St Agnes

Catholic High School

Week 6 newsletter term 1

Year 7 Camp

Year 7 students attended their camp earlier this week at the Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen Lake. The site is surrounded by natural bushland with magnificent views of Narrabeen Lake. The camp aims to assist the student's transition to St Agnes and the feedback from the students was positive. I had a great time when I attended the camp on Tuesday. It was wonderful to see the students participating in a range of team-building activities and enjoying themselves. It was good to spend some time with Year 7 getting to know them. The students threw themselves into the various activities and enjoyed their time together. They were exhausted by the end of the camp. I hope the Year 7 camp at Narrabeen will be a memorable school experience for the students. A big thank you to Mr Cruickshank and Ms Raad for organising the Year 7 Camp and the following staff for attending for 3 days and 2 nights: Mr Cruickshank, Miss Raad, Mr Green, Ms Udovicic, Mr Sadsad, Me Fonua, Mr Bortoluzzi, Mrs Dela Paz, Miss Oraha, Ms Balarusyia.

Public Speaking

St Agnes values the ability to stand up in front of an audience and speak confidently on any topic, whether it be to persuade, explain or unpack any topic. Whether a student’s interest lies in science, mathematics, the arts or literature, public speaking skills will put them in the best position to make the most of any opportunity.

The CSDA Public Speaking competition is held annually; it has three rounds: the Preliminary Round, Zone Final and Grand Final. In total, St Agnes had 12 students participate (two from each year group) in the CSDA Competition.

I am very proud of the speeches our students presented last Friday in the Preliminary Round held at St Andrews College, Marayong.

Congratulated to the following students for being selected to represent St Agnes:

Year 7 - Gabrielle Garan, Aditiya Prathapan

Year 8 - Destiny Favor, Cassandra Pascual

Year 9 - Cassandra Cruz, Priyanka Sharma

Year 10 - Chloe Favor, Andrea Plaatjes

Year 11 - Angela Younan, Angelica Prasad

Year 12 - Purva Kumar, Aarya Mehta

Congratulations to the following students who will progress to the Zone Final and speak at Emmaus College tonight. This is an outstanding achievement because only a handful of students make it through to Zone Final.

Year 7 - Gabrielle Garan

Year 8 - Destiny Favor

Year 9 - Cassandra Cruz

Year 10 - Chloe Favor and Andrea Plaatjes

Year 12 - Purva Kumar

Congratulations to all students who participated. I would like to thank Miss Dunne who organised the teams and Mr Loughlin who assisted her in preparing our students as well as being an adjudicator, also I would like to thank the teachers who supported our students. I was extremely proud of the way they conducted themselves.

Japanese exchange students

I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the Japanese Immersion Program, to the families who hosted students, students, the student leaders and the students who participated in the Immersion Program. It was a great experience for our students and our Japanese guests. Especially, I thank Ms Fielding, Cultural Diversity Leader, for organising the whole event and Mr Fonua who was actively involved throughout the visit, as well as translating for all of us. Further,I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Liu, Mrs Karafotias, Ms Clark, Mrs Bettiol, Mrs Berman, and Ms Brogan. The testimonies from our students are included in this newsletter.

Swimming Carnival

The swimming carnival was an enjoyable day for all those who attended. We were blessed with good weather and the students embraced their house spirit, expressing their support by wearing their house colours. They enjoyed the day participating in competitive and novelty events. A big thank you to all staff and students for engaging in the spirit of the day and working together to ensure the day was a success. Thank you to Mr Barnett for his work in organising the swimming carnival and to all staff who supported him in the lead up to and on the day.

The final house points for the swimming carnival was:

Francis - 483

Chisholm - 368

MacKillop- 367

Xavier - 346

Congratulations Fancis for achieving the most House points

Feeder Primary School Visits

Last week I visited the primary schools with Mr Scarpin and Mrs Tomic. Year 7 and 10 students also accompanied us on these visits to our feeder primary schools to develop positive relationships and discuss important details regarding why enrolling in St Agnes is a good choice for Year 6 students. This was the beginning of the 2025 enrolment process. At these visits, we distributed enrolment forms. To avoid the disappointment of not receiving a position in Year 7 next year, I encourage parents of current student siblings to complete these forms and submit them to our office as soon as possible. I would like to thank Mr Scarpin, Mrs Tomic, and the following students who were outstanding ambassadors for our school.

