We are just about half way through term 4, and that means students are beginning to transition from learning new concepts, to applying their skills. Traditionally, this is a time that triggers stress and leads to avoidance strategies. In English, students are well into their text study – time away from classes will have a significant impact on their ability to keep up. Attendance and participation are keys to success. Starting from next week, the English Homework Club will be running during first break for students who need support. This could look like catching up on missed lesson including viewing their film/documentary, finalising comprehension activities, and preparing editing their drafts.

This Term 8E have been studying speculative fiction. For their introduction to the science fiction genre, Ms Marks created a futuristic atmosphere complete with laser lights and space inspired music. After exploring the genre conventions and sharing their experiences with sci-fi texts, students enjoyed the opportunity to create their own alien for a brain break, and to discuss what could be out there in the far depths of space.

This week, our Year 9 Geography class taste tested some ‘foods of the future’. Sampling cheese and bacon flavoured dehydrated meal worms and sour cream and chives flavoured dehydrated crickets. Our Year 9 Geography class have been investigating the environmental impacts of traditional farming and exploring the viable alternatives, including meal worms. Eating meal worms may sound horrifying but they can actually be good for both you and the environment. New studies suggest mealworms are a viable and environmentally friendly substitute for traditional livestock offerings. Eaten in their larval forms, the worms have very high protein levels making them a feasible replacement for products such as chicken, pork, and beef. The crickets were various flavours, and we even had Mr Lynn visit us to sample some of these delicious delicacies!

Recently our Year 7 Japanese class enjoyed a tea ceremony at Nerima Gardens, Ipswich. It is a choreographic ritual of preparing and serving Japanese green tea, called Matcha, together with traditional Japanese sweets to balance with the bitter taste of the tea.

Preparing tea in this ceremony means pouring all one's attention into the predefined movements. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of tea from one's heart. The host of the ceremony always considers the guests with every movement and gesture. Our students were grateful for the opportunity to attend so close to Ripley!