Acknowledgement of Country
Embedded Files
We would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land; the Worimi and Awabakal peoples, and pay respects to elders past present and future and recognise this land was never ceded.
-Ned
Science with Louis
This week at TGIF our team decided to chat to our lovely science teacher Louis. Louis has incredible insights into the world of science and we thought it would be great for him to give us insight into what the juniors have been learning . Plus why science is important for us in the long run.
Louis says an active session is always a great way to remember what is being learnt and for it to really stick in our minds. The students follow many fun experiments which helps them to use their thinking skills as well as working with others to create a comfortable but fun and informative learning environment.
Some examples are shown below, where the students can be seen working together to find the PH balance in a plethora of liquids, including water, soap, orange juice, energy drinks and milk. Louis explains that an experiment or anything in science should be trial and error, this can help us to explore further in the future and leave us curious and wanting to find out more.
A great way to peak curiosity amongst the students was most definitely with the microscopes, in which many materials where used to see the cells within an item. A piece of hair for example which let students see the cells floating in their very own heads. This gives a personal sense to the activity and makes it more engaging, which is a very key part in our learning here at Cooks Hill Campus. Making your Empirical Reasoning within your project something you are passionate about can really boost the work you produce and help encourage further research and exploring down the road.
Some final words of wisdom from Louis are: Science is a continuous loop of trial and error!
This means that even if you don't succeed, trying again and looping back around to the start is not a complete failure, just a small error in your vast world of experimenting and researching.
Tips for Empirical Reasoning:
Have a curious mind.
Take challenges head on.
Always ask questions.
Strive to learn something new every time.
Make sure to remember this when approaching your Empirical Reasoning this term and the terms to come!
-Ruby
Student work
This week we have had a student submission! Thank you Lyric for sharing your poem on boxing.
In the hush before the bell’s first chime, Two warriors wait, poised in time. Leather gloves and hearts of steel, Each step forward, fate to feel.
The canvas floor, a sacred stage, Where fury meets with silent rage. Jabs like whispers, hooks like thunder, A ballet born of sweat and blunder.
Eyes locked tight, no room for fear, Each feint a question: “Will you strike here?” The crowd erupts, a roaring tide, But in the ring, the world’s outside.
Blood may bloom, but pride won’t bend, Each round a war that must transcend. For boxing’s not just fists and pain— Its grit, its grace, its soul unchained.
So raise your guard, embrace the fight, In every round, reclaim your right. For in the ring, beneath the light, The heart of battle burns most bright.
-Lyric
The Full Circle Collective
On Friday during week 4, the Sewing Social Action Project Group (SAPG) went on an excursion to The Full Circle Collective store located on Hunter Street. The Full Circle Collective is a non for profit organisation that organises sustainability events for communities to reclaim their power over what is happening to the land they live on. Their store on Hunter St sells different textile products from different businesses and people in the community that make environmentally friendly textiles products or art pieces.
During this excursion we learnt about the amount of waste that goes into the environment. Australians are the highest consumers of textiles globally purchasing on average 56 new pieces of clothing a year. While the consumption of clothing in Australia has increased the number of times a garment in worn before being thrown away has decreased by 36%. Yearly Australia discards about 800,000 tonnes of clothing most of which goes to landfill which then releases harmful greenhouse gasses while it breaks down.
Some ways we learnt to improve out own consumption and affect on the environment were things like researching the a brands ethics before purchasing from them, up-cycling or recycling old clothing, second hand shopping and buying clothing made of natural fibres.
During this workshop we also had a chance to bring in a piece of clothing we wanted to repair, and the group of runninng the event helped everyone with different mending techniques. I think this is a very valuable life skill which not only helps you save money but also decreases your carbon footprint.
Curious Legends
For Learning Through Internship (LTI) Tuesday's; a group of creative minds have been participating in activities led by a company called Curious Legends. Curious Legends creates and produces productions that utilise a variety of artistic mediums. Primarily the use of puppets that they make themselves. Curious Legends have provided students at Cooks Hill Campus the opportunity to engage with like-minded people, through activities and workshops that challenge their innovative and creative thinking skills.
We at TGIF interviewed Amy, a bright and eager Year 10 student who attends Curious Legends on Tuesdays. According to Amy, daily activities at include, but are not limited to; creating and playing with the puppets, crafting, and writing scripts that involve puppets. Amy has described her time there as a fun experience that has allowed her to collaborate and engage with her friends over similar interests, in a safe and inclusive environment.
While it is always great if work experience fun and engaging; the objective for all intents and purposes is to develop personal/work skills and insight to the work field. Skills that Amy has developed during her time at Curious Legends includes; resourcefulness, improvisation, and the ability to participate in acting through a new medium.
Amy's time at Curious Legends has pushed her to interact with peers, and has challenged her communication and socialisation mindset. Thanks to her engagement in this LTI, she has formed many connections.
Amy accessed her LTI after redirection from the local art gallery, and a chat with Andy our Careers Advisor about possible pathways. Thank you Amy for your sharing! We hope Amy's experience encourages many of you to push yourselves to try new things on LTI Tuesdays!
-Ari & Ruby
Outlearning opportunities
Novaskill Cubby House Build Program
This is for students ages 15+ and in year 10-12, as long as you are withing those requirements it is a good opportunity if you are interested in construction, carpentry, and construction industry. You will work in a team project over 2 weeks constructing a large cubby house.
(PPE is supplied and start date is December 1st).
Volunteering opportunity Newcastle council/Newcastle Youth Collective
Newcastle Council is collaborating with Newcastle Youth Collective for the down the park festival at Foreshore Park on Thursday 20 November from 4-7pm. It will have live music, skate competition circus performance, and rides.
The volunteering roles can possibly include stage/production hands, and helpers for the skate completion and workshops.
Making Waves Foundation, Wright of Passage Program
After the success this year of our 2 students who did the wright of Passage Program the Making Waves Foundation is keen for people to join for 2026 you can join the Making Waves Foundation for a trial day on Wednesday 19th November.
For more information, head to the LTI page on Canvas.
-Lincoln
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