Welcome back to Term 4!

Term 4 is notorious for flying by.  For this reason, it is important that students apply themselves consistently across the Term.

On our first assembly for the Term, Mr Pym emphasised the importance of consistent effort every day, rather than cramming everything in at the last minute. This will be particularly important for our Year 10’s who will finish at the end of Week 8 of this Term.

During Term 4 our cohorts will be studying the following units:

Year 7 – From the Director’s Chair

In this unit, students will create an analytical text that describes and explains directorial choices that position audiences to respond in particular ways. For example, how does the director represent ‘good’ and ‘evil’?

Year 8 – To Infinity and Beyond

In this unit, students will explore speculative fiction and one of the sub-genres it encompasses. Students will engage with a range of texts including short stories, novel extracts, film and television extracts. They will develop their understanding of how texts are influenced by context, purpose and audience. Students will consider the value of the speculative fiction genre within the real-world context by using informative texts, technical and content information from various sources about specialised topics. Students will create a persuasive video blog that persuades readers to share their perspective on the relevance of speculative fiction to contemporary audiences.

Year 9 – An Inconvenient Truth

In this unit, students will view and analyse a variety of documentary films (extracts and in full) including those that put forward different perspectives on a number of issues. They analyse the text structures (visual and auditory) and language devices used in each film to  create particular effects  and meaning; developing their understanding of how texts are influenced by context, purpose and audience. Students will evaluate  the effectiveness or potential harm of a particular  film  in making a comment on a social issue.   

Year 10 Foundation English – Representations of Issues

In this unit student will explore a range of written and visual texts on a particular issue/concept. They will identify and explain how the texts use language features and text structures to create representations. Students will evaluate other interpretations of texts, analysing the evidence used to support them. They will listen  for ways features within texts can be manipulated to achieve particular effects. Students will explore the cultural assumptions/ values/ attitudes/ beliefs presented in the texts. They will complete a short response exam where they will respond to one seen written text and one unseen visual text.

Year 10 General English – Good Reads

In this unit, students will complete an in-depth study of a play, short story or novel. Students will read and analyse the text, examining how the characters are developed and shaped by the attitudes, values and beliefs of the culture or society in which they live. They will consider the text structures and language features as tools for making meaning. Students will respond to a seen question/statement in an analytical essay, under exam conditions.

Year 10 Extension English – Ideas Worth Spreading

In this unit, students will explore and understand the purpose of a TED Talk as a contemporary contributor to the development of culture and social values. They will view and deconstruct a variety of TED Talks that range in content, purpose and delivery. Students will consider how TED Talks are constructed to impact on their audience, and their ability to inform, persuade and entertain. They will explore and develop presentation skills that will enhance the delivery of their own TED Talk. Students will nominate and then investigate topics that are suitable for the ‘Youth Speak – TEDx event'. They will plan, write, rehearse and present their TED Talk either live or digitally. 

Year 7 Humanities – Ancient Egypt

Year 7 are being historical detectives and investigating the death of Tutankhamun. They will be examining sources and medical reports to piece together evidence that supports their hypothesis. Was it murder? An accident? A medical condition?... A hippo? The Year 7's are working to solve a 3000-year-old mystery!

Year 8 – Landforms and Landscapes

‘Landforms and landscapes’ focuses on investigating geomorphology through a study of landscapes and their landforms. This unit examines the processes that shape individual landforms, the values and meanings placed on landforms and landscapes by diverse cultures, hazards associated with landscapes and management of landscapes. ‘Landforms and landscapes’ develops students’ understanding of the concept of environment and enables them to explore the significance of landscapes to people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These distinctive aspects of landforms and landscapes are investigated using studies drawn from Australia and throughout the world.

Year 9 – Biomes and Food Security

‘Biomes and food security’ focuses on investigating the role of the biotic environment and its role in food and fibre production. This unit examines the biomes of the world, their alteration and significance as a source of food and fibre and the environmental challenges and constraints on expanding food production in the future. These distinctive aspects of biomes, food production and food security are investigated using studies drawn from Australia and across the world.

Year 10 History – Australian Migration: 1945-Present 

In this unit, students examine the impact of changing government policies on Australia’s migration patterns; from the abolition of the White Australia Policy, to the need to ‘Populate or Perish’ post WWII, and the arrival of refugees in the wake of the Vietnam War. Students will evaluate the contribution of migration to Australia’s changing identity as a nation, and to it's international relationships. Through the study of the unit, students will come to understand the context of Australia’s multiculturalism and appreciate the benefits of living in a culturally inclusive society. 

Year 10 Legal Studies – Evidence and Forensics

This unit aims to introduce students to Forensic Science and its use as a reliable source of evidence in both criminal and civil cases. An examination of a number of areas such as trace evidence, handwriting, DNA analysis and fingerprinting will develop student understanding of these areas and their usefulness in Law enforcement. Students will also examine a number of cases where the reliability of forensic evidence had a major impact on the outcome of the case and present their findings in an inquiry report.

The Japanese students in Year 7 and 8 have had a very industrious (isogashii) and creative Term 3. The Japanese learners have created role-plays which have been entered into the Japan Foundation’s Video Matsuri (festival). Mr Sogathur has edited the films by using green screen technology. We wish the students well in this engaging competition and we also commend them on their teamwork, commitment and resourcefulness to include the furoshiki signature item in the preparation for their performances while they were filmed after school.

Additionally, the Japanese students have been engaging with our sister school in Japan. On October 5th, we were online via Skype connecting with staff and students at another school, Fuzoku which is an associated Junior High School of a University due to our first school, Sammu Boyou’s teacher being on maternity leave. Recently, we were very pleasantly surprised to receive a parcel in the post from our sister school. It is a strong part of Japanese culture to show gratitude and appreciation in the form of gifts, and often hand-made gifts. Our students received paper, maps and souvenirs including a local mascot called Chiba-kun. This suffix ‘kun’ is a term of endearment in Japan and our students are looking forward to taking Chiba-kun on excursions. The upcoming Tea Ceremony at Nerima Gardens on the 14^th October will be Chiba-kun’s first outing with the Year 7 students in Australia.

During the last week in Term 3, Year 7 created their Cherry Blossom and Jacaranda Tree collages which were made out of wool and tissue paper. They celebrated the end of term by also writing haiku poems and planting trees and shrubs for our school.

We congratulate Nathan, Ella and AJ for their Credits awards in the 2022 Languages Competitions Education Perfect which was held online from the 10^th to the 12th August.

Thank you to Ms Wellwood for her contribution to this article.

We are really excited for the Term ahead and wish your child the best in their academic pursuits.