The Dragon | Edition Five | 6 April 2023

THE DRAGON

From the Principal

Tina Campbell

It is difficult to believe that this is the final newsletter of Term One.

We have had a vibrant, happy, and delightfully action-packed term in so many ways with a wonderful array of significant events allowing us to celebrate the joy filled life of St George’s Anglican Grammar School on the stage, on the sports field, in the classroom and throughout the City of Perth.

We were thrilled to be able to witness the sixth ASC Schools Week Music Concert last Friday evening at the Perth Concert Hall. The event saw all fifteen ASC Schools perform at a spectacular concert, and what a tremendous occasion it was. St George’s Anglican Grammar School had performers in every single performance of the evening including several standout soloist performances by Lily Turner Feild, Aramis Surtees and William Corcoran.

Choirs, orchestras, a hip hop group, rock band, stage band and percussion ensemble all performed a vibrant and diverse repertoire to excite all musical tastes throughout the night. To see so many red blazers on stage was indeed an absolute joy to behold and I

commend our wonderful musicians for their effort and energies throughout the night. I am mindful that there were many members of staff that contributed to the overall success of the evening, however I would sincerely like to thank Mr Michael Newton who was the Musical Director for the whole event – no mean feat given that it included almost 400 students from 15 different schools. I absolutely loved it, and it was undoubtedly an outstanding showcase of the talent of so many ASC students across all of our schools.

Gandhi House Colour Run concluded our terms events today with Langley Park being filled with the many colours of the rainbow as our students delighted in being doused liberally in coloured powder by members of the Student Guild. A huge thank you to all our students and staff who so eagerly took part. Mahatma Gandhi observed “that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” and it is indeed in placing the needs of others above our own needs that we take important steps in our own life’s journey of self-discovery.

The Gandhi Colour Run sought to make a difference by donating all proceeds of the event to UNICEF. I look forward to learning next term

of the amount we have raised from the event.

The most important feast of the church’s year is that of Easter. It is a time when we rejoice in the new life that Christ has given us through His death and resurrection. As we celebrate the joy of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, the very essence and foundation of our Christian faith, I wish all our St George’s Anglican Grammar School families a peace filled Easter and a restful and refreshing April School holiday.

I hope the next two weeks will be a time of renewal of energy and of special moments shared with friends and family and of course plenty of yummy chocolate!

A reminder that Term 2 begins for students on Wednesday 26 April. Easter Greetings to you all,

Mrs Tina Campbell Principal

Chaplain’s Corner

The Road to a Just World

It has been a busy, but such a fulfilling, school term!

It was wonderful to welcome Year 7s—this is the first group that I will be saying I started and finished within five-years’ time. What a wonderful bunch of boys and girls who are so eager to learn new things and be part of St George’s in every way! They are indeed inspirational to me.

This term I also started teaching all year streams (Years 7 to 12), which has helped me to be closer with the students and hopefully allowed the students to get to know me better as their School Chaplain and teacher.

Many events have happened this term, the Year 12 Ball—what a lovely night with our senior students! I also enjoyed the Interhouse Swimming gala. I am not surprised that we are up there competing with the best ASC Schools because we have lots of talent here at St George’s.

Chapel has also been very wonderful. I think our students love chapel, be it our regular chapel on a Monday, our special termly Eucharist services or our School Assemblies that are run and managed by our wonderful Student Guild. My role is to help make chapel a student-friendly space. It is always a joy to see our Cathedral filled with red blazers on Monday afternoons. I am thrilled to see the students remembering their blazers each week!

This week we had the Gandhi House Chapel, where I encouraged

students to walk with others on the road to a just world. Your children can now tell you about the reality of injustice in the world, that equality, though a good call, has its own shortfalls, and that what we need is equity, which is giving every individual, according to their need, the opportunity for them to catchup with others. Ultimately, we need a Just world where no one is self-reliant. But for that to happen we must destroy the barriers that hold back people because of their skin colour, gender, sexuality, and the like.

