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This week has been a special one as we came together to celebrate both National Children's Week and World Teachers' Day. It's been a time of reflection and appreciation for the wonderful individuals who make our school community what it is.
National Children's Week reminds us that children have the right to relax, play, and engage in a wide range of leisure activities. It's a time to recognize and cherish the importance of childhood, and we couldn't have done it without the huge efforts of our dedicated team, led by Jen Sheppard.
On Wednesday, our P&C joined our staff meeting with some kind words of gratitude and an amazing afternoon tea to celebrate World Teachers' Day. Our teaching, admin and support staff play an indispensable role in shaping the future of our students. They are not just educators; they are mentors, caregivers, and inspirations to the young minds under their guidance. We firmly believe that each and every member of our staff contributes significantly to the education and personal growth of our students. Hats off to our incredible and dedicated staff! And a huge thank you to our P&C for their staff appreciation!
In my classroom visits this week, I have noticed that a number of our students are not prepared for learning with their Chromebook charged, pencil case and books. This is impacting their ability to continue with learning each day. Thank you for working with your child to be prepared for learning each day.
We wish Kim Lum all the best as she takes leave for the remainder of the year, and thank her for an amazing year as our Year 8 Coordinator. Tim O'Brien will be Year 8 Coordinator while Kim is on leave.
Next week we welcome Lara Croucher to our Calwell community as an Executive Teacher. Lara will join the English and HaSS team.
Onwards and upwards
Trish
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IMPORTANT DATES NEXT WEEK
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Monday 30 October
- Chemical Reactions Science Excursion (Mehar)
Tuesday 31 October
- Homework Club, Break 2
- Chemical Reactions Science Excursion (Clutton)
Wednesday 1 October
- On Country Learning
- Year 6 Transition Day
- Year 10 Immunisations
Thursday 2 October
- Homework Club, Break 2 and After School
- Breakfast Club
Friday 3 October
- Breakfast Club
- She Leads High Conference
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ARTS EXTRAVAGANZA IS ON AGAIN!
Two shows:
- Tuesday 7 November, 6.30–8.30pm
- Wednesday 8 November, 6.30–8.30pm
Tickets available through trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/CMSQP
- Adult ticket $8
- Child/concession ticket $5
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UC 4 YOURSELF DAY
On Monday, students from Years 8 and 9 travelled to the University of Canberra to experience what it is like to be a Uni student for a day. They participated in career development challenges including identifying potential future occupations and different pathway options along with using creative thinking to solve a number of problems.
The students worked really well together in their groups and were very effective in completing the challenges, especially the Pictionary competition where both groups were great at communicating their ideas without the use of words. It was great to see our budding future university students doing great things on the day.
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FOOD TECHNOLGY
Year 7 Food Technology this week were focusing on how to increase nutritional value of meals. Students worked in two groups to prepare pikelets, one batch being a plain traditional version and the second being banana pikelets which used ripened bananas as a natural source of sweetening. Next week they move onto knife skills where they will focus on precision cuts whilst preparing tacos.
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SCIENCE
Year 8 students are investigating the various physical and chemical changes through a variety of scientific experiments in the lab. Students are also learning safety and best practice procedures in using chemicals and lab equipment.
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SCIENCE
- Year 7 students will be investigating and studying the unique diversity of Australian Ecosystems. They will look at the difference between living, non-living and dead. They will classify different living beings into their different phylum, class etc.
- Year 8 students will be investigating the difference between physical and chemical changes through a variety of scientific experiments in the lab. We will delve into common house hold chemical products including cosmetics, cleaning products, packaged food and hygiene products.
- Year 9 students will be investigating the properties of light and sound energy and will have the opportunity to create a musical instrument of their choice using their knowledge of sound waves.
- Year 10 students will be investigating a range of chemical reactions with a focus on the factors influencing the rates of those reactions. Their practical work will be done during excursions to the Academy of Future skills.
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FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Year 7
Term 4 sees the final group of Year 7 students commence their time in Food Technology. Students will focus on developing their skills in the kitchen whilst completing a series of practicals.
Theory lessons complement weekly practical lessons and support students to deepen their understanding of how to enhance and improve nutritional value of common foods enjoyed.
The unit concludes with students completing two self-designed tasks. The first requires them to plan and prepare a healthy pasta dish for one. The term is concluded with students completing a creative cooking task where they design and then decorate novelty cupcakes.
