HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Mr Jonathan Brayshaw
On Thursday 16 May, our College Captains, Rhys Sultana and Elisabeth Cain, had the distinguished opportunity to attend a student leadership excursion at the Parliament of NSW. Their experience was enriched by the privilege of meeting The Hon. Prue Car, Deputy Premier for NSW and Minister for Education and Early Learning. Additionally, they observed question time in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, toured Government House, and received an address from the NSW Governor. We extend our gratitude to Rhys and Elisabeth for their exemplary representation of our College and their ongoing leadership and service within our community.
We are pleased to announce that the Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Evening will take place on Wednesday 3 July, from 6.30pm to 8.00 pm. This event is specifically designed for current Year 10 students and their parents and carers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the Higher School Certificate (HSC), the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), Vocational Education and Training (VET) Options, and the various courses that may be offered in Year 11 for 2025. We encourage all Year 10 families to participate in this informative evening.
Establishing consistent routines is crucial for nurturing discipline and responsibility in our students. Arriving at school by 8.30 am ensures students are present for Homeroom and Year Meetings. This is where students are able to check-in with teachers and peers, hear important announcements and be involved in discussions and daily activities. This part of the day helps shape a student’s sense of belonging.
As we progress through Terms 2 and 3, we remind parents and carers that students are required to wear the College’s winter uniform. Students are expected to wear the College blazer upon arriving on campus, at least until the beginning of Period 1, and again when leaving the campus at the end of Period 4. Students must also wear the blazer at Assembly, Chapel, Year Meetings and Excursions. If you have any questions about uniform, please go to our Community Portal and refer to the ‘Uniform’ section for more information, including our College Uniform Guide.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all parents and carers for your continued support, commitment, and partnership in the education of our students.
LEGAL STUDIES Tamara Kunz
Last week our Year 11 and 12 Legal Studies students had the opportunity to attend a day at NSW Parliament and Penrith Local Courts. The visit to NSW Parliament began with a workshop where students engaged in discussion around law making procedures and representation to Parliament, followed by tours of both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council. It was great to see students participate in the mock reading of a bill, taking on different roles of Members of Parliament to better understand the functioning of the government.
In the afternoon, we arrived at Penrith Local Court, and had the opportunity to sit in 3 courtrooms. Students saw a variety of matters held before the court (including bail applications, domestic violence and common assault matters). They were highly invested in understanding the processes which they observed in the courtroom, and were able to see the practical application of concepts we have been discussing in class. Upon returning to the classroom it was so encouraging to see the excitement and engagement of the students through the excellent debrief and discussion of what was seen and heard in the courts!
Overall, this was a fantastic experience for the students to immerse themselves in the democratic processes of our state, as well as to better understand the legal system through the courtroom procedures.
Year 12 Movie Night
Sarah Aydin
The Year 12 Movie Night held on May 8 was a spectacular success, bringing together our senior students for an evening of relaxation and fun. Hosted in the Lumination VR Lab, the event provided a perfect escape from academic pressures as students donned their cosiest pyjamas and settled in to watch Rush Hour.
The atmosphere was vibrant, with laughter and camaraderie filling the room. Popcorn and pizza were enjoyed by all. The students relished the opportunity to unwind and connect with their peers, reinforcing the strong sense of community that is a hallmark of our school.
This memorable event not only provided a much-needed break for our hardworking seniors, but also highlighted the importance of creating moments of joy and connection amidst their busy schedules. The success of the movie night is a testament to the dedication and spirit of our Year 12 students and the supportive environment we strive to foster.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible and to our wonderful Year 12 students for their enthusiastic participation. We look forward to more memorable events in the future!
TAS Highlight: Year 11 Food Technology
Debbie Truman
Year 11 Food Technology have recently completed a unit of work on Food Availability and Selection as part of their Preliminary Course. Throughout this unit they have researched various cultures, their cuisines and at what point they have influenced the food we eat in Australia. They have discovered that the impact of some cultures has resulted in food such as pizza, pasta, roast dinners, Chinese take away (to name a few) becoming commonplace.
Each student chose a country and researched the migration of their people to Australia, and what led to them coming here. For some people groups such as the Chinese and Greeks, it was the Gold Rush in the 1950s. For other cultures, such as the Koreans and Vietnamese, it has been wars and civil unrest that led them to a place of freedom in Australia. With the migration of each culture came the introduction of a new type of food. The more popular the food, the more readily available the food has become. Italian food is a perfect example.
This week the students each prepared a cultural dish from countries around the world and then enjoyed eating a meal together with their classmates from Year 11. Some of the meals were risotto, enchiladas, lasagna, Thai red curry, soft tacos, pizza, and rigatoni bolognese. The students enjoyed taste testing each of the food items and are to be commended for their cooking skills and presentation.
