Newsletter Issue 4 2011.pdf - Department of Education Schools ...

Australian Institute of Physics:Physics QuizA team of four students attended the Physics Quiz run by theAustralian Institute of Physics. It was held on Saturday 27thAugust at the Antarctic Division, Kingston, with a computer (skype)link-up with Launceston College. Questions included standardquestions from the year 12 Physics course as well as many moreadvanced questions that required a bit of extra knowledge, or somemathematical flair combined with a bit of “black art”, or even anoutright guess.The guest speaker was Dr Stas Shabala, an astrophysicist from theUniversity of Tasmania, who talked about why he likes doing whathe does. He gained his PhD in Astrophysics and Cosmology at theUniversties of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK and is TasmanianYoung Achiever of the Year 2011. He rates his particular fieldof study – black holes – at the extreme high end of the CoolnessSpectrum. Yes, that’s coolness in the sense of “that’s so cool.”Emmanuel Kubwange, Daniel Johnson, and Aden Handasyde fromYear 12 and Paul Thalaivasal from Year 11 came first in the southof the State, and third across the State – after Launceston College(first) and St Brendan Shaw College (second). They won some greatprizes and ate free food and chocolates. Well done to the team.UTAS Language Scholarship winnersSix Rosny students have been selected to receive College LanguagesProgram Japan In-Country Scholarships from the University of Tasmania.These scholarships provide the opportunity to study Japanese at anintensive language program in Kyushu, Japan, during the 2011-2012holiday period. Travel, tuition and accommodation costs are coveredin these generous scholarships.Hans Dadson, Madison Khan, Skye Dennison, Dannielle Burridge,Annie McShane and Kristy Brockman have this year worked toachieve an award in Japanese at first year university level. If theysuccessfully complete the CLP Japan In-Country Language Program theywill receive an award at second year level and will then be eligibleto enrol in third year Japanese when they begin their studies atUTAS in 2012. In doing this, they will have not only accelerated theiruniversity studies, but have also avoided two years of HECS feesas well as gained valuable experience through travelling and studyingin Japan.Some of our scholarship winners, Skye Dennison, Madison Khan andDannielle Burridge, with Japanese Language teacher Christena Halliwelland Japanese Support Teacher Arisa Go.Left to right: Guest speaker Dr Stas Shabala, AIP presidentDr Marc Duldig, Paul Thalaivasal, Emmanuel Kubwange, Daniel Johnson,Aden Handasyde.4David Owen with English Writing studentsGuest author visitOn Thursday 25th August, English Writing students attended a talkby noted crime fiction writer David Owen. David spoke about themechanics of writing crime fiction, shared the first chapter of hisforthcoming book due to be published in February 2012 and tookquestions from his audience. Of particular note was his commentthat everything in an opening chapter is there for a purpose and thatit comes back in subsequent chapters. David knows exactly what willhappen in his stories and tries to be subtle with clues, although heuses ‘red herrings’ to engage the reader’s interest.This was a very timely presentation from David as English Writingstudents are in the process of writing stories in their chosen genre.TYP participants at Parliament HouseTasmanian Youth ParliamentFrom September 4th-10th, over forty Year 11 and 12 studentsfrom across the state met in Hobart for a week long residentialconference to learn about, and debate in parliament. For thefirst time, Tasmanian Youth Parliament was bicameral with debateheld in both the Tasmanian House of Assembly and the LegislativeCouncil. Participants formed a Government and Opposition todebate issues in state politics which they consider important.Georgia Elliott-Vautin took part and later reported“It was really valuable and I would recommend it to any studentsinterested in law and politics, or just debating in general. Thefacilitators give you training, so it boosts your confidence in publicspeaking. I also made lots of new friends and had fun!”

Trekking in NepalAdam Prairie, Bec Biggs and Larissa Wuetschner joined Sam Jesneyand other Tasmanian students and teachers on the TasmanianSecondary Schools Expedition to Nepal in September. The group wasled by Sherpa Ang Tshering who told them “Nepal is a country thathas a unique culture and some of the friendliest people in the world."During the trek students posted on a blog, with Adam recording“For me reaching the high point wasn't the major highlight of thetrip. Seeing Everest and Ama Dablam was pretty awesome but soare the people, food, environment and the trekking. I think that thistrip has gone way too fast and I will definitely be coming back inthe not too distant future.”Before leaving Tasmania, the group raised nearly $2,500.00 (107,000NRp) and donated this money to the Shree Janasewa Lower SecondarySchool. The monthly wage for a teacher in Nepal is 100 NRp.Teacher Profile: Sam JesneySam attended Rosny College as a student in 1997 and ‘98. It wasduring this time that the idea of becoming an Outdoor Educationand Health and Wellbeing teacher was cemented. During her yearsas a student at Rosny and then whilst studying Human Movement atuniversity, Sam was involved in many outdoor pursuits and workedas a guide for adventure based rafting, kayaking and bushwalkingcompanies. She knew from these experiences that she wanted toshare these experiences with students. Sam teaches AdventureRecreation and Health and Wellbeing at Rosny, but has also taughtMaths, Science and Literacy throughout her 9 years of teaching.Sam represented Tasmania and Australia for a number of years inmountain-biking and road cycling. After retiring from competition inthis sport, she decided that travelling, experiencing different culturesand getting out into the wilderness was a passion, but again it couldbe something that was offered to students. This year Sam led theTasmanian Secondary Schools Expedition to Nepal in September,taking 14 Tasmanian students, including 3 Rosny students on a 3 weekexpedition to Nepal where they trekked to Ama Dablam Base Campin the Everest region, spent time in a local school and visited themany World Heritage Areas in the region.Sam Jesney with Sherpa Ang Tshering on the recent trip to NepalTasmanian Secondary Schools Expedition members with the studentsand staff of the Shree Janasewa Lower Secondary SchoolSam is currently in Costa Rica representing Australia in the WhiteWater World Championships. Sam’s greatest enjoyment in teachingcomes from encouraging and enabling students to take themselvesout of their comfort zones and achieve success. She looks forwardto many more years of teaching and hopefully inspiring students inthe future.Springboard NewsStudents in the Springboard program have continued tobe out and about in the College and the community, withseveral excursions at the end of Term 2. As part of theEnvironment and Nature course, a trip was made to a localfarm to learn firsthand about some aspects of workingwith, and caring for farm animals. Students were treated toseeing and holding new born lambs, with everybody takingturns at bottle feeding.Springboard students are also preparing for the transitionto further learning or work placements for next year. Aspart of this program, the Prepare for Work class visitedTastex to view the operation and see that part of industryat work.7