Year 6 and Year 8 students put theory into practice last week when they built and raced six solar cars in the Mid West Synergy Solar Car Challenge.
Mrs Annette Kuhlmann, Extension and Enrichment Coordinator Maths and Science, said the students applied science, technology, maths and engineering concepts to create a racing car that harnessed renewable energy.
“As part of the College’s enrichment and extension program, all Year 6 and Year 8 students were offered the chance to take part. Twenty students built six cars for an in-school race and the top two teams were chosen to race against other schools.”
“It really stretched their creativity and knowledge, and the students were excited by how much they learned from the project.”
The hands-on challenge required the students to build circuits and add batteries, solar panels, gears and tyres to produce the most powerful vehicle.
The teams spent five weeks at school developing and testing their prototypes before the big day when they had to build from scratch. The cars produced solid results on the track on the day.
The annual event is a joint initiative between Synergy and the Science Teachers Association of WA, which aims to boost student interest in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects (STEM).
It also helps them understand more about renewable energy technology.
Students learn to love writing
Year 2 students are making giant leaps forward with their creative writing, thanks to intensive assistance from Deputy Principal Curriculum, Mrs Sophie de Lange.
Mrs de Lange spends two periods each week in the Year 1/2 classroom, assisting children who find writing difficult.
She and the teacher developed improvement strategies by adapting teaching tools that focus on expressing ideas and telling stories.
“Students who were afraid to pick up a pencil a few weeks ago, are now reading to me delightful stories that they have written from their imagination.
It’s about building confidence and resilience and helping them to understand that God gave them a creative mind.”
“They are very eager to learn and are so proud of what they have already achieved. They visit the Deputy Principal’s Office to read their stories aloud and to receive a merit sticker.”
Mrs de Lange said she looks forward to seeing how they continue to improve and become confident enough to succeed at Year 12 English.
Students hit the dance floor
Students are busting out their best dance moves in a bid to win the annual Dance Off.
The victors gain vital points for their House (Alpha or Omega) in the race for the Performing Arts Shield 2024.
Dance Teacher Miss Shelley Cox said Secondary students had chosen to perform an energetic routine to Uptown Funk by singer Bruno Mars. They have been practicing since Week 3 to master the choreography and the rhythm of the dynamic tune, cheered on by primary school students.
A talented bunch of teachers will also take to the stage, dancing to Waka Waka by Shakira, as they attempt to show students how it’s done.
The competition will take place on Monday 24 March at lunchtime.
Expo opens up the world
Year 11 and Year 12 students had their eyes opened recently to many career options that come from a university degree.
The College hosted the University Expo which showcased study options for students at all WA universities, locally through Geraldton University Centre (GUC) or in Perth.
Year 12 student Joy E aims to study Pharmacy in Perth. “It was helpful to learn about all the different options and about other things like housing, facilities and location,” she said.
Deputy Principal of Curriculum, Mrs Sophia de Lange, said students and their families find applying for university complicated and they can feel overwhelmed by the choice.
“We host the Expo because it helps students understand what courses are available, how to enrol, and what is needed to enrol, in terms of academic results and prior study.
Through the College’s Pathways program, as early as Year 9, students can explore future career pathways.
In Year 12, teachers help students through every step of the university application process so that no one is left behind.”
TAFE Career Taster kicks off well
Year 9 students got a taste of future training and career options when they attended the first TAFE Taster for 2024.
The students visited the Batavia Coast Maritime Institute at Central Regional TAFE to check out pathways available through the aquaculture industry, beginning with a VET course while at school.
The group enjoyed an interactive tour – viewing the large, high-tech fish tanks full of marine life and tackling a hands-on fishy activity.
Mrs Annette Kuhlmann, Senior Secondary Pathways Coordinator, said the TAFE Tasters are invaluable because many students are undecided about what to do after school.
The program helps students make informed choices about subject selection in Years 10, 11 and 12.
Year 9 students are supported to become ‘career curious’ and broaden their thinking through practical activities and meaningful experiences with the world of work.
Welcome Feast fun
We had over 600 people attend and enjoy fun and fellowship at the 2024 Welcome Feast in the grounds of the College at twilight.
The event could have been mistaken for a fairground, with activities for the children such as a bouncy castle, BIG bubbles, face painting for the juniors and table tennis for secondary students.
Principal Gavin Hirschhausen described it as a ‘Celebration of Community’ that marks our College as unique.
“It’s a very important event in the annual calendar which brings our community together. It allows new students and their families to meet others and staff to meet parents in a casual atmosphere over a meal.”
“We enjoy the opportunity as a Christian school to give families a warm welcome and help them experience the fellowship that comes when Christ unites people.”
Families feasted on roast beef rolls and a selection of fresh, tasty salads prepared by Canteen Manager Mrs Jenny Visser and Food Technology Teacher Mrs Sonja Lochner, with the help of her food technology students. Children chomped through a sausage sizzle and icy poles.
New parents Jordan and Shinead said they chose to enrol their son in senior school this year because of class sizes and the smaller size of the school.
They say he is already benefitting from the safe and friendly environment, where he feels welcome.
