Year 9 Geography Seminar Day - Dairy Farm

On Tuesday, Year 9 Geography went on an excursion to Belgenny Farm. They learned about technology's role in the efficient management of a modern dairy farm. Then the students broke into groups where they all got to milk a cow and then use the same milk to make a range of dairy products, including butter, cream, ricotta, and feta cheese. There was also the opportunity to learn about the nutritional content of different kinds of milk, yogurts, and cheeses and then to sample them and guess which product was which. It was a great learning opportunity and a welcome chance to be out of the city and surrounded by nature.

Year 9 History Seminar Day"12 Years A Slave"

The Year 9 History cohort recently viewed the film "12 Years a Slave" as part of their learning experience on the movement of people and slavery in the United States.

The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 19th century. Through his journey, the students were able to gain a deeper understanding of the harsh realities of slavery and the inhumane treatment of enslaved people.

The film also provided a means for students to contextualize their recently completed investigations, and the impact the industrial revolution had on American society today. By exploring the history of slavery, students can gain a more nuanced understanding of the complex issues that continue to affect people of color today and the development of our modern world.

Our hope is that this film, and the accompanying discussions and unit of work, encourages students to engage critically with history and to consider the impact of historical events on contemporary society. We are proud of our students' engagement with this important topic and their commitment to learning.

Dance Excursion

This week Dance students from Year 8-12 immersed themselves in live theatre, leaving them entertained and inspired.

On Wednesday 15th March, our Year 8-10 dancers travelled to the Lyric Theatre to see the musical, 'Hairspray' . An expert production design, incorporating costumes, lighting and sets, accompanied outstanding singing and dancing from the performers to bring to the audience a story that shared important lessons about inclusivity, equality and being proud of who you are, just as you are. The experience of watching the show allowed our students to appreciate how the performing arts can be used to tackle universal issues in an entertaining way, as well as gain a deeper understanding of the musical theatre style.

On Thursday 16th March, Senior Dance students visited the Sydney Opera House to see Sydney Dance Company's latest production, 'Ascent'. This double bill included a new piece by Rafael Bonachela and the award winning work, 'Forever and Ever' by Antony Hamilton. Both performances displayed the outstanding technical skill of the performers and their unshakeable dedication to their craft. The experience also included a Q& A session and presentations from Rafael Bonachela (Artistic Director of SDC), Rehearsal Directors, Company dancers and the Production and Wardrobe Departments where they discussed their creative processes and provided a behind the scenes look into what it takes to mount a professional production onstage. This was a particularly special event as the performance also celebrated the Opera House's 50th birthday.

WOMADelaide World Music Festival

Last weekend, 40 Year 9 and 10 Music students attended the WOMADelaide World Music festival from Saturday to Monday, accompanied by Mrs Wood, Ms Eckardt, Mr O'Mahony and Ms Houlahan. Set in Adelaide's Botanic Park, this festival highlights the diversity and richness of world music, featuring eclectic sounds of cultural music from Africa, Korea, Columbia, Morocco, Ukraine, Germany and Australia just to name a few.

For many students, this was the first time they'd attended a music festival. With its vibrant family atmosphere and chance to try exotic foods, participate in dance and music workshops and build lasting memories with fellow students from the music cohort, the experience was not only a great source of enjoyment for the students but also a valuable educational and multicultural experience as they enriched their study of World Music. The teachers reported that despite this being the biggest group taken on this annual trip to date and also the record crowd numbers attending the festival this year, the students demonstrated maturity, respect, cooperation and excellent team work as they moved around in groups, proactively attending as many shows as they could each day. Many even met some of the performers after the performances, collecting autographs and purchasing merchandise to commemorate their trip. Overall, the WOMADelaide trip was a huge success yet again and we're pleased to be able to offer an experience that broadens students' perspective on the world and fosters a love of live music in the younger generations.

Australian Interschool Mountain Biking Trip

Please enjoy some photos of our Mountain Biking Team who recently went to Thredbo to compete in the Australian Schools Mountain Biking Racing. They had a ball!!!