School Newsletter

As part of this learning, the Calderwood P&F purchased some DIY Solar light kits through the charity ‘SolarBuddy’. This charity aims to create awareness and tackle issues surrounding energy poverty by gifting innovative, sustainable solutions to illuminate the lives of children worldwide.

Students in Stage 3 constructed the solar lights that will be sent to children worldwide who do not have access to electricity. Each student also wrote a handwritten letter to accompany the light they had built. The students' letters included messages of the hope we have in Christ who is our light.

John 8:12 says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Mrs Catherine O'Doherty

Head of Junior School

Whilst it might seem counterintuitive to have students learning indoors in a session titled Outdoor Education, when we venture into the outdoors there is always a chance that someone in our group, or a stranger on the trail, is injured and needs our help. We must be ready to respond.

In Luke 10:30-37, Jesus tells a parable to teach his disciples, that even our enemies are deserving of our love and care. Jesus explains how the Samaritan bandaged the wounds of the stranger he found on the road. When asked which of the three travellers demonstrated mercy towards the injured stranger, the expert in the law answered correctly, identifying the Samaritan. Jesus says to the expert in the law, and to each of us, go and do the likewise.

Students have therefore been exploring ways in which they can assist someone who is in need. Learning to think like ‘first responders’ and some practical skills of applying dressings, calling for help and caring for someone who has been physically injured.

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37)

Mr Darren Hutton

Principal

The camp