October 2022 Newsletter
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Principal's Welcome
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Happy World Teachers' Day 2022
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Important Dates
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Deputy Duologue
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Supporting mental health and wellbeing - October Mental Health Awareness Month
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Wellbeing Support Resources for students and families
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Save the Date -Year 12 Graduation
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Year 12 Formal
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AST information for all Year 11 Tertiary students
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UCSSC Lake Ginninderra Arts and Technology Showcase 2022
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Original Drama Production - Zetaclorm
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2022 UC Creative Competition - Voting Now Open
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Women in ICT – Award nominations
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Schools Climate Action Conference
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ANU Asia-Pacific Day 2022
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Mulligans Flat Excursion – Year 12 Biology
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Beach Volleyball
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CoE Basketball Girls successful in u/18 Womens Asia Championship
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Hospitality
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Outdoor Education - Out and about in Spring!
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Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Touring Band
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New Year 11 students in 2023 - consider doing a CIT Music Enrichment Course
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Come Alive Festival
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Transport NSW - School Travel Term 4 2022
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National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy program
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Canberra Symphony Youth Chamber Orchestra Applications for 2023
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Careers and Student Transition
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Become an ACT public school Homestay host
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Scale ACT 2022
We hope this newsletter shows some of the amazing work that we do to place our students at the centre of learning.
Assessment
The final assessment period for the year is scheduled for 10 – 16 November followed by AST trials for year 11 students in a T package.
It is important all absences which are recorded as unexplained are explained by Wednesday 9 November and all assessment is completed by Friday 18 November.
Marked work for semester 2 will be returned on Wednesday 23 November.
The exam schedule is attached here.
ACT Scaling Test (AST)
University of Canberra Research - Helping design new ways for selecting subjects in colleges.
UCSSC Lake Ginninderra is one of two schools working with the University of Canberra to research why students choose the subjects that they do.
Students will be invited to participate in surveys and focus groups as part of the research. It would be great for lots of our students to take part as research will help to design new approaches to how subject selection is done in colleges.
UCSSC Lake Ginninderra’s Student Community Group (SCG) held a lunchtime event to promote positive mental health and wellbeing during Mental Health Awareness Month.
The students provided live music, a bake sale and an EXPO with information about services supporting young people. The event highlighted the importance of belonging and connection to boost our mental wellbeing and to stay happy and healthy.
Supporting an anxious child video series for families
The Education Directorate has produced a short video series to help families support their child if they are feeling anxious.
The three videos are presented by one of our senior psychologists. They cover understanding and responding to a child’s anxiety and tips about supporting a child when they’re feeling anxious.
Find out more: Wellbeing Support Resources for students and families HERE
Understanding your child's anxiety |
Please check out more video topics below:
Information session - Introduction to the AST
All Year 11 Tertiary students are expected to attend the ACT Scaling Test (AST) Introductory class on Friday 4 November on H Line in the Drama Theatre.
This information session will explain what the AST is and how it contributes to a student's ATAR. Students will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the AST Trials and to familiarise themselves with the style of questions used in the AST.
AST Trials Thursday 17 & Friday 18 November
All Year 11 Tertiary students must attend.
Parents/carers will be contacted to explain any absences.
The AST is a team effort by all Tertiary students at college. The more practice students have, the better our college cohort will perform.
Special Provisions
Year 11 Tertiary student who wish to apply for special provisions such as extra time to finish exams must contact Emily Clarke emily.clarke@ed.act.edu.au
The Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) is strict about documenting reasons for special provisions such as health issues. Extra time, use of computers, and insulin pumps connected to a mobile phone, are some examples of special provisions which require an application.
All applications for special provisions must be sent to the BSSS early in 2023 for approval.
Supporting students with AST preparation classes 2023
AST preparation classes will be conducted at the College during 2023 on a variety of strategies to improve each student's performance in the AST.
We would like to welcome all parents, students and families to the UCSSC Lake Ginninderra Arts and Technology Showcase 2022.
Work on display:
- Year 12 Projects from Furniture Making & Metal Design
- H'ordeuvres served by our Hospitality Students
- Displays & Projects from Automotive
- Performances by Drama, Dance and our Music students
- A fashion parade by our Textiles Design Students
- Art Gallery - Ceramics, Visual Arts, Photography & Graphic Design
- Short Films from our Media class
Watson Theatre, Thursday 8 and Friday 9 December 2022 (Week 19)
An original comedy production written and directed by Wren Harper and Anneka Steel
This year’s dramatic production is an original full length work led by UCSSC Lake Ginninderra alumni.
