The rich curriculum – the classroom beyond the classroom

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

– Luke 2:52

This week has been full. The whole extent of school life is in bloom. The whole curriculum is once again able to be enjoyed.

On Monday afternoon parents and Year 7 and 8 students took part in an online Study Skills Seminar with Dr Prue Salter. On Tuesday night parents and Year 11 students took part in online Student Progress Meetings. While these events were online, we were grateful to be able to welcome parents back on site from the start of the week. We are conscious that some events will be better in person, and others will be better online. Where possible we hope to offer what works best for most but remain pleased that parents can be back on campus.

Rehearsals for Strictly Ballroom are in full swing. After school co-curricular activities are spicing up the week for many students. Our Primary Instrumental program for Strings and Brass is cranking up. It is a joy to see students happily wandering into school with their instruments. Today, the Senior Concert Band performed at the Year 10-12 Assembly, and Year 12 students displayed and explained the process and progress of their Visual Art major works. Earlier in the week in Chapel, Year 9 Drama enacted the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant as part of our current series on the power, meaning, and the ‘how to’ of forgiveness.

Year 12 PDHPE were put through their paces for a day at the Sports Science Unit at the Sydney Academy. Year 12 Geography completed field work on urban renewal at Ultimo, noting the density of apartments, people, and pubs within the suburb. Year 9 and 10 Physical Activity and Sports Studies students were offsite today for Underwater Hockey and Golf respectively.

Our Secondary swimmers competed at the CSSA Zone carnival and our cricketers were successful in their Wiburd Shield Quarter-Final against Kinross-Wolaroi. In addition to this, Years 7-10 undertook their ongoing Sports program from Edor to parkour, stand up paddling boarding to surf squad, skating, scootering and everything in between.

International Women’s Day was commemorated earlier in the week in the participation of two of our senior students in the Young Women’s Leadership Seminar held at NSW Parliament and in assembly. Today’s Staff-Student Netball game and barbecue supporting Indigenous Women’s Advocacy and Health organisations rounded out the week.

Year 5 and 6 students have enjoyed a wonderful time at the newly revamped Cru site on Lake Macquarie. I understand that the activities on and off the water were equally popular. My thanks to all the staff involved for helping Year 5 and 6 to have such a fantastic time away. Year 5 and 6 students might notice some final touches and new furniture in their classrooms when they return on Monday.

And all the while, student learning has continued apace in our classrooms, as have assessment tasks for our Year 11 and 12 students. School life is rich, as is learning. School life and learning both go well beyond the classroom. We are delighted that this week has been a reminder of that, and a reminder of the richness that school life has to offer.

Tim Watson
Principal