". There are now more than 600 blue trees registered in Australia.
Blue Tree Project CEO, Kendall Whyte, visited Perth College in May to chat with the SRC, answering their questions and giving them ideas to help raise awareness and funds for Blue Tree Project.
Kendall also spoke about the devastating loss of her brother which inspired her to start Blue Tree Project, and the importance of developing the program in schools.
"Obviously the youth are our future, and it is so important to the Blue Tree Project that we are reaching our younger generations in that prevention space," she said. "The biggest thing is kicking that stigma and making this a topic that isn't taboo. We all need help, that's for sure, and there's no age limit to that, which is why the youth are so important to us."
Following Kendall’s visit, the SRC held a Raising Awareness Day (RAD) to support Blue Tree Project and open up conversations about how to look after our mental health and support friends and family. As part of the important event, there was an assembly, year group activities during Kaya and students painted blue handprints on canvases which were then placed around the School to encourage anyone to speak up if they need to.
"We believe this a very important charity to be representing, as many people all over the world experience difficulties with mental health. When you feel as though you are listened to and that there isn’t any shame associated with speaking up, it all helps for the better," said 2021 Charity Ambassadors, Sophie and Allegra. For a list of support services, visit the Blue Tree Project website.
Fundraising Efforts Bring in Thousands of Dollars
Senior School students displayed their generosity with a number of events this year to raise awareness and funds for charities close to their hearts.
In June, 37 brave Year 12 students took to the stage at the Judith Cottier Theatre, their hair tied with dozens of elastics ready to donate their locks to Little Princess Trust.
Friends and supporters stood behind each student, armed with sharp scissors to do the honours of cutting each ponytail. Thirty-two students cut off and donated at least 20 centimetres of hair.
Five brave students, Erin, Ionia, Therese, Phoenix and Claire, put
Students Encouraged to Speak Up
The Council of Student Executive (CoSE) held an inaugural ‘Global Café’ in May to promote student voice across the Senior School.
Officials invited their peers to join them for lunch and learn about school initiatives, including the Genders and Sexualities Alliance and Reconciliation Action Plan.
2021 Student Executive, Annabel, said students of all ages were encouraged to ask questions, raise any concerns and voice their ideas.
“A range of year levels attended, we discussed a range of topics, including mental health, and many different perspectives were expressed which the CoSE have been using to guide initiatives and actions,” she said. their hands up to shave off and donate all of their hair, as well as raise more than $6,700 in funds.
“Although it was tough to part with my long hair, it was such an uplifting experience to do with friends and knowing it was going to make a positive impact on others,” Year 12 student, Lauren, said.
The students’ hair will be used by Little Princess Trust to make wigs for young people with cancer.
In August, 23 Year 10 students spent the night at Optus Stadium for the Anglicare School Sleep Out with almost 450 other participants.
They had the opportunity to experience a taste of the daily struggles homeless people go through and raised $12,120 for Street Connect to help young people on the streets. Year 10 student, Laila, was announced as the top fundraiser in WA bringing in more than $2,410 on her own.
Laila said she was passionate about the event and everything it aimed to achieve, including creating a less judgemental, more empathetic society. “The Sleep Out was so much fun and really inspiring, but it showed how homelessness is such a big issue within today’s society. Through the activities, I really felt in my heart how hard it is and how much judgement people on the street get,” she said.
Collaboration and Consent the Focus of Forum
Establishing and maintaining healthy, fulfilling relationships was the focus of this year’s Healthy Relationships Forum in collaboration with Hale School.
Over three after-school sessions, Year 12 students from Perth College and Hale discussed relationship issues and heard from Dr Jacqui Hendriks on the meaning and importance of consent.
Head of Senior School, Shani Andrews, said it was wonderful to see such constructive conversations take place that she hoped would benefit students. “Students left with an understanding of the factors that will help them establish and maintain healthy, fulfilling relationships as they move through high school and further into their lives beyond school,” she said.