Well done Gandhi House—I am super proud of you guys!

Happy holidays!

Father Gift

Lily Turner-Feild

Year 9

Congratulations to Lily who has been selected for the 2023 School Sports WA (SSWA) Volleyball Team . The team will travel to Canberra for the Australian Volleyball Championships in June.

This is a wonderful achievement Lily, and the St George’s community wish you the best of luck for the competition.

Curriculum Update

Anthony Bochrinis

Interim Reports

We are excited to announce that Interim Reports for Year 7-12 students will be released to families via SEQTA Engage on Tuesday, 11 April at 12:00pm. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain valuable insights into your child’s progress at school, as we unveil our five new Learner Attributes that will be featured in all future reports. These attributes are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of your child’s development in key areas:

• Demonstrates organisational skills

• Uses class time effectively

• Works collaboratively when required

• Works independently when required

• Works to the best of their ability

We look forward to sharing this feedback with you and supporting your child’s growth and success throughout their educational journey.

Year 8 - 11 Parent Teacher Interviews

Following the release of our Interim Reports, we are excited to announce that bookings for our upcoming Year 8-11 Parent Teacher Interviews will soon be available. Families will receive invitations to book appointments through our new scheduling system via email.

We are pleased to offer two opportunities for meetings:

• Wednesday, 3 May (4pm - 8pm) - Face-to-face interviews at our School Campus

• Thursday, 11 May (4pm - 8pm) - Remote interviews using Microsoft Teams

The booking window will be open from 11 - 30 April. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for the email invitation! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers and discuss your child’s progress.

Year 11/12 ATAR Examination Timetable Semester 1

As we approach the end of Term 1, we would like to remind students about the upcoming Year 11 and Year 12 Semester One ATAR Examinations. These exams will take place during Weeks 5 and 6 of Term 2 and are a crucial part of students’ academic progress.

Exam Location and Timetables: The examinations will be held on Level 5 of our secondary Campus, 10 William Street (CQU). Detailed examination timetables can be found here. Please ensure that students are aware of their exam schedule and arrive on time for each exam.

Attendance Requirements: Students are only required to be present at school for their examinations in their full winter uniform. Outside of exam times, they are welcome to study from home, use facilities around the city, or access our Laurence Library on Level 2 for a quiet study space.

Holiday Study Tips: We strongly recommend students take advantage of the upcoming holiday break to prepare for their ATAR Examinations. Some effective study methods include:

• Completing past papers under timed conditions to simulate the exam environment and gain familiarity with the question format.

• Marking their responses using grading keys, which will help identify areas for improvement and ensure that answers align

with exam expectations.

• Writing comprehensive course notes that cover all relevant topics and key concepts.

• Dedicating time to memorizing these notes to improve retention and recall during exams.

We wish all students the best of luck in their upcoming ATAR Examinations and look forward to celebrating their achievements.

Year 12 APEx Externally Set Task (EST) Timetable

As Term One draws to a close, we want to ensure that our Year 12 students are well-prepared and informed about the upcoming Externally Set Tasks (ESTs) scheduled during Weeks 3 to 5 of next term. The ESTs are a significant component of our students’ academic journey as they account for 15% of their final grade in each subject. To ensure success, it is essential for our students to dedicate time and effort to prepare for these assessments.

Many of our teachers have already started preparing students for the ESTs during regularly scheduled classes, focusing on key concepts and skills that will be assessed. Students are encouraged to review their material from Term One over the upcoming holiday break and to take advantage of revision opportunities offered early in Term Two. This will provide ample time to address any questions or concerns and to consolidate their understanding of the subject matter.

We have finalised the EST timetable and can be found here. Students are advised to familiarise themselves with the schedule and plan their study time accordingly.

Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Package

We are thrilled to announce the release of the Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Package!

