Building Futures - Merici College

Swimming CarnivalAround the World, Around the Pool7

A RoomNew Ways& AforWriterKnowledgePursuing Relevant,Meaningful andAppropriate CurriculumAs the Science staff work at Mericithis year to incorporate the AustralianCurriculum into Years 7 and 9 aspart of Phase 1 of the integrationprocess, we are reminded that one ofthe key points of the College’s ownPrinciples of Powerful Learning is‘pursuing relevant, meaningful andappropriate curriculum’.The Shape of the AustralianCurriculum: Science outlined the aimsof the science curriculum to“Foster an interest and a curiosity andwillingness to speculate about and explorethe world. Students should be able toengage in communication of and aboutscience, value evidence and scepticism,and question scientific claims made byothers. They should be able to identifyand investigate scientific questions, drawevidence-based conclusions and makeinformed decisions about their ownhealth and wellbeing. Science is a humanendeavour that students should learn toappreciate and apply in their daily life.”(ACARA, 2009, p5)Recently in a speech, The President ofthe United States Barack Obama said“Over the next ten years, nearly half ofUp Coming Events in Scienceall jobs will require education beyondhigh school, many requiring proficiencyin math and science….if we want to winthe global competition for new jobs andindustries we’ve got to win the globalcompetition to educate our people.”(Obama 2011)Although Barack Obama spoke thesewords in reference to his own country,his comment is just as pertinent toeducators in Australia today.A report prepared for the Office of theChief Scientist into ‘The Status andQuality of Year 11 and 12 Science inAustralian Schools’, posed the question:‘Are we content that only half of oursenior secondary students are studyingscience?’ It also stated that nationallythe percentage of students enrolledin Biology, Physics and Chemistry isgradually falling.This information poses a challenge forall science teachers. How do we engageour students in learning so that theyunderstand science and are able to applythe concepts in a general sense but alsomeet the needs of students who wish topursue a scientific career in the future?The Australian Curriculum: Sciencewhich is organised into 3 strandsendeavours to address these issues.Colloquially known as the 3 sisters, thestrands are: Science for UnderstandingDateOfficial handover of the Merici Glasshouse End of Term 1Merici Science Series – Dr Russell BarrowPhysics Excursion Senior StudentsMerici Science Series – Dr Asaph Widmer-CooperRio Tinto Big Science CompetitionICAS Science CompetitionNobel Laureate Professor Elizabeth Blackburn LectureYear 8 Brain Day2nd May4th May21st May23rd May6th June21st June27th JuneThe next generation of Scientists at work.“Over the next ten years,nearly half of all jobs willrequire education beyondhigh school, many requiringproficiency in math andscience….if we want to winthe global competition fornew jobs and industrieswe’ve got to win the globalcompetition to educate ourpeople.”(Obama 2011)(SU), Science Investigative Skills (SIS)and Science as a Human Endeavour(SHE). While the first two strands aimto develop knowledge and skills, it isthe last strand that strives to providerelevance and meaning for the studentsin their study of science.These Science strands, combinedwith the cross curriculum priorities ofSustainability, Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander histories and cultures,as well Australia’s engagement withAsia, means that Merici is well poisedto offer a learning environment to ourstudents that aligns with the AustralianCurriculum. It includes dynamicand quality assessment and providesexperiences for the students that enablethem to see science as a lifelonghuman endeavour.Joanne AboudScience Coordinator8

