Young Christ Workers - Post School Retreat

For any interested Year 12’s please contact YCS directly.

Expanding Our Horizons: Year 9 LIFE Week Perth City 2018

As part of the LIFE Week City Experience, a group of 91 Year 9 students, accompanied by nine staff set off to explore Perth City.

The itinerary provided for students to investigate their Big Ideas Winter Term question: Does the City C Us? As part of the project, students are working in teams to interrogate how well cities engage young people and to offer solutions for improving the engagement of young people through the lenses of the ‘Six C’s’ – Character, Communication, Citizenship, Critical and Creative Thinking and Collaboration.

Students were able to explore Perth City in a wide variety of ways, always keeping in mind how it appeals to young people. The students commenced with a walking tour of the CBD, which included looking at new landmarks like Elizabeth Quay and classic landmarks such as; Town Hall and His Majesties Theatre. In a contrast to the walking tour in the afternoon students attended the Perth City Library and participated in a presentation from Colin Krause Youth membership Coordinator from St Vincent de Paul Society where students learnt about homelessness in Perth City.

In a dynamic week for politics in Australia, students attended Parliament House and met their Local member Ms Jessica Shaw and were able to question her on issues such as public transport to and from Ellenbrook and new ventures such as an improved youth centre in Ellenbrook. Students were able to develop a deeper understanding of how governments are formed at the Constitutional Centre and learnt when they should register to vote and how their vote matters at the Electoral Education Centre.

Wednesday morning began with a street art walking tour, an excellent opportunity to experience the modernisation and evolution of previously disregarded city spaces, from laneways to multi storey murals on walls of buildings such as Central Tafe, students were able to explore modern art throughout their city.  That afternoon it was time to leave the city centre behind and venture into a natural space, Kings Park. Here students experienced a multitude of Kings Parks offerings, a community picnic and activities on the grassed areas, a moment of reflection at the war memorial, a view of the city from the lookout, the tree top walk and learning about Aboriginal heritage.

Thursday morning saw students participate in living city classrooms where students were able to engage closely with various spaces around Perth. On Lake Street students were able to visit a local butcher and discover their generational heritage, have a snapshot into how Italian Culture is represented in Perth with the opportunity to try some Italian Biscuits and cold meats from a local Delicatessen. Students explored the Perth Cultural centre, China Town and the new piazzas aimed at attracting young people and families into the city. Students were able to see the variety of cultures represented in the City.

In the afternoon students visited some of Perth’s best and newest attractions aimed at attracting youth: the Perth Zoo, Scitech and Optus Stadium. Students caught the ferry to the Zoo before spending the day learning about the many ways the Zoo engages youth. Students travelled across the Martagarup bridge before enjoying the finest stadium facilities in the country. At Scitech students were able to explore light before putting their minds to work in the tinkering space to design, create and test a flying craft.

On Friday students spent the morning collecting their thoughts and evaluating all the evidence they collected throughout the week, always wondering; Does the City ‘C’ us?  Students and staff then headed for St Mary’s Cathedral to share in a wonderful mass with the city’s parish community. After mass we moved to the Italian club for a feast of pizza, pasta and ice cream, we then used all that energy in a few games of bocce.

Mr Jamie Gotti

Year 9 Life week Coordinator

ACC Athletics Carnival G Division

Monday September 3 saw a squad of 109 athletes, reserves and student officials make their way to the WA Athletics Stadium for the G Division Athletics Carnival. In keeping with recent years we were blessed with perfect conditions to match a quiet confidence going into the day after finishing second the previous two years.

As the day progressed we found ourselves within reach of 1st position but unable to take the lead throughout the course of the day. As we headed to relays we knew we’d need to go exceptionally well to give ourselves a chance. We answered the call in spectacular fashion, winning six of the eight relays (finishing 2nd in the other two), some by the smallest of margins and others by a considerable distance.