Markaritte Derjani (10) Kaydence Uamaki (7) Evangeline Nio (10)

Timothy Villlanueva (7) Jordanna Earnest (7) Taiuli Bennell (7)

Maeive Labadan (7) Matilda Nicholls (10) Merna Albekano (7)

Emanuel-Rian Arago (10) Amaya Buenaventura (7) Christopher Gervacio Jr (7)

Year 7/2024 Enrolments & School Tours

This week we commenced our school tours and have been pleased to see so many prospective students and parents. Our tours are conducted during the school day to provide an opportunity for parents and future students to see what happens on a normal day.

We have already received many application forms for Year 7/2025. Our first round of interviews will be held on the 3rd April 2024. Should you have a younger son/daughter whom you would like to enrol at St Agnes Catholic High School for Year 7 in 2025, please ensure that you complete an application form, available from our website, as soon as possible.

Due to the success of school tours this week, we are extending the weekly tours for the remainder of the term. Please book your position through the Try-Booking link https://www.trybooking.com/COCEY.

To avoid the disappointment of missing out on a position in Year 7 next year, submit your enrolment forms as soon as possible. Siblings of current students are not automatically accepted without submitting an application.

Empower Her,

Empower the World Breakfast

This morning nine student leaders, Mrs Hanratty, Ms Fielding and I attended an International Women’s Day Breakfast “Empower Her, Empower the World” hosted at St Luke’s College Marsden Park. It was an excellent CSPD event that provided our students and teachers with an opportunity to network, as well as listen to the number of guest speakers including the Deputy Premier of NSW, Minister for Education and Early Learning and Minister for Western Sydney The Honourable Prue Carr MP, Nas Campanella the National Disability Affairs Reporter for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Liz Scully, Director of Communications and Engagement at Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese.

I would like to thank the following student Leaders who were outstanding St Agnes representatives:

1. Imogen Markham- Ward

2. Diya Prasad

3. Taneesha Prasad

4. Joanne Imlay

5. Avani Narayan

6. Ruby O'Keefe

7. Jordan Spratt

8. Sienna Edwards

9. Beminet Habte

Miss Fielding believed that the morning was a valuable experience stating:

“There was an underlying message that inspired us all today in which all women, from all walks of life are encouraged to show courage to challenge the status quo. Women must defy limiting expectations and embrace their unique identity. This year's theme focused on Inclusion and the celebration of female achievement, calling for a positive change and advancement in women's rights.”

Ms Fielding

Nomination for

NSW 2024 Training Awards

Be That Teacher

National Advertising Campaign

The many amazing teachers in Australia are being celebrated!

The Be That Teacher campaign is a joint initiative between the Australian, state and territory governments to promote teaching as a valued and rewarding profession, and to celebrate the teachers across Australia who inspire their students every single day.

The campaign features real teachers sharing real stories—their own stories of memorable teaching moments that had a lasting impact on their students. You can find out more about the campaign and the amazing teachers that are the faces of this campaign at www.bethatteacher.gov.au.

Creative Hub project

Our Creative Hub project is now coming to completion and will be finished by the end of Term 1, 2024. We are now in the final stages, fitting out classrooms with furniture and equipment to be able to offer the best subject delivery in visual arts and TAS.

We are very excited about being able to offer hospitality ( VET ) as 1 of our subject selections in the new space along with upgraded canteen facilities.

Thank you to all involved in creating a wonderful space for St Agnes students and staff and we look forward to all the creative ideas and projects being developed in this area of our school as we continue to grow.

Mrs J Holland

Principal

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To Truth Through Love

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing is scheduled for Wednesday 13th March until Monday 18th March. After that date, we will attend to any student who has missed a session, as the students must complete the four components. All students in Years 7 and 9 should by now be well aware of the requirements for the NAPLAN Lockdown Browser on their laptops. Throughout the days of NAPLAN, the students must have a fully charged device and also, headphones, as there are some questions with an audio component.

NAPLAN is a useful indicator of a school’s progress and we ask all students to present for the tests with a positive mindset and a willingness to do their best. However, NAPLAN should not be a matter of great stress for any individual student, as it provides a snapshot of their performance on a particular day. However, it is the wealth of information provided by NAPLAN data that teachers use in planning for the student's learning over the next twelve months.