This valuable resource has been sent via SEQTA Direqt Message to all Year 10 students and families, marking the beginning of the exciting journey of choosing pathways and courses of study for senior school. With a diverse selection of 40 courses available, students and families are encouraged to take advantage of the upcoming holiday break to dive deep into the Subject Selection Package. Please take the time to thoroughly explore each course offered, read about the subjects in detail, and watch the accompanying videos that provide essential information about senior school.

As many courses require prerequisites to be met, the holiday break also presents a perfect opportunity for students to review and refine their study methods. This will not only help them prepare for the first round of examinations in Week 8 of Term 2 but also set the stage for a successful transition into their chosen courses.

We encourage all students and families to make the most of this time by thoughtfully considering the available courses, planning for the future, and setting academic goals. As always, our staff is here to provide support and guidance throughout the subject selection process.

Maths Week Thank You

I extend my gratitude to Ms Chloe Hewitt, our Head of Mathematics, and the entire mathematics department for orchestrating a remarkable Maths Week at our school. The event saw enthusiastic participation from students across various mathematical domains through engaging activities during break and PCG times. Witnessing this visible passion for mathematics among our students was genuinely heart-warming.

Pastoral Focus

Hilton Hardman

So ends another term at St George’s — an exciting term with the Year 12 Ball, River Cruise, Year Socials and Year 7 camp.

Watching students interact and bond during such activities outside class has been fulfilling and part of who we are as a school. Today’s Gandhi house charity day is a prime example of this. Having the whole school participate in a colour run, with students from different years laughing together, was the perfect end to the term.

The Student Leadership group has done an exceptional job with celebrating Chinese New Year, Harmony Day and breaking the School record for the largest fundraising effort during the World’s

Greatest Shave. As mentioned, this was a clear example of our School community coming together to support those in need.

Next term will see us start off by announcing the 2023 Student Representative Council during our first Assembly of the term, which will see the continued opportunity for students to hold leadership roles across year groups. I look forward to working with this group and hearing their thoughts and ideas about the School.

I wish the School community a happy Easter and hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday.

As technology continues to evolve and become an integral part of our daily lives, it’s essential to prioritise our cyber safety. With the internet offering a wealth of opportunities, it is important to ensure our children understand the potential risks and the importance of being safe online.

As parents and educators, we need to recognise that cyber bullying is a prevalent issue that can cause severe emotional distress to those involved. It is essential to have open communication with children and discuss the potential consequences of their actions online. At our school, we have implemented a variety of measures to promote cyber safety and address any instances of bullying. Paul Litherland was in this week talking to our Year 9 students about online safety, and he will also be having follow-up talks with our Year 10 and 11 students later in the year. He has proven to be a powerful voice in this area. He has connected well with our students during his sessions and passed on valuable information to our parents during his Parent Guest Speaker evenings.

One of the most significant ways we address bullying is through our active approach to the issue.

We have created a safe space where students can report bullying through the School’s complaint policy or Voice posters with QR codes allowing students to make reports with their phones. The School has Bully Zero coming in later in the year to complement Paul’s Cyber Safety talks and continue their work on educating our students about this social issue. The Heads of Year always have their doors open to support and address student concerns while keeping parents well informed.

At our school, we are committed to ensuring that all students feel safe and included. Creating a positive and inclusive environment is critical to the success of our students. By promoting cyber safety and actively addressing bullying, we aim to instil in our students the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.

We encourage parents and guardians to have ongoing conversations with their children about the importance of cyber safety and the impact of bullying. Together, we can help create a safer and more inclusive environment for all our students.

Heads of Year Reports

Year 7 and 8 Values Certificates

To acknowledge the positive efforts of our Year 7 and 8 students this term, Values Certificates were awarded during PCG on Thursday morning.

The criteria of the awards were demonstrating actions in line with our school values.

• Wisdom – always working to academic potential. Arriving punctually, prepared, and ready to engage in classes.

