FROM THE PRINCIPAL
This week certainly belonged to our amazing students involved in Showcase 2023. The performances over the two nights were a clear indication of the great things our students can achieve with energy and commitment.
Despite some healthy pre show nerves, the students displayed their passions for the arts and came off stage absolutely buzzing. This was another example of Calwell High School achieving well above our numbers, with an Arts program that is more consistent with a school twice our size. A special thanks to our wonderful Arts Team and many volunteering staff, led by Alex Whitrow, who have dedicated countless hours to preparing the students for this enriching experience.
We have been working closely with the dedicated officers from Tuggeranong Police Station and have forged a strong relationship. This collaboration has allowed us to enhance school safety and led to a number of school visits designed to improve community relationships.
On the back of this strong relationship, we were able to respond swiftly and effectively when an unauthorised visitor enter our school grounds this week. Their immediate assistance ensured the situation was resolved with limited disruption to classes and minimal impact to student learning, highlighting the value of our ongoing relationship.
Late next week we will be emailing home Semester 1 reports, representing a culmination of the effort and achievement of students to date. We encourage families to speak directly with the classroom teacher if you have any questions regarding the reports, as we always welcome communication about the learning and wellbeing of our young people.
Have a great weekend.
Steve
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Monday 26 June
Tuesday 27 June
Wednesday 28 June
- Breakfast Club
- On Country Learning - Overnight Bush walk
- P&C Meeting - 6.00pm
Thursday 29 June
- Homework Club, Break 2 & After School
- End of Semester Awards Assemblies
- On Country Learning - Overnight Bush walk
Friday 30 June
- Breakfast Club
- End of Term
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CONGRATULATIONS BRIDGE BUILDERS!
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CIT BRIDGE BUILDING CHALLENGE
A huge congratulations to our team of Calwell High students who tested their wooden bridge at the CIT Bridge Challenge final today against 11 other ACT schools. Dylan, Mason, Luke and Cooper were crowned the winners of the strength award! They maxed the scales out at 250kg with the bridge remaining unbroken. Well done boys and a big thank you to the Technology Faculty, Shaun Dati, and Andrew Rowe for making the time and effort in helping all our teams.
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VISUAL ART
In visual art, our Year 7s are finishing off their colourful artworks inspired by Matisse's Beasts of the Sea. Year 8s are finishing off their awesome clay dragons, while Years 9 and 10 are putting the finishing touches on their portraits, ready to enter into the Young Archies competition.
In the digital world, the Year 8 Graphic Design students are finishing their inspiring Music Album covers, while Years 9 and 10 are finalising their exciting Self-Directed Projects.
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HaSS - FIRST NATION STUDIES
Over the last few weeks at Calwell, our First Nations Studies elective has had the privilege of having Aaron Chatfield as a guest speaker. Aaron, from Dreamtime Connections, has run a variety workshops with students, teaching them about bush tucker and medicinal plants, how to garden and care for native plants, and lastly how to use a boomerang, spear and woomera! Our students had a great time learning about First Nations traditions this term.
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PHOTOGRAPHY YEARS 9 & 10
Our Year 9/10 Digital Photography class have been refining their skills in portrait photography and photo editing. Students examined the concept of fake vacations, known as ‘fakecations’ on social media.
They quickly acquired the skills to spot fake images, and how easy it is to manipulate images to place a subject into a different background. We spent a practical lesson photographing Mr Ricky as our subject, and students asked Mr Ricky to pose as they moved around him, considering light and shadows. Students then returned to the classroom and utilised their photo editing skills to send Mr Ricky on fakecations.
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SCIENCE
The Year 7 science students had a classroom competition to see if they could make a stable and strong structure using limited resources i.e. paper straws and blu tack.
The structures were measured on strength, innovation and aesthetics and given a score accordingly.
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ON COUNTRY LEARNING
On a super crisp morning with temperatures dropping to -8 degrees, our On Country Learning group embarked on our practice walk for next week’s overnight adventure. Our trip began by leaving Birrigai and walking up through a picturesque frost covered valley.
As we ascended, the trail led us up to a ridge and eventually to the majestic Gibraltar Peak. The entire round trip covered a distance of eight kilometres with a lovely side trip to Mushroom Rock, offering our group a chance to immerse ourselves in our beautiful surroundings.
Our students learnt that Gibraltar Peak holds significant cultural and historical importance for the Ngunnawal people. It is considered a sacred site where men would engage in men's business and pass down ancient lore, preserving their cultural heritage. Moreover, this peak served as a beacon for travellers entering Ngunnawal country, as fires were lit on its summit to signal that they were entering Ngunnawal Country.
Once we arrived at the peak, the group immediately understood why this site was and is considered sacred, as we were met with huge granite tors precariously balanced on each other and breathtaking views down and through Tidbinbilla and over Canberra. We not only experienced the physical challenge of the hike but also gained a deeper understanding of the rich indigenous history associated with Gibraltar Peak and its connection to the Ngunnawal community.
Planning and organising for next weeks overnight adventure, we can’t wait to head out Wednesday next week to spend two days enjoying our beautiful surroundings and each other’s company.
Mr. Rodriguez
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CHESS
Congratulations to the winners of the Calwell High School Chess Club Tournament in Term 2 2023: Aleksander, John, Tad, Patrick, Cooper, Adrian, Ben and Andrew.
A special thanks to Domino's Calwell for providing free pizza coupons to all our winners.
