DRIPSTONE MIDDLE SCHOOL - Northern Territory Schools

Year 9-8 Science - Chemistry KidsFor the past term, students have been working on Rates of Reaction and Chemical Equations.As part of this chemistry unit, students have worked to develop their own experimentaldesign. This task encompassed looking at the Law of Conservation of Mass; that is, does themass of the reactant equal that of the product during a chemical reaction? After developingtheir own hypotheses, using scientific method, students set out to prove their hypotheses toarrive at evidence-based conclusions. After much deliberation and a few more trials, studentsproved the theory to be supported.Sam Jongue, Robert Bradshaw,Alex Lockyear and Luke LoganMrs Girdham, Science TeacherScience and Engineering Challenge 2011The Science and Engineering Challenge is a day-long competition designed to provide students in years 9 and 10 across Australia witha positive experience of science and engineering.The challenge, presented by the University of Newcastle, has been in operation since 2000 and aims to challenge Year 9 and 10students to consider a career in Science or Engineering. Eight teams comprised of students from Ms Vatskalis’ and Ms Lee’s Maths/Science class represented Dripstone Middle School and competed against other middle and senior schools across Darwin. Eachchallenge had a specific theme such as ‘Back to the Future’, where students designed a propeller-driven ‘time machine’ vehicle to racealong a track and ‘Heli Rescue’, where teams designed and tested a model helicopter by positioning a pair of twin propellers to rescuecasualties and transport them to the hospital.There were also activities that focused on issues that real scientists and engineers are faced with, such as sustainable and ecofriendlyhabitats in ‘Eco-Habitech’ while in ‘Electracity’ students designed and test a plan to provide power to as much of a city’sinfrastructure as possible whilst being cost effective. Students also had to construct a bridge in the activity ‘Gold Fever’ that is ableto withstand the transport of heavy loads from one side of the chasm to the other. Other activities such as ‘War Machine’ and ‘Missionto Mars’, allowed teams to transport their imagination into the past or outer space. Not only were the students given an opportunity totake part in hands on activities, putting their imagination to the test as well as putting their thoughts into action, listening to their teammembers' thoughts and opinions and negotiate on what they were going to include in their final product, but it also gave them a chanceto interact with other students across Darwin in a positive supportive manner. Teams were awarded points for each activity and theschool with the most points at the end of the day was declared the winner. The overall winning team from the Northern Territory willrepresent their school as well as the Territory in a national competition against schools from other States. Though Dripstone did notwin, the students had heaps of fun sharing their ideas and working together in a group to achieve goals throughout the whole day.Susan Lee, Year 9 Maths/Science TeacherVanessa Branco, Kristine Mercader,Furdosa Aba Bor and their eco-habitechRobert Bradshaw, Alex Locklear, Sam Jongueand Kristine Lee adding some more support totheir bridge in 'Gold Fever'.FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELLORThanks to the support of DET and the Smith Family, in the beginning of Semester 2, we will see the introduction of a Girls' Group toDripstone Middle School. Look for more information to follow on this exciting new program in upcoming newsletters. To assist withthe Girls Groups, we are seeking some generous donations from the community and are to asking for your help in gathering someessential and fun items to kick the Girls' Group off. If you have, or aware of, anyone wishing to donate the following items please callBeth Mitchell (School Counsellor) on (08) 89202217 or email beth.mitchell@ntschools.net. We can organise for them to be droppedoff or picked up at your convenience.We are seeking: IPOD Dock radio, Wii, or Nintendo, Games eg ping pong, air hockey, pool table, sing star, kareoke, disco ball, mirror,popcorn maker, sandwich Breville, toaster, weights, flat screen TV, fridge, camera, clock, microwave, computers, bean bags, couch/futon, pin board (notice board/photos), table, chairs, whiteboard, cutlery, plates/bowls, glasses/cups, large blank canvases, tea towels,drying rack, water jug.Thank you, in advance for your generosity.Page 3