Synopsis: A team of aliens from a failing dynasty need new genetic material to continue their race and set their sights on earth, known to them as ‘Zetaclorm’. Their mission to capture a strong genetic specimen takes them out of their established cover to Target Belconnen’s carpark. They encounter a maligned 14 year old called ‘Cam’, a fellow known only as ‘Pigeon Guy’ and an abandoned dumpster baby. Will the race to complete their mission lead to their team’s promotion and understanding of human culture, or do the sinister upper ranks of their militia have other plans for the humans?
Approximately forty students and two casts are involved in this project and are thoroughly enjoying themselves, seeing human behaviour through the eyes of aliens. The clever dialogue and ambitious comedic elements should make this one not to be missed! Ticketing information will be available shortly.
The UC Creative Competition has concluded for another year and our gallery showcasing this year's entries is now open.
Get your votes in for our People’s Choice Award!
Celebrating the creativity of our local Year 11 and 12 students, the UC Creative Competition gives students the chance to win a 12-month study grant towards an Arts and Design degree at UC plus $500 cash. Semester study grants and cash prizes for each competition category are also up for grabs.
View this year's entries on our online gallery, share your favourites, and cast your vote by Sunday 6 November.
Check out: Converge By Tshiamo Litheko
Converge
By Tshiamo Litheko
Culture & Heritage
University of Canberra Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra - Year 12
Teagan Young: Robotics & Digital Solutions Student: Year 12
Congratulations to Teagan Young on being shortlisted for the WIC student award. Teagan has been an outstanding Year 12 student especially in the areas of IT involving Robotics, Design thinking & Programming.
The message from Jessica Eustace, Chair, Pipeline and Advancement Women in ICT (WIC) is as follows:
“Congratulations on being shortlisted for the WIC student award. This year we received a record number of nominations and the shortlisting committee had a difficult time shortlisting our final nominations. I am sure you, your family and your school will be proud of you for getting this far. In the coming weeks we will be featuring you and your school on our socials: Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, so please keep a lookout for these posts!"
Awards will be presented at the annual dinner debate night on Friday November 11 2022 at QT Canberra from 6:00pm-11:30pm (Friday week 5)
On Friday 21 October we attended the Schools Climate Action conference. The MC was Jo Taranto from Good for the Hood and presenters varied from Shane Rattenbury MLA to Jess Fordyce, 2021 ACT Young Environmentalist of the Year. Other speakers were scientists and environmentalists from Universities and Government Agencies. All the speakers were inspiring and radiated hope for the future. UC SSC Lake Ginninderra was represented by Mert Boyali, Ally Chambers, Laela Hourigan, Polly Langdon, Ella Martin and Bethany Wright who all showed strong leadership with their active participation in the discussions. Some comments from these attendees are included below.
The school climate conference was genuinely a really amazing experience. Getting to meet great sustainability leaders from around Australia and learning from them has made me realise what we can all change about our lifestyles to make a difference. It was also really fun getting to know other like-minded kids from schools around the ACT through discussion and science based activities.
The climate action conference was an amazing experience and a super fun and educational day. We got to meet students from other schools who are also passionate about climate action, and listened to several presenters who spoke about a variety of topics in relation to sustainability and climate action in an engaging and inspiring way. The speakers came from a variety of areas of experience and expertise, and it was particularly interesting to learn more about their careers and motivations in the Q & A panel session.
My two key takeaways from the day were that small change is still change, and that this can be achieved by thinking globally and acting locally.
I particularly enjoyed Julie's presentation on the importance of sustainable production and consumption with a focus on the fashion industry, because overproduction and consumption in this industry are massive contributors to the climate crisis that many people are unaware or in denial of.
We also participated in a workshop session where we built wind turbines and got to see inside two different types of zero emission vehicles.
The Global Studies classes spent Friday 16 September at the Australian National University, participating in a range of activities related to Asia and the Pacific. ANU Asia-Pacific Day is an annual event, where the university opens their doors to students from Years 10-12 and invites them onto campus to learn more about what goes on at the ANU College of Asia and the Pacific.