Another parent said they chose the College to give their son better academic support. He aims to achieve a high ATAR and was attracted by smaller classes and teachers who he believes genuinely care about the individual student.
- The College would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of the following sponsors for Welcome Feast 2024: GMA Garnett, Sparkeze Auto Electrical, All Decor, Rob White Consulting, Ocean Air Custom Air-Conditioning Solutions and Lotter’s Diesel.
Teacher hits sweet spot in economics
Humanities and Social Sciences Teacher Mr John Tilinger recently used the love of chocolate to engage students in learning a complex economic topic.
The Year 9 classroom was transformed into a global trading hub for chocolate during an Economics and Business simulation. The activity highlighted supply chain stages and the way in which global events can cause supply chain disruption.
Mr Tillinger said it offered students an enjoyable way of learning about the benefits and drawbacks of globalisation. Furthermore, students improved their teamwork and communication abilities as they sought to diligently perform their roles and prevent a total supply chain breakdown!
“In an increasingly globalised world, understanding the complexities of global supply chains is more important than ever,” Mr Tilinger said.
“From the cocoa in your favourite chocolate bar to the battery in your smartphone, products we use every day are the result of an interconnected global network of supply, manufacturing, distribution and retail.”
The simulation began with students being divided into groups, each representing a different stage of the supply chain: supply (cocoa harvesting), manufacturing (chocolate production), distribution (transportation), and retail (selling chocolate bars).
With guidance from teachers, each team was tasked with completing various tasks that mimicked real-world supply chain processes and were vital to the health of the overall supply chain.
As the simulation progressed, certain events occurred which altered the operation of the supply chain, causing significant disruption.
A truck driver strike caused cocoa and chocolate bars to pile up throughout the supply chain, leading to less profit for all.
Later, faulty equipment at the farm bought chocolate factories to a standstill as factory workers pondered why the cocoa had not been processed appropriately.
As they encountered challenges, students were encouraged to think critically to develop conclusions about the interdependence of different stages in the global supply chain.
Happy Easter from the Wellbeing Team
Happy Easter to everyone from the Wellbeing Team. We hope that you all enjoy a safe and restful break filled with peace and some great family time.
We encourage you to reflect on the reason for Easter celebrations – the death and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus, which has made a way for us to have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him.
John 3:16 – For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.
Let us leave you with a snapshot of all the fun things we’ve been doing with students this term.
We look forward to a great Term 2!
Our Wellbeing Team is here to assist students on their wellbeing journey. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you think we can be of assistance.
Representative swimmers give their best
By Andre Steenekamp
Director of Sport and Outdoor Education
Well done to the College Swim Team which competed in Perth at the Associated and Catholic Colleges Carnival.
The team gave their very best effort from the first to the last race. Students showed some tremendous grit with a healthy competitive spirit.
Special thanks to the swim coaches Mrs Beaver, Mrs Travasso, Mrs Lynas and Mrs Facchini for volunteering their time on Thursday mornings to prepare and train the swimmers.
The swim club (Sea Lions) is going from strength to strength and we are excited about the future of swimming at the College.
Thank you also to our senior students for displaying strong leadership qualities and for taking the younger students under their care.
Individual results:
Congratulations to Kaley L (Year 11) and Alex T (Year 10) who came third in the Open (U/18) boys and girls competitions respectively.
Team results: Junior Boys 6th, Junior Girls 7th, Senior Boys 3rd, Senior Girls 5th. The College was 5th Overall at the Carnival.
2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Sweet reward for Year 4 students
Year 4 students recently enjoyed a sweet reward for their hard work in the Wholistic Land Management learning area. WLM Coordinator Kelly Harrington jokingly observed that many of the students didn’t know what the little black things were! “I’m glad I could teach them that plants come from seeds. They could taste the that the home-grown watermelon was sweeter than the store-bought variety”.
Uniform Shop news
NEW! SURF HATS
A limited amount of Sun Safe Surf Hats will be available for purchase next term.
The Surf Hat comes with a wider brim, including a safety toggle and chin strap and is UPF 50+.
They will come in sizes small and medium and will be for purchase by Primary students only, at a cost of $30.00 each.
These can be purchased from the Uniform Shop or online ordering through QuickCliq – Term 2.
SOCKS
Following feedback from parents/guardians, the College has purchased new stock of socks. These have a thicker sole and are a lower cut than previous socks. The new socks are available in the Uniform Shop now.
- Old stock socks (longer length) have been reduced in price to $5 a pair – only while old stock lasts.
- New stock socks (shorter length) are $7 a pair.
Please note that from the beginning of Term 2 – all students will be required to wear Geraldton Christian College socks. Plain navy/black socks will no longer be permitted and uniform infringements will be issued.
Noticeboard
Information and tickets available here.
Half-price sale!
Tiny Toes is a charity op shop in Geraldton which stocks quality maternity and baby gear, supporting local families. Currently having a half-price sale on selected baby clothing, toys and books. Also budget priced accessories. All proceeds support Pregnancy Problem House in the Midwest. Tiny Toes is located at 4B George Road, Geraldton. Email: tinytoes@heromums.com. Also on Facebook