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Senior Food Technology - Fast Food Makeover
In Fast Food Makeover we will continue to explore our creativity in the kitchen with a focus on fast food recipes that can be prepared at home.
During this term’s Uber Eats Makeover assignment, students will plan and cook their own meal, putting their knowledge into practice and creating a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional fast food.
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WOOD AND METAL TECHNOLOGY
Our students have been hard at work, gaining valuable skills and creating impressive projects. Here's an outline on what each year group are up to:
Year 8 Wood Technology students are making excellent progress on their mirror shelf projects. They are currently focusing on mastering various styles of wood joinery techniques, which will greatly enhance the overall quality of their final creations.
Year 8 Metal Technology students are perfecting their fabrication skills. They are in the final stages of their junior hacksaw build, applying their knowledge and creativity to produce outstanding results.
Year 9/10 Wood Technology students are working on the design and construction of their very own coffee tables. A unique twist in this project is the incorporation of a personal touch into their designs. Students are encouraged to modify at least one part of their coffee table project to reflect their individuality and creativity while honing their joinery skills.
Year 9/10 Metal Technology students are engaged in the construction of cantilever toolboxes, showcasing their precision and engineering skills. In addition to this, they are delving into the fascinating world of fitting and turning, learning the essential techniques involved in crafting metal components. Some students are also exploring welding techniques, which are vital for many metalworking applications, making their skill set even more diverse and valuable.
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ENGLISH
Year 7 – This term we are starting off by consolidating our paragraph writing skills. Writing paragraphs is a key skill in English, and one that we would like to build students' confidence in as they move through their high school education and beyond.
Later in the term, we will watch the film Coraline, and study cinematic techniques and the secrets behind stop animation. We unpack how the creators of the film put the S in scary, through analysis of the devices the creators use to create suspense and tension.
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Year 8 – In Year 8 English, we are beginning a narrative unit for Term 4. We will be exploring the conventions of fairytales and looking at the idea of a 'fractured fairytale'. We will be both writing our own creative fiction, as well as taking part in a group performance task. We are looking forward to a fun and lively last term for the year!
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Year 9 – In term 4, year 9 students are watching Disney movies. We will be exploring the question 'What view of the world is present in Disney movies and how is this influenced by context?', then writing an essay in response.
The critical literacy skills we learn encourage students to consider the values and attitudes that are embedded in all texts, and whether or not the messages they promote are positive or negative.
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Year 10 – Year 10 are focusing on understanding protest through documentary. Students will be watching and analysing the controversial documentary film ‘Blackfish’ and discussing elements that make a documentary engaging to an audience. For their Assessment task students will create their own short documentary film.
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Year 10 Advanced – In Term 4, students will be delving into the world of Dystopia through a genre study. We will be exploring the history and conventions of utopian and dystopian genres through film, fiction and other multimedia texts and consider how they have evolved over time.
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HaSS
Year 7 HaSS has begun our new unit on Civics and Citizenship. Students are currently investigating how our government operates, and will move on to how laws are made and how the court system works. We will then move on to the Citizenship component, where students will gain an understanding of how they can be active citizens in their communities.
Year 8 HaSS has begun their new unit in Geography - Landscapes and Landforms. Students are understanding geographical processes that cause change to the landscape, such as; erosion, weathering and deposition. Students will then move on to investigate other forms of change to the landscape such as natural disasters, urbanisation and the impact these have on people and the environment. Students will have hands on experiences and develop solutions to manage these environmental problems.
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Year 9/10 Geography
Geography students are investigating the concept of Human Wellbeing, and how this is measured. Students are currently undertaking research to compare two countries according to their wellbeing data. Students will then be able to assess and evaluate the data, and develop solutions to geographical problems impacting wellbeing.
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Year 9/10 Workplace & Life Skills
This term we are focussing on our Group Business Project Assessment. Students will create a product or service and present a T.V advertisement, Poster display and an Oral Presentation. We will then hopefully get into the kitchen to learn some budget-friendly recipes!
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Year 9/10 Business & Economics
Senior Business and Economics students will continue to develop their knowledge about factors that impact economies - such as monetary policy and international trade - before completing their capstone assessment, which will be a policy briefing to the Treasurer on the Australian Economy.