The day included language-taster workshops in languages such as Vietnamese, Tok Pisin and Indonesian, and lectures by ANU academics on the importance of the Pacific and language in translation. A student-led panel on everything from the university experience right through to choosing majors and why a year in Asia is such a great experience rounded out the day, with time afterwards for audience questions. There were also cultural activities, such as kendo, lion dancing or relaxing with some yoga.
In Year 12 biology students are studying Biodiversity and Connectedness, learning about the biodiversity to be found in our city and its surrounds, and how all of ecology is connected.
This week students were able to visit Mulligans Flat nature reserve in the north of Canberra and take a walk through the protected box-gum grassy woodland. The reserve is a wonderful place to observe nature where protection from invasive species is provided by large, electrified fences that are buried under the ground to stop burrowing animals from getting in (or out!).
There was so much water around due to all the recent rains that the frogs were almost deafening in their calls. Students participated in some field work activities and learnt about the ecology of the area and what experiments are being undertaken by scientists. There was a photo competition for the best nature photo – a sample of which are shown below.
This was a nice tune up for our Volleyball teams who are returning to the school nationals in December for the first time since 2019, when the boys team won the National Championship.
Congratulations to the VACT beach volleyball college pairs teams which competed today.
G1 - Brielle Kettleton & Ella Schabort Champions
G2 - Jenna Sampson & Caitlin Weaver Runners up
G3 - Bridie Hallinan & Sienna Shea
B1 - Harley Sinclair & Jay Tregeagle Champions
B2 - Charlie Beard & Allen Mangattil-Vincent Runners up
B3 - Mitch Croft & Cooper Eaton
The high school students in the other divisions were really impressed with the standard of our players. Our students competed with great sportsmanship and were great role models and ambassadors for the College.
Thankfully games were played before the oncoming rain.
The Australian U18 Gems featuring 8 girls from the college defeated China 81-55 to end China’s run as five-time consecutive Champions.
Australia asserted dominance early in the group phase having comfortable wins against India (116-49), New Zealand (111-44) and Korea (96-66) to advance through to the Semi-Final.
The Gems were challenged for the first time in the Semi-Final against Chinese Taipei, who were always close enough behind to put pressure on the Gems. But Australia proved too strong, with Isobel Borlase and Isla Juffermans leading the way, taking a 70-61 victory to set up the Grand Final Match against China.
In the Final, Juffermans once again stood up for Australia putting up 26 points along with 15 rebounds and 3 steals in her best performance on the tournament. Dallas Loughridge also had her best game of the competition with 17 points and 8 assists to help the Gems clinch the title.
Isla Juffermans was named MVP of the tournament following her dominant performance for Australia throughout the competition. Isobel Borlase was also named in the All-Star Five.
Congratulations to all the girls
Saffron Shiels |
Jess Petrie |
Dallas Loughbridge |
Nards Puoch |
Summah Hanson |
Izzy Borlase |
Ella Gordon |
Isla Juffermans |
The count down to the end of semester is quickly approaching and the Hospitality students have wasted no time with planning and organising for student-led cafes and our annual Art, Design and Technology showcase evening in week 15.
The year 11 students have been working on maintaining food quality by conducting temperature checks as well as preparing waffles and Mexican food.
The year 12 students ran their last café (week 12) selling pancakes, muffins, iced drinks and coffee. They had a blast and demonstrated a high level of customer service and food handling skills. Their industry knowledge and commitment to the course was evident, and as a team they have created an enjoyable and satisfying food scene for staff and students to enjoy. Thanks to all students and staff who work hard behind the scenes to make it possible!
The two year 11 classes have planned for their final cafes of the semester which will take place in week 13 – Tuesday's (Line A) pizza café and Thursday's (Line G) pie café!
Year 11 Outdoor Recreation students are embracing Spring with the commencement of ocean trips. Students who participated in the first of two snorkel trips had an amazing time despite the chilly weather and were able to see some awesome creatures including Cuttlefish, Eagle Rays, Stingrays and some Wobbegong and Port Jackson sharks. They also had great fun playing beach games at Caves Beach and had a curious seal come say hello while they were swimming in the waves.
In week two of term Year 11 Outdoor Recreation students had two awesome days learning how to surf at Broulee Beach and all managed to get to their feet and had a good laugh at the many wipeouts that followed! They were also trained in how to undertake surf rescues and practised saving each other in the surf. On the final day they got to have a relaxing paddle board down Tomakin River followed by some beach cricket and some tasty fish and chips!