The timetable is below:

Assessment

Often, the word ‘assessment’ can send a chill down the spine of our students. Unfortunately, this is because it is usually associated with large-scale formal assessments, like end-of-unit assessments, which are considered ‘high-stakes’. When the stakes are high, of course, assessment brings with it an associated level of stress. What students do not realise, is that assessment (formative) is occurring in all of the lessons they attend. Furthermore, such assessment is used just as much (if not more) than formal (summative) assessments. Both types of assessment assist teachers in making judgements about achievement grades.

Assessment has, in fact, three key purposes:

Assessment for learning – assessment is used to inform the future direction of learning.

Assessment as learning – assessment is used by students to help them understand their strengths and areas for development, and to inform their own goals for the next steps in their learning.

Assessment of learning – assessment is used to collect evidence of student learning.

There are many misconceptions that assessment is solely an evidence-gathering exercise. But when we accept that it has multiple purposes and modes, the key message reinforced is what our primary schools have long been in the habit of telling us: that every lesson matters. Essential learning and assessment happen in every class. As a result, in each class, teachers and students make regular judgments about their progress.

Assessment activities can take many forms; such as class discussion and group work. They may include teacher observations made during class learning activities and verbal questioning within a lesson.

For large-scale formal assessments, students receive notice and have the opportunity to prepare. For the day-to-day assessment that occurs in the classroom, teachers can see students working in situ, drawing simply from their ongoing learning. It is this that is the most authentic assessment of our students.

Study Skill Tip: The Benefits of Exercise

Exercise is beneficial for students for several reasons, impacting both their physical and mental well-being, and helping them become better learners! Here are some areas where exercise can make a difference, especially as a brain-boosting activity:

COGNITIVE FUNCTION:

• Enhanced Memory and Learning: Exercise has been linked to improved memory and cognitive function. It may also help with concentration and focus, which are crucial for academic performance.
• Brain Health: Physical activity stimulates the release of chemicals that promote the growth of brain cells, supporting overall brain health.
• Establishes Routine: Incorporating exercise into a daily or weekly routine helps students develop discipline and time management skills.

PHYSICAL HEALTH:

• Improves Cardiovascular Health: Regular exercise helps strengthen the heart, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  
• Enhances Muscle and Bone Health: Weight-bearing exercises contribute to the development of strong muscles and bones, promoting overall physical strength and resilience.
  
• Better Sleep: Regular exercise can help regulate sleep patterns, leading to improved quality and duration of sleep.
  

MENTAL HEALTH:

• Stress Reduction: Exercise is known to reduce stress by increasing the production of endorphins, the body's natural mood lifters.
  
• Anxiety and Depression: Physical activity has been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving overall mental health.
  
• Sense of Achievement: Setting and achieving fitness goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and boost self-worth.
  

SOCIAL SKILLS:

• Team Sports and Leadership: Participating in team sports or group exercises fosters social skills, teamwork, and cooperation. It also provides an opportunity for students to develop leadership qualities.
  
• Opportunities for Socialising: Participating in sports or group exercises provides opportunities for students to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships.
  
• Promotes Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Engaging in physical activity encourages other healthy habits, such as maintaining a balanced diet and interacting with other healthy like-minded people.
  

In summary, regular physical activity can contribute to a healthier, happier, and more successful academic experience.

You and your parents can learn more about how to achieve your health and academic goals at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with the details below and working through some of the units.

www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:

Username: stagnes

Password: 24success

Mr G Kemmis

Assistant Principal- Learning Transformation

Pace e bene - peace and blessings to all in the St Agnes community.

What a busy start to the school year it has been. Since our last newsletter, there have been quite a number of events involving the Mission Leaders of the school. These took the form of ‘Lifted Leaders’ conferences for our Year 12 school leaders, St Vincent de Paul - Vinnies Van training for Stage 6 students, Special Religious Educators (Catechist) training, students in Year 7 were also encouraged to sign up for our Mini Vinnies Formation group and the launch of Project Compassion for 2024 and the fundraising initiatives.

Lenten Promise

Lifted Leaders

Lifted Leaders gather secondary school leaders from all diocesan schools at the start of each year to gather input and receive inspiration from Bishop Vincent, CEDP leadership and CYP (Catholic Youth Parramatta), and Executive Director, Mr Jack de Groot. This program acts as a precursor to the Breakfast with the Bishop - Student Leader Forum that takes place in Term 2. This Lifted event connects young people from across the Diocese, with similar leadership responsibilities and provides an opportunity for formation and group sharing and their team goals and strategies for their school.

