Junior School Week 9 Autumn Term Update

Kindergarten

It is hard to believe we are at the end of the term, where has that time gone? The highlight for this fortnight has been working on our fundraiser for St Vincent De Paul. Last week, our buddies came to help us create some posters to place around the school to advertise our muffin bake sale. The final designs were also shared during HTG when some of the brave Kindy students spoke in front of the huge Senior School students to promote the fundraiser. On Thursday we ventured to the Food Technology room, which was filled with ovens and sinks and lots of different kitchen equipment, where our buddies helped us to bake our muffins from scratch. There was a lot of excellent measuring and mixing (and thankfully no taste testing during the process!) At lunchtime we set up our shop at the café and waited for our first customers. The children’s advertising must have worked too well because we had sold out of muffins in minutes! After lunch we counted our money to discover we had raised a total of $58 for the poor. We were very proud of our efforts.

A special thank you to Mrs Brown and her class for all of their help. 

 

Year One

Lot’s of fascinating things have been happening in Year One this fortnight! During integrated lessons we’ve been looking at the ‘Elements of Art’. The students have explored how lines, shapes and colour can change the dynamics of a picture. They have also learnt the element of ‘value’ to show the shadow of an object. 

We were lucky enough to see the set for the Lockie Leonard production. Mr McRae showed us the effects of the lights on the stage and discussed how much work has been put into preparing for the show. The Year One’s were very impressed by the wave on the backdrop. 

The Year Eight students showcased their ‘Antarctica Big Ideas’ projects. We learnt that we need to be very careful with our environment because Antarctica is melting. 

During PATHs and Religious Education lessons we have made webs with wool. We said compliments about each other for PATHs and discussed ways we use our bodies for Religion. 

Year Two

Wow!  What a busy few weeks the Year Two’s have had!  We have been cooking with our Childcare buddies, learning fundamental movement skills with the Year 10-12 Physical Education students, completing math projects and preparing our information books on animals.

In Mathematics we are discovering the use of tallies and bar graphs.  The children created questions, collated data and then worked out how to present the data in a graph.  They are also learning the language of probability and using it in their graphing.

This week we celebrated our first class Liturgy.  The children practised leading up to the day.  This was reflected in the fantastic readings and behaviour on the day.  Father Bona provided a very entertaining homily where we had to tell him the three words that we should always use, "Please, Thank You, and I'm Sorry".  A big thank you is extended to the parents who were in attendance.

Upcoming Events

Playground Installation

The Junior School nature playground is not far away. Installation is due to commence during the term break. Artist Nick Compton and Andrew Baldry of Exclusive Landscapes Australia are busy preparing the pieces that will be constructed. Here is a sneak peek of a few pieces.

  

   

The following events are scheduled for Week 10 in the ELC:

• Pre Primary hosted assembly Monday 30 June at 2:15pm
• School banking and Library borrowing Thursday 3 July
• Learning Conversations Wednesday 2 July and Thursday 3 July
• Early Close 12pm Thursday 3 July
• End of Term Assembly Friday 4 July after lunch

Year 10 Geography Visit from Wildlife Carers

Following their trip to Perth Zoo for their inquiry task, Year 10 Geography students were visited by Animal Carers from Chittering Wildlife Carers who presented an informative talk on the issues facing local wildlife including ways that local people can better help to care and protect our native species.

Students had the opportunity to meet Bob, a red tailed cockatoo as well as two young kangaroo joeys including Tick-a-Tack, a friendly Joey who took great interest in the students and her bottle of milk!

Year 10 Geography Trip to Perth Zoo

This week, Year 10 Geography students attended a field trip to Perth Zoo to collect primary data for their Geography Inquiry task: Biodiversity and Endangered Species. Students met teachers at the Perth Train Station before heading to Barrack Street Jetty to board the ferry to the zoo. When we arrived we were presented with a lecture called 'Save Our Species' by Perth Zoo staff. Students were asked to consider which of a number of species were most at risk of endangerment given a range of different scenarios. This was followed by the opportunity for students to have a close encounter with a Woma Python.

The students then visited enclosures around the zoo to make observations and collect data on the endangered or threatened species they have chosen to focus on for their inquiry, including using their iPads to photograph and collect video footage. 

                                               

How will we warn the world?

Towards the end of the term, the Year 8's have been creating texts to inform a chosen audience about the value of Antarctica and what people can do to preserve it.

There were an array of picture books, mini documentaries, social media campaigns and even some songs! 

