2024, Term 3, Edition 10 - Senior School

From the Head of Senior School

A very warm welcome back to Term 3, and a special welcome to families and staff who have joined Casey Grammar this term.

Camps at CGS

The wintery weather may have set in, but this has not prevented us from enjoying the great outdoors with students setting off on an exciting six-day Snow Camp to Falls Creek during the third week of the holidays. This camp provided an opportunity for the intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders to hone their skills, but most students were testing their new skills for the very first time.

Many had never seen snow fall before, and were in awe of the sight after a heavy snowfall on our first night at camp created a beautiful white blanket across the mountain. Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 formed new friendships on this camp and created life-long memories. Several have already stated that they hope to join the Snow Camp again next year.

Students in Year 8 have returned from their three-day stay in the beautiful Yarra Valley with adventures that included mountain bike riding, caving, archery and bush cooking. Year 9 students are preparing for their Adventurous Journey at Cape Otway later this term as a part of the Casey Challenge curriculum.

Camps are embedded in the Casey Grammar curriculum and with optional activities, such as Snow Camp, these outdoor adventures are the perfect environment for experiential learning.

The benefits of such experiences support and enhance the holistic approach to learning by fostering connections between students, improving independence and increasing resilience, and developing leadership skills. I am grateful for the dedication of our staff who volunteer to attend these camps, for without their commitment such experiences would not be possible.

Discovering Body Systems

Year 8 students enjoyed a day at Casey Tech School on an excursion that challenged them to consider the role of emerging technologies in the Healthcare system. Students rotated through various learning activities, including using virtual reality to examine healthy and diseased hearts and lungs, and using diagnostic tools to identify patient blood types and measure their own vital signs.

Year 9 Health and Physical Education

As part of the Year 9 Health and Physical Education curriculum, students have been looking into a unit called Lifelong Fitness where students investigate different sports outside of the Big 4 (AFL, netball, basketball and soccer) and find ways to be fit, healthy and engaged in exercise throughout their lifetime.

On Friday, 9B had to use their 21^st Century skills of Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity to design a Holey Moley Mini Golf Course in the gym, using equipment from our storeroom. It was a wonderful class with some amazing designs!

All Schools Cross Country

Recently Lucas B in Year 9 and Daisy Z in Year 8 competed at the All Schools Cross Country. Lucas placed 72 out of 150 students. What a great effort from all participants!