Learn Earn Legend AFLNT Indigenous Careers ExpoMs Motlop and I took 22 students to the Careers Expo at TIO Stadium in May. The Careers Expo was organised by Nova Peris. Wewere split up into three groups. Group 1 heard Paul Vandenburg give a talk about mentoring, Group 2 was NT Health – Jason Bonsonspoke about the different jobs you can do if you want to work for NT Health and Group 3 – Group Training NT (GTNT) spoke aboutwhat they can do to help students get a job. After that, students had to answer a questionnaire. When they handed their questionnairein they got tickets to go to the Port Adelaide vs Richmond game. Their names went into a draw to win a Richmond jersey. Thestudents enjoyed themselves. A huge hit with the students was ABC Radio & TV and tasting the lovely food from Karen SheldonTraining & Development.Gloria CraigieAIEWMentoring ProgramWe were invited to go to Nakara Primary School to mentor four Year 5/6 girls. I chose four Year8 students who I thought would be good role models for the girls; they were Faith PangQuee,Katrina Marranbya, Dom Cook and Shania Rosas. When we arrived at Nakara Primary Schoolthe girls were introduced to the AIEW Karen Newman. Then we went to the Library andmeet the Year 5/6 girls. This visit is only an introduction. Our girls were really excited aboutmentoring the younger girls and look forward to going to Nakara again.Gloria CraigieA/AIEWCooking CapersRyan Slade, Jimmy McMurtrie, HagenYear 7 students are nearing the end of this unit, ready to take on the new subject in Term 3.Wigney and Luke JohnsonStudents worked together to halve a recipe for a breakfast muesli muffin. Students workedtogether to problem solve this perplexing issue. The muffins were superb. We have justcompleted a design component where students had to design a tofu breakfast. Students certainlyfound this to be a pressure test, but did a great job.Year 8 students have completed their magnificent muffin design project. The only thing left todo is to get the judges in for the winning low fat and low sugar muffin.Year 9 students have completed their design project. Students had to research the humblefatty and sugary cake to transform this into a healthy, but yummy cake that would appeal to ateenager. After many hours of experimentation, students have come up with great recipes. There were challenges such as, making itlight and fluffy without the butter; making it edible without all that sugar; making it look good without the icing. But you know what?They finally did it, and without the copied recipes.I say a fond farewell to all my classes and wish you the best in your new workshop. Remember Chemistry, Maths and English are justcooking really.Mrs Girdham, Cooking TeacherFROM THE DRAMA DEPARTMENTOn Thursday the 2nd of June my year 7 and Year 9 dance classes danced at Sanderson Middle School at a dance competition calledSanderson Under the Stars. There were 3 middle schools represented including: Sanderson, Dripstone and Darwin with 11 groupsdancing. I would like to congratulate my classes on their excellent dancing and would like to share their marks with you. Each groupwere marked out of 20. My Year 7’s scored a mark of 16 and my Year 9 Rock and Roller’s scored a mark of 17. The “Dynamics”, acrew made up of 6 of my year 9 dance students including: Jake Kunde, Haylen Ducan, Mitchell Green, Ariki Murray, Nicole Taboradaand Roshen Santos, scored 18 out of 20 and came third in the competition. Well done everyone!On Thursday and Friday the 9th and 10th of June Dripstone Middle School held a performance to show off our talent in theperforming arts learning areas. It was a cross curriculum celebration of talents with students from the Dance, Drama and Musicfaculties taking part. I would personally like to thank Miss Boardman and her art students who painted the scenes, Mr O’ Gallagherwho made a DVD of the night’s performance and his IT students who made posters, along with the drama students, and Mr Cantrilland his tech crew students who worked so hard behind the scenes. A huge thankyou to Miss Carnegie who was a pleasure to workwith.I would like to thank the teachers for their support in allowing students to practise in class time. We would also like to thank Ms Smithour principal, Miss Pikoulos and Mr Trouw our Assistant Principals and all the senior teachers for being so supportive.Last but not least; well done every student, who took part, for your hard work. I’m so proud of you all. YOU ROCK!Janelle Cantrill, Drama TeacherPage 4