• Grace – being respectful and polite to staff and peers, doing the right thing regardless of whether anyone is watching.

• Service – helping others, volunteering without being asked, remaining inclusive of all members of our school community.

Congratulations to those students who received certificates this term. We look forward to continuing the tradition of issuing Values certificates to our Year 7 and 8 students in Term Two.

Interim Reports

I encourage all Year 7 and 8 students to spend some time reflecting on the things they are proud of and to celebrate their accomplishments from this busy and productive term.

Year 9 and 10

I would like to start by expressing my appreciation to the St George’s community for your active and fantastic support. As the first Head of Year 9 and 10 at St George’s, I have had the privilege of witnessing the enthusiasm, wit, and indomitable spirit of our students this term.

With the Year 9 camp just around the corner, we have sent a message to all parents and guardians via Direct Message regarding the details of this camp. Physical copies of permission slips have also been given to the students. It is crucial that these slips are returned promptly to aid in the planning stages of the camp.

Year 11 and 12

As the end of term approaches, I wanted to inform you that Interim Reports will be available to access from SEQTA Engage on Tuesday 11 April. These reports offer you an overview of your child’s academic progress and performance indicators, and I encourage you to take the time to review them with your child. It is essential that students recognise the progress they have made and set goals and targets for Term Two.

Furthermore, I would like to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to the Senior School students at St George’s for the time we have spent together. Your enthusiasm, drive, and unique

Students should carefully read the feedback provided in their interim report and use this to set one academic and one pastoral goal for Term Two. This will allow them to return to school, refreshed and ready to tackle their learning with clear goals to work towards from the first day.

I thank all Year 7 and 8 parents and families for their support and wish you all a Happy Easter!

Ms Taryn Sephton Head of Year 7 and 8

Additionally, Year 10s work experience is fast approaching, and I would kindly request your assistance in securing a placement for your child during the upcoming April School holidays.

Finally, I hope you and your families have a wonderful break and, once again, thank you for being a vital part of the St George’s community.

I myself am heading away for the April School Holidays but cannot wait to see all the students again on Wednesday 26 April for the start of Term Two. Remember your blazer as it’s winter uniform and we have Chapel to commence the term.

Miss Katie Wilkinson Head of Year 9 and 10

personalities have left a lasting impression on me, and it has been an absolute pleasure to teach and guide such a remarkable group of students. I am incredibly proud of each and every one of you.

Although I am saddened to leave, I am comforted by the knowledge that Mr Peter Quan will continue to guide and inspire your children towards their academic goals. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to teach and learn from your children, and I will always cherish the time we spent together.

I wish all students the best for their future endeavours and hope to reconnect at Valedictory to see just how successful everyone has been to conclude the 2023 school year.

Mrs Ingrid May Head of Year 11 and 12

Always working to academic poten�al. Arriving punctually, prepared with the correct equipment and ready to engage in their classes.

With the holidays fast approaching, our Senior Students will be looking forward to catching up on sleep and spending time with family and friends. However, it is important to remember that this break is also an opportunity to prepare for their future beyond high school.

Studying during the holidays can give your child an edge in university applications and job interviews. It can also help them to develop important skills that will serve them well throughout their life. Firstly, studying during the holidays can help to improve grades and increase the chances of being accepted into the university of their choice, particularly if their course requires a high ATAR.

Students who maintain a strong academic record in their final year demonstrate to admissions officers that they are committed and

capable. By studying during the holidays, students can review key concepts, catch-up on missed assignments and prepare for upcoming exams, which will give your child the best chance to achieve their academic goals.

Studying during the holidays will also develop valuable skills that will benefit your child when they embark on future careers. It requires discipline, time management and self-motivation. These are the skills essential for success in any field and are especially important for students going on to further education who must balance multiple courses and extracurricular activities. By practising these skills during the holiday break, students can better be prepared for the challenges of life beyond high school.