Below is a poem written by three of the Year 8 students:

ANTARCTICA.

Ice, never ending, a majestic work of art,

A place I hold dear, to my small, icy heart.

A crystallised kingdom of icicle rows,

A wonder, a masterpiece, the place I call home.

An enchanting haven, with a touch of mystery.

With a fascinating past and a cold, unknown history.

Could its value be more than just sentimental?

Can this place have affects that are intercontinental?

In truth, you need it, just as much as I.

A small, helpless bird, who cannot even fly.

"Why do I need it?", you may ponder so.

You may be blind to it, yet, I promise, you shall know.

It is more than animals, it means more than beauty,

It is an important place, with a long line of duty.

Take care, dispose of waste

We have to take care of this wonderful place.

If the ice were to melt, it would be a memory, nothing more.

No ice on the beach, but a lonely, barren shore

Global temperatures are sure to rise,

Though climate change may not surprise.

Disease will be brought by this temperature change,

And illness-carrying-insects will spread wider-range.

Floods will be caused, by the crystal waters now,

though the rise of sea-level does explain how.

Your costal cities? All underwater.

Now, when you look, you may see beyond beauty,

You may recognise Antarctica's vastly spread duty.

If your reckless ways are not changed.

Antarctica will be a monster, a wild beast untamed.

I may be small, I may be defenceless.

Yet I must warn you to come to your senses.

Alone, you too may have no impact,

But together, we can fix that.

By Tanika M, Lexie and Angela.

Some students created beautiful picture books to warn a younger audience of the perilous future of Antarctica:

At the end of Week 9 Big Ideas, the Year 8's were joined by the Year 1 and Year 2 classes, who came to learn a little bit about Antarctica. These students buddied up with the Year 8's who enjoyed sharing their projects with such an enthusiastic audience!

Thanks so much to the Year 1 and 2 classes for coming to visit us!

Week 9 marked the end of Big Ideas for Autumn term. The Year 8's have done a wonderful job with this term's question, and we look forward to tackling some new challenges next term!

Miss Emilie Reynolds

Learning Innovator, Year 8.

What will save the World?

Year 7 students have spent this term investigating 'What will save the World... Honey bees or Computer chips?'
Having completed the inquiry process for both sides, for their final assessment, the students are being asked to think critically and weigh up all of their findings from the past few weeks, in order to answer the big question. Students will be presenting a picture to show what they think is most important in saving the world, accompanied by a paragraph to explain why they have chosen the picture they have. Students are also expected to explain how their knowledge of the world around them has been changed by studying both sides of the inquiry process.
All work will be on display at the Learning Journey at the end of the term.

Term 2 “Battle of the Brooks” Competition

During Term 2 students had an opportunity to participate in the “Battle of the Brooks” Inter-School Competition. The three teams for this term's competition were: Senior Girls Netball, Senior Boys Soccer and Junior Boys Basketball.

The competition involved playing against local schools Ellenbrook Secondary College, Bullsbrook College, Swan Valley Anglican Community School and Ellenbrook Christian College. The competition was strong and there were a few close games.

We were fortunate to have Grand Final appearances from all three of our teams, which is an amazing achievement for such a new and developing school.

In the three Grand Finals, the Senior Boys Soccer had a very solid second half but went down 4-nil to Swan Valley Anglican Community School. The Junior Boys Basketball team came home very strongly but unfortunately also went down 46-34 to Ellenbrook Secondary School. The Senior Girls Netball final was competitive, playing against a fierce Ellenbrook Secondary School. Our girls managed to stand tall, never stopped fighting and were victorious by one goal. The final score was 17-16. Congratulations to the Senior Girls Netball team. All players involved in this term’s competition must be congratulated for their commitment to their team and school and their determination to win.

The Senior Boys Soccer team was coached by Mr Matt Hughes, captained by Ajang Ajang (Year 12), and included, Charles Tuxworth (Year 10), Sionyn McNally (Year 10), Atem Chol (Year 10), Josh Tolich (Year 10), Kane D’Amico (Year 10), Rohan Wastyll – Lynch (Year 10), Jordan Gomez (Year 10), Elliot Hogg (Year 10), Liam D’Cruz (Year 9), Scott Varady (Year 9), Tristan Chilman (Year 9), Chad van der Merwe (Year 9) and Emmaunuel Yakani (Year 9).

