Read more to hear about what our students have been learning in Year 7 History, Year 8 Music and Year 8 English, as well as an update from Year 7 Camp and Year 11 & 12 Camp.
Year 7 History
This term in Year 7 History, students have been studying how to investigate the ancient past. They put their historian hats on to explore types of sources and how they are used to learn about and understand recorded history. Students have enthusiastically engaged in activities about various ancient civilisations from the Bronze and Iron Ages and analysed artefacts from them.
Recently, students participated in a cookie excavation activity to explore archeology and the tools and techniques used in it. With a cookie as their dig site, they used toothpicks as tools to excavate chocolate chip ‘artefacts’. Throughout the activity, students used a grid to accurately record where their artefacts were found and discussed the importance of taking care when handling items from the past.
Year 8 Music
Our Year 8 students have been rocking out on guitars this term! Students had the opportunity to learn the four chords of pop. Our class guitarists also got to jump in and demonstrate their leadership skills, helping their classmates learn new chords.
Year 8 English with Mrs Law
Students in Year 8 English have been learning about the Art of Persuasion, studying specific persuasive techniques used by the media.
After studying different advertisements and learning some explicit techniques, students were given ten minutes to create an advertisement of choice, either alone or in pairs. Whilst this was a short task, each ad had to demonstrate one of the techniques we had covered in class that lesson.
Students constructed ads using devices such as the tool of the 'media bandwagon', the attraction of promotions/rewards, the appeal to nostalgia and feelings of 'good old days', the use of humour, the appeal to expert and celebrity figures, the use of flattery and the technique of "Ad Hominem" or "argument against a person".
In one example, a student cleverly advertised a Nintendo using the tools of nostalgia, providing both an appeal to childhood (Mario Bros) and the word 'remember'. This 'ad' was also created with the lure of a 50% off promotion.
Some students drew ads with influencers, experts and celebrities endorsing products (such as Nike), while another student appealed to audience emotions by describing the way smart watches kept people in touch with one another.
In our next lesson, students had an additional four minutes to describe their choices. Students were asked to describe what device they chose in their ad, why they chose it, and to evaluate their success in using the device. In the evaluations pictured, students assessed how well they could use persuasive techniques and then shared their self assessment with a peer, working collaboratively to better understand the tools of persuasive media.
Year 7 Camp
Thank you for your prayers over our Year 7 students while they have been away on camp this week.
They had a fantastic time at CCC Camps in Mount Victoria participating in a range of activities, such as archery, laser tag, flying fox & vertical ropes. Our students enjoyed beautiful weather while they worked together to build catapults, enjoy interactive games and bravely conquer a crate climb! They finished the day with a Bible talk and toasting marshmallows by the campfire. These activities provided students with an opportunity to develop their friendships, take risks and team build!
Today they continued to work together to achieve goals across their morning activities and heard from Mrs Collins about the hope we have in Christ.
We are thankful for the wonderful opportunity it has been to get away together as a grade and build strong relationships. Thank you for all your support.
Year 11 and 12 Camp
Last week Stage 6 enjoyed a three day camp at Wedderburn Christian Campsite.
It was a wonderful opportunity for students and staff to connect and enjoy learning about themselves, leadership and their faith in the bush setting of Dharawal National Park. Students enjoyed various activities throughout the day including, the giant swing, climbing the rock wall, archery, a flying fox, laser tag, bush walking, campfire chats and cooling down in the swimming pool in the afternoon.
We were privileged to have Matt Purcell, a Christian speaker, who focuses upon purpose, legacy and leadership for young people. Matt, staff and students engaged in various activities and discussions to prepare them for their senior years. There was also a lot of fun, with the prefects organising and leading a themed dress up night of "Rhyme without Reason" and then a talent show on the second evening. Laughing together, chatting and enjoying many sporting opportunities ensured this was a camp that students will remember for years to come.