Finally, studying during the holidays can help students to explore their interests and passions, particularly if they are unsure of their future career paths. This break could be a valuable opportunity to research different fields, volunteer or take online courses. By taking the initiative to explore new ideas and learn new skills, students are better equipped to make informed decisions about their future. With only two more terms to go, it is time for our Year 12s to dig deep and strive to achieve their best.

Mrs Sharan Tagore APEx and Careers Coordinator

century with contemporary French politics was bitter-sweet. This novel is also available in our senior fiction collection.

We wish our St George’s families a safe and peaceful Easter full of great books and chocolate.

Together, let us read.

Dr Annette Pedersen Library Services Coordinator

At the end of our first term we have loaned a total of 528 books. This is a gratifying number and it is good to see so many of our students reading. We have just submitted a big order to Fremantle Press to increase the number of local novels in our collection.

Over the last week I have been reading some of the Young Adult novels new to our shelves. The Lorikeet Tree by Paul Jennings is a gentle novel about conservation and family set in an Australian rural region. The novel explores the conflicts between keeping domestic animals and preserving wildlife against a backdrop of family tragedy. I also read Jacqueline Wilson’s Midnight. This novel was really sweet. The main character struggles with coping with a slightly dysfunctional family and a quirky interest in fairies. How To Make Friends With The Dark by Kathleen Glasgow is a much darker read. However, when life seems unremittingly awful it is surprising what new opportunities arise. These three novels are available to borrow for the holidays.

On a recommendation from a fellow teacher, I also read Submission, by Michel Houellebecq. This darkly funny satire of contemporary France is a timely reminder of where the West is heading. Framed by references to J.K. Huysmans, the juxtaposition of nineteenth

G ANDHI HOUSE LINCOLN HOUSE MANDELA HOUSE

It has been a very busy fortnight leading to the end of the Term One 2023.

Our Gandhi Theatre Challenge Team and Dance Squad have been working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the Inter-House Performing Arts Festival. Our competitors are preparing to defend the title and keep bragging rights for 2023. It would be great to see parents support our House at the Festival. Hurry before tickets sell out! Tickets can be purchased here.

I want to thank all students at St George’s for their contributions to the Colour Run this year. It is great to see students get involved, and it is amazing to see the generosity of the St George’s families. It is a great way to start the school holidays and celebrate the Easter weekend. Donations can be made up until 6pm today and all proceeds will go to UNICEF. Thinking of the needs of others is such an important value and I encourage everyone to give what they can. Donations can be made here.

This week we have ended the Term with an Inter-PCG dodgeball competition. With a promise of a pizza lunch on the line, the Lincoln PCGs squared up to play each other in rounds of dodgeball until there was only one PCG left standing.

As the term comes to a close, I would like to reflect on all the amazing achievements and memorable moments that we have shared as a House.

As the term ends, I will be taking a step back from being Head of Gandhi as I move into the Acting Head of Year 11 and 12. I want to thank Mrs Ingrid May for her work with our senior students and I will endeavour to fulfil the role for the remainder of 2023. Thank you, and congratulations to Mr Alex Hanssen, who will be stepping into the Head of Gandhi position this year, who I know will do us proud.

I will not be very far away, as my heart will always be with the students in Gandhi House.

I wish you all a very restful Easter Break.

Mr Peter Quan Head of Gandhi House

Congratulations to L7 for winning the competition. It was great to see students of all ages up on the rooftop participating and having a great time together.

Next term will be a busy one for Lincoln! Starting off with the Inter-House Preforming Arts Festival that will be in Week 2. Please come and support our students who have put so much time into practice and rehearsals.

Mid term we will have our first annual Lincoln House Sundowner on 18 May. I encourage all parents and guardians of Lincoln students to come along and support the House for a relaxed night together.

Finally, we will end next term with the Lincoln Charity day. Please keep an eye out for more information as Term Two progresses.

