CURRICULUM
Science News
Science and Engineering Challenge Champions!
Last Friday, 25 Year 10 students represented Holy Spirit College at the Science and Engineering Challenge at Whitsunday Anglican School.
Over the day students were split into 8 groups where they had different challenges to solve. They were given points as they worked through the different problems in their challenge. Some challenges included:
- designing a plane out of balsa wood to fly a certain distance and hit a target;
- designing a wind turbine that has the fastest revolutions per minute;
- create a morse code out of lights and relay messages to team members;
- design an environmentally friendly house that is cheap, and can withstand rain, wind and mass;
- connect electricity to different grids.
All the students did an amazing job! They were enthusiastic and worked collaboratively with their team throughout the day. A big thank you to the students for the respect they showed to the University staffwho ran the day and their willingness to help them clean up after each challenge.
At the end of the day and after all the points were tallied, we are very proud to announce that HSC were the winners of this year’s tournament – beating four other schools throughout the Mackay district.
Well done Year 10s! A big thank you to Jakob Kapor who came to help supervise on the day.
Trish Dwyer - Dean of Science (Senior)
HPE News
Exciting New Units in Junior HPE!
As we wrap up Unit 1 assessments, our junior students are diving into their new and exciting units for Term 2. Here's a sneak peek into what each year level will be exploring:
Year 7: Food for Fuel
Our Year 7 students are embarking on a journey to understand the foundational principles of nutrition and wellness. This unit, "Food for Fuel," emphasises the importance of a balanced diet for individual health, wellbeing, and athletic performance. Students will explore the components of a balanced diet according to The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, analyse food labels, investigate influences on dietary choices, and delve into the sustainability of food options. Through critical thinking, practical application, and reflection, they will gain the skills and knowledge needed to make informed decisions about their nutrition, setting the stage for lifelong healthy habits.
Year 8: Moving with Precision
In "Moving with Precision," our Year 8 students will delve into the fascinating world of biomechanics and athletics, focusing on track and field events. They will analyse biomechanical principles to enhance performance in throwing and jumping events, understanding bases of support, flow of movement, effort, and spatial awareness. Through collaborative projects and peer evaluations, students will deepen their comprehension of biomechanics, fostering a holistic understanding of athletic excellence and personal growth. This unit provides essential knowledge for those considering senior pathways in physical education.
Year 9: Homerun Heroes
Year 9 students will become "Homerun Heroes" as they explore the principles of ethical leadership, fair play, and teamwork through the lens of softball. They will analyse the interplay between individual and group dynamics, honing their skills in decision-making, collaboration, and reflective practice. By examining the influence of ethical behaviour on physical activity outcomes, students will develop a deep understanding of integrity in sportsmanship. Engaging activities, strategic gameplay, and theoretical discussions will help them transfer and adapt their skills to new situations on the softball diamond. The unit culminates in a multimodal presentation where students showcase their proficiency in leadership, collaboration, and ethical decision-making, both on and off the field.
Please ensure you have finalised your athletic permissions for Year 7 and Year 8 if you haven't done so already. We are excited to see our students grow and develop through their HPE curriculum journey.
Jessica Davison - Dean of Health & Physical Education