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Mac Fields News Macquarie Fields High School
April 2010
2 Harold Street, Macquarie Fields NSW 2564 Phone 9605 3111 [email protected]
Issue 5 – Term 3 August 2018
Calendar Events
Week 4
Monday August 13- Yr 12 TRIALS Friday August 17 Tuesday August 14- Yr 11 – Crossroads Thursday August 16 Friday August 17 Yr 11 Elective Interviews
end. Online selection opens for
Yrs 8 & 11
Week 5
Monday August 20 P & C Meeting – 6:30pm Wednesday August 22 Evacuation Drill Friday August 24 Online selection closes for
Years 8 & 11
Week 6
Monday August 27 Year Meetings Week Tuesday August 28 Yr 10 – Bstreetsmart Hands on High School Friday August 31 Yr 7 – Aim Higher
PARENTS PLEASE NOTE
Students absent from school
Please note changes to School Attendance Policy. Where a student is absent from school, a note explaining the absence must be received by the school within 7 school days. Where a note is not received the absence will be recorded as unjustified. This cannot legally be changed should a note be received after 7 days. Absences both justified and unjustified are recorded on school reports.
Recipient’s of PBL Raffle Prize Draw
NAME Year Wk/Term PRIZE Hajra Naseem 7 Wk2/T3 $30 Event
Cinema gift card
Relieving Principal
Mrs Dolstra will continue to act in the role of
Director Educational Leadership until the end of
the school year. As a result of this the following
will continue to occur for the rest of the school
year:
Mr J.Perrett - Relieving Principal
Mrs V.Mafi - Relieving Deputy Principal
Years 9 and Year 12
Ms P O’ Sullivan - Relieving Head
Teacher Special Education
Mr N. Grimes - Special Education Teacher
and Agricultural Technology Teacher
Our school has had an excellent start to term
three with the following significant events taking
place:
- NSW Education Minister Visit
- Cross Network Concert
- Launch of Student Voice- Student
Newsletter
- Term Three Staff Development Day
- Launch of Years 7-9 School Values
Project Based Learning Project
- Parent Teacher Night Years 7-9
- Elective Expo Year 8 into Year 9
(Information Evening)
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August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
- Cumulative Professional Learning
Session # 2
- Regional Athletics Carnival
- Fast Forward Program Launch for
Year 9 students working with Western
Sydney University
- TAS Faculty Evaluation
- Student interviews for our 2019
Captain Elections
- School rock band 902 win a Batlle of
the Bands Competition in Petersham
- Quality teaching and learning across
the whole school
This is just a snapshot of the outstanding
initiatives that are taking place at our school on
any given month.
Recognising Our Future Teachers Club
The history of the Future Teachers Club (FTC)
Mr Perry Celestino founded the Future Teachers
Club in 2013. The following is an extract from our
2013 Annual School Report:
Future Teachers Club
During the 2013 academic year, Macquarie Fields High School instigated a major initiative designed at engaging students interested in the teaching profession and allowing them to experience the other side of education. The idea was generated in May 2013 and developed throughout Term 3. Students were invited to submit applications and state why they wanted to join this activity. By Term 4 there were over 120 students in this program. (Macquarie Fields High School Annual School Report 2013)
Education Minister Rob Stokes School Visit
On July 27 our school had the privilege of
hosting a visit from the NSW Education Minister
Rob Stokes. The purpose of the visit was to
showcase the work of our Future Teachers Club.
The visit included the Minister:
Being welcomed by our students. Braithan
Kemble and Brandon Easson conducted
an Acknowledgement of Country when the
Minister arrived.
Observing a history lesson that was taught
by four members of the FTC. This lesson
was planned and delivered by Nina Harb,
Jade Lennon, Inara Iftekhar and Mabel
Truong. The four students did an amazing
job and they all received outstanding
mentoring by Ms Betul Er .The class that
participated in the lesson was 7M.
Being interviewed by Seven News
Reporter Tom Sacre about the importance
of the Future Teachers Club.
Addressing the Future Teachers Club
Executive Members. This provided the
Minister with an opportunity for some
questions and answers with our students.
Thanking and recognising the work of Mr
Perry Celestino (the founder of FTC)
In addition to the Minister visiting our school,
three of our students Jack Morel, Nafessa
Rahman and Farah Shaid were filmed at the
Macquarie Fields Primary School conducting
lessons to Year 6 students. I need to thank Mrs
Kerrie Hayman and the staff and students from
Macquarie Fields Primary School for their
support of this event.
The visit was a significant event for our school
and we thank the Minister for taking the time to
recognise the MFHS Future Teachers Club.
I would also like to thank Mrs Janice Dolstra
(Principal) and Ms Karen Endicott (Director
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August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Educational Leadership) for being part of our
invited guests on the day of the visit.