I hope that all of our families are able to get some well deserved rest during this Easter Holidays. Be safe, and I look forward to seeing everyone back for an exciting Term Two!

Mr Vincent Lim Head of Lincoln House

This term has been full of exciting events, from Inter-House competitions to charity fundraisers. Our students have shown incredible sportsmanship, teamwork, and determination in everything they do in Mandela and the School. Whether it be sport activities, House events, in-class, or in the community, students have gone above and beyond this term and I congratulate each and every one of them for their efforts. It is great that we took a few wins like Sync Swim and almost a clean sweep of House Week. I would like to take this opportunity to commend all our students for their hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes. Whether we win or not, you have made this term a truly memorable one. Thank You.

This final week we also had our House Activity. We headed to Langley Park for a sausage sizzle and some fun. It was a great way to cap off a good term.

As we move forward into the next term, I encourage all our students to continue to strive for excellence in all that they do. We have great things to come.

My final piece of good news is to Miss Jamie Pedler and her partner on welcoming their new little girl into the world, Valley Rae! Valley Rae was born on 03 April and we await photos of the newest member of the Mandela Family.

You will receive a Mandela newsletter at the end of this term from PCG teachers to show you what has been happening this term in Mandela House, I hope you enjoy our news.

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter and looking forward to seeing you back next term!

Mr Tom Dempers Head of Mandela House

Around the School

Technology in Practice

Two Year 12 AIT and Computer Science students were given an exciting opportunity to visit DUG Technology, a business that specialises in high-powered computing for data processing based in West Perth. The visit was hosted by the Perth Rotary Club, and the students had the chance to meet with the members of the club as well as the team at DUG. The tour was conducted by Marie Smyth, the Vice President of HPC solutions at DUG.

DUG technology is an industry leader in oil and gas data processing with its head office based in Perth. Their specialty is their data processing nodes that are submerged in liquid for cooling, which is an unconventional approach as normal cooling uses fans and air conditioning. For anyone who has been to a data centre, you would know that these can be quite loud!

their doors and sharing their time, knowledge, and state-of-the-art technology with us.

Mr Alex Hanssen Coordinator of Technology

Year 11 and 12 Drama

The highlight of the visit was being able to see the data room. The students were able to get a close look and feel of how they maintain their hardware submerged in oil, as well as first-hand experience in a small-scale data centre which was surprisingly quiet compared to more traditional centres! It was a unique opportunity for the students, who were able to witness the latest technology in the field of data processing and cloud computing.

A big thank you to Perth Rotary for providing this opportunity and for the wonderful hospitality, and to DUG Technology for opening

The Year 11 and 12 Drama students have been developing a scripted interpretation of their set text for Semester 1.

The Year 11 students have been studying the realist text, ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams and have been applying Stanislavski approaches and representational design choices. This text dramatizes the experience of the disturbed Blanche DuBois who has recently moved in with her sister in New Orleans but is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law as her reality crumbles around her as we learn the crippling subtext of her character.

The Year 12 students have been studying the non-realist tragicomic absurdist text, ‘Endgame’ by Samuel Beckett which follows the cyclical journey of a blind, paralysed and domineering elderly man with geriatric parents and a servile companion. Living in an abandoned shack surrounded by wasteland in which they appeared to be trapped, they attempt to navigate through the challenges of their life. Students have been applying Anne Bogart’s physical viewpoints and exploring presentational design choices, focusing on highlighting key themes and subtext. The students were tasked to perform and adapt their scripted scene for a sitespecific theatre space. Students headed to the roof to work with the architecture and bring to life a contemporary adaptation of the text.

The Year 11 and 12 Drama students cultivated creative and stylistic choices that developed characterization and adapted the text for a contemporary audience.

The APEx students have been assuming a designer role in class, which has looked at the application elements and principals of design and how the style shapes the dramatic elements. The students also took on the roles of marketing and publicity, as they photographed ATAR actors during their performances.