St Agnes sent our six Year 12 leaders, the School captains Sienna Edwards and William Planer, our Senior SRC Presidents, Bronte Norris and Amire Gorgise and our Diversity Leaders Jewel Osborne and Beminet Habte. See below for their collective key take-aways from the event.

“Participating in Lifted Leaders was truly a transformative experience for us as leaders, offering a profound opportunity for introspection and spiritual growth. We all got a chance to work with students from all over the Parramatta Diocese to discuss solutions to various dilemmas and receive input and inspiration from Bishop Vincent and Jack De Groot.

Lifted Leaders was a day full of interactions, building relationships, and strengthening our relationship with God through worship and hymns. Being separated from each other forced us to build new friendships with leaders from other schools, gathering insight into similarities and differences between fellow schools in the Parramatta Diocese. Overall, Lifted Leaders was a lifetime opportunity that we hope to see continued over the years as it provides another perspective on leadership and how it can be connected to our faith.”

ECSI Survey Instructions for Parents

From 2023-2025, all of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) learning communities will embark on a new chapter of growing Catholic Identity in all areas of their work and ministry. This identity will be shaped through dialogue with all community members.

To support this important work, CSPD has partnered with the Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven to introduce a survey that will provide insights for teachers and leaders regarding how the Catholic Identity of their community is experienced and expressed by its members. This will enable schools to tailor formation opportunities for their communities. In doing so the Diocese of Parramatta will join a number of other dioceses throughout Australia that use these surveys to guide the next steps in areas of Catholic Identity. Please note that these surveys are anonymous respecting the privacy of all participants.

To enable us to get the best possible picture of our community we would like to invite you to attend a morning tea at the school on Monday 18th March, in our school library, between 7:30am and 10:30am. During this time we will share a short explanatory video before giving you the opportunity to complete the survey and ask any questions that you may have. The survey should take approximately 30-45 minutes. If you are able to attend our morning tea we ask you to please complete the attached Google form. This will assist us with catering light refreshments.

MORNING TEA ATTENDANCE RSVP

Parents who are unable to join us at the school are encouraged to use the link www.ecsi.site/au/user/ and follow the instructions below.

If you have any questions regarding the Catholic Identity Survey, please contact Mr Madigan, Head of Mission, via the school office at 8882 0700, or via the school email stagnes@parra.catholic.edu.au.

Peace and blessings to you all.

Mr P. Madigan

Head of Mission

Caritas Bake Sale for Project Compassion

Join us for a delightful Bake Sale hosted by Caritas in support of Project Compassion. We invite you to the breezeway for a scrumptious experience.

• Date: 13th March
• Time: Lunch and Recess
• Price Range: $2-$3
• Location: Breezeway

Indulge in a variety of delectable treats:

• Cookies
• Chocolate Crackles
• Cake Pops
• Cupcakes
• Brownies
• And more!

All proceeds will go towards Project Compassion, supporting those in need. Come together, enjoy some delicious treats, and contribute to a compassionate cause.

Please note that we will only be accepting EFTPOS payments.

Let's make this bake sale a sweet success and spread kindness one treat at a time.

Recap of SRE Catechist Training Day

We are thrilled to share a wonderful recap of our recent Special Religious Education (SRE) Catechist Training Day. The event was a resounding success, thanks to the active participation and enthusiasm of our dedicated students. Throughout the day, our students engaged in a range of activities designed to enhance their understanding of catechesis. Highlights of the day included:

• Scripture Reenactment: Students brought scriptural stories to life, deepening their connection to the teachings.
  
• Big Book Story Reading: Exploring the richness of religious texts through shared reading and reflection.
  
• Brainstorming: Collaborative sessions where ideas flowed freely, fostering creativity and a deeper understanding of faith.
  
• Lesson Planning: Practical exercises to equip our students with the skills needed to effectively convey the teachings of their faith.
  

This immersive experience not only provided valuable insights into catechesis but also allowed our students to learn more about their faith. They gained a profound understanding of what it takes to be a catechist, and we are confident that this training has equipped them to serve as ambassadors of their faith with passion and dedication.