There are more amazing trips yet to come. In week 13 the Year 11’s are hitting the beach again for the final Jervis Bay snorkel trip. In week 14 both Year 11 and Year 12 Tertiary Outdoor Education students will be undertaking a 4 day hike in Kosciuszko National Park. They will be starting at opposite ends one group at Guthega power station and the other at Round Mountain Hut; they will meet in the middle at Valentines Hut before finishing the trek.
Finally to end the year selected outdoor students will be embarking on the famous Reef Trip to Lady Musgrave Island in late November early December. Students will be able to spend nine days immersed in the life of the Island while being able to scuba dive and snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef's largest lagoon. What a term we have to finish the year!
The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Touring Band performed in the quad at recess on Friday Week 11 to a receptive college crowd. Students and staff were treated to a range of classic songs including “What’s My Scene” – by the Hoodoo Gurus; “I’m a Believer” – Smash Mouth Version (originally by the Monkees) and “Rhiannon” – by Fleetwood Mac. It was great to see the school community celebrating the end of the first week back this term, enjoying these fabulous musicians perform with the opportunity also to ask questions regarding the CIT music program.
CIT (Canberra institute of Technology) invites aspiring musicians in year 11 next year to express their interest in the CIT Music Enrichment Course (Cert IV Music Industry) by emailing mediamusic@cit.edu.au.
An information session is on 27 October at 4:30 pm at CIT Reid and online.
This opportunity is free to ACT public college students and is delivered as a series of evening classes over 2 years at CIT Reid. The course will complement your year 11 and 12 studies and may provide credit towards the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate and pathways into the professional music industry or further study.
Entry is by audition only.
For more information and to register for the information session, go to Music Enrichment Course, Canberra Institute of Technology (cit.edu.au)
Come Alive Festival of Museum Theatre – Monday 31 October 2022, 2pm
Liangis Theatrette, National Portrait Gallery
Tickets: $10 via Humantix: https://events.humanitix.com/come-alive-2022-3cuukrbt.
Come Alive, hosted by the National Portrait Gallery in collaboration with the National Library of Australia is a student festival that gains its inspiration from the exhibits and collections of the two cultural institutions. Students create theatre performances that have drawn on characters, events, objects and items in the vast collections of the two galleries. This year nine ACT schools from the ACT will be joined by local circus company, Warehouse Circus and Ulladulla High School. They will present a total of fourteen performances ranging between ten and twenty minutes during the five day festival.
Our Drama students have a piece centred around the Mackenzie Family Portrait. In 1846, a middle-class English family stood in Lancashire England to get the poor man's portrait, their ‘Silhouette’ taken by known artistic profiler Samuel Metford on the cusp of the age of photography. Depicting nine shadowy outlines in miniature, little detail is known about the fates of the Mackenzie family and their journey to Australia. This portrait was donated to the Australian National Portrait Gallery in 2007 and stands as a stark and shadowy signifier of middle-class colonial dispersal, enterprise and adaptation.
Cast:
Emma Hall, Frank Molnar, Finn Larsen, Avery Basiaco, Finlay ForresT, Io Hogan, Isaac Love, Siye Whitbread, Harley Jopling, Lana Rossel, Dominic Cobuccio and Kiran Gill.
Crew:
Lily Cowie-Smith, Shantique Stapelberg, Helena Corkill and Ares Katalinic-Deery.
Australian School-based Apprenticeship - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy program – applications close 18 November 2022
Getting the most out of work experience
The benefits of work experience include:
- Getting experience to add to your resume
- Learning what a job is really like
- Getting a reference to use on job applications
- Making contacts that could help you find paid work
- Developing your employability skills
Attend a Wednesday lunchtime Work Experience Information & Planning session in the Careers office (E103) with Fiona. BYO Chromebook.
- Put some thought into where you would like to go. Look up the opportunities section of Inplace (under the placement tab) to gather some ideas. This is located on your school digital backpack. You can also look up places of interest online.
- Consider what you actually want to get out of your placement.
Please note, Work Experience placements are available after the Intensive Assessment for:
- Year 12 students – last possible WEX will be in week 17 (21-25/11).
- Year 11 students – weeks 17-18 (21/11–2/12), options for A package students can be negotiated.
Please see Fiona Chester, Transition & Careers Practitioner well in advance to organise your placement.