Spark – Issue 11, Term 3

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Description/Educative Purpose:
Students are to use Lake Macquarie as a case study to determine the suitability for young children, with a specific focus on researching if the community can provide opportunities to allow children to grow and develop physical and cognitive skills. Students will visit two key areas: Speers Point Park and Warners Bay Esplanade waterfront. No cost for the excursion as the school bus will be used, students are encouraged to bring their lunch but are also welcome to purchase fish and chips on the waterfront. Students will be provided with a research task to complete on the day, and this will provide real-world application knowledge relevant to curriculum content.
Additional event details:
Students are learning about play, growth and development of children. Speers Point Park and Warners Pay Esplanade are key family areas which have outdoor gym equipment, walking paths, parks and recreational facilities. The purpose of this excursion is to allow students to discover if a geographical area is family friendly – including safety precautions for children.

The excursion to Speers Point Park directly correlates with our Child Studies Unit and addresses the below curriculum outcomes:

* discuss the range of factors that can affect child growth and development, for example: genetic factors, environmental factors
* explore activities in which the family and those available in the community can positively influence the development of children, for example: going to the park, visiting others, reading
* investigate how children can influence their own growth and development as their capacity for self-regulation increases, for example: responsibility for simple health and wellbeing behaviours

examine the benefits of playing outdoors and playing in nature, for example: connection with nature, connection to Country

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As part of the Stage 5 & 6 Geography syllabus students are required to conduct fieldwork to put their knowledge & skills gained in the classroom into practice.

Through fieldwork, students can apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world situations, fostering a deeper understanding of geographical concepts.
Moreover fieldwork encourages students to consider the multifaceted aspects of coastal management, including environmental sustainability, social impacts, and economic considerations. Additionally, students develop crucial research skills and critical thinking abilities, equipping them to address real-world challenged and contribute to the responsible stewardship of our coastal ecosystem.

Our fieldwork venture will take us to our local coastal environment, Norah Head. Students will observe various features of the area including the lighthouse, cliffs, bushland, rock-pools, beach, cliffs and dunes. Through hands-on data collection, analysis and interpretation, students will foster a deeper understanding of coastal dynamics and the geographical processes shaping these features such as erosion and deposition.

The fieldwork completed on this day will form the basis for their first assessment task and is compulsory. Should students not be able to attend due to illness they will need to organise an independent visit to Norah Head to complete their fieldwork.

When: Tuesday 25th March 2025

Where: Norah Head, lighthouse, rock-pools & beach

Travel: by bus to/from St Brigid’s Catholic College:

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Depart: 8:30am
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Return: by 1:30pm

Food: students are required to bring their own food and water for the day. There will be no opportunity to purchase items.

Other Equipment: Students are required to take a notebook and pen on the excursion, and are encouraged to bring clipboards. Any other resources will be allocated by the teachers.

No Swimming: Students will not be allowed to swim on this excursion.

Acadiam Activation is a workshop designed to empower Indigenous students from years 10 to 12, and give them the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about job roles as well as industries and which one is right for them. It is a funded initiative to help students find the right pathway and what will suit what they are most looking for. This workshop will include interview techniques, job ready checklists and the importance of budgeting and managing their money to get their first car. They will also learn how to enhance their employability skills.
Additional event details:
Acadiam Activation will come to St Brigids on Friday the 28th of March with no cost to parents. It will run for 2.5 hours from 10am to 12.30pm and lunch will be provided.

Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students will travel to the UoN Gallery in Ourimbah to view the outstanding HSC 2024 works on display. This excursion serves to give students an understanding of the kinds of work included in the 2024 cohort of high achievers in Visual Arts. It also serves to contextualise the HSC Body of Work for their own artmaking.

Students will meet at Wyee Train Station at 8:05AM.
The train to the university campus departs at 8:25AM and arrives at Ourimbah at 8:45AM. Students will walk from the station to the gallery to view the exhibition.
They will complete a study booklet while at the gallery before walking back to Ourimbah Station.
The Ourimbah train departs at 2:29PM and arrives at Wyee Station at 2:48PM from where students will be dismissed.

Students will need to bring lunch and an Opal card.
Students are not permitted to drive to and from the station. A parent or guardian must take them.

Description/Educative Purpose:
The Da Vinci Decathlon NSW is an annual academic competition that challenges high-achieving students across various disciplines, inspired by the innovative spirit of Leonardo da Vinci. The decathlon consists of ten rigorous events, including engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Teams of eight students work collaboratively to solve complex problems, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. The competition fosters a passion for learning and academic excellence, attracting schools from across New South Wales to compete in a stimulating and dynamic environment.
Additional event details:
The Da Vinci Decathlon will be held at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Newcastle. Students will be transported to and from the event via the school bus.

* Departure: 6:50 AM from school
* Return: 4:30 PM to school

Students must wear their full formal summer uniform and bring their blazers. They should also bring:

* Their own food, drinks, and refreshments for the day
* All stationery requirements, including a calculator

Description/Educative Purpose:
The Da Vinci Decathlon NSW is an annual academic competition that challenges high-achieving students across various disciplines, inspired by the innovative spirit of Leonardo da Vinci. The decathlon consists of ten rigorous events, including engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, art and poetry, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, and legacy. Teams of eight students work collaboratively to solve complex problems, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. The competition fosters a passion for learning and academic excellence, attracting schools from across New South Wales to compete in a stimulating and dynamic environment.
Additional event details:
The Da Vinci Decathlon will be held at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Newcastle. Students will be transported to and from the event via the school bus.

* Departure: 6:50 AM from school
* Return: 4:30 PM to school

Students must wear their full formal summer uniform and bring their blazers. They should also bring:

* Their own food, drinks, and refreshments for the day
* All stationery requirements, including a calculator

Students will engage in a full day of talks, revision, and HSC tips for the HSC Agriculture course. Activities include talks by representatives from the agricultural industry, universities and agricultural schools. This is an invaluable day where students will liaise with experts and peers across many sectors.
Additional event details:
Students are required to meet at Warnervale Station at 6:30 am as we need to arrive at Barker College before 8:30 am. They will need an Opal card to travel on the train. The day ends at approximately 2:30 pm, and students are expected to arrive back at Warnervale station around 4 pm. Transport to and from Warnervale Station is not provided by the school.