Mr Celestino should be very proud of this club
and we look forward to seeing this program
continuing at our school and at other schools
across the country.
Year 12 Graduation
Year 12 will be finishing their Higher School
Certificate Trial Examinations on August 17. Year
12 students will return to school on August 20
and it is important that they use the last six
weeks in a productive manner. Some subjects
will be finishing their courses and this time also
marks an important opportunity for feedback and
revision.
The Year 12 Graduation Assembly will be held
on Wednesday 26 September and will be a
formal occasion. Students will be in full school
uniform and need to ensure that they are present
for both the rehearsal and the graduation.
Further details will be provided, as we get closer
to the date.
Parents and Citizens Meeting
Our next meeting will be held on August 20. We
will start the meeting at 6:30pm and all parents
and citizens are invited to attend. Please come to
the front office for the meeting.
Inter School Student Leadership Conference-
Student Led Innovation
At the end of last term Mabel Truong our School
Captain initiated an Inter School Student
Leadership Conference. This event has sparked
many great student led ideas. One initiative to
come from this conference was the idea of
having a student newsletter.
It gives me great pleasure to announce that this
community newsletter will feature the launch of a
student newsletter titled Student Voice and was
founded by Nissa Cheong and Nicole
Dhunghana from Year 11.
Mr J.Perrett
Relieving Principal
Student Voice-The First of Many
Good morning. This article is brought to you by
Student Voice. This is a student driven club
which will deliver stories of meaning to the school
in the perspective of a student. So far, the
newsletter will be written by Nicole Dhunghana
and Nissa Cheong. Thanks to Mabel, our female
school captain and her Inter School Conference
that generated this idea we were able to develop
this idea. The Student Voice Newsletter’s main
goal is to celebrate the school spirit of MFHS by
creating a greater and more involved community
around the school. We hope that every student
can be a part of this journey.
Friday 27 August was the day the Future Teachers
Club received the recognition that it truly deserved.
The drive and passion of Mr Celestino along with the
rest of the Future Teachers has well and truly paid off.
We have been preparing for just under a week; the
excitement was buzzing. Lessons were planned,
catering organised, blazers fitted and uniforms crisp.
We, the Future Teachers Executive team are ready
for the day ahead.
As writers of the Student Voice Newsletter, we were
given the task of witnessing and recording the NSW
Minister of Education visit. Our Principal Mrs Dolstra
and our Director Ms Endicott were also present
amongst the captains who greeted the Minister upon
arrival. Some students in the library, some awaiting
him to wave at the front gate and some at the office
where his car was to be parked.
At 10:20 the Channel Seven news team drove
through the front gates! The team consisted of
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August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
two people; reporter and a cameraman. This
arrival sets the team into a frenzy, excited and
wondering if this means more news teams will
arrive.
Seven long minutes later, The Minister arrives
and to the shock of the teachers he decided to
step out of his vehicle at the front gate and shake
every hand in sight.
“He’s walking!”-exclaims Mrs Trieu
“a man of the people, he didn’t even want to be
driven up!” Mrs Trieu
The Minister, alongside the Executive staff
members, walks down to the History block where
Mabel, Nina, Inara and Jade teach a lesson
greatly supported by Miss Er. Upon hearing
about the Queensland trip that Mr Celestino,
Miss Shakespeare and the four Future Teachers
were able to facilitate, the Minister was eager to
see the Future Teachers magic in action.
Although, we weren't able to watch the lesson,
Jade kindly helped by reflecting on her
experience.
What was the hardest part of the whole day?
Jade-” I think the hardest part was less about the
Minister being there and more the fact that we
had to create and plan a lesson in such a short
amount of time because you have to cater to a
whole class of students that all work differently”.
Minister Stokes, showed his ample appreciation,
thanking the girls, Mr Celestino and all of the
Future Teachers for all that we do. Mr Stokes
grabbed a quick coffee before leaving our school.
Whilst our VIP could not stay to participate in
further lessons - Jack, Nafeesa and Farah
delivered high quality lessons to our nearby
primary school Macquarie Fields Primary School
where reporters and Future Teachers worked
together to promote the merits of the program.
“You don't remember the lesson
but you remember the teacher and
how it's taught” - Minister Stokes
So why did we choose the Minister’s visit to
launch the Student Voice Newsletter?
It is important to recognise the time and effort
that has been put into the Future Teachers Club
and discuss the essence of the club itself. Not
every school gets recognition from the Minister of
Education in the way our school was able to
achieve it. The Future Teachers Club
wholeheartedly encapsulates the spirit of our
school with its growing number of students
participating and the pride and joy that each
member has for the club. In the form of the
Channel Seven News, Queensland Visit, the
approval for all we do from the Minister of
Education, it is undisputed that our school
deserved this recognition.
