Term 4, Week 5, 2023 2 Nov 2023

Several Year 9 students were presented with ICAS Maths and Science certificates and we celebrated their results. All students also received their coffee licence from the Barista Bus - plenty of discussions about who produced the best foam swirls and images. Several students have taken it upon themselves to apply to local cafes for a job. 

In Creatives classes students are completing units filming, composing songs, making street food, and preparing High Tea for their families. In Digital Technology, Mr JB and the class have being using drones and working on programing them through obstacle courses. It's been great fun to watch - plenty of problem solving skills needed!

Our Italian students are learning art appreciation at the moment. You can see in the photos their Italian painter research - we've enjoyed their creativity!

Mrs Cooper took a team of Debaters to Rossbourne School, a short walk from Tay Creggan. The students presented a debate on the topic "that social media has a negative impact on teenagers" to teach students the art of debating. It was an interactive and rewarding experience for our team of Oliva C, Pearl, Sharon, Saloni, Becky and Edilyn. Thanks to the students and Mrs Cooper for organising this Debate - I know that the Rossbourne students and teachers were grateful. 

Today, Ms Harris, Mrs Cooper and Ms Grace talked to students about preparing for the Semester Two exams. All three teachers gave advice specific to their subject - Maths, English and Science and ways to tackle an exam paper. In her presentation, Ms Grace reminded students of the following scientifically researched data:

We learn:

•10% of what we hear
•15% of what we read
•20% of what we see and hear
•40% of what we discuss
•80% of what we experience and practice
•90% of what we attempt to teach

Perhaps Year 9's could teach their families a lesson or two in the lead up to exams?

Best wishes in the lead up to the long weekend break - may your horse come in a winner and the sun shine (and perhaps some year 9 exam preparation will be completed too!)

Karyn 

Edliyn Wong (Year 9)
Awarded the Licentiate of Music Australia – Pianoforte.Her diverse recital program of works included: Prelude and Fugue in C# major from Book 1 - J.S. Bach; 6 variations in F major Op.34 - Beethoven; Mazurkas Op. 59 - Chopin and Nocturne Op.33 - Samuel Barber. A concert standard of performance of a minimum of 35 minutes is required, with at least one complete work performed from memory. This was assessed by a panel of 2 specialist examiners and in addition to the practical recital, Edilyn was required to pass a grade 6 Theory examination.

Jessie Tang (Year 7)
Awarded the Associate of Music – Violin. Her recital program of works included: Winter from The Four Seasons – Vivaldi; Scene de Ballet - Charles de Beriot; Serenade Melancolique - Tchaikowsky and Banjo and Fiddle - William Kroll. A concert standard of performance of a minimum of 25 minutes is required, with at least one complete work performed from memory as per detailed specifications of the syllabus. This was also assessed by a panel of 2 specialist examiners and in addition to the practical recital for A.Mus.A., Jessie was required to achieve a credit for Grade 5 Theory examination.

Sophie Doan (Year 5) 
was also awarded the Associate of Music Australia – Pianoforte. Sophie presented a demanding program of works for her recital examination which included : - Prelude & Fugue No.13 in F-sharp Major from the Well-Tempered Clavier Book I, BWV 858 - J. S. Bach; Etude Op.25 No.2 in F Minor - F. Chopin; Sonata No.10 in C Major, K330 - W. A. Mozart and Romanian Folk Dances, Sz. 56- B. Bartók.

Congratulations to all 3 of these talented and dedicated students for their recent achievements!

Jenny Meachem
Head of Performing Arts

The major award of the evening was for Sportswoman of the Year and went to a deserving Yuxin Yang in Year 8.

We were lucky to have Elizabeth Dornom in attendance, a world-champion adventure racer who engaged in a formal Q and A session with the Sports Captains of 2023 and 2024.