Looking ahead in Term 2 our budding catechists will have the opportunity to put their training into practice. They will be visiting the local primary school in Eastern Creek, to share their knowledge and teachings with the students there. We are excited about this upcoming endeavour and the positive impact it will have on both our students and the broader community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for making this day a success. Your commitment to deepening your understanding of faith is truly inspiring.

Wishing our budding catechists continued growth and success on their faith journey.

Japanese Immersion Program Testimonials

On Monday 19 February and Wednesday 21 February St Agnes hosted 40 Japanese students from Xaverio High School. Miss Fielding, Mr Fonua, Mrs Holland and Miss Liu, alongside our Year 12 student leadership team, facilitated an Immersion Program that involved participation with our St Agnes students. This Immersion Program provided opportunities for students across the two schools to form cross-cultural connections. Activities included teamwork challenges, Scratch card designs based on Picture books, Cultural Kahoots & Blookets and various cultural workshops, including origami making. Below are the testimonies from some of our students who were involved in the day.

On Wednesday 21 February, we were accompanied by Japanese students who introduced a new and exciting experience of cultural dialogue to us. This unforgettable experience consisted of picture-book reading, playing balloon games, fun quizzes, eating together and building a friendship with a diverse group of people. These activities allowed us to share our perspectives and explore our differences among the Japanese students, in which everyone took away a key learning experience of hospitality. I would also like to extend my thanks to Mrs Fielding, Mr Kemmis, Mr Fonua and all teachers involved in this immersion program as it continues to strengthen our community and contribute to the diversity of our school.

- Purva. K

On Wednesday, 21 February, it was truly an exciting day with the Japanese exchange students. They were really fun to do multiple team-building activities such as reading and drawing with them and playing a game with balloons with them. The daytime I had spent with them, in general, was exciting and it was a great opportunity to be able to make new friends and have some background knowledge on their cultural background.

- Maheen. K.S

On both the 21 February and the 19th February I had the opportunity to experience a cultural immersion session with the Japanese students from Xaverio High School. On Monday, the leaders alongside myself had the opportunity to speak in English slang to them, watch them interact with each other and educate them on the English language as well as watch them explore their hobbies. The children sang Waltzing Matilda together with bookmarks and learnt about the importance of Aboriginal peoples being the First Nations of the land. In addition, on Monday we had the privilege to exchange games such as rock paper scissors with the Japanese students and learn Saishowaguu Jankenpon and if tied the same you would say in unison Aikodesho. The Japanese students had so much to offer and educated us on their everyday lifestyle.

On the 21st February, the immersion session began running from period 3 to period 5. Throughout these sessions students explored Australian slang and learnt different places, the students had the opportunity to connect with the leaders who were selected to read to them in English and involved scratch cards. Students from both schools had the opportunity to play tunnel ball and converse with each other, gaining the skills of teamwork and inclusivity amongst each other. For period 5 the year 8 cohort had the privilege of joining in with the Japanese students and learning about their culture. This consisted of learning about origami making, Japanese characters such as words in Kanji and ball games made out of thin paper to not let it touch the ground. The Japanese students taught me how to introduce my name formally as I got to help them understand Australian Slang.

This immersion session opened my eyes to a new culture that is extremely different to the culture around us but also allows different cultural groups to bond. I would like to say my thanks to all the teachers who helped this collaboration happen, especially Mr Fonua and Miss Fielding for entrusting myself to be a part of this program and looking after the students.

- Jewel.O

On the 21st February, I was able to partake in the Japanese Immersion Program, an experience that allowed us to break down cultural barriers and just have fun. The activities such as reading books and drawing together acted as the perfect icebreakers so that we could socialise with the exchange students. The students from Xaverio High School were very friendly and were very inquisitive regarding Australian culture. The discussions we had opened my eyes to life in Japan and expanded my view of the world in a valuable way. I would like to thank everyone involved in setting up the immersion session for fostering an environment of inclusiveness and teamwork.

- Ayaan K.

On the 21st of February, I was able to be part of the Japanese Immersion session. It was a new experience that I was grateful to participate in, meeting new people, and talking about our stories. Out of 120 people who signed up only 40+ were picked. It was lovely to meet the students of Xavrio High School, including the ones in my group. We got to partake in many fun activities including balloon keepy uppy without hands, over-under, as well as reading books and drawing. As well as enjoying Australian Cuisine. I also enjoyed showing them tricks with yarn.