Article written by Nissa Cheong and Nicole
Dhunghana (Year 11 students)
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
CROSS NETWORK
In Week one of the term three we had 31 of our
Creative and Performing Arts Students, perform
at the Cross Network Concert, held on Thursday
July 26 at the Bankstown Sports Club. This
fabulous event was a wonderful experience for
all of our talented students, who were in involved
in many aspects of this successful event.
We had our very own MFHS Vocal
Ensemble take the stage when they performed
two pieces by themselves including 'Foundling'
composed by Luke Byrne and a beautiful
rendition of 'Alleluia' as well as the combined
pieces, with a medley from the 'Greatest
Showman' and 'Shut up and dance' in the
finale. Our rock band were awesome rock stars
when they belted out their classic rock riffs and
played 'Are you going to be my girl' along with
the concert band. The Orchestra played a
number of pieces including Gershwins
'Rhapsody in Blue' and 'Yesterday' by the
Beatles. We also were represented by Avani
Ram from year 10 who was involved in the Cross
Network Hip Hop and Contemporary Dance
Ensembles. A successful performance evening
for our awesome students who were supported
by Mrs Davidson who led the orchestra along
with Mr Bozzetto and Mr Lee.
Mrs K Metcalfe
Head Teacher CAPA
MATHEMATICS FACULTY
The Mathematics Faculty is pleased to welcome
Miss Lai to MFHS. She is a permanent full time
Mathematics teacher who will be replacing Mr
Kendell. We thank Mr Kendell for his
contributions to the faculty and school, along with
the positive connections he made with his
students. Mr Kendell will continue to teach in the
Mathematics Faculty for the remainder of the
year.
The Australian Mathematics Competition
The Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)
was introduced in Australia in 1978 as the first
Australia-wide mathematics competition for
students. Since then it has served almost all
Australian secondary schools, providing
feedback and enrichment to schools and
students. It has become the largest single event
on the Australian education calendar, allowing
students to attempt the same tasks on the same
day in over 40 countries around the globe.
The AMC is a fun competition with many of the
problems set in situations familiar to students
and showing the relevance of mathematics in
their everyday lives. The problems are also
designed to stimulate discussion and can be
used by teachers and students as springboards
for investigation.
Last year, we had 89 students participating in the
2017 AMC. 12 students received a distinction
and 54 received a credit. We wish the 2018
participants good luck.
Stage 6 Curriculum Changes
The new stage 6 Preliminary Mathematics
courses will be taught in 2019 and the HSC
course examined in 2020 (including Mathematics
Extension 2). These courses include
Mathematics Advanced and Mathematics
Extension 1. The HSC Standard course will be
examined for the first time in 2019.
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
The study of Mathematics Advanced in Stage 6:
enables students to develop their
knowledge, understanding and skills in
working mathematically and in
communicating concisely and precisely
provides opportunities for students to
consider various applications of
mathematics in a broad range of
contemporary contexts through the use of
mathematical modelling and use these
models to solve problems related to their
present and future needs
provides opportunities for students to
develop ways of thinking in which
problems are explored through
observation, reflection and reasoning
provides a basis for further studies in
disciplines in which mathematics and the
skills that constitute thinking
mathematically have an important role
provides an appropriate mathematical
background for students whose future
pathways may involve mathematics and
its applications in a range of disciplines at
the tertiary level.
The study of Mathematics Extension 1 in Stage
6:
enables students to develop thorough
knowledge, understanding and skills in
working mathematically and in
communicating concisely and precisely
provides opportunities for students to
develop rigorous mathematical arguments
and proofs, and to use mathematical
models extensively
provides opportunities for students to
develop their awareness of the
interconnected nature of mathematics, its
beauty and its functionality
provides a basis for progression to further
study in mathematics or related disciplines
and in which mathematics has a vital role
at a tertiary level
provides an appropriate mathematical
background for students whose future
pathways may involve mathematics and
its applications in such areas as science,
engineering, finance and economics.
The above information can be found on the
NESA website.
Maths Peer Tutoring Mathematics Peer Tutoring is offered every day of the week except on Fridays (Week B). This provides an excellent opportunity for students to Reinforce their learning through the support and guidance of experiences and intelligent senior students. Every student is encouraged to join this group which is free of charge. It will help in boosting your confidence levels in Mathematics and further refine your mathematical knowledge and skills. Feel free to join these enthusiastic tutors at lunch-time in D12 from 1.30 to 2.00p.m. Meet our friendly and highly talented Mathematics Peer tutors. They are as follows: Rafi Ashraf, Deon Cheung, Abiya Hanif, Abdul Kanj, Yasin Khan, Alfred Luu, Riz Manter, Kevin Peng, Yamini Raviji, Avish Sharma, Shabab Syed, Ryan Tchan, and Jessie Tran.