The Senior Girls Netball team was coached and umpired by Mrs Christina Davini and Mrs Fiona de Courcier, captained by Georgia Heggs (Year 12) and vice- captain, Teagan Barone (Year 12), and included, Abby Fry (Year 12), Jessica McLachlan (Year 11), Sharni Simmonds (Year 11), Abbey Clayton (Year 11), Amy Dangerfield (Year 10), Lauren Ford (Year 10) and Hensey Patel (Year 10).

The Junior Boys Basketball team was coached by Mr Brendan Buckley, captained by Ben Chapman (Year 9), and included, Nicholas Baxter (Year 7), Yugusuk Soka (Year 9), Fred Ruremesha (Year 8), Connor Calitz (Year 8), Jeremy Lim (Year 8), Brenton Hilton (Year 8), Trae Bolton (Year 8), Alou Ajang (Year 8), Emmanuel Soka (Year 7), Jayden Minus (Year 7) and Chris McCarthy (Year 7). Assisting as umpires and coaching for this team was Ajang Ajang (Year 12) and Emanuel Malual (Year 12).

We not only made all three Grand Final games, but we also managed a clean sweep in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. Ajang Ajang and Georgia Heggs were very convincing winners of the Senior Boys Soccer and Senior Girls Netball MVP awards. Fred Ruremesha also won the Junior Boys Basketball MVP and shared this award with another student from Ellenbrook Community College. Congratulations Ajang, Georgia and Fred - you are very worth recipients.

A special thank you to all the students, parents and staff that came down to show their support. It was great to see the pom poms and banners and hear the cheers from the sidelines.

Mrs Christina Davini

Frayne House Coordinator
Health & Physical Education Teacher

WA Schools Orienteering Championships

On Wednesday 18 June, a small group of Year 7 and 8 students participated in Western Australia’s largest annual orienteering event, the Be Active WA Schools Championships, held at Whiteman Park in the Swan Valley.

Orienteering is a cross-country navigation sport. Participants use a map and compass to find their way around a marked course, traditionally on foot and in the bush. At the race start, the students are given a pre-marked course map, they then navigate to all the control points in sequential order until they reach the finish. 

On the day all students performed to the best of their ability.  A special mention must go to Michaela Maynard, who took out second place in the Girls 15 and under A Division and Hannah Schnell who placed fourth in the same category.

Next year, Holy Cross College looks forward to competing again and with a few more students in the future.

Mrs Christina Davini

Frayne House Coordinator

Health & Physical Education Teacher

Week 8 Autumn in the Junior School

Week 8 has provided much excitement in the Junior School. The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students explored mushy flour leaving a trail of white footprints to retrace. The Pre Primary class have continued on their Dr Seuss journey creating their very own Seussland. 

The Year One and Two students are researching animals and composing information reports. They have also been treated to specialised coaching from the Physical Education Studies students and Mrs Davini. The Year Two class have been busy practising for the Junior School liturgy on Tuesday 24 June at 9am in the Church. Families are welcome to attend.

The Library is now operational and children are encouraged to swap their books on Thursday mornings with Mrs Azzopardi in the ELC Da Vinci. 

Mrs Breadsell has been busy setting up Dollarmite accounts for student banking. Students can make deposits on Thursdays before school.

Thank you to the parents who have been volunteering in the mornings and during session times to listen to students read and assist with class activities. Your assistance provides students with extra opportunities to develop their reading fluency and confidence. 

Miss Croswell

Head of Junior School

Our deepest sympathies to Ms Mandy Connor and her family on the passing of her beloved mother Mrs Mary Kathleen Connor

It is with great sadness that I write to advise the passing of Mrs Mary Kathleen (Kath) Connor, the mother of our College Principal, Ms Mandy Connor.

Ms Connor was with her father and four sisters over the past week as her mother passed away peacefully after a short illness.

Ms Connor’s mother was an adventurous person, full of life and loved to go fishing. Ms Connor would visit her mother and father every week and will miss her mother deeply.

As a College community we extend our deepest sympathies to Ms Connor and her family and offer our love and support during this sad time.

We are comforted at this time by our faith in the risen Lord, that through him we may have eternal life.

God our Father,

Your power brings us to birth,

Your providence guides our lives,

and by Your command we return to dust.

Lord, those who die still live in Your presence,

their lives change but do not end.

I pray in hope for my family,

relatives and friends,

and for all the dead known to You alone.

In company with Christ,

Who died and now lives,

may they rejoice in Your kingdom,

where all our tears are wiped away.

Unite us together again in one family,

to sing Your praise forever and ever.

Amen.

Mr P. Collins

Vice Principal