Thank you to the teachers who allowed me to be part of this amazing experience, and I wish to participate in it again in the future.

- Monique Mallouk

I was incredibly appreciative of the chance to have Monemi and Mina, two Japanese students.I was able to build bonds through this experience, going from total strangers to family. I enjoyed watching teenagers from a very different culture walk me through their everyday activities and impart fresh knowledge that I did not know before, and vice versa.

After a few failed efforts and giggles, I eventually mastered the art of origami and picked up a few words and phrases in Japanese. Although I haven't used it yet, I kept my word to Mina and Monemi that I would continue to learn Japanese.

I discovered a lot about the girls, including Mina's passion for dancing. We did a couple of TikTok dances, and I knew to get her something pink and strawberry whenever we went out to dine or drink as her favourite colour was pink. Monemi's favourite hobby was art, and she taught me how to do origami. I knew exactly what to get her because she loves chocolate.

During the four days we had, we did a few things, including going to the Sydney Zoo. Seeing animals from all around the world as well as our Australian creatures was such an incredible day. After that, Moenmi and Mina wanted to visit the city so we went on a tour around Sydney, making sure to snap pictures at every chance they had. They both loved to shop, especially Mina, so I believe we may have visited Westfields Shopping Centre ten times in the course of four days. We taught each other new games to play and played several board games at home. Getting our nails done on a girls' night in, along with a pedicure.

I am beyond grateful to have been given this opportunity. Having Monemi and Mina has given me a wealth of knowledge and created unforgettable moments that I will always treasure, not only for myself but also for my family and friends.

- Faith Russell

It was fun and memorable to welcome a stranger into our home for a couple of days. However, at first, we were hesitant as we heard that Japan is a nationalistic country. We also thought that there was going to be a language barrier between us, but it was quite the opposite. The student we hosted and the rest of the group spoke English surprisingly fluently and my family and I liked the student we got. We considered ourselves pretty lucky for the student we got to host as he had a very jolly, merry and humble personality. My family, friends and I clicked quickly with our host student and we made many long-lasting memories in just a span of a few days. The Japanese Immersion Program gave me a chance to talk and bond with the other Japanese students through the many fun activities we got to do together. Our family and friends end up communicating through email and social media with our host student and the rest of the Japanese students still to this day. Due to this opportunity, we got from St Agnes, this was the first time we hosted someone from another country and this experience and memories made, this won’t be our last hosting.

- Mat Alampayan

Swimming Carnival 2024

Our Annual Swimming Carnival was held on Monday, 26th February at Mount Druitt Swimming Centre and what a day it was! A day of fun and excitement for the students where we were all able to gather as a community to share in our St Agnes spirit. The attendance, participation and attitude to the day was incredible to see from everyone. I would like to say a big thank you to all staff and students who assisted in organising and running the day, it’s always a big task and can’t be done alone. I would also like to congratulate all swimmers on the day for their efforts. I am looking forward to the next one!

Photos from the 2024 Swimming Carnival can be found on our Facebook page. Click HERE to view. Special thanks to the Media and Events students, Imogen, Ian, Tanesha, Yareli and Russell, who worked hard on the day taking these photos. With special thanks on the day to Thomas, Patrick, Avani, Teresa and Ethan.

Mr Barnett

Sports Coordinator

Year 12 Biology

Museum of Human Disease

As part of our year 12 Biology studies, we recently had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Human Disease. Located within the University of New South Wales, the museum houses a vast collection of specimens that showcase the complexities of human health and disease.

Our visit to the museum was incredibly insightful and interactive. Our Year 12 Biologists were able to explore the many exhibits that covered everything from infectious diseases such as Mad Cow Disease, Malaria, and Tuberculosis to genetic disorders and Cancer. The specimens on display ranged from preserved organs to body parts affected by different diseases.

Students had the opportunity to listen to staff experts at the Museum who took them through some valuable information about scientific studies that form the basis of published journal articles. Students will now use these new skills and case studies to write their scientific journal articles as part of their next assessment task.