Mr G Plowes
Head Teacher Mathematics
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
The Technological and Applied Studies
Faculty – Design, Create, Inspire
The TAS staff includes Mrs P. Bohackyj, Mr L.
Deakin, Mrs L. Fernando, Mrs G. Gonzalez, Mr
M. McVicar, Mr F. Pinget, Mrs V. Shipley and Mr
G. Byrne (Head Teacher).
We offer a wide range of subjects from Years 7-
12. After studying Technology (Mandatory) in
Year 7, students are able to select from a
number of elective courses offered by the TAS
faculty.
For 2019 students choosing electives for Year 9
will be able to select from the following TAS
subjects:
Design & Technology
Food Technology
Graphics Technology
Industrial Technology – Electronics
Industrial Technology – Metal
Industrial Technology – Timber
Information & Software Technology
iSTEM (integrated Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics)
Textiles Technology
For 2019 students choosing electives for Year 11
will be able to select from the following TAS
subjects:
Community & Family Studies
Design & Technology
Engineering Studies
Exploring Early Childhood
Food Technology
Industrial Technology – Graphics
Technologies
Industrial Technology – Multimedia
Technologies
Industrial Technology – Timber Products
& Furniture Technologies
Information Processes & Technology
Software Design & Development
All of the subjects offered by the TAS faculty
directly relate to STEM. Our subjects are those
that apply the theoretical content, such as
scientific principles and mathematical concepts,
through the use of various technologies and
engineering design processes. The TAS faculty
creates meaning for content by developing
knowledge, skills and understanding through
contextualised project based learning activities.
Year 11/12 Community and Family Studies
Students in Year 12 have been studying the role
of parents in all their forms and how carer
relationships are important in society with their
teachers Mrs Gonzalez and Mrs Fernando.
Students have been studying topics relevant to
contemporary social issues as resource
management, families and communities,
parenting and caring, and the world of work and
its role in society. Students develop planning and
writing techniques for essay type questions. All
students are encouraged to practise writing these
essays to develop their skills for the HSC. In
Year 12, students undertake research of a topic
they have identified for their IRP (Individual
Research Project). The students always choose
a variety of interesting topics related to the
subject material and are expertly guided by Mrs
Gonzalez and Mrs Fernando to complete the IRP
to the highest standard possible for each student.
Year 11/12 Engineering Studies
This course is an excellent introduction to the
world of engineering and demonstrates how
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics) education can be made interesting
and meaningful to students. One lesson each
week is dedicated to the study of Mechanical
Analysis, Materials Science and Graphical
Communication. The current Year 11 class is
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
particularly excelling in the Mechanics area,
demonstrating an excellent understanding of
Truss Analysis and problems related to Friction.
It is primarily academic in nature, while providing
a number of hands on opportunities to show the
relationship between theory and practice by
building models, destructive testing, heat
treatment of metals and other experiences
relevant to engineering. Students learn the
fundamentals of engineering design; the nature
of materials; graphical, electronic and written
means of communicating engineering related
information. They develop an understanding of
the scope of the engineering profession and
study the latest developments in STEM areas.
Year 11/12 Industrial Technology
The Year 12 Industrial Technology – Timber
Products & Furniture Technologies has been
working at a furious pace to complete their
Higher School Certificate Major Projects to a high
standard by the August 16 due date. All students
have spent a significant amount of time before
and after school, during lunch and recess times
and also during school holidays to complete a
range of complicated and high quality timber
projects. They should all be proud of the work
they have completed, both with the practical
project and the 80 page Research and
Development portfolio that is marked along side
the project.
The Year 11 Graphics Technologies students
have seen the standard set by the previous HSC
class and are working well towards bettering that
standard. They have completed a range of
Engineering drawings and hand rendered
designs. The class is now working on an
Architectural Drawing unit where they must
design a multi storey building including video
walk-thrus, floorplans, elevations, plumbing and
electrical diagrams; as well as a variety of
traditional, pencil and paper style drawings and
renders.
Year 11 Industrial Technology – Timber Products
& Furniture Technologies students are all
completing a standing cabinet and portfolio, to be
finished by the end of Term 3. This project
provides all students with the opportunity to
develop their design, research, production and
evaluation skills so they are well prepared for the
HSC Major Project.
Year 11 Software Design and Development
The current Year 11 is working in the creation of
a solution for the clauclation of arithmetic and
geometric series. The requirements are to create
a Graphical User Interface to allow the user to
select between either arithmetic or geometric
series, and then to enter the first term, and the
number of terms, the common difference or the
ratio. The user will the press calculate and the
sum of the terms is displayed.
Students worked in pairs and used a number of
software design tools, including flowcharts,
pseudocodes and desk checking. Following are
some pictures of the project.
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Following is a small part of the Python code
written.