The end result saw us clinch the G Division Carnival by 36 points, while also claiming the Overall Boys Shield and the Senior Boys Shield. Other achievements included the following students placing in the Champion and Runners Up for their respective age groups;

Zoe Watts- U15 Girls Champion

Isabelle Chilman- U14 Girls Runner Up

Lopudo Opio- U13 Boys Runner Up

As always, these days require full committment from an entire squad and the way the students fulfilled their roles, regardless of how big or small they were was admirable.

I would like to extend a massive thank you to Mr Falcone, Mr Pisano, Mrs Davini, Mr Elliott, Mr Buckley and Mr Wilson for the hours they gave to coaching the students through the 8 week training phase. This played a massive role in our achievements on the day.

As previously stated, our goal is to achieve sustainable success at ACC level so we will turn our eye continuing this climb next year.

Congratulations again to all involved.

Catholic Performing Arts Success

Congratulations goes to all students and staff involved in the 2018 Catholic Schools Performing Arts Festival which wrapped on Friday. This year, Holy Cross participated in:

- Secondary Drama Production @ Holy Cross College, Ellenbrook
- Secondary Piano Solo @ Zenith Music, Claremont
- Secondary Woodwind Solo @ Zenith Music, Claremont
- Secondary Solo Drama @ Chisholm College, Bedford
- Jazz Combo @ Sacred Heart College, Sorrento
- Contemporary Band @ Corpus Christi College, Bateman
- Secondary Christian Drama @ Mercy College, Koondoola
- Secondary Christian Dance @ Mercy College, Koondoola
- Primary Piano Solo @ Zenith Music, Claremont
- Primary Percussion Solo @ Trinity College, East Perth
- Primary Christian Dance @ Mercy College, Koondoola
- Primary Choral @ Vasto Club, Balcatta

The festival has run over the last seven weeks and produced some excellent results. HCC was lucky enough to also be asked to provide the Dramatisation of the Gospel as part of the Opening Mass at Infant Jesus Church, Morley to commence the Festival.

Special congratulations goes to the following items and students who have been selected as award winners for the 2018 Festival: 

- Christian Drama (Outstanding Award and Ron Dullard Shield for Christian Drama- Secondary for 'The Way of the Cross')

- Secondary Christian Dance (Excellence Award for 'Pilgrimage')

- Primary Christian Dance (Merit Award for 'The Way of the Cross')

- Secondary Drama Production (Excellence Award for 'Villain School')

- Eva Ladyman (Merit Award for Secondary Solo Drama)

A big thanks to all students and staff for an amazing effort and yet another successful festival for HCC!

Mr Chris McRae
Learning Area Coordinator (The Arts) 

Expanding Our Horizons: Year 9 LIFE Week Melbourne Canberra Tour 2018

As part of the LIFE Week City Experience, a group of 23 Year 9 students, accompanied by three staff set off to explore the cities of Melbourne and Canberra, before heading to the Snowy Mountains to experience skiing or snowboarding.

The city itineraries provided for students to investigate their Big Ideas Winter Term question: Does the City C Us? As part of the project, students are working in teams to interrogate how well cities engage young people and to offer solutions for improving the engagement of young people through the lenses of the ‘Six C’s’ – Character, Communication, Citizenship, Critical and Creative Thinking and Collaboration.

The tour group first headed to Melbourne where students were able to explore a wide range of ways that the city of Melbourne appeals to young people. The students took a walking tour of the CBD, including looking at the ways in which dark alleyways have been transformed as works of street art or been turned into cultural experiences. Students visited the Australian Centre for the Moving Image where they considered different uses of technology to engage young people in all things film and sound. They explored the diversity of the Queen Victoria Markets and experienced a football game at the iconic MCG. Students learnt about the legend of Ned Kelly and how the city of Melbourne preserves the legacy of the Ned Kelly story through the Old Melbourne Gaol and the State Library. Students had some shopping time in the city and experienced Melbourne’s tram network.

