Prep

LANGUAGES

In a challenging year, the Language Faculty and our Senior School students continued to explore the language and culture of China, Japan and France through a broad range of activities both on campus and online. In French, our Years 11 and 12 students participated in the Alliance Française speaking competition and Year 7 students enjoyed fortnightly online cooking classes, led by Monsieur Gold to assist in developing their knowledge of French cuisine and a chance to collaborate together. Congratulations to our senior French students who had great success in the Berthe Mouchette speaking examination. Eight of our VCE students were selected as finalists across the state. We congratulate Charlotte Myer (Year 11) for winning third place in the Year 11 division. Our Year 10 students refined their speaking skills when they competed in the Japanese Speaking Competition online, both individually and in pairs. A Chinese cooking lesson with Ms Cui allowed the girls to connect together and turn plain rice and veggies into a delicious fried rice meal, enjoyed together whilst sharing the Chinese language with each other. A special mention to our dedicated students completing VCE Chinese whilst studying remotely overseas. Congratulations to Year 12 student Lucy Keilar and Year 11 student Valerie Plastow who have studied two languages during a challenging year. What wonderful career options await them. Thank you to all our amazing Language educators and students who have worked so hard during 2021.

Ms Anna Pianezze Head of Languages

MATHEMATICS

2021 threw a few curve balls our way but the Mathematics staff remained committed to being agile in their delivery of curriculum and providing the students with the best pedagogical approaches and teaching practices. Our focus this year, has been to strengthen Mathematical proficiency. As a STEM subject, there is a growing need to enable students to be adaptive in their approaches to solving mathematical tasks. Procedural fluency and conceptual understanding are stepping stones towards a student’s ability to being strategically competent, and being able to formulate and construct a logical and reasonable solution to a mathematical problem. Now, more than ever, we see the value of mathematical modelling in the real world. Students in Years 7 to 12, have been encouraged to apply their skills to a number of different tasks which brings them one step closer to learning more about the world in which they live.

Mrs Angela Klancic Head of Mathematics