LIFE Week 2015 (Curriculum Enrichment Week)

In Term 3, Week 6,  Holy Cross will once again embark on LIFE Week.

The week is designed to allow students to learn outside of the classroom. The learning over this week is heavily connected to curriculum areas, especially in the Junior School and in Years 7, 8, 9 where it is intimately linked to the terms Big Ideas question. In the Senior School, the focus is very much around future focus and spirituality.

As you know, all year groups at the College work within a theme with a College patron focus and this is nowhere more evident than over LIFE Week.

Please see below for the week in brief  (Junior, Middle and Senior School)

Junior School - During LIFE Week the Junior School students will use their inquiring minds, generate ideas, reflect on and analyse their findings. A variety of activities will contribute to the exploration of the BIG Ideas: “How can I look after myself?” in Kindergarten; “Let’s save the earth one step at a time, or can we?” in Pre-Primary; the Year Ones will ask, “how do ‘they’ make a difference?”; and Year Two and Three are aiming to solve, “Where in the world?”.
A mixture of excursions, incursions, and visits from special guests will be offered during normal school times. Each Year Level will provide a more detailed overview early in Winter Term. Parent help will be required across the week so please keep your calendars free!

Year 7 -  The week will begin with a Camino walk and then will be heavily based in Ellenbrook and surrounds as the focus is on 'The next big thing for Ellenbrook".  Students will travel to Guildford and will be cycling and/or walking in and around Ellenbrook. The final day will include a sausage sizzle to which all parents will be invited.
 
Year 8 - Students in Year 8 will spend the first two days divided between a Camino walk and a College day retreat. For the final three days, they will travel to New Norcia for their 3 day Learning overnight Camp where the big question will be around 're-energising the past'. Students will travel to New Norcia by coach and will be home by the close of school on Friday.


Year 9 -  Year 9 sees a focus around the city of Perth. For the first time, some of our Year 9's will travel to Canberra for LIFE week where they will answer the same big question as those based in Perth. Part of the project will see a great compare and contrast, post LIFE week, on what is indeed the greatest city of Aus! Students will make their way into the cities each day and then will complete a series of highly structured activities around the big question.


Year 10 -  The week for Year 10 will begin with two days of Christian Service Learning, followed by a social justice retreat at the college. The final two days will be centered around future focus where students will have sessions at the College around building up their study skills. They will also travel to various State Training Providers and Universities.
 
Year 11 - Year 11 will walk a section of the Camino on day one, they will visit various State Training Providers and Universities on day two and the final 3 days will see them travel to Eagles Nest in Gidgegannup for their overnight Retreat.


Year 12 - Year 12 will begin the week with two days of the Camino - building up their connection and understanding of pilgrimage - fantastic as this is also a huge part of the Stage 3 Religion and Life programme. On the Tuesday, they will walk into New Norcia where a two day overnight Retreat will begin around 'taking the long view'. The final day for Year 12 will see them visiting universities of their choice or spending a day of work experience in a career of their choosing.  Placement forms have been given to students today.

TO NOTE
Letters for LIFE week will come home to all parents in Week 2 of next term. The letters will give a full outline of the week and will include permission slips and medical forms if a camp is involved. It is essential that all reply slips are returned by the due date.

Please note that some days will be longer than a usual school day given the nature of the activities such as Camino walks and camps.


Anita Walmlsey and Melissa Crosswell