The tour then flew to Canberra for three days of exploring the nation’s Capital. The visit to Canberra served as both another city to explore for their Big Ideas project as well as a culmination and enrichment of student’s learning in Civics and Citizenship, History, Geography and Science. Students visited a wide range of Civics and educational attractions including Federal Parliament House and the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the National Library, The National Film and Sound Archive, the National Portrait Gallery, the CSIRO and Questacon. Along the way, students considered how Canberra city engages young people with Australia’s national icons and parliamentary process.

In the last phase of the tour, students and staff headed for the snowfields at Smiggin Holes in the Snowy Mountains. Students spent two days developing their skills in either skiing or snowboarding. The tour was a great success and a week of living life to the full.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education. To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion, the Australian Government has contributed funding of $240.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs. The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion.

Ms Karen Taylor

Year 9 Learning Innovator

29 August 2018

Students Get Dramatic - CPA Week 7

The final week of the 2018 Catholic Performing Arts Festival is well underway and this week will feature the Secondary Piano and Solo Drama sections to wrap up another successful festival for HCC. Year 8 student Samara Edwards and Year 9 Tiara D'Lima performed in the Solo Piano section at Zenith Music on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively and both girls put in wonderful performances. Year 9 students Eva Ladyman and Gurleen Dhillon travelled to Chisholm College today to perform their scripted monologues in the Secondary Solo Drama section and Tiara D'Lima will perform hers tomorrow. This week marks the end of seven weeks of fantastic creativity, student performance and effort. The Catholic Arts calendar will wrap up for this term with the Festival Concert at the Perth Concert Hall in Week 9 and Catholic Carnevale later that week. HCC's results and awards for the 2018 Festival will be announced next week. A huge thanks to all the students and staff who have been involved in what has been a very busy but enriching seven weeks!

Mr Chris McRae
Learning Area Coordinator (The Arts)

Year 7 LIFE Week: What’s the Problem With Plastic?

Year 7 LIFE Week 2018 was a busy and engaging time for all Year 7 students and staff. The focus of the week was to explore sustainability issues and to engage with practical skills that contribute to living a low-waste life.

On Monday, the students continued their journey along the Camino Salvado, walking from Maylands to Guildford. Along the way, the students collected all the rubbish they came across. It was wonderful to see the Year 7s make a positive imprint on their environment.

On Tuesday, the students left the college again, bound for consecutive excursions to Red Hill Waste Management Centre and Whiteman Park. At Red Hill, the students were disgusted to see the amount of waste created by the local area in recent weeks. This provoked lively discussion at the students’ stop at the Discovery Centre as they considered the impact of their own choices. At Whiteman Park, the students learned about the threats facing the West Australian environment and assisted in planting new trees.

Wednesday and Thursday brought a series of workshops in which the students explored new, hands-on ways to reduce their waste and to limit their exposure to chemicals. From cooking healthy treats, to creating body scrub, making beeswax wraps, knitting, making bags and undertaking scientific experiments the students got their hands (very) dirty and realised how much they were capable of.

By Friday, the students had embraced the challenge of ‘Zero Waste Week’ and were using their new beeswax wraps to package their lunches. Friday began with a visit from the Water Corporation, who taught the students about the treatment of waste water in Perth and invited them to create their own ‘waste water.’

The students continued the water theme with a water filtration challenge outside. The soon discovered how challenging it can be to access fresh water for those without a clean water supply.

The week concluded with a visit from Perth Zero Waste activist Lindsay Miles. Lindsay explained how it is possible to live with limited waste and also how she walked the Camino de Santiago producing as little rubbish as possible. The students were captivated by Lindsay’s story and asked numerous questions about what they can do to have such an impact.

LIFE Week was a wonderful experience for all the Year 7 students and staff. Now, the students face the challenge of preparing for their exhibition in Week 9, where they will demonstrate their understanding of ‘The Problem With Plastic!’

Miss Emilie Reynolds

Year 7 Innovator