FROM THE SENIOR SCHOOL
Integrated Learning Enhances Relevance
It is easy to think of the Year 9 Southern Tasmania experience as a bit of Humanities and a bit of Science, but the excursion is so much more than that. Learning experiences like these demonstrate why it is important that we do not categorise everything we learn into subject boxes.
I spent two days visiting the groups and during that time we discovered the marine wonders of the D’Entrecasteaux Channe, witnessed an exceptional speech in the House of Representatives and understood why Port Arthur is the first example of the modern British prison system. The learning involved was entirely multi-disciplinary and our Year 9 students were able to have a taste of real-world learning as they were exposed to so many issues that have relevance to their lives, now and into the future.
Measuring the abiotic factors in the sea water off Woodbridge involved some important skills and technology but it also made students think about the impact of salmon farming on the natural environment. Understanding the significant increase in pest species of sea stars and sea urchins focussed us on the increasingly worrying concerns about global warming.
Witnessing an impassioned speech made by Cassy O’Connor on behalf of a victim survivor of abuse was a true moment of parliament in action, leading the very next day to public apologies by two members of the government for their unprofessional conduct two weeks before. The students that were lucky enough to be in the visitor’s gallery at this particular time were spellbound by the happenings on the floor of Parliament.
And then, rather than thinking of Port Arthur as a bunch of old buildings that were once a prison, we left understanding that what was established on this beautiful peninsula was the British Empire’s first attempt at modernising the prison system and model prison building, all well preserved, which is why UNESCO has named this area a World Heritage Site.
Rather than trying to identify all the disciplines of learning involved in the examples I have described, it is more important to acknowledge that our Year 9 learners have come away with an awareness that to truly understand any situation or scenario, being able to integrate their learning areas and make links across their curricula is essential.
On behalf of all the Year 9 students, many thanks to Mrs Katy McGuiness and her team of colleagues who made this learning experience possible. The logistics of setting up all these varied experiences for over 100 students, in four days, across multiple venues, is significant at any time but thanks to recent covid complications, it was even more complex. This was a very rich learning experience made possible by a team of dedicated educators.
Well done to all involved.
Mr Stuart Walls
Head of Senior School
Maya Gurudoss wins Regional Lions Event
It was a close tussle but Maya Gurudoss came out winner of the Regional Final of Lions Youth of the Year! Both Kulani Somarathna and Maya are outstanding ambassadors of our school whose servant leadership and public speaking skills did our college proud. We wish Maya all the best for the State Final next week!
Mrs Katie Lester
PIC Public Speaking
Futures Centre
Gap Year
LETZ LIVE 2023 Gap Year Applications are open now but be quick, as they will be closing early April! – Gap Year and Working Holiday Organisation | Letz Live
Interested in Agriculture? Would you like to travel Australia, build your skills, and get paid? Why not consider www.agcareerstart.com.au
ADF Gap Year – A great range of paid opportunities ranging from submariner roles to cabin crew are available across the Army, Navy and Airforce for 2023 Gap Year applicants, but hurry as positions fill quickly! Defence Jobs Australia – Discover your path in an ADF GAP year
Important Dates
UNE 2023 Early Entry Program Opens – Early Entry – University of New England (UNE)
March
1 March UCAT ANZ Registrations Open – UCAT ANZ Test Cycle | UCAT Consortium
2 March ANU 2023 Applications Open – Apply – ANU
2 March ANU Tuckwell Scholarship Applications Open – Home | Tuckwell Scholarships (anu.edu.au)
30 March ANU Visit at Recess in the Futures centre
April
4 April Defence Careers Online Information Session 6.00pm
5 April A Night in the Army Reserves at Youngtown Barracks 6.00pm
10 April ANU Tuckwell Scholarship Stage 1 Application due
11 April UCAT & UTAS Medicine Information Session, 1.00pm RDSSC
12 April University College Online Information Session 5.30pm via Facebook
May
16 May Year 10 Work Experience Week – Program A
16 May National Careers Week
23 May University College (Accom College – Uni Melb & RMIT) 1pm RDSSC
23 May ANU Applications close
June
30 June UTAS Schools Recommendation Program Opens – SRP-2022-timeline.pdf (utas.edu.au)
Students: Reminder to follow the Scotch Oakburn College Futures Page to be kept up to date with events and career related information.