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Year 9/10 Civics & Citizenship
Having considered the impacts of WW2 and how it shaped the world, students are now strengthening their understanding of the political and justice systems. This will enable them to undertake their major assessment task - a group project involving the creation of a political party - to a high level.
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Year 9/10 Youth Opportunities - Personal Leadership Program
The students have started the Youth Opportunities - Personal Leadership Program, which offers the opportunity for students to develop skills and habits that will help them thrive in school, work and life.
We have looked at defining success and happiness and the next part of the course is discovering how to be a personal leader then deciding to use the 4 ‘Big Decisions’ (decide to be happy, decide to goal plan, decide to grow, decide to send stars).
Through the course the students will have discovered hands on how personal leadership is linked to business entrepreneurship.
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JAPANESE
All Japanese students are continuing their language development journey through the use of Duolingo this term.
Year 7 Japanese classes are continuing their adventure in classic Japanese anime movies with Spirited Away this term. The main character Chihiro encounters many hardships and strange characters but eventually grows stronger through this which is a theme student’s can regularly relate to. Through the film study students will observe, compare and reflect on the language use, and strengthen their understanding of Japanese Culture.
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The Year 8 Japanese class is continuing to focus on strengthening their understanding of the Japanese writing system and language in both casual and formal contexts. This is in preparation for their end of semester major assessment which is a reading and listening test.
Years 9/10 Senior Japanese students this term have the opportunity to experience one of the most beloved aspects of Japanese culture, Japanese food. This week they have prepared fried noodles and enjoyed a special dessert.
Whilst having this meal they were able to practice their use of culturally correct phrases. This, in addition to in class language lessons, assists in preparing them for their upcoming Japanese speaking interview through which they will be able to showcase all their language knowledge.
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Hello Parents, Carers and Friends
It was great to join the staff at Calwell High for afternoon tea on Wednesday this week to thank all of them for the wonderful work they do. The positive development of our students and the ongoing positive culture of the school is something that all educators and admin staff at CHS can be proud of.
The P&C provided some hot food and sweet treats for the team and we enjoyed the opportunity to chat with staff and to thank them individually. Mr Ricky was also there to enjoy some special doggie treats and numerous loving pats.
A couple of events coming up for all to enjoy:
- P&C BBQ at Calwell Markets on Saturday 18 November. Please drop in and enjoy an educational sausage or two and, importantly, please hop on to our sign-up link volunteersignup.org/Y9AFY to volunteer on the day. Various time slots are available and all help will be gratefully received.
- A CHS trivia night at Grill’d Woden on Thursday evening 23 November. Stay tuned for further details, including online booking info.
Geoff Puleston, Calwell High School P&C President
calwellhighpandc@gmail.com
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ACT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE COMMISSIONER RIGHTS IN ACTion OCTOBER NEWSLETTER
The October 2023 Rights in ACTion edition celebrates Children’s Week and their right to play and relax. It reminds us all how important children’s rights are and asks us to think about what more needs to be done to protect your rights.
Children and young people can send contributions in any format they like about anything they want. They can also send messages to the ACT Children and Young People Commissioner on Instagram @actkids_CYPC, call on 02 6205 2222, send an email to actkids@act.gov.au or go to Young Thinker Forum to upload files.
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FUTURE OF EDUCATION STUDENT EQUITY FUND P-12
Due 3 November 2023
It’s not too late to apply for the Future of Education Student Equity Fund for the 2023 round. Families have until 3 November 2023 to lodge their applications before the fund closes for this year. Please encourage your school community to consider whether they should apply.
Eligible low-income ACT families can receive one-off payments for financial assistance to help cover the costs of their children’s educational expenses such as sport equipment and activities, music lessons, school uniforms and excursions. The Fund is open to eligible students enrolled in preschools (attached to a school) through to Year 12 in the ACT. Further information and the online application form is available on the Education website here.
Contact Equity Fund Administrator on 02 620 71818 or EquityFund@act.gov.au
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SOUTHFEST BATTLE OF THE BANDS
Southfest Battle of the Bands is a free all-ages music event in the Laneways Tuggeranong on Friday 10 November. The event is for anyone interested in supporting young musicians, young businesses and market stalls, meeting with youth organizations, and more! This Battle of the Bands will be showcasing 12 Amazing school-aged bands from around Canberra.
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