BOOK WEEK Janet Dawson
‘Reading Brings Wonder’ was the theme for Book Week this year. Every day we are surrounded by God’s wonder filled creation! That was evident at ACC last week. The staff and students all arrived in their vibrant and creative outfits. Smiles went from ear to ear and laughter abounded. Each staff group dressed in a different theme; Noah’s Ark, Hungry Caterpillar, Book Boards, Crayons and more.
In our DE space, we had to do things a little differently. Each fortnight, we meet with our classes via a Google meet that we call ‘Class Connect.’ So for Primary DE we had our own little book character ‘parade’ where we got to dress up, talk about our outfits and our favourite book. Each teacher then read to their class group. Some of the teachers also recorded themselves reading a book in our studio at school and the students could go online and watch those videos as well. It was a great way to celebrate Book Week with the students that are spread out all across NSW.
DE PRIMARY CHAPEL Emily Peisley
Last week was the first time for DE primary Chapel, Chow and Chat to be broadcast live from our On Campus studio. 26 students in Years K-6 joined as we continued to look at the theme ‘God with Us: Big Feelings, Bigger God’.
We particularly looked at the emotion of sadness and saw how Godly sadness means that we are not stuck in our sadness with no hope or way out of the sadness. Because of Jesus, we can cry out to God and know that He is faithful. Even when things are hard, we can rely on God and have real hope.
Students enjoyed playing a game, singing songs, listening to the Bible and hearing some On Campus students share their experience with sadness.
It was a lot of fun, and we are looking forward to seeing what God has to say about the emotion of anger next Thursday at 12.00 pm.
YEAR 12 TRIAL HSC Luke Reifler
Our Year 12 DE students were on campus for their Trial HSC examinations during Weeks 3 and 4. I want to honour the courage and commitment of these students sitting exams they have worked towards for months, all in a new space! Some of these DE students had been on campus on earlier occasions for Practical Days (for certain subjects), but for some this was their first time visiting ACC Marsden Park. They gave each of their exams their best effort. The look of achievement and relief on their faces by the end of their final exam was precious and we wish them all the best for these final weeks of study before their schooling journey ends.
YEAR 11 PHYSICS Sarah Leffley
Five Year 11 students joined us on campus for the third time this year to conduct practical investigations in Physics. They enjoyed working collaboratively and experiencing physical phenomena such as the effects of static electricity in real life. Students were able to interact with a Van de Graaf generator, bend water with charged rods, build complex electric circuits and take precise measurements of voltage and current. The students enjoyed lunch in the sunshine and are growing increasingly confident in interacting with the laboratory and the scientific equipment. It gave me great joy to watch them discuss their observations, form (at times, wild) hypotheses and dispute these as they worked.
YEAR 11 CHEMISTRY Sharon Le Grange
Our Year 11 Chemistry class spent the day completing Chemistry practicals and practised answering examination questions. They made a galvanic cell and discussed the chemical reactions involved in making electricity. The heat of combustion of various alcohols was measured along with the problems encountered in this experiment. Endothermic reactions, which take in heat, were discussed. They also talked about entropy and students learnt about predicting the spontaneity of reactions. The class demonstrated their growing practical skills throughout the day showing confidence and curiosity.
YEAR 11 MUSIC Kaylie Neave
The Year 11 DE class made the most of the chance to collaborate and develop their performance skills in the M Block practice rooms. Students eagerly performed for one another and their teacher, further strengthening the vibrant culture that the DE Music students are cultivating with each other and Mrs. Neave.