The Year 7/8 Humanities ‘Community Projects’ elective students are investigating the various ways that our community can be supported by volunteerism in regional communities. Today we were hosted at Timboon Opportunity Shop (TOPS) with students learning that TOPS is over 11 years old and has raised over half a million dollars during that time. As it is a Not for Profit (NFP) charitable organisation, funds raised are distributed to community groups that apply for funding around Timboon and further afield. Not only do funds raised from sales contribute to communities but TOPS donates clothes and goods to support relief efforts after fires, floods etc and charities such as 1000 dresses for indigenous grandmothers. Excess donated goods are passed onto the Salvos in Warrnambool or distributed to homeless people. The volunteers stressed to the students that clean, unbroken goods are preferred, the type that, “You would want to buy”, as rubbish collection for unsaleable goods can be a big cost to the organisation. Whilst on site the students helped unpack and store goods and were grateful for the update provided by our hosts Brenda Parfett, Louise Blair, Rosalind Stansmore, Evelyn Thompson and Sue Brownbill. Students were given an open invitation to be involved in assisting at TOPS or purchasing goods with thanks to the TOPS staff for helping us experience what is involved in volunteering in our region. We are excited to announce that we are parents! The Year 3/4 students have been learning about mushrooms and fungi whilst diligently watering and watching their mushroom kits containing compost and mycelium as part of the Mushrooms in Schools program. It’s been interesting to learn about mushrooms and to see the way the three kits in the three Year 3/4 class rooms have all developed in different ways. Our Year 7 students collaborated with Year 7/8 students from Cobden Technical School and Terang College as they investigated how Maths and Science are used in many careers at the Maths & Science @ Work expo held at Cobden Technical School. The aim of the event was to demonstrate, with applied learning opportunities, that Maths / Science is used in a variety of industries with practical applications and to expose students to a range of careers and opportunities in our region. Students rotated through a variety of workstations facilitated by Rebecca Toleman (SW TAFE), Mel Ruediger (TOOT Traffic), Ben Boyd (Ridley Agriproducts), Deirdre Murphy (Corangamite Catchment Management Authority), MoD Squad - Nursing (Deakin University), MoD Squad – Environmental Science (Deakin University), Tania Ludders (EveryCow), Ben Marsden (Wannon Water). Chris Stewart and colleagues (Ambulance Victoria), Ian Preuss (GORGE Chocolates and the Chocolate Alpaca), Sarah Cook (Cobden Tech), Chonny Dridan (Worn Gundidj Indigenous Nursery), Dr Sophie Ellis and Dr Wendy Parish (Hampden Vet Clinic) and Shane Hargraves (Fonterra). The Maths & Science @ Work expo was originally developed by WestVic Dairy between 2013-2015 and in 2022 it was coordinated by Matt Porter from Neil Porter Legacy with support from the DemoDAIRY Foundation. Thanks to Matt and everyone involved, what a great way to make Maths / Science relatable to everyone! After two years of COVID restrictions, Beach Energy graciously hosted our Year 11 Chemistry students once again when students were included in a site tour of the Otway Gas Plant. Otway Production Manager, Kevin Galea, conducted a site safety induction exercise and students were made aware of the strict protocols in place to ensure that all staff and visitors remained safe on site. He described how hydrocarbons are formed, the location of Australia’s gas basins, and how gas and oil is found on land and off shore. Students heard how gas is produced at the Otway Gas Plant when hydrocarbons, or raw gas containing water; petroleum products; gasses; and unwanted inert gasses including nitrogen and carbon dioxide flow from production wells through buried pipelines to the gas plant. The carbon dioxide is detached and the gas is dehydrated to remove water and mercury. Natural gas is then removed and undergoes fractionation to produce ethane, propane and butane. Students learnt about the range of careers at the site including engineers, technicians, chemists, accountants, and contractors before Kevin accompanied students on a site tour where they could see the gas production in process – real chemistry in action! Deliciousness provided by first and second grade. So so proud of everyone's efforts. Inspired by our local strawberry farm we painted our own strawberry patch. This took lots of patience and 6 weeks of work. Week one involved painting a watercolour background. Week 2 was spent practicing how to draw strawberries and using tricks to make them look more 3d ie overlapping and different sizes. Week 3 we added flowers and green stems. Week 4 we added seeds using tips of skewers. Week 5 we used paint pens to add fine detail and to add highlights. Buttons were added for extra pop factor. Week 6 we mounted. Please pop into Timboon strawberry farm for a closer look. They all look AWESOME!!!! |
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April 2024
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