5 minute read
Astronomy & Space Science
Early in 2018, the College held a fair for the Year 7s to showcase extracurricular activities. The astronomy scholars were part of the fair and, amongst other things, showed off some of the virtual reality (VR) software. This resulted in 45 extra students appearing at the Wednesday Astronomy Club. We were victims of our own success and, sadly, we could only take half of these students to Camp Kelly for the first Year 7 Astronomy Camp which caused anguish for students and parents alike. For the students who did go, it was a great night with clear skies. William Matar (11.5), the Year 11 Astronomy Scholar, with the help of the website, heavensabove.com, pointed to American and soviet satellites as they passed across the sky. James Henshall (12.2) and Baily Hughes (12.4), Year 12 Astronomy Scholars, took the brunt of the evening’s work, star hopping with the 16-inch Dobsonian telescope to show the Year 7s the best of the night sky.
At the end of Term 1, the observatory telescope camera was sent for a service. This meant that for most of Term 2, students were unable to use the observatory. In the end, it wasn’t an issue as the weather was so awful that there were very few clear nights for astrophotography.
Mr Bill Cooper
In June, Mr Peter Zurzolo and the Trinity Fathers for Others group visited us for an evening in the College observatory and a first glimpse at the new VR Lab. Mr Paul Valentino from The Fathering Project was also present and talked about the impact fathers have on their children’s lives.
Mr Bill Cooper
Head of Astronomy and Space Science
This year, the Junior School camp was timed to take place on the evening of a total lunar eclipse. Once again, the weather gods were not on our side and most of the night was 8/8 cloud with occasional patches of rain. Aside from that, the evening was a great success with planetariums being built and rockets made and launched. For Science Week, the Astronomy Cub students hosted Junior School students from St Peter’s Primary School in Inglewood for a day of astronomy activities. There was also enough time to let them fly in virtual reality. Ms Clare Magee, the GATE Coordinator wrote, “our kids are buzzing, they had the best day! Thank you so much for all your help. We have featured it on our School Blog already and it will go out in the newsletter next week. Thank you once again. I am hoping we can make this an annual event.”
In Term 4, the Astronomy Club boys attended the UWA lecture ‘When Galaxies Collide’, given by Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith about the inevitable explosive arrival of the Andromeda galaxy, travelling at 400,000 kilometres an hour towards the Milky Way and the future of our galaxy six billion years into the future.
Finally, Sri Krishna (Sri) Dharmapuri (10.4), was awarded the Astronomy Scholarship for 2019 and was also the successful applicant to represent Australia in 2019 at the United Space School in the USA. For his research project next year, Sri is going to delve into the maths of astrometry. Last year an object from another star, named Oumuamua, passed through our solar system and caused quite a stir. Sri is going to look at the data and try and understand the controversy.
HUMANITIES
Mr Chris Allanson
Pope John Paul II
These words, from the great Catholic leader of the late 20th Century, aptly describes the intended outcome of a Humanities education at Trinity College. Teaching students to be critical thinkers who then act to be Men for Others in all areas of their lives, is at the core of our mission.
There have been many learning activities presented to our students throughout the year, which have helped to foster this idea of thinking rigorously, acting righty and serving humanity. In the subject areas of Economics, Geography, Modern History, Politics & Law and Accounting & Finance, students are encouraged to study the content; not just as a means of receiving an ATAR or WACE certificate, but to ensure that when they leave school, they can apply the values that they were instilled with during their time at Trinity.
In our Middle School program this year, students participated in the Australian Geography Competition, visited Fremantle Prison, the Shipwreck Museum, the Round House and Bathers Beach precinct, the Canning River Eco Education Centre, the Sir Francis Burt Law Centre and the Supreme Court of WA. Senior School students attended a lecture from Finance Minister Senator Matthias Cormann, attended the WA School’s Constitutional Convention, have been visited by Old Boy and union representative, Mr Dominic Rose (’04) from United Voice, visited the Forest Discovery Centre, attended a climate change convention at the City of Mandurah, conducted fieldwork at Alcoa’s bauxite operations in Pinjarra and Wagerup, attended a Student Economic Conference at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as studying the morphology of the CBD area of Perth. Jeremy Hansen (12.4) attended the National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra and Dimitri Tsagaris (11.7) attended a sevenday Rotary Adventures in Citizenship Program. Congratulations goes to our Year 11 Mock Trial team who competed strongly in the Law Society’s Mock Trial competition. I thank Ms Sonia Scordo and Ms Jacqueline Brown from Lynn & Brown Lawyers, for coordinating and coaching our team of future legal professionals.
Our Year 10 Accounting & Finance students also participated in the Innovation Institute’s program, which is designed to teach students innovation and entrepreneurship skills. Jakob Strohmeier (10.4), Adrian Sinagra (10.7) and Mackenzie Matthews (10.3) won the $500 first prize and the opportunity to have their solar golf ball buggy idea developed. Judges were Mr Josh Catalano (’01), celebrity chef and owner of Fish Boss, Ms Linda Winter from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA, Professor Lyn Beazley, AO, the former Chief Scientist of WA and Mr Kegan Cameron from accounting firm AMHR. In terms of staffing, the Humanities Learning Area welcomed Miss Brittany Edgar at the start of the year. She has settled in very well to her role as a Geography Specialist within the department. We also hosted two pre-service teachers this year; Ms Serena Percudani from Notre Dame University and Miss Brittany Moebus from Curtin University. I thank both pre-service teachers for their efforts during the year.
I would also like to thank the dedicated staff of the Humanities Learning Area. Each member of this wonderful team strives for excellence in providing the best possible education for the boys of Trinity College. Finally, after ten years in the role of Assistant Head of Learning Area, Mr Anthony Lunt, is stepping down from this role so that he can give more time to complete his university studies. I thank him for the years of service to the Learning Area.
Mr Chris Allanson (’91)
Head of Learning Area – Humanities