"The Biology excursion to the Museum of Disease was incredibly interesting. The wide range of specimens on display as well as the information relating to infectious and non-infectious diseases helped further my knowledge for modules 7 and 8. By seeing these specimens I was able to understand the effects of specific diseases through the visualisation of the damage caused to different organs. Overall, the visit to the Museum allowed me to gain further insight and was an amazing experience."

- Aarya Mehta

Students were not only curious and eager to learn about the specimens in the museum but also showed great respect toward them. They treated every exhibit with dignity, knowing that they were valuable human tissue specimens that each had a story, and a family and were donated to improve outcomes for others.

"Going to the museum at UNSW provided an insightful experience where I learned a lot about organs and how infectious and non-infectious diseases affect them. Seeing how behaviours like smoking and poor diet can damage our organs was really interesting and being told why and how these effects occur cleared up many of our misconceptions. The museum provided so much knowledge that is relevant to the Biology course and our upcoming assessment, it has allowed me to learn so much more in a different environment by seeing real-life examples of what we are learning about."

- William Planer

Our visit to the Museum of Human Disease was an enriching experience that truly brought our Module 7 & 8 content to life. Mrs Chand and I are very proud of how our Biologists represented St Agnes and we are looking forward to reading the articles students will now write for their Depth Study - Assessment.

Mr Wilson & Mrs Chand

Year 8 Paper Plane Wellbeing Lesson

On Friday 1st March, Year 8 participated in a Homeroom vs Homeroom Paper Plane Challenge.

Firstly, Homerooms had to work together and decide on a plane design and representative to lead their Homeroom. This led to some very interesting and creative suggestions within each Homeroom.

Once all the Homerooms had chosen their representative and design, it was then time for Homeroom vs Homeroom in an elimination style format until one Homeroom was crowned as Paper Plane Champions.

Congratulations to Ms David, Homeroom 8.5 and Atkin Maroky who were victorious on the day and overcame some very competitive competition.

Year 12 Encore Excursion

In Week 6, our Year 12 Music students visited the Opera House to watch the high achieving 2023 HSC Music student performances. The students found the performances inspiring and entertaining and overall, it was a fantastic experience.

The Guide to Climate Careers includes everything you need to figure out if a climate career could suit you. It covers information about school subjects, enterprise skills, industry pathways and apprenticeships, and includes 9 occupation profiles. It even has a section to help you explore more. Click the link below to download your copy now!

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About the Defence Work Experience Program

The Defence Work Experience Program provides young Australians interested in Defence as a future career, the opportunity to sample life in Defence and learn more about the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS).

Defence work experience activities are designed to be hands on and interactive so that you can make informed career decisions.

Participants must be 15 years of age or over at the time of the placement.

How to Apply

Placements are advertised through the

Defence Work Experience Program Jobs List. Each placement includes an information pack that provides details of the activities you may participate in, any special conditions of the placement, and the eligibility/assessment criteria.

Changes can be made to the application until the closing date for placements. Note that there are usually more applications than available spots, so you should approach the application process as you would a job application. Ensure all questions are answered and provide as much detail as possible.

Hit this link to apply!

Challenges are free and open to students nationwide unless otherwise stated.Click the images for more information or to register.

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬

Monday 15 April - Wednesday 17 April 2024

CathWest Innovation College will be hosting a range of short courses/workshops at our Loyola Campus in the following areas: Barista, Become a Chef, Digital Illustration, Animation, Creative Graphics, DJ and Music Production, Carpentry Taster, Beauty and Hairdressing.

These workshops are open to all students who are of school age. It is an opportunity to gain skills in an area of their interest.

Mrs Karafotias

Careers Advisor

Join the SRC movie night on Friday 22 March, 3pm -5:30pm. Each ticket costs $10, provided with 3 slices of pizza and a popper.

The event provides an opportunity for you to connect with your mates, participate in some movie-related trivia, and support our Year 12, by reducing the cost of their formal.

Please purchase your ticket through the QKR App and collect a permission note from the front office.

OPAL Cards

Some of our buses are very close to maximum capacity.

What can you do about it?

All school students need to travel with a valid school travel pass. If you are using a School Opal card, you must tap on and tap off whenever using public transport to travel to and from school. This allows the bus company to better understand customer travel patterns and adjust the services provided if necessary.

How can you get a new Opal pass?

https://transportnsw.info/school-travel-apply

The Safer Drivers Course logo is a trade mark of Transport for NSW of 18 Lee St Chippendale NSW Australia

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