Over the next few weeks, the students will continue to develop their scripted monologues and written application as they prepare for upcoming in class assessments, EST’s and their practical exams.

I am very impressed with the work ethic, positive culture and encouraging atmosphere that the students have maintained throughout the term, and I look forward to watching this grow throughout the year.

Stay tuned for more Year 11 and 12 Drama news!

Miss Jessica McGaw Dance and Drama Coordinator

Dance Perspectives Excursion

On Monday 27 March, the Year 11 and 12 Dance and Drama students attended the annual Performing Arts Perspectives. This annual event brings together some of the most talented performers from across Western Australia to showcase their skills and creativity in a dynamic and exciting performance.

One of the highlights of this year’s showcase is the focus on contemporary and innovative

approaches to performance. Many of the acts featured in the showcase are pushing the boundaries of what we think of as “traditional” performance, using technology, multimedia, and interdisciplinary approaches to create truly unique and unforgettable experiences for audiences.

With so much talent on display, the students were blown away and have reinvigorated their positive and creative mindset to follow in the same footsteps as these emerging artists. Along with viewing the top performances from the 2022 practical exams, this event also develops a sense of community and collaboration as performers, audiences, and organisers come together to celebrate the vibrant and diverse performing arts community in Perth. It is a chance to connect with other artists, discover new talent, and support the arts in our city.

The students conducted themselves professionally and maturely throughout the event. I also want to thank Mrs Taylor for attending this event and for helping supervise and coordinate the students throughout the evening.

Miss Jessica McGaw

Dance and Drama Coordinator

Novice Debating

On Tuesday evening, the St George’s Novice debating team presented a thoughtfully constructed and delivered argument against the following proposal, “This house believes peace campaigns should place more emphasis on the environmental impacts of war”, and successfully defeated Perth Modern School. This was only the second debate for this team. It was amazing to note how much they had improved from their initial foray into competitive debating. Special mention needs to be made of Jarvis Doyle. The standard of his argument gave no hint that this was his first time on the floor.

Congratulations are also due to Sam Fletcher and Brandon BerberCoates; both of whom came to the evening with an exemplary level of preparation and focus.

The Novices will next debate, on 2 May, against Bob Hawke College arguing against the proposition that “This house regrets Chat GPT”. The debate is at 6:15pm, at Bob Hawke College. Feel free to come and support our novice son the night.

Mr Damien Kerrigan Head of English and Languages

UWA School of Design Exhibition

As the term rounds out it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the amazing things our students have accomplished in Science.

The Nobel Pathway students in Year 7 and 8 are completing their rotations for the term. Mr Dempers’ students have been engineering robotic hands, and Mr Quan’s Year 7s have been busting some popular Science myths using scientific inquiry skills.

Perth Design Week is a vibrant public festival that celebrates and highlights outstanding design. The inaugural Perth Design Week was held from 23 to 30 March in Perth City and surrounding areas. Throughout the festival a variety of design talks, discussion and exhibitions were on display in different locations around Perth, showcasing the best of local design.

Our Year 11 and 12 Design students had the opportunity to visit the UWA School of Design Exhibition held at Perth Tower. This impressive showcase displayed the award-winning work of both students and faculty from the disciplines of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Design. The gallery space provided a unique setting for students to appreciate the creativity and talent of UWA students, leaving them inspired.

Ms Fabrianne Brown Head of Creative Arts (Acting)

The Year 9 Nobel students completed their Maritime and Marine studies unit this term with an excursion to the Shipwrecks Gallery in Fremantle. Our students were treated to an educational display on navigational equipment and the students were taught how they used to steer the ships at night before the invention of GPS. We are so fortunate to have such a wealth of resources available for our students to access and reflect on their learning as they see the artefacts they learnt about in real life.

Year 10 Nobel students have been challenged in Psychology this term. Completing a high-level investigation on Visual perception, students have gained further insight into how the brain processes sensation and how environment can influence our perception and, in turn, behaviour. Next term we are looking forward to further case studies to understand the biological basis of behaviour.