Year 12 Software design and Development
This year, the students completed their Major
Project which involved the production of an
arcade game. The project involved the execution
of the whole Software Development Process
including the conception of the idea, analysis of
possible solutions, draft design of possible
solutions using Data Flow Diagrams, Input
Process Output charts and System Charts,
building prototypes of the Graphical User
Interface, refining the solution and coding the
final solution.
The class worked in groups of 3 or 4 students,
and project managed the solution, dividing the
tasks into code modules that were later tested
and assembled as a single solution. This process
required good coordination and communication
between the team members to enable them to
work as a single unit. Throughout this process,
the students develop excellent skills in producing
Python codes and debugging and improving
these codes in an orderly and systematic
approach.
The specifications for the game were
challenging, with requirements to integrate many
different options such as being able to play as a
single player or multiplayer, affording different
weapons to the player, and adding the option of
certain number of lives to the player, which could
be loaded in some cases. The other important
specification was that at the end of the game the
player’s name would be displayed and kept on a
file, all this integrated into the game. The
algorithms involved included sorting algorithms,
writing and reading to and from a file, and
searching.
The following pictures depicts the projects of two
groups.
Game 1: Zerg Rush
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Game 2: Earth’s Defenders
Page 12
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Year 10 Information and Software Technology
Over the last 10 weeks the students from two
different classes worked enthusiastically on the
programming codes to solve five different sets of
problems. Students learned the basics of
software development including four important
development tools: Input-Process-Output chars,
Flowcharts, Pseudocodes and Desk-checking.
These problems included: solving quadratic
equations and learning about complex numbers;
temperature conversion between Celsius and
Fahrenheit, simultaneous linear equations with
three unknowns (students learned Determinants
method in class), calculator of series and parallel
resistors circuits (to calculate total resistance,
current and voltage; and a Maze game.
Following are some pictures of the solutions.
1. Simultaneous Linear Equations of three
unknowns
2. Quadratic Equations (Complex Numbers
used in the solution)
3. Maze
The Scratch coding used to make the Maze
project work is shown in the following image.
Year 9/10 Food Technology
The Year 9 Food Technology class which is
being taught by Mrs Gonzalez have been
learning about food in our culturally diverse
country and the importance of a nutritious diet.
Students were given the opportunity to make a
meal from another country as part of their study
into different foods and cultures. Students
enjoyed taste testing each other dishes. From
this they will progress onto investigating the
composition of food and its contribution to a
healthy lifestyle. They will look at food which
imitates each of the nutrients and as a result a
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August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
mixture of healthy and not so healthy food will be
prepared.
Also the students are planning on utilising the
school’s vegetable and herb garden in preparing
and making fabulous food dishes using a ‘Patch
to Plate’ program. Dishes include: allergy-free
basil pesto, pizza served with a rocket salad,
kale lasagne and tabouli.
The Year 10 Food Technology being taught by
Mrs Shipley have just completed their Chocolate
Dream assessment task and produced some
excellent ice-cream creations. They will be
moving this semester to the new topic, Food
Service and Catering, where in pairs they will be
creating a food product to be sold at a take-away
business.
Year 9/10 Graphics Technology
Mr Deakin has led the students in Year 9
Graphics Technology to learn the fundamentals
of graphics technology. Using precision drawing,
mathematical equations and some rendering, the
students have completed a range of amazingly
detailed drawings. Two students demonstrated
their mastery of these concepts at the Year 8 into
9 Parent information evening earlier this term.
Every new drawing is marked and the student
with the highest mark is awarded the CWC
(Class World Champion) title belt. The students
are always eager and competitive to be “the
champ”.
Year 10 Graphics Technology students are
currently working on an Architectural Drawing
project. They have completed an Engineering
Drawing project and some hand rendered skill
exercises that will help them achieve success in
the HSC Industrial Technology – Graphics
Technologies course if they elect to study it. The
final unit for Year 10 is Cabinet and Furniture
Drawing, where students will design their own
piece of furniture, including all joinery details so it
could be made in the school workshops.
Year 9/10 Industrial Technology - Timber
The Year 10 students are in the mid-way point of
making a small table for their home. Every
student in the class has made a unique design
for the coffee table with drawings and sketches.
Most of them have worked on their mortise and
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
tenon joints, gluing up their legs and rails. They
have a term remaining to complete the top, and
then apply the finish. They are very excited to
see the final outcome of their dedication and
hard work.
The two Year 9 Timber classes have been doing
some great work. All students have been looking
to extend their skills well beyond the minimum
requirements and have produced more creative
designs than the usual. The breadboard projects
completed by this class included double and
triple layer designs, Computer Numerically
Controlled engraving, various shapes and special
features such as handles, decorative edge
treatments and juice lines. A number of students
made more difficult end grain chopping boards.
Currently the class is working on a small framing
joint exercise using Radiata Pine. When they
have mastered the skills required for each of the
four corner joints, they will make a nice picture
frame using other timbers such as Jarrah or
Tasmanian Blackwood.
