From the Classroom
Year 9 History WWI Incursion
Year 9 Historians were lucky enough to have Shane Blackman form WWI Living History visit the College on Friday 16th May. Students were able to engage with their studies on Australia and the World Wars with artefacts and replicas from Shane’s WWI collection. An interactive and engaging presentation, it allowed students to hold the items and ask questions from a range of topics including weaponry, defence and attack strategies, clothing, food and shelter and life in the trenches at Gallipoli and the Western Front.
A big thank you to Shane for once again travelling to Grafton and sharing his knowledge and experience and to Year 9 who engaged so well with the incursion.
Recently, Year 11 and 12 students immersed themselves in the world of hospitality during a two-day excursion to Sea World Resort, experiencing the Village Roadshow Hotel School firsthand.
Students gained insights into Village Roadshow's company operations and the importance of people and culture. They then jumped into practical food and beverage skills, learning table setting, plate clearing, using a post-mix machine, and carrying plates and beverages. A highlight was the challenge to create an event with a budget and client needs, showcasing their creativity and problem-solving skills.
The first day concluded with a memorable fine dining experience at Glass Dining at the Marina Mirage. The romantic, candlelit ambience provided students with a firsthand appreciation for premium hospitality and the art of creating an unforgettable guest experience.
Day Two: Full Immersion and Practical Experience
Day two saw students fully integrated into various hotel and restaurant departments. They were actively involved in clearing customer plates in the restaurant, assisting with stewarding, gaining insights into housekeeping procedures, experiencing the role of concierge, and participating in kitchen preparation. This hands-on experience provided a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles within a functioning hotel environment.
This excursion provided our students with invaluable practical skills and a deeper understanding of the exciting hospitality industry. Furthermore, this practical experience is exceptionally well-suited to the Hospitality Food and Beverage syllabus, directly aligning with several key learning outcomes.
This holistic program truly brought the theoretical aspects of the Hospitality Food and Beverage syllabus to life, offering our students an unparalleled head start in their hospitality journey.
Students receive a virtual $50,000 they can invest over a 10-week period, in over 300 companies listed on the ASX. The prices students buy and sell at are the same prices as they would get in the live market.
By participating in the simulated game, students were able to
- develop their knowledge of the sharemarket,
- learn how to research companies,
- discover the importance of wise investment decisions,
- gain a greater knowledge of economic and world events, and
- begin to learn more about investing, which is beneficial for their future.
The winning syndicate for Year 10 was “CPN” - Cruz Sewell, Prithvi Singh and Noyal Antony.
Notable achievement prize was received by Tara Commerford.
The winning syndicate for Year 9 was Sabrina Goulding and Elly Day (also taking out the win for Year 9 and Year 10!)
Honourable mentions to Connor Poole, Indigo Avogniko and Lexi Hall.
Natasha Green, Year 9 Commerce teacher
Mrs Leanne McLennan, Year 10 Commerce teacher