Mr Heath took his Year 12 Physics class to Gin Gin and the Perth Observatory, where students were able to gain hands on experience learning about gravity. The Year 12 Chemistry class were invited to UWA, where they began a set of experiments in the Chemistry Lab,

preparing materials for conducting x-ray crystallography. This was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 12 students to get a taster on university laboratory procedures.

Year 11 Marine and Maritime students have continued learning their sailing and roping skills as a part of their practical component of the course.

The Year 9 cohort enjoyed an excursion to Herdsman Lake to conduct abiotic and biotic studies of the wetlands. Field work is integral to Biological studies, plus it is a great opportunity to get a bit dirty and enjoy the fresh air, and see the content they have been learning in class applied to real life scenarios.

The Year 12 Psychology students and Mr Hardman went to Perth Zoo to learn how they use operant conditioning to train their animals for their regular health check-ups. This formed the practical basis for their project work this term.

I would like to thank Science staff for organising the excursions and ensuring our students build on their classroom understandings. Next term we will be hitting the ground running with the Biology overnight camp, the annual Big Science Competition, and the Science & Engineering Challenge. Watch this space and the daily notices to learn more about opportunities to get involved in Science.

We wish all our students a safe and restful holiday and Easter period. Use this time to recoup, reconnect and be ready to start Term Two with vigour!

Ms Charlotte Donovan Head of Science

Herdsman Lake Science Excursion

On Friday 31 March, the Year 9 cohort went on an excursion to Herdsman Lake, a local wetland ecosystem, as part of their course of study in Science. Students had the opportunity to study the local flora and fauna and their importance in the biodiversity of Herdsman Lake.

Students went on a nature walk to observe the avian species that call Herdsman Lake ‘home’, carried out water testing to observe the abiotic factors which allow the rich wildlife and plant life to thrive in the area, and captured local macroinvertebrates and observed them under the microscope.

Swimming All Stars

Following on from our success in the pool at the ACC E-Division Swimming Carnival, the ACC has collated all the results from all carnivals across Divisions J-A (virtual carnival), so that the performances of every swimmer at every ACC school could be compared, regardless of the carnival division.

I am pleased to inform you that St George’s placed an amazing 13th place (out of 76 ACC Schools) in the combined aggregate for 2023! St George’s outscored many higher division schools and all credit goes to the students in the ACC Swim team for their swimming prowess.

It was a great day where students got a snapshot of what the life of an ecologist would be like. Thank you to all the staff at Herdsman Lake and Mr Dempers, Mr Heath and Mrs McArthur for attendance on the day.

The results of the virtual carnival were also used to select the ACC Honorary All Stars Swimming team. To be selected, an athlete needed to place as one of the top two performers in each event type, per age group. A full report on the Virtual results can be found here

I am proud to announce that two St George’s students have been selected in the ACC All Stars team.

Mr Peter Quan Science Teacher

Congratulations to U/15 Champion Girl, Anouk Potter, who was selected in the All Stars Team in three events

• Division 1 50m Freestyle

• Division 2 50m Breaststroke

• Freestyle Relay

Anouk is continuing her work in the pool as she flew out to the Age-National Swimming Championship on the Gold Coast last Thursday, and we wish her every success.

U/16 Amelie McKeon was selected in two events for the All Stars Team:

• Division 2 50m Breaststroke

• Freestyle Relay

ACC Swim All Star Team by event

ACC Swim All Star Team by School

ACC Basketball Championship

The ACC Basketball Championship round robin with the other NWAS schools has now concluded and I am excited to let you know that our Junior Girls Basketball Team has qualified for the knockout round of 16.

The Junior Girls will play against Chisholm on 3 May. Good luck girls!

Ms Jodie Scheele Head of HPE

Ms Jodie Scheele Head of HPE