New WaysAforRoomKnowledge& A WriterC1 and C2 Flexible Learning Space andthe Teaching of GeographyThis semester, three Geography classes are located in thenew flexible learning space, where the canteen was previouslylocated. This space facilitates individual, small group and largegroup activities. For example, in preparing for the Year 9 fieldtrip to Kosciuszko National Park we will use this flexible spaceto introduce the field trip to the classes. The Interactive WhiteBoard and the flexible layout of the room will enable studentsto complete different tasks at a variety of stations. Eachstudent will then complete individual research on the fragilenature of the national park.C1 and C2 new flexible teaching space.The flexible nature of the learning space is conducive tocollaborative teaching and learning. It allows an exchange ofideas between students and between students and staff. Theopportunity to work collaboratively with fellow staff allowsteachers to plan, teach and reflect together on the best wayto use this space productively, whilst enhancing the learningopportunities of each student. The placement of computersaround the space allows the smooth integration of ICT intoeveryday activities.In its broadest sense, Geography enables an education forlife and helps us all to be informed, responsible citizens andmore socially and environmentally sensitive. The use of thisflexible space allows for a variety of teaching styles and its easyconnection to the indigenous garden and outdoor areas of theCollege further enhance this area of learning.C1 and C2 new flexible teaching space.Mrs Curran and Mrs RichardsonVisiting JournalistClaire Low with Writers’ Club Members.Canberra Times journalist, Claire Low, was a welcomevisitor to the Merici College Writers’ Club on February 28.Claire fielded a wide range of questions about her work as ajournalist and about her favourite novels. Not surprisingly,club members found they had many interests in commonwith Claire, including an aspiration to publish a novel. Clairewas very encouraging and provided useful writing tips,recommending Stephen King’s book, On Writing: A Memoirof the Craft, as a source of valuable ideas to improve ourwriting. Claire’s wide ranging conversation, along with anexcellent chocolate cake provided by a club member, made fora very enjoyable meeting. Samara Carroll made the originalsuggestion to contact Claire and we would like to thank herfor this inspiration.The Writers’ Club meets each Tuesday in Room 112 and theformat alternates between a formal meeting where one ofthe club members takes the chair, and an informal meetingwhere students bring their own work and continue withtheir creative writing. A teacher is present and available toassist students with free writing or other assessment tasks. Allstudents are welcome to attend.Janell JonesWriters’ Club Facilitator9

Year 11 ConferenceYear 11 Conference10

Year 11 ConferenceYear 11 Conference11

Year 7 CampYear 7 Camp“Being a helper was very rewarding and showed me what agreat group of girls the 2012 Year sevens are.”12

Year 7 CampYear 7 CampWednesday morning on March 19, I got on a bus withthe Year 7s and three other helpers for a six hour longtrip to Tathra. Our job as helpers, or “seniors” as wewere often called, was to help the Year 7s make friendsand encourage them to join in games and activities.They did need a little encouragement to cross thelagoon on our bush walk, but they didn’t need any helpmaking friends.My friend Harriet and I are in Year 10 but we werecommonly mistaken for Year 7s, which wasn’t veryflattering. There were many dramas during the camp,such as when the girls stayed up late checking their hairfor ticks and leeches. There was always something todo whether it was raft building, hiking, telling stories infront of the campfire, swimming at the beach ormaking giant sand castles. Being a helper was veryrewarding and showed me what a great group of girlsthe 2012 Year 7s are.Lauren AbrahamYear 10 student13

Running, Sporting Water Polo Connections& VolleyballMerici RunningMerici Water PoloMerici College enteredboth the StromloRunning Festival and theWomen and Girls’ FunRun/Walk, during thefirst term of 2012. TheStromlo Running festivalwas very successful this year, with around 60 Merici students,teachers, parents and friends completing 345 km in the 30minutes available. The participants were also treated to amassive storm whilst enjoying the annual BBQ.On March 6, the Merici Year 7-10 water polo team playedin the ACT School Championship. This is a competitionwe have been continually involved in since 1987 with greatsuccess. The participation from other schools was down thisyear due to short notice on a change in dates from the usualdate in November and only 5 teams played instead of theusual 12. Despite this, the normal powerhouse teams fromMerici, Girls Grammar and St Clare’s were present along withlast year’s champions Daramalan.Merici had some preparation under Melissa Taylor, ourYear 12 National water polo representative, at Civic pooland brought in two new Year 7 players to play along with afairly experienced group of Merici girls. It was a thrilling dayand we made it through to our 7th consecutive grand finalagainst St Clare’s but lost 10-8 in a pulsating game. The teamwas ably led by our state representatives, Taylor Gallagherand Natalie Taylor with the rest of the team being RachelAlbertson-Kill, Merryn McAlister, Gabrielle Walker, KristynHorrocks and Phoebe Harwood.Volleyball ACT RepsMerici Volleyball has received further great news recentlywith the naming of the A.C.T. Representative sides for 2012.Emily Kalthofen, Sophia Caputo and Lillian Cossetto werenamed in the Under 15 teams that will play in championshipsin Albury. Special mention must be made of Lillian’sachievement – this is the third sport in which she willrepresent the A.C.T. following on from hockey and softball.At the Women and Girls’ Fun Run/Walk, Merici had asurprisingly high participant rate with around 40 students,mothers, daughters, aunts, and teachers coming to completethe 5 km bridge to bridge walk, beginning at Stage 88,Commonwealth Park. Merici came second to rivals St Claire’sby an amazing 5% and I would like to congratulate everyonewho participated. Maybe we will get them next year girls!Jessica HargreavesSports CaptainEmma Turner, Isabella Aroub, Gabrielle Kalthofen, AnnieParnell, Carlia Zedde, Tegan Hedington and Celia Cossettowere all named in the Under 17 teams for the NationalChampionships which will be held in Canberra later in the year.Merici College has more representatives in these teamsthan ever before as we continue to grow not only in ourparticipation but also our skill levels. We currently have 11teams playing in the ACT Open Women’s competition onTuesday nights and our top players are preparing to take onthe big guns in the Capital Volleyball League – VolleyballACT’s highest level of competition.14

