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In Week 10 of Term 2, the Year 10 Humanities Tour group set off for eight days of adventure on the east coast, managing to pack in experiences that linked to all four facets of the Humanities curriculum.

Sydney proved extremely popular with the iconic Harbour Bridge providing us with a brisk evening walk as well as multiple photo opportunities.

We enjoyed mass at St Patrick鈥檚 in the Rocks, a church built in the 1840’s on land bequeathed by William Davis who had obtained land in the Rocks in 1809 and whose home became a centre of Catholic prayer years before there was a resident priest in Sydney.

After mass, the history of the Rocks became even more real with a guided tour through the area. The students鈥� engagement and pleasant manner was commended by the guide, who took the trouble to contact the Tour company to tell them what a pleasure it had been. It was the first commendation of many that students received on the tour. As staff, we cannot fault their behaviour or enthusiasm despite their busy days.

The snow and the mountain ranges were another highlight. From the Blue mountains, we traveled to Canberra where we spent three days experiencing the delights of the capital. The most popular visits here were to the Governor General鈥檚 house and to Old Parliament House where the Civics and Citizenship the students have learned this year was brought to life.

A much quieter group returned to Perth, exhausted but rich with experiences.

Cath Bagg, Leader of Learning – Humanities

On Monday 29 July, the Year 12 Human Biology class visited the Harry Perkins Institute. This excursion is hosted and run by very knowledgeable research scientists who work at the facility. Students worked in the lab, where they set up and ran biotechnological processes to better understand how mutations can be identified. In the lab, students explored how to amplify the potentially mutated BRAF gene of three patients. The identification of this mutation can lead to improved treatment options for people with melanoma. The lab offered students the opportunity to set up a PCR reaction to amplify the BRAF gene, followed by electrophoresis to visualize the outcome. Students learnt first-hand from melanoma patients how advances in research directly affect lives. The students thoroughly enjoyed this very rich learning experience. Many were inspired by the work of the scientists at this facility, which enhanced their further aspirations for studying a field of Science at University.

Janette Petrides, Science Teacher

Last term, the Year 11 ATAR Earth and Environmental Science students investigated the igneous geology of the Yilgarn Craton at Mountain Quarry and The John Forrest Railway Tunnel.

The investigation included the mapping and interpretation of granitic and volcanic rocks and some challenging interpretation of geology in three dimensions. The fieldwork allowed the students to apply all the theory that they have learned in class to a fantastic field environment.

The hard work of students was rewarded with a brief inspection of the Oldest railway tunnel in Western Australia and a bit of hide and seek in the darkness of the now abandoned tunnel.