Secondary Insights
Week 6 of Term 3 is a busy time in Secondary at Hills College. Our ongoing assessments and examinations, our special events and programs, staff development opportunities which are ongoing from the authorities, administrative tasks have made it a busy time. Furthermore, our wonderful events such as Science Week, HIA Competitions, the opening of our Hills College Arts Centre and our excursions and incursions have also enhanced our learning.
The focus for this edition of the Hills Times is the role of Heads of Faculty, as they are critical in the leadership and management of all matters academic at Hills College. Their responsibilities are focused on ensuring high standards of teaching, learning and ongoing achievement within the subject areas they facilitate. As Head of Secondary, I am so appreciative to have them guide our students with not only the daily scheduled learning experiences, but making sure they lead the design, implementation and review of all matters curriculum to ensure the learning experiences are engaging, challenging and aligned with both authorities ACARA and QCAA.
Their role is extensive and some of the components they undertake are around curriculum development, resource management, instructional leadership, quality assurance, assessment oversight, data analysis, professional development, mentoring and coaching, budget management, policy implementation and compliance, communication and collaboration, innovation, and improvement student and parent engagement. Overall, Heads of Faculty are vital in maintaining and enhancing the academic standards within their subject areas, supporting both teachers and students to achieve their best.
If you have any matters pertaining to the subjects your child undertakes, please do not hesitate to contact them. Their email address will be on our Hills College website.
This week we celebrate Science Week, and we look forward to all matters Science with our students and our STEM Ambassadors across the College. Week 8 is also proving to be something to look forward to with our upcoming Book Week with our English Ambassadors.
If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at the College. Any question is an important question.
Mrs Julie-Anne Skelton
Head of Secondary
julie-anne.skelton@hills.qld.edu.au
Secondary LAWS Awardees
We welcome the following students who are LAWS Awardees in Secondary at Hills College.
The College LAWS are a special part of who we are at the College and for this edition of the Hills Times, my focus is upon Working with Diligence with our current Year 12 cohort.
As Head of Secondary, I am so proud of student achievement with their recent undertaking of both IA2 and IA3 Internal Assessments which are significant components of the assessment program for students in Year 12. These assessments contribute to a student's final subject result and, ultimately, their ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). Their success is a reflection of both their hard work and the supportive environment the teaching staff at Hills College has facilitated for the students.
Seeing students work diligently and knowing the effort they put in is aligned with the core values of the College. Their dedication not only leads to strong academic outcomes but also instils lifelong habits that will serve them well beyond their school years. It is so heartening to witness the tangible results of such commitment. Emphasising the process at Hills College rather than just the results also reinforces the idea that hard work is valuable in itself and that improvement often comes over time.
For these students, it's crucial to recognise and celebrate their effort, persistence, and growth, even if the outcomes aren't as high as they hoped.
Teaching and Learning - Design Technologies 7A
This week, 7A Design Technologies students shared the findings of their research. 7A students were given the task of selecting a common pizza topping and exploring either a benefit or issue with the product. This activity helps students understand the nutritional, cultural, ethical, environmental, economic, and/or safety aspects of food products while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills in designing pizza prototypes.
Indigo, Gemma and Chelsea discussed how pineapples, when harvested, require substantial human labour. They provided statistics and facts to support their viewpoint. To conclude, they ran a very successful quiz. The questions revised the facts around the high need for human labour. (refer to the graph)
Hallie, Jacob and Sakhi discussed the need for large quantities of pesticide when growing capsicums. They shared images of diseased capsicums and capsicums which had been attacked by pests. Their activity for the class successfully reinforced the concept that pesticides are sprayed on the fruit. The class was asked to wash capsicums in a mixture of bi-carbonate soda and water to remove any residual pesticides. (refer to the student photos)
Paige and Lucy discussed the challenges of planting, harvesting and caring for tomato plants. This fruit also requires significant human labour. Lucy and Paige shared a chart which they constructed. It shows that up to 20% of crops die. The team stated in their presentation that 20% “is a lot if we really think about it”.
The class was given the task of planting a tomato plant and tying the plant to a stake. For small-scale farms or specific conditions where manual planting is preferred, it can take about 30 seconds to 2 minutes per plant, depending on the worker's experience and efficiency. We didn’t time the class. We will have to go on say so. I dare say we were closer to 2 minutes.
Theo and Cooper shared their findings on pepperoni. (refer to the details below) Cooper bought in a 3D printed plane to reinforce the idea that pepperoni, when transported by plane, adds further to the gas emissions.
Thank you so much Ms Carter for your Year 7 Design Technologies feature.