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P&C NEWS
Hello Parents, Carers and Friends
We had a wonderful experience at the highly professional and enjoyable Showcase this week - well done to all our talented performers and crew and to our dedicated CHS staff who played such an important part in all this.
Also, just another plug for our next P&C general meeting on Wednesday 28 June at 6.00pm in the CHS main staff room. All welcome (particularly grandparents! – please pass the word).
Cheers, Geoff Puleston, Calwell High School P&C President
calwellhighpandc@gmail.com
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STUDENT PATHWAYS & CAREERS
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AIE INDUSTRY DAY
The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) - Industry Experience Day for High School Students is now available to ACT Public School students. This program is part of a suite of vocational learning programs on offer from AIE.
When: 1 August (Tuesday – Week 3 – Term 3)
Student fee: $20 Attendance will allow students to make informed decisions before applying for the upcoming vocational learning programs on offer through AIE and/or to further understand the industry.
EOI open: Friday 23 June
EOI close: Monday 24 July at 5.00pm, click here for the EOI.
The table summary below outlines the AIE vocational learning programs that will be on offer later in 2023. Details of the other programs and the EOI process will be sent out in Term 3.
| Program Name |
Target Cohort |
Length of Program |
On completion |
Cost |
| Industry Experience Day |
Years 9-10 |
One day,
1 August, 2023 |
Certificate of Participation
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$20 |
Creative Careers Program
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Years 9-10 |
6 weeks,
Starting Term 3 |
Statement of Attainment – 2 units of competency |
$80 |
3D Art Program
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Years 9-12 |
8 weeks,
Starting Term 3 |
Statement of Attainment – 3 units of competency |
$80 |
| Career Starter Program: Game Programming |
Years 9-12 |
8 weeks,
Starting Term 3 |
Statement of Attainment – 3 units of competency |
$80 |
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MAKER2MARKET BUSINESS TASTER EXPERIENCE
Maker2Market business Taster experience is a three-day deep dive for creative teens (aged 10-17) into creating a micro-business and selling handmade products to real customers at Old Bus Depot Markets, Kingston, ACT.
Over 500 teens have tried the Maker2Market three-day Taster program - it's a fun learning experience (based on design thinking methodology) that grows entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving, curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, perseverance, and social skills.
A great introduction to the innovation life-cycle of designing, prototyping, making, and testing. Importantly, the skills learned through this real-world experience enable creative teens to be entrepreneurial and start to earn their own money doing what they love!
Teens completing the program are also given a 12-month pass to enable them to attend commercial markets and other opportunities to further their entrepreneurial skills and start-up businesses.
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CANBERRA CAREERSXPO - HELPING YOUR TEENAGER WITH CAREER PLANNING
As part of the Canberra CareersXpo, the ACT Education Directorate will present a workshop for parents and carers to support National Skills Weeks 2023.
During the workshop on 9 August, experienced career practitioners will present useful career information, resources and strategies to start career conversations with young people.
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AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE'S 2023 TAX, SUPER + YOU COMPETITION
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is running a competition for high school students (Years 7-12) to encourage them to learn about the value of tax and super. The Tax, Super + You competition invites high school students in Years 7–12 to make a creative project about tax and super. There are two age group categories, junior (Years 7-9) and senior (Years 10-12), with separate entry topics and prizes. The competition is free to enter and gives the student a chance to win a share of $13,200 in prize pool for themselves and their school.
Entries close 5.00pm on Friday 25 August 2023, and the winners will be announced in October. For more information about the competition, visit Tax, Super + You competition.
Contact taxsuperandyoucompetition@ato.gov.au
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SEAACT SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR 2023
The Science Educators’ Association of the ACT’s Science and Engineering Fair is now open for 2023. All students from preschool to year 12 can design and develop their own science investigation projects as an individual, with a partner or as a whole class activity. All physical or digital entries are due on the weekend of 20-21 October.
Projects will be judged according to year level and ability. Finalists will be announced at the prize ceremony where cash prizes will be awarded to students who have developed outstanding projects. To find out more and to register online, visit the Science Educators’ Association of the ACT’s Science and Engineering Fair.
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CANBERRA KIDS WOODWORK HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS ARE BACK!
www.twoshedsworkshops.com.au
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GAME ON CALWELL
The Game On events are local community based, free physical activity “pop up” sessions, which will see us visit eight suburbs each year and conduct free, family friendly events in each suburb, utilising local parks, ovals, sports courts/fields. The aim of the events is to promote physical activity/60mins a day target for children and young people through providing fun, accessible sessions and ideas for children and their families.
Game On Calwell events will be held at the Tuggeranong Netball Courts;
- Sunday 23 July, 10.00am-12.00pm - Walk + Fitness Sunday morning – Local school leaders (Community walk), Niche Power Performance Group fitness session, Coffee cart, Fresh fruit
- Thursday 27 July 7.30-8.30am - Biking Skills, Education & Ride to School Event – Trek Bikes, Coffee cart, Fresh fruit
- Wednesday 2 August, 3.30-4.30pm - Orienteering/Freestyle ACT BMX/Cardio fitness, Fresh fruit.
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YWCA HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Did you know the YWCA Canberra Youth Programs Team provides a FREE school holiday program for young people aged 10 to 25 in Tuggeranong.
You can read more here: Scheduled Youth programs social media tiles (ywca-canberra.org.au)
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