David Wyatt
Head of Sport

After our rather long 24-hour plane trip we arrived in France to an absolute heat wave! It felt very ‘French.' Once we loaded our luggage onto our tour bus we were taken on a tour of the city and our first stop was to a typical French food market near Place de la Bastille. There we were in the middle of the biggest city in France and yet at this beautiful market, it felt like we could have been in the South of France. The heat, the beautiful shady plane trees, fresh fruit, vegetables, baguettes, cheese, saucisson and rotisserie chickens, the sounds of French people going about their Sunday food shopping and interacting with the market traders…it gave the girls the perfect opportunity to be immediately immersed in the French language. The girls interacted with the market vendors as they asked questions and bought market produce for a picnic lunch.

The coming days saw the girls enjoy a mix of French language classes and sight-seeing as well as trying out various French delicacies including but not limited to: crêpes, pain au chocolat, croissants, more crêpes, ice cream, Orangina (and the much sought-after Orangina lollies) and more!

They loved our boat tour on the Seine and getting to see the Eiffel Tower at sunset from the water, our visit to the Louvre Museum and a glimpse of the much-loved La Joconde (the Mona Lisa), our climb up the Eiffel Tower (and I do mean ‘climb’ – we had to take the stairs!) and watching it be lit up at night, our various experiences at French restaurants with patient and kind waiters helping the girls with their French, escargots, steak tartare. The experiences go on and on. Paris was definitely a highlight. Oh, and have I mentioned the girls enjoyed going shopping?

After Paris, we travelled out west to the Palace of Versailles where we marveled at the extravagance of the interiors and the magnificence of the vast gardens. We took a cooking class in Tours in the Loire Valley and tried our hands at making tomato tarte tatin and chocolate soufflés. We visited the Château Chenonceau and Léonardo Da Vinci’s Clos de Luce and then headed North to the wonderful Mont St Michel and St Malo. On our way back to Paris we visited Monet’s garden and home at Giverny and then all of a sudden there was only one day left. We made it a big one! A walking tour of Montmartre led by our lovely French guide, Karen, during which we found ourselves caught in the middle of the heaviest rainstorm any of us had experienced…many without umbrellas! Needless to say, a street trader made it big that day in umbrella sales! So after witnessing the interesting and rare sighting of a waterfall on a staircase in the heart of Montmartre we enjoyed a chocolat chaud on the Place du Tertre and were treated to a real insider’s guide to this beautiful village-like quartier of Paris. Our final activity was just as amazing. We were given the chance to experience the opulence of the Opera Garnier. Seeing the murals by Chagall on the ceiling was incredible, as was the whole interior! What a way to end our Tour de France!

After that, it was back on the bus, back to the airport and (after a flight of more than 24 hours) … back home.

It was an amazing trip, truly an experience the girls will remember for the rest of their lives. They were all inspired to continue their language journey and may even do more French homework in the future! Fingers crossed!

Virginia Prior
Head of Languages

It was lovely to see how proud every child was of their artwork, and they revelled in sharing their accomplishments with their family and friends. I am certainly honoured to be able to teach such open-minded, inquisitive, and imaginative young people who truly create magic every time they walk into my classroom.

To watch the video from the art show showcasing the student's talented work click here

Olivia Siddaway
Junior School Art Teacher

The play begins as several young children venture into the bush and stumble upon an abandoned orphanage. Their journey leads them into a timeless world haunted by the spirits of the past. As they investigate their surroundings, peeking into forgotten rooms, rummaging through old suitcases, and donning tattered clothing, they transform into various inhabitants of the institution. All are subject to the rule of the cruel and heartless governess, Miss Emily Greenant, who patrols the hallways with giant scissors by her side. One by one, the actors embody each memory and experience, narrating and acting out the children’s stories until the long-forgotten children of the orphanage are finally set free.

This production will be performed on Thursday the 9th of November at 7.30pm at Tay Creggan.

You can book your tickets here 

Claire Johns
Director of Productions

Contact James Sabell if you are interested in joining - 0401 747 339

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