Year 9 iSTEM (integrated Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
iSTEM was offered for the first time at MFHS this
year and enough students chose the subject to
run two classes. During Term 1, students learnt
the importance of STEM and created both
scientific and engineering experiments to
demonstrate the differences between the
Scientific Method and an Engineering Design
process. In Terms 2 and 3, students have been
working on a Mechatronics unit. This has
involved researching micro controllers, producing
Computer Aided Drawings (CAD), and
developing projects that incorporate digital
manufacturing technologies such as laser
cutting, 3D printing and Computer Numerically
Controlled (CNC) routing. Students have enjoyed
working collaboratively for all projects, including
class presentations.
Year 8 STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Mathematics)
This is a brand new course, being studied by all
Year 8 students at MFHS. It has a Project Based
Learning approach, giving students the
opportunity to apply scientific principles and
mathematical concepts through the use of
technology and an engineering design process.
During Term 1, students collaborated in small
groups to create catapults with the aim of flinging
an object the furthest, or the most accurately. In
Term 2, students worked independently. They
continued to look at projectiles in the form of
bottle rockets. Each student created their own
designs for the rocket, particularly the fins and
launched their rockets to test their designs and
record their flight distances.
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Year 7 Technology (Mandatory)
This year’s cohort of Year 7 students have taken
a different approach to Technology (Mandatory)
compared with previous years. One period per
week of the Home Economics component and
one of the Industrial Arts component is being
delivered instead of the two periods per week of
each we have run in the past. This year group
will continue to study Technology (Mandatory) in
Year 8.
Year 7 have worked extremely well and
completed Textiles and Design based projects in
Semester one such as some creative feature
cushions for their bedroom. During Semester two
the students move into the Food Technology labs
where they will design, produce (eat), and market
a food product. I hope some of their creations
make it home so you can all enjoy the healthy
creations produced by our students.
Students have their own Personal Protective
Equipment (safety glasses, ear plugs, dust
masks, apron and resealable bag to keep
everything together). They are learning a new
and wide variety of knowledge, skills and
techniques while incorporating their own
creativity, experience and expertise. The
students by the end of the course will have made
three main projects for Industrial Arts; the
Electronic Picture, Wind Chimes and a
Birdhouse. The three projects incorporate our
main material specialisations. All projects include
a folio that the students must complete. As part
of the folio parents will be asked to evaluate the
practical and written work of their child as part of
the marking criteria for each project. This was
very successful last year and provided us with
some great feedback from parents.
Extracurricular Activities
For 2018 Mr Deakin and Mr Byrne have
continued to offer the woodworking club for
female students who are not currently studying
Industrial Technology – Timber in Years 9 and 10
but have an interest in the area. The program
runs every Friday lunch and recess and
continues to be successful. We are looking
forward to seeing more female students in
Industrial Technology and Engineering Studies
and performing at a high level.
Mrs Fernando also runs the Better Homes &
Kitchens Club, while Mr Pinget runs a Coding
Club. Both are run during lunch times for
students. Mr Pinget also runs the school Chess
team.
Mr G Byrne
Head Teacher TAS
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Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
PDHPE Faculty
A message from the Head Teacher PDHPE
My name is Maria Ninopoulos
and I am the head teacher
PDHPE. This has been my
fourth year in this role at
Macquarie Fields High School. I
have loved and enjoyed every
minute of my leadership role at
this school and look forward to incorporating
more engaging and innovative programs at
Macquarie Fields High School. The PDHPE
faculty hope you enjoy our newsletter.
New PDHPE Syllabus in 2019 and 2020
The new PDHPE syllabus will be implemented
for Year 7 and Year 9 into 20019 and then will
flow on into Year 8 and Year 10 in 2020. At the
beginning of 2019 you will receive a letter
specifically outlining the scope and sequence
and the key content your child will be covering in
line with the new syllabus.
Year 11 Crossroads Education Program
Notification
As part of the teaching and learning program at
Macquarie Fields High School, all students in
Year 11 undertook the Crossroads Program.
Crossroads is a mandatory 25-hour program
designed to help senior students address issues
of health, safety and wellbeing at a time when
they face significant changes and challenges in
their lives. Some of the content of the program
deals with sensitive issues. The school
recognises this by teaching about these issues
within the context of a developmentally
appropriate program and by providing
information to you about the program. The school
program is implemented in a manner that
supports the role of parents and caregiver, and
reflects the ethos of the school community.
The aim of the Crossroads program is to prepare
and support these students as they encounter
situations related to identity, independence and
their changing responsibilities.
The Crossroads Education Program ran over
three days on Tuesday 14 August- Thursday
16 August. Wednesday 15 August was an
excursion at Cataract Scout Park.
2018 Youth Excellence Awards
On Monday 4 June the Youth Excellence Awards
presented by the Rotary Club of Campbelltown
were held at West Leagues Club. Five of our
students were successful in becoming a finalist in
the Sports category. Faith Tufuga, Nathaniel
Tran, Cindy Phan, Jasmine Dabestani and
Megan Lam. This was a well-deserved award in
recognition for their outstanding efforts in various
sports within their local community. We are very
proud and honoured to have such committed
students in the sporting field.
2018 Pierre de Coubertin Award
Congratulations to Nathaniel Tran from Year 12
for receiving the Pierre de coubertin award on
Friday 29 June. He was photographed with
Olympian Jarryd Hughes. Nathaniel received this
award for his excellence in Sport and Swimming.
Page 17
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Year 10 Road Safety bStreetsmart Excursion
On Tuesday 28 August Year 10 will be attending
the annual bstreetsmart road safety forum at
Qudos Arena at Homebush. The students should
enjoy the interactive and real life road safety
scenarios among approximately 5,000 other
students from all over NSW.
Year 9 PDHPE Cultural Food lesson
During Term 2 Year 9 students covered the topic,
“Healthsmart”. Within this topic students
participated in a cultural food lesson. Students
brought food to school from their own cultural
heritage and presented the meaning of food
within their culture to all the students in their
class.
Year 9 students thoroughly enjoyed this lesson,
as they all shared a meal and shared stories
about their cultural and religious backgrounds.
Mrs Ninopoulos brought in her feta cheese and
spinach pie which originates from Greece, along
with her red dyed Easter eggs.
Page 18
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
SLR Year 11 and Year 12 Excursions
SLR students have really demonstrated fantastic
enthusiasm towards this subject. All our
Macquarie Fields High School students have
displayed a willingness to learn and participate in
all activities both within school and outside. Our
SLR students have been fortunate to be involved
in two amazing excursions this year. Both Year
11 and 12 participated in a surf awareness
programme at Sandon Point Beach. The
students learnt how to identify rips, large and
dangerous surf conditions and how to use a surf
craft. It was great to see the level of commitment
and enthusiasm from all those students who
attended on the day.
Term 2 ended with the very first Go Karting
excursion at Fast Lane Go Karts Minto. The SLR
students were introduced to a driver safety day.
We were lucky enough to have the owner of Fast
Lane Go Karts talk to students about safe
driving. The day began with a theoretical lesson
aimed at driver safety. All our students were
keen to learn how to brake in emergencies,
maintain a safe distance around other Karts, and
how to overtake in a responsible manner. Once
our drivers were inducted and proved road
worthy it was race time!! It was great to see how
much fun all students were having. A special
mention must go out to Mariam (Schumacher)
Mahmoud. She was a stand out on the day. The
owner identified Mariam as a great racer and
invited her back to join a proper competition.
Watch this space…
Page 19
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Macquarie Fields High school may have a future
F1 driver!
Integrated Sport
There has been a new and exciting change at
Macquarie Fields High School. The transition into
integrated sport for all years has been very
positive at Macquarie Fields High School. We
have implemented a system where students of
each class consistently have the same teacher
throughout the sporting year. This helps build
relationships and rapport between students and
staff, whilst also allowing staff members to
familiarise themselves with students needs and
sporting capabilities.
Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 have had the opportunity to
participate in a variety of sports throughout the
year. It’s been fantastic to see that all the
students have demonstrated such a positive
outlook towards the new system. We have been
fortunate enough to have the West Tigers Rugby
League, NSW Woolworths CRICKET and GWS
Giants development teams come into our school
and teach our students (particularly in Year 7 and
8) some wonderful skills and drills throughout
Term One and Two. A number of students have
expressed how much they are enjoying
participating in integrated sport.
In 2018, Year 9 and Year 10 have transitioned
into the new integrated sports program with great
maturity. All students have embraced the
opportunity to participate in a wide variety of
school sports which include Oztag, Ultimate
Frisbee, Volleyball, Soccer and T-Ball. It has also
been fantastic to witness the enthusiasm and
attitude towards involving themselves in
recreational sports which include Cardio and
Page 20
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
Indoor Soccer at the Macquarie Fields
Recreation centre and Tennis at Ingleburn
Tennis courts.
A big thank you must go out to all the staff who
have helped make the transition into integrated
sport so smooth. A quick thank you to the PE
staff who are always willing to help out when
necessary.
Year 7 Gala Day 2018
Soccer-Coronation Park T-Ball-Milton Softball
Park
Frisbee-Bob Prenter
Reserve
Touch Football-Milton Park
Netball-Coronation Park
Participating Schools
Ingleburn, Holsworthy, Casula, Hurlstone and
Macquarie Fields.
On Monday 25 June, five competitive schools
battled it out in various sports to see who would
be crowned gala day champions for 2018. The
day brought us perfect conditions for the Year 7
gala day which was successfully organised and
hosted by Ingleburn High School.
MFHS, Holsworthy, Casula, Hurlstone and
Ingleburn participated in Touch Football at Milton
Rugby League Park, T-Ball at Milton Softball
Complex, Ultimate Frisbee at Bob Prenter
Reserve and Soccer and Netball at Coronation
Park. Students from all schools thoroughly
enjoyed themselves, showing excellent
sportsmanship and exemplary behaviour across
all sports. Some great results from our Year 7
teams. Hopefully next year we can win the title
and be crowned ‘champions’ next year.
A huge thank you to the following teachers for
their wonderful assistance; S. Bell, C. Wano, L.
Buxton, L. Bozzetto, K. Tang, A. Nguyen.
Mr Rompies and Mr Luc
Sport Organisers
NSW Premier's Secondary School Sport
Challenge 2018
The NSW Premier's Secondary School Sport
Challenge aims to engage young people in sport
and physical activity and encourages them to
lead healthy, active lifestyles.
At Macquarie Fields High School, all Year 7 and
Year 8 students are participating in class teams
in a 10 week sport and physical activity
challenge. Students in the elective Year 9 and 10
PASS classes, have been leading the challenge
as part of the Event Management unit.
Page 21
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
The Challenge is designed to encourage and
engage students and staff in a 10 week program
of sport and physical activity. Participants are
challenged to accumulate time in physical
activity, aiming to achieve Bronze, Silver, Gold or
Diamond Awards at the conclusion of the
Challenge period. Students were provided with a
log book to record their physical activity levels.
To achieve a Premier's School Sporting
Challenge Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond
Award, teams must accrue the following average
time in sport and physical activity over a 10 week
period:
Any physical activity of moderate to vigorous
intensity can be used to accrue time for the
Challenge.
Moderate activities can be as simple as brisk
walking, bike riding with friends, skateboarding,
yoga and dancing.
Vigorous activities are usually associated with
activities such as football, netball, aerobics,
soccer, running, fitness circuits, swimming laps
and training for sport.
Opportunities for moderate to vigorous activity
are also provided by:
incidental activity
playground games
organised sport competitions and physical
education activities
outdoor adventure and physical recreation
programs
dance associated with the Performing
Arts.
Good luck to everyone participating in the
2018 Challenge!
Year 11 First Aid Course
As part of the Year 11 PDHPE course the
students were given the opportunity to get their
First Aid qualification through the REVIVA First
Aid organisation. As part of their Preliminary
assessment, all the students completed the day.
The qualification is a nationally recognised
qualification that lasts for 3 years. The CPR
(cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) component
needs to be renewed annually. The skills and
knowledge the students have achieved will be
able to assist them in a range of first aid
situations, as well as providing them with the
opportunity to be a recognised first aider in a
work place.
Awards
Daily average activity time per student
Average time in minutes per week per student
Bronze 30 minutes per day
210
Silver 45 minutes per day
315
Gold 60 minutes per day
420
Diamond 80 minutes per day
560
Page 22
August 2018
Issue 5 - Term 3 October 2014
The students completed an intensive day of
training that involved both theoretical and
practical components that were assessed
throughout the day.
Here are some pictures of the students
demonstrating CPR and using a defibrillator.
Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics
Carnivals
Swimming -
The annual school Swimming Carnival was held
at Macquarie Fields Leisure Centre on Friday 23
February this year. It was a fantastic day and we
were blessed with great weather! It was great to
see that a huge number of students were
competing in the various races. Simpsons were
the overall winning house, with the most
points! Congratulations to Nathaniel Tran, Dylan
Bailey, Chang Chien Lin and Jack Bailey who
went on to represent our school at a state level.
Cross Country –
Our school Cross Country Carnival was
scheduled for Wednesday the 9th of May.
Unfortunately due to some hazardous Smokey
conditions we cancelled the carnival and ran a
modified carnival for competitors only on Monday
the 7th of May at Hazlett Oval. Congratulations to
Mateusz Kaczmarz who went on to represent our
school at a state level.
Athletics Carnival –
The annual school Athletics Carnival was held at
Campbelltown Sport Stadium on Friday 1 June
this year. It was a fantastic day and it was great
to see that a huge number of students were in
attendance and competed in numerous events.
Simpsons were the overall winning house,
with the most points! 39 students competed in
the Sydney South West Regional carnival at
Campbelltown Sport Stadium on Tuesday and
Wednesday the 7 August and 8 August. Our
most successful students were Thomas Setter
for coming 1st in High jump and successfully
making it to state Athletic Carnival and Sene
Tofa for coming 2nd in Shot Put and 2nd in
Javelin. Both students will be competing at the
State Athletic Carnival on the 5 and 6th
September.
Mrs L Buxton
Carnival Organiser
