Society and Environment Academic
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he study of Society and Environment is primarily concerned with preparing our students to be active participants in ‘the real world’. As such, being involved in this Learning Area is very much a journey which is often as rewarding an experience for staff, as Mr Christopher Allanson it is for students. Promoting Society and Environment awareness about the world around us, helps us to discover the true sense of ourselves. The year 2006 has been a year of transition with Mr Lucio Cicchini leaving at the end of Term One to take up his new position as Head of Senior School at Ursula Frayne Catholic College. He leaves Trinity having placed this Learning Area in a position of strength. I would like to thank all the staff, students and parents who have made me feel so welcome since undertaking this role in Term Two.
they had $50,000 to develop a successful share portfolio. History students have travelled to the Holocaust Centre where they were moved by a talk from a survivor of the Holocaust and were guided through the institute’s museum. Those students studying Political and Legal Studies were addressed by the Federal Member for Perth and current Trinity College parent Mr Stephen Smith MP, former WA Democrats Senator Mr Jack Evans as well as a member of the Greens WA Party. In the Middle School students visited the Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre to study different ecosystems as well as to gather an appreciation of what life was like for the Nyungar People before European Settlement. Students have also experienced what it was like to be imprisoned in the confines of Fremantle Prison as well as the legal process which has seen many prisoners arrive in custody by visiting the Central Law Courts and the Sir Francis Burt Law Centre. Year 8 students undertook a study of the History of Trinity where two students, Nicholas Greeney and Ben Moffitt, were awarded a prize for their outstanding account of the College’s past.
On curriculum matters, staff have been dealing with the many challenges that have been presented with the new post-compulsory Courses of Study, as well as the ongoing implementation of outcomes based education in Years 8-10. Our Year 11 students in 2007 will be the first to be awarded a level at the end of the year on their Western Australian Certificate of Education. Further challenges will undoubtedly confront staff as we move towards a full implementation in our Learning Area in 2008. I thank the staff for dealing with all these issues in such a professional manner.
It is the vision of this Learning Area to develop a community of learners. Our students’ learning paths travel alongside those of adult learners who are committed to innovation and best teaching practice. We are also committed to students achieving their highest potential. We seek to develop an environment where clear goals can be set and staff support students in their own learning. We also seek to develop an ethos that learning time is precious and that students should take full advantage of the opportunities presented to them.
Our students are presented with a variety of opportunities to learn about real world issues. Learning, of course, takes place in the classroom, however students in 2006 have also learnt a great deal about the various subject areas on field trips, excursions, listening to guest speakers and conducting their own inquiry projects.
I wish to acknowledge the fine efforts of Mr Andrew Osnain who has undertaken the role of Middle School Coordinator in 2006. I wish him luck next year as he takes on the Head of Year 8 role. I look forward to working with Mr Anthony Lunt who takes up the role of Middle School Coordinator. I would also like to thank all of the staff that have put in extraordinary efforts to help produce well-informed citizens of the world. The high regard in which you are all held by the student body is testament to your dedication and professionalism. To all members of the Learning Area I thank each of you for a great year and look forward to your efforts in 2007.
So what learning opportunities have Society and Environment staff provided for students this year? Students have conducted ‘hands on’ fieldwork in Geography. Students have visited Point Perron studying coastlines, the Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring to explore the make-up of Western Australia’s forests, and have studied rural and urban communities in areas from Perth to Bakers Hill. Economics students have participated in the Stock Market Game where
Mr Christopher Allanson Society and Environment
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