Year 7 & 8 Incursion
The Year 7 and 8 cohorts had heaps of fun during their incursion on Wednesday. The Marine Team celebrates the National Science Week by creating awareness of the future of our oceans and explores marine science and innovation to achieve long-term sustainability of our oceans.
This informative and entertaining sketch set to highlight what is ocean sustainability, how oceans impact our planet, solutions that generate healthy oceans and how YOU can help to ensure the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.
Year 9 Excursion – Mount Annan Botanical Gardens
Celebrating this year National Science Week – Species Survival – More than just sustainability, the Year 9 students visited Mount Annan Botanical Gardens taking part in a range of activities focusing on the Ecosystems module in from their Science curriculum. At the Plantbank and Herbarium, our Year 9 Scientists were introduced to the valuable research being done on freezing the seeds of plant species that are either sensitive to climate change, or under threat due to human activities such as urbanisation.
When successful, frozen in liquid nitrogen at -190 degrees Celsius, the seeds will be preserved for over 100 years, allowing our descendants to appreciate nature’s beautiful wonders. On their outdoor enquiry-based activity on Environmental Change and Management, students learnt how to analyse the pH and quality of soil samples before enjoying a relaxing, yet informative walk through one of the Botanical Gardens trials.
Year 9 Academic Seminar
The Year 9 Students enjoyed getting hands-on during their academic seminar on building structures to sustain natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes and hurricanes.
The activity was the practical component of the Plate Tectonics topic in their Science curriculum where they are learning about the movement of tectonic plates and its effects.
Year 10 Excursion - Australia Museum
As part of their Science curriculum, the Year 10 students embarked on a learning journey offering a scaffolded approach to exploring the topic of Evolution, Natural Selection and Geological Time.
The Australia Through Time learning journey through the Australian Museum introduced our curious young minds to Eric, the Pliosaur, the Thylacine and the Diprotodon. In addition to this, they investigated the impact the shifting of continents had on species survival, specifically how this influenced the life and death of dinosaurs.
Keeping to the theme of this year’s National Science Week – Species Survival – More than just sustainability, the learning journey though Australia’s history served as a timely reminder of the importance of looking after our natural resources and the devastating impact it may have if we do not.
Year 11 Biology Excursion - Minnamurra Rainforest
The Year 11 Biology excursion to Minnamurra Rainforest in New South Wales is an immersive experience designed to deepen students' understanding of rainforest ecosystems.
Nestled within Budderoo National Park, Minnamurra Rainforest provided a unique opportunity to explore diverse flora and fauna, observe ecological interactions, and to study the intricate balance of biotic and abiotic factors in a subtropical rainforest environment. Students were engage in hands-on activities such as species identification, data collection – both abiotic and biotic, all while experiencing the natural beauty and biodiversity that make this rainforest a vital area for conservation and scientific study. This excursion not only reinforces classroom learning but also inspires a greater appreciation for the complexity and importance of rainforest ecosystems in this awesome wonder of God – Earth.
Comment from Liz(Presenter): “Thank you for being such a lovely group of students. You do represent your school well and I wish you all the best with your studies and your future.” Joel Casanova was ask to say something in return and he replied with: “you are welcome.”
Calla Raats & Roderick Fortuin
Senior School Teacher - Science