Science Academic
T
he 2006 academic year started with all the hallmarks of being a difficult and unsettled year for the Science Department. Ray Priskich, our extremely capable and inspirational leader of fourteen years, had resigned, two new teaching staff had joined us and we Mr Tim Blake were embarking on the Head of Science introduction of outcomes into the Year 10 program as well as the uncertainties of the imminent introduction of the new courses of study. Fortunately, the professionalism of the science staff came to the fore and the year passed uneventfully as had many previous years We welcomed two new staff to the department. In a time when quality Physics teachers are very hard to find we were very fortunate to acquire the services of Craig Adams to head our senior program. Mark Dodd secured a permanent position after demonstrating his competence and great rapport with the Middle School students. The first task of the year was a complete revision of the Middle School curriculum from an outcomes perspective. An integrated and seamless set of programs were developed for each outcome ensuring cognitive progress and intellectual challenges were presented in an appropriate manner for each year group. Four Year 10 Science Extension classes were offered with an enhanced focus on Physics and Chemistry to cater for the middle range of student ability and better reflect an outcomes mode of learning. It should be noted, however, that far too many students aspire to study Physics and Chemistry who would be better suited to Biology and Human Biology. The 2005 Biology TEE results were particularly pleasing as Trinity was in the top ten schools for the second time in four years. Nobody in the whole school will forget the visit by Jet Cars from the Kwinana Motor Complex. Twenty metre flames, deafening roars and pounding shockwaves gave our Year 10 students an awesome display (and all in the name of science as our Physics students benefited from an in-depth look at the physics of the engines).
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Numerous competitions were held throughout the year. Stephen Dale (Year11) has been invited to Canberra
to attend the Rio Tinto Science Training Camp after coming 18th in the whole of Australia (and second in WA) in the Chemistry competition. He actually qualified for Physics as well but can only attend one camp! Stuart Love (Year 10) had the honour of being presented with a plaque by the RACI for his achievement in Chemistry after coming in the top 0.5% of students worldwide. Well done to both students. In November, thirty-two Year 9 students participated in the inaugural WA Science and Engineering competition held at the Convention Centre. Groups of four students were given various challenges in such areas as motorised balloon navigation, bridge building and problem solving. Trinity was placed a creditable 12th out of forty schools. The next few years will pose many profound challenges not only for the science staff but for the whole school as we venture into the new courses of study. We have a cohesive and extremely competent staff that will ensure the best science education for all our students. Mr Tim Blake Head of Science