Ms Rachel Carter
Design and Digital Technologies Teacher
Teaching and Learning- Technologies Overview
Design & Technologies – Food - What's Cooking in Design Technology This Term?
This term has been buzzing with creativity and innovation in the Design Technology department! Our students have been exploring diverse aspects of food, sustainability, and commercial design, each year group delving into exciting projects.
Year 7 students were given the task of selecting a common pizza topping and exploring either a benefit or issue with the product. This activity helps students understand the nutritional, cultural, ethical, environmental, economic, and/or safety aspects of food products while fostering creativity and problem-solving skills in designing pizza prototypes.
Year 8 students have embarked on a global culinary journey, investigating food from around the world. They’ve also been designing sustainable food packaging, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly choices in our everyday lives.
Year 9 has taken a closer look at the future of food by investigating meat alternatives. Through hands-on experimentation and research, they are learning about the benefits of these alternatives for health, the environment, and the economy.
Year 10 students have been busy designing their very own street food eateries. From concept development to menu planning and stall design, they are getting a taste of what it takes to run a successful food business.
Our Year 11 and 12 students have been working diligently on their senior design assessments. These projects are the culmination of their skills and creativity, showcasing their ability to think critically and innovate.
A highlight for the Year 10, 11, and 12 students was a trip to Eat Street, where they had the chance to observe sustainability efforts in action and, of course, sample a wide array of delicious foods. This experience not only broadened their culinary horizons but also inspired them to think about how they can incorporate sustainability into their own designs.
Overall, this term has been a feast for the senses in Design Technology, with students across all year levels engaging in meaningful and innovative projects that highlight the importance of sustainability and creativity in the world of food.
Digital Technologies
Our current Year 7 rotation class is engaged in a cross-curricular unit called Digital Creators. Students are taking on the role of a digital content creator, building a website in HTML and CSS to showcase images, graphics and videos they are creating in Media Arts.
Our Semester Two Year 8 rotation class is immersed in the exciting field of game development where they are learning real-world skills in coding with Javascript. The students are creating games involving complex sprite movements and animations, whilst developing their understanding of computational thinking and conditional logic.
The online world is rich with interactive content that is powered by Javascript. Our Year 9 learners are building websites designed to educate fellow students about a topic related to their study at Hills College. Students are learning the skills of web developers to create websites that engage the user through the use of interactive elements.
Year 10 students are also exploring the world of online interactive content by creating interactive animations and games. Students are working with industry standard applications such as Adobe Animate, in which they can use Javascript to create interactive web-based content.
Students have also had the opportunity to utilize new technologies that have been recently acquired by the College. A high-end workstation has allowed students to push their creativity in developing games, graphics, animations and video effects. In addition, students have experimented with new robotic vehicles equipped with AI lenses, which enable them to code the vehicle to recognize and respond to objects and perform specific tasks.
Mr Christopher Borg
Head of Faculty - Technologies
Teaching and Learning - Science Week
Science Week 2024, also known as National Science Week, is an annual event in Australia dedicated to celebrating science and technology. Scheduled for August 10-18, 2024, it features a wide range of activities, exhibitions, and events across the country aimed at engaging people of all ages in the wonders of science.
The week serves as a platform for scientists, educators, and enthusiasts to share their knowledge, inspire curiosity, and promote the understanding and importance of science in everyday life. Activities typically include workshops, public lectures, school programs, and interactive science displays, often focusing on the latest scientific research and technological advancements.
The event is organized by the Australian Government through the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, with support from various educational institutions, museums, and science organizations.
Our Hills College STEM Ambassadors and Science Teachers this week have used to collect Dry ice and liquid nitrogen. Both of these substances were excellent in creating engaging and educational science demonstrations, particularly in physics and chemistry. Further to this, our STEM Ambassadors have been providing a whole College Quiz.
So what do STEM Ambassadors undertake at the College?
Our Hills College STEM Ambassadors play a crucial role in promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among students. Their role Inspiring Interest in STEM, organising STEM-related events, such as science week, competitions, and workshops, provides students with practical, real-world experiences. They also Mentor and Support Students offering guidance on STEM projects as well as collaborating and working closely with teachers to integrate STEM into the teaching and learning component.
Our wonderful Mr Chris Schultz has led our amazing STEM Ambassadors over the past four years undertaking key role in creating a culture of curiosity and innovation in our students and to help them helping see the value and excitement of pursuing STEM-related education. Please send your responses to the quizzes below to chris.schultz@hills.qld.edu.au
Thank you so much Mr Schultz
Fun Science Fact
There is enough DNA in the average person's body to stretch from the sun to Pluto and back - 17 times