The Importance of Climate Action

On Wednesday 23 August, Belridge Secondary College was privileged to host the MINISTER’S CLIMATE ACTION FORUM delivered by The Hon Reece Whitby (Minister for Environment, Climate Action, Racing and Gaming) and Caitlin Collins MLA (Member for Hillary’s). The purpose of this forum was to reach out to our younger generation to explore current action projects, explain plans in process  and  discuss the importance of how using cleaner resources to generate power can assist us now and into the future to reach net zero carbon emissions. A key message was the importance of collaboration with the community and the involvement of young people in future decision making.  During the forum, students had the opportunity put questions to the Minister and share their views on this topic.  Although it will take time to reach our carbon emissions goals and targets, WA is best placed to achieve success.

Fashion Design 

Congratulations to Year 8 student, Sofie Rohwer, from our Fashion program for coming THIRD in the Wool4School Design national competition. Wool4School is an annual event that encourages emerging fashion designers to promote the unparalleled properties and benefits of wool. As the competition is open to secondary school students in Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom and Italy, Sofie's achievement is exceptional. The judges commented that Sofies entry showed ''an excellent understanding of the properties of wool and how her chosen muse would benefit from its use. Also, the illustrations were very beautiful."

Sofie's entry, plus the Wool4school designs from all students in our Fashion program will be on display at the Arts Showcase in Term 4 on Wednesday, 8 November. 

Kristie Wintle
Arts Teacher

Student Council 
City of Joondalup Youth Conference

During Week 6, the Year 9 Student Councillors, along with the Student Councillors from the Education Support Centre, had the privilege of attending the City of Joondalup Youth Conference. Our guest speaker, Ash Penfold from Corroboree for Life, is a former Belridge student doing amazing things empowering youth and the community. We had a fantastic time in the workshop, exploring what leadership means to us and how we can inspire our community. There was also a sitting of local council which provided an insight into all of the behind-the-scenes in leadership. 

Leadership Workshop

Our local MLA, Caitlin Collins paid our Student Council a visit to share her wisdom with us on leadership and how she handles everyday scenarios that come through her office. Ranging from noisy neighbours to climate change, we workshopped these scenarios and with some guidance from Caitlin, came to some reasonable solutions. We always enjoy Caitlin's visit and took away that it can take teamwork, reaching out and working together to reach the best solutions.

Jade Wright
Student Council Coordinator

Team Spirit

On Thursday, 7 September, Belridge Secondary College and the Education Support Centre community came together to raise funds for the Fight Cancer Foundation and support kids with cancer to assist them in continuing their education whilst receiving treatment. Students and staff donned their favourite sports team colours for a gold coin donation, raising $300! Thank you to Mrs Wright and the Student Council for organising this popular annual fundraiser.

Biology and Creative Thinking

Students in Year 10 Biology class have been using their creative skills recently and learning about the topic of 'structures of an animal cell' by making models.  What a great perspective! 

Isabella Batka
Science Teacher

Anatomy Studies

Year 12 Outdoor Education Dwellingup Camp 2023

The last ever Outdoor Education Camp for our Year 12 students was finally upon us. After weeks of planning and excitement, the students packed their bags, and the trailer, and our two classes made their way to Dwellingup for their final adventure.

The weather couldn't have been more different for the two camps. Camp 1 saw students complete their 15km hike in challenging conditions. The sunshine tried to peak through the rain clouds, but the wet weather persisted. The students did an amazing job keeping their spirits high through the rain and all eventually made it to camp. Once tents were set up and meals were prepared, all huddled around the fire to keep warm or dry out some very damp clothing. Day 2 and the canoeing was again marred by the weather, although some would have ended up wet anyway after a few mishaps over the rapids! One group only had two canoes make it through unscathed, while the other group managed to stay afloat. Again, the fire was our saviour, especially when the lightning storm raged overhead. Some students learnt the hard way that an ill-constructed tent didn't keep the rain out, and wet pillows don't make for a good night's sleep.

Camp 2 saw clear skies and sunshine for entire camp which was a pleasant change. The hike was a little more challenging with the heat, but again, students kept their spirits high. The paddle down the Murray river on day 2 was also under clear blue skies, but with a drop in the water level, the rapids were a little trickier this time. Some still found staying upright a challenge and a few much needed baths were taken. The standard of meals definitely dropped for the second group, but at least all stayed dry.

There were some interesting and revealing conversations around the fire. Keeping warm and toasting marshmallows saw students open up and share some deep and meaningful conversations and many laughs. Both groups had perfect conditions for the high ropes course on day 3. Although there were a few tears and screams, all students challenged themselves and made the most of their time in the trees. Even a few with fears of heights managed to overcome and showed resilience by joining their classmates 20 metres in the air. A great way to end their final high school camp.

Jarrod Timu
Health & Physical Education Teacher

Geography Field Trip  

On Friday, 25 August and Thursday, 31 August respectively the General Geography students undertook fieldwork in Perth's Central Business District (CBD) and Inner Mixed Zone (IMZ).

The students departed from Edgewater station at 08:45 and made their way (via train and CAT bus) to Claisebrook Cove. It was here the students observed and recorded the features that makes this area one of the most desirable inner-city locations surrounding Perth but also evidence of East Perth's industrial past, culminating with a field sketch of Optus Stadium from the picturesque Victoria Gardens.

Departing Victoria Gardens (again on CAT bus) the students then headed to the cultural hub of Perth, Northbridge. Students made their way through Yagan Square and then along James, Lake, and Aberdeen Streets, witnessing the sights, smells, and sounds of the diverse food scene, independent retailers, and a thriving arts and entertainment scene.

Students then made their way past Boola Bardip, across Wellington St, through a maze of arcades to end up in the financial core of WA, St Georges Terrace. It was here students observed and recorded various urban processes, as well as appreciating Perth's global position in the resources sector before making their way through London Court and into the Hay St Mall for lunch.

During lunch, which gave students free-range of the malls, they were able to observe and make note of all the factors that make this area the retail centre of Perth, including undertaking some retail therapy of their own. Once lunch concluded, we made our way to the Perth Underground and headed back to the suburbs.

A special thanks to both classes for their exemplary behaviour on the day.

Mr Stevens
HASS Teacher

BiG Day In - IT Careers Conference

Year 11 and 12 students from the Certificate III Information Technology classes attended the 'BiG Day In' Careers in IT conference at Curtin University on Tuesday, 5 September. The annual 'BiG Day In' event is run by the Australian Computer Society Foundation and is intended to help students to make better informed decisions about their future. Students learn about courses, degrees, work experience, internships, apprenticeships and engage with hands-on demonstrations of awesome technology.

The conference features presenters and exhibitors from leading employers in IT including, Microsoft, BHP, Bankwest and the Australian Defence Force. Several sponsors provided prizes and Year 12 student Eli Nelson-Marsden was lucky enough to win a bag of goodies provided by the Australian Signals Directorate.

Steve O'Neil
IT Teacher

Home Economics

Year 9 Food for Others classes have completed a unit this term on Café Culture where they identified the elements of a café. Students investigated menu design and how to cater for different dietary requirements of patrons. Over the term they devised and produced a breakfast dish suitable for service at a café, as well as devising a dish that would suit a particular dietary need. They also designed a menu for their own café.

Students finished off the term by creating and producing 'Freak Shakes'. They were provided with the basics of milk and ice-cream and needed to consider their flavour base and choose their add-ins. Students had a lot of fun creating a range of different shakes that would be at home on any café menu.

Micael Corless
Home Economics Teacher

Wear It Purple Day - Write Your Story

On Friday, 25 August 2023, Belridge Secondary College LGBTQIA+ youth and allies united to celebrate ‘Wear It Purple Day’.

By wearing purple, we demonstrated to rainbow young people that they are seen, supported and respected, acknowledging all have the right to be proud of who they are and who they are becoming.

This year’s theme, "Write Your Story", is created by Wear It Purple’s Youth Action Council (YAC) to give voice to growing rhetoric in the LGBTQIA+ youth community around the importance of personal expression and individuality.

On the day, we enjoyed fundraising, by completely selling out our delicious, rainbow cupcakes; raising $392 to support rainbow youth.

We also ran a WEAR IT PURPLE, colouring-in competition and wish to congratulate the winner Neisha Warick, on a beautiful submission.

Overall, it was a very successful day and I want to thank my Rainbow Club members for all of their hard work and dedication, it was much appreciated!

Grae Hastings
English Teacher

Neisha Warick (Year 11)
Winning Entry to Wear It Purple Colouring-in Competition 2023