Read more to hear about what our year 7, year 10 and year 12 students have been working on over the past fortnight, as well as an update on Encounter Night and our HSC Music Performance Night.
Year 7 History
Year 7 History students have been studying ancient China and as part of that, the Mongolian invasion of China that established the Yuan Dynasty. One focus of their study has been the way in which the Mongolian army utilised battle tactics in order to be successful in their invasion. To help further illustrate these tactics, students engaged in a simulation of some of the approaches outlined in the images below.
While the effect was certainly less fearsome than the original invasion, it helped facilitate discussion of the impact of war and build understanding for the complexities of battle strategies.
Year 7 Mathematics
This week, year 7 students have been focusing on the Measurement unit in Mathematics. Measurement involves the application of number and geometry knowledge, skills and understanding to quantify and solve practical problems. We introduced the topic of Capacity by making two cylinders from two sheets of A4 size paper and asked the students to mathematically predict which cylinder would hold more popcorn.
To do this, they needed to make reasonable estimates for quantities, be familiar with commonly used units for length, area, volume and capacity, and be able to convert between these units. In celebration of their mathematical genius, students also got to eat the popcorn!
The class also engaged in some hands-on activities in this lesson. Students learned to draw different views of prisms, cones, cylinders and spheres, and their corresponding nets. They measured the dimensions of each of the given 3-dimensional objects, and investigated the formulas to calculate the volumes of prisms, cylinders, cones and spheres.
Through these activities, we hope to see students develop their spatial skills and use them to solve a variety of practical problems involving 3-dimensional objects. Most important of all is for students to see how they can develop the mathematical gifts and talents that God has given them and use them to bless others.
Year 10 Camp
Year 10 camp took place in Week 9 of this term in partnership with Cru Camps.
On the first day, students took part in a number of challenges in small teams. They had to work together to navigate their way around Sydney, budget to buy breakfast for their group and complete a series of smaller activities along the way. The grade then met up to travel across to Cockatoo Island where they have been staying overnight. The weather was absolutely beautiful and students enjoyed camping, despite the cold evenings.
On day two, students travelled on the ferry to Manly, participated in the Toys 'n' Tucker community program in partnership with Anglicare and spent the afternoon enjoying the beach, bowling and laser tag before dinner. A huge day!
The goal of the camp was to develop team work, strengthen relationships and learn some valuable life skills including budgeting, problem solving and planning. Our staff were so impressed with the attitude and behaviour of all the students - we praise God for a fantastic time away building community as a grade.
Senior Students Careers Expo and Macquarie Uni Info Session
Our Year 11 and 12 students attended the Western Sydney Careers Expo on the 23rd June at Olympic Park. As part of this event, students were able to visit booths for many different universities and career providers, as well as attend a seminar of their choice.
In addition, year 12 students were visited by a representative of Macquarie University to provide further information around study options there.
We are so excited to support our senior secondary students as they consider their gifts and passions, and how they might use them to have an impact in the world through their career choices.
Encounter Night
For the past five years, we have had the privilege of holding 'Encounter Night' at ACC Marsden Park. These student-driven, optional evenings enable our community to gather together to worship God, as well as to pray for and encourage one another. On Wednesday 15 June, we saw around 200 Secondary students come together, and approximately 20 - 30 of them made a decision to follow Jesus or rededicate their lives to Christ! We are so thankful to our ministry team, former students who led the night, and most importantly to God for this powerful evening.
HSC Music Performance Night
It was a fantastic night at our HSC music performance event on Wednesday 22 June! Five Year 12 students and a guest performer from Year 11 treated the audience with pieces from a range of genres. A huge thank you to the staff and students who assisted on the night and all the guests who attended. We are so proud of these students and it was a joy to witness their love of music displayed so excellently!