Foreign ConnectionsEuropeMerici Family visit their Italian daughterWhen Francesca flew back to Italy we all experienced sucha wrench. Then and there we decided that we had to startplanning a family holiday to Italy to be with our beautiful‘daughter’ again and meet her family. The perfect timewas over the Christmas/New Year holidays. We arrived inCerignola (South eastern Italy - the ‘ankle’ of the boot) onthe 21 December 2011 and stayed with Francesca and herfamily for a week of celebrations. We learned how to cookauthentic Italian food and discovered how good Italian coffeetastes. We also picked up some Italian words while sharing ourAussie lingo.Our first sight of Italian exchange student, Francesca Alfieri,was at the Canberra airport one evening. She looked likea scared little girl and did not understand what we weresaying, as we tend to speak too quickly, especially when weare excited.Over the weeks we watched Francesca blossom into thebubbly, bouncy young lady that she is when in her hometown of Cerignola, Italy. She grew more confident, dug aplace into our hearts and became a true member of ourfamily, a daughter.Experiencing Christmas with our Italian family was anamazing experience.. They were the most generous, lovingpeople and we have now adopted each others families. I cansee our relationship growing over the years as we watch ourlovely girls grow into well- rounded and successful women.Entering into the Merici Italian exchange program was one ofthe best decisions our family has ever made.Thank you MericiJoy McGaheyMother of Audrey McGahey Year 11French Film FestivalEvery year the Alliance Française holdsthe French Film Festival (AFFFF)which runs for five weeks over Marchand April. This year, we were fortunateenough to secure screenings for the year8-12 French students.The Year 8 students saw a hilarious familycomedy called Ducoboo. It’s about theworst possible student imaginable – witha nice twist at the end! The Year 9 and 10students saw War of the Buttons. This wasa fantastic remake of a classic from the1960s. The Year 11 and 12 students sawa beautiful film called The Well-digger’sDaughter, another remake of a classic,made in 1940.The students and teachers thoroughlyenjoyed the excursion and look forwardto seeing what the AFFFF brings to ourscreens next year.Pip HoermannLanguages TeacherTEACHER PROFILESHannahCareyHaving attendedMerici Collegeas a student fromyear 7-12, I amdelighted to beback, teachingDance, Drama and Religion. I am alsoenjoying being a PC teacher in my oldhouse, Seiwa. After graduating from thecollege I took myself off on a gap year toEngland where I spent time working in aboarding school and travelling throughoutEurope, an experience I found invaluable.Following my year abroad, I commencedstudy at The University of New South Walesin Sydney, and gained a Bachelor of Arts(Dance) and a Bachelor of Education. Forthe past three years I have been teachingDance and Drama at Kingscliff High School,located on the Far North Coast of NSW.I thoroughly enjoyed my time up therehowever, I am very happy to be home andam looking forward to a great year at Merici!AlisonStevenIn 2011, Icompleteda Bachelorof Teaching(Secondary) atCharles SturtUniversity. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts andBachelor of Economics from ANU. I haveover ten years’ experience in the Bankingand Finance industry, having worked inboth Sydney and Canberra. My role as aBusiness Banking Manager expanded mybusiness knowledge and developed myskills in client services, financial analysis andbanking practices. I have always been drawnto teaching and was a volunteer tutor for sixyears before embarking on my new career.I completed my secondary teaching prac atMerici College mid last year and am thrilledto be on staff, teaching Year 9 Geographyand Year 9/10 Consumer Education thisyear.15

Merici momentsAwards Ceremony