Humanities and Languages
Big things were promised in the last newsletter, and I will not disappoint!
Year 8 Geography
Students have been looking at landscapes and landforms in their close natural and built environments. We are quite spoiled here at RVSSC with the wonderful views of our surrounding landscapes. Some students in Year 8 recently had the opportunity to learn the skill of line drawing in Geography. Students sit (usually in a row) and look out to the landscape, where they draw and then label key features of the natural and built areas.
Year 9 History
This term, students have been studying World War I. To start the unit, they engaged in an activity called ‘Alliances’. This was to help students understand the different alliances and friendships that were in place prior to the start of the First World War. It also gave them an understanding of how those shifted and changed throughout the war. Although the activity had some ‘wrong answers’ in there, it gave students a deeper understanding of the complications of political partnerships at this time, and how these impacted the conflict that was World War I. We aim to do this again at the end of the unit as a reflective tool.
Library Display
We also have a wonderful display in the library at the moment, on loan to us from the ANZAC Commemoration Committee for the next month or so. We were able to get our hands on a fantastic kit compiled by the Committee for us to use in classes, and to display in the school. It contains a treasure trove of objects containing artefacts such as political posters, uniforms, a full kit bag (with eating utensils and cutlery, wound packs, sewing kits), medals (including a Victoria Cross), a World War I trumpet, a bike lamp and torches. One of the most precious items is a Princess Mary cigarette tin and Christmas Card from WWI. The list of items is as long as my arm, but each one more fascinating than the last. These items are artefacts from all of the major conflicts Australia has been involved in, but quite a lot have come from the First and Second World Wars. This has created wonderful student engagement, not only for Year 9s, but across all students at school. I had a conversation with a student in the library earlier this week that reinforced for me the importance of History. The student was holding a torch in her hands, and said: “Miss, I just realised that an actual soldier has held this in their hands.”
“Yes”, I replied. ‘That’s pretty cool hey?”
“Miss, I am literally holding History in my hands right now! What did he do? Where was he located? What conflict was it?” As each question flew out, her eyes became brighter and brighter.
It was the perfect example of a ‘learning lightbulb’!
Cecilia Hall
Head of Department - Humanities and Languages - Year 9E to 9G
Japanese
This Term, the Year 7 students have restarted their online lessons with Mr Kawana and his new students in Japan at the Chiba University Junior High School which has been quite exciting for them. Yesterday, the students listened to the hobbies and favourite subjects from the Japanese students. Our students did find the conversation to be fast. This is a weekly lesson and we welcome any student at Ripley who would like to be part of the exchange. If there is a student who would like to have some experience with an international exchange, they can contact Ms Wellwood or their teacher.
The Year 9 students are utilising all their writing skills for hiragana, katakana and kanji by writing letters to our sister school students. They are working very hard and I am proud of their efforts!
We are currently planning a trip to Japan. At this time, the approximate costs will be $5000 to travel during the 2025 Easter holidays. We will keep you informed. Start saving now!
The students are already collaborating and planning a few fundraising ideas such as tie dye t-shirts in Japanese colours, selling mochi and sushi, having a book fair and many more exciting ideas!
Georgina Wellwood
Japanese Teacher