Secondary Archives - Page 175 of 177

Year 7 Camp Highlights

Jo Dunn on 12/07/2018

Bags came rolling into the packed Auditorium foyer, where screams and chatter of students gave all the teachers migraines. Over the loud shrieks and excitement of giggling Year 7 students, teachers eventually succeeded at calling Guild rolls. Then it was off to camp we went…

After a long hour on the bus, we finally arrived at Woodman Point Recreation Camp. Everyone piled off the bus and unloaded the bags. Soon enough, we had dumped everything outside the dorms and were hungrily munching on our long-awaited recess. We then got straight into some fun team-building games, which included tug of war, tunnel ball and charades. These games took us into lunch. After we had some free time to play sport, look around, and most importantly, eat, we were all impatiently waiting to find out our dorm allocations. Before we knew it, we were all sprinting for the top bunk, unpacking our bags and energetically bouncing around with screams of delight.

Next on the agenda was activity number one. A small crowd of instructors met us outside our dorms, ready to show us one of the things that Woodman Point had to offer. These activities included: flying fox, vertical challenges, search and rescue, archery, orienteering, rock climbing, bike-riding and kite-making. A popular favourite was the adrenaline-filled flying fox!

The flying fox is a 100m long zipline, where you fly through the air at high speed. For some, it was a challenging activity, but for others, an epic ride. One at a time, the steep spiral staircase left each of us huffing and puffing, as we stepped up onto the 10m high platform. I was first and couldn’t wait to be clipped onto the fox. Before I knew it, the instructor had given me the all clear to jump. My stomach turned over as I realised how far I would be going and how high I was. My feet left the platform, and I was off. I could see the bright sun setting under the horizon, felt the wind blowing in my face and the frosty air entering my lungs. I flung my legs up around the rope and felt my hands let go. I was soaring through the air, 10m high, upside down. I felt the adrenaline rush as I slowed down and dropped the rope.

After two days of fun activities, delicious food and sleepless nights, our camp was over. It was time to pack our belongings and bring our bags to the buses. Camp was a fun, exhausting and challenging experience, which we all enjoyed!

Meg McAullay, Year 7 student

Year 8 Science Heart Dissection

Jo Dunn on 09/07/2018

The Year 8 students have been learning about the Respiration System and Circulatory System in Science this term. In Week 8 all students got to learn more deeply about the structures of these Systems and how they work together, by observing a lamb’s hearts and lungs. Following a demonstration, students had the opportunity to dissect a lamb’s heart. This experiment enabled students to gain an even deeper understanding of the hearts structures and functions. Once students got past the initial fears and squeamishness, they were very interested in the dissection and left the lesson with much excitement.

Janette Petrides, Science Teacher

Catholic Youth Summit

Jo Dunn on 09/07/2018

On Monday 25 June, Matthew Giumelli, Stephen Loreck, Clare Hogg and Cassandra Ledger attended the Catholic Youth Summit held at the University of Notre Dame. The Summit targets student leaders in Years 10 – 12 providing a forum to network, learn about Catholic leadership and share their hopes and concerns.

The theme of the 2018 Summit was “Your Voice is Needed – JOIN IN”. It asks us all to speak boldly and with passion, listen with an open and humble heart. With faith and guided by God’s Holy Spirit, we journey together, toward the future.

Highlights of the Summit included Sean Pollard’s talk about his comeback from the shark attack four years ago where he lost both his arms. Sean communicated the importance of appreciating life because of how quickly it can be taken away from you. Another highlight was meeting and getting to know Catholic student leaders from other schools from Western Australia. It was great to be able to share our own experiences and social justices concerns with like-minded people.

Special mention must go to Year 12 student Cassandra Ledger, who was the only student who spoke during the concurrent sessions. Cassandra confidently shared her life story in which she spoke about her personal faith journey and how she has been influenced by Summer School of Evangelisation, Remar and the Philippines Immersion.

Clare Cole, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy

Remar Red Ministry Event

Jo Dunn on 09/07/2018

The Year 10 Remar Red Rowers collaborated and bought in items to stock the ‘pantry’ at the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD).

CARAD is recognised as a respected voice for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and detainees and a provider of essential services, ensuring that all people seeking safety in Australia are able to live with dignity. Esther Deng from CARAD came to speak to us about life in Australia as an asylum seeker, refugee and detainee. She helped us to understand the struggle that people have when they are unable to access the basics in life, such as employment, education and healthcare. Before Esther arrived, we spent time making cards with messages of welcome for those who use the centre. It was a very inspiring afternoon.

Clare Cole, Leader of Youth Ministry and Advocacy

Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment 2018

Jo Dunn on 09/07/2018

At the request of the Western Australian Bishops, Year 3, Year 5 and Year 9 students in Catholic schools across Western Australia will take part in The Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment (BRLA) from the week commencing Monday 30 July in Term 3. All three year levels will access the assessment online.

Students enrolled in Year 3, Year 5 and Year 9 who are following a regular classroom program are expected to participate. Students with disability are also entitled to participate in the assessment. Exemptions may apply.

The Nature and Role of the BRLA

The Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment is a large-scale, standardized assessment that consists of a series of Religious Education (RE) tests developed and marked by the Office of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA). The purpose of the BRLA is to measure student learning of the content in the RE curriculum. Formal school and student reports are produced by the Office and will become available to schools in Term 4.

The BRLA provides a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student performance in RE. Students’ knowledge and understanding of the content of the RE curriculum is assessed using a combination of multiple choice, and short and extended response items. Students’ faith is not assessed. The use of the BRLA complements the school based assessment programs in RE.

Please contact your child’s teacher or Lisa Fogliani lisa.fogliani@newman.wa.edu.au if you have any enquiries regarding the administration of The Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment.