Science
Welcome back to Term 4 to all our RVSSC community members. I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing break and time was spent with loved ones. As we return to the classroom in Term 4, it is important for students to review their current goals and set new goals, looking at strategies they can put in place to help them achieve these goals. As always, students will be supported by our amazing staff to reach their potential and encourage them to work towards these goals throughout the remainder of this Term.
This Term our students will continue to connect the learning that occurs within the science classroom to their lives outside of school and we encourage them to be critical and creative thinkers by utilising the inquiry skills they learn.
Our Year 7 students will investigate Earth Sciences this Term; developing an understanding of Tides, Seasons, and Climates, all of which occur due to the relationship of Earth to The Moon and Sun. This unit develops their research and inquiry skills, with multiple lessons dedicated to practising these skills throughout the Term. For their assessment, students will research key questions and climate data to produce a multi-modal presentation.
Year 8 classes will be covering their Biology unit on Cells and Reproduction. This unit will focus on human reproduction and physiology, with a particular emphasis on topics such as the menstrual cycle. At all times, this unit is in alignment with the Australia Curriculum and will be taught scientifically. As educators, cultural understanding and sensitivity will be held with upmost importance. If there are any queries about the content within this unit or the resources used, please do not hesitate to contact your student’s teacher. Assessment for this Term is an exam.
The Year 9 students will investigate the Earth’s structure by delving into the different layers of Earth, Continental drift and Pangaea, Tectonic plates, Greenhouse gases and Climate. Students will also sit an exam at the end of Term.
The Year 10 students continue on their varied pathways in this shorter term with both the Psychology and Chemistry classes continuing their semester units, both of which will sit an exam at the end of the Term. Our Core science classes are investigating motion, and calculating speed, velocity, and acceleration, and finish the Term with an exam. The Foundation class has started their new unit this term to look at Science inquiry skills, modelled around the senior Science in Practise subject. Students will explore concepts such as The Big Bang and Evolution.
We look forward to another exciting Term and wish all our students the best as they get back in to the learning routines within all their classes
Tim Barclay
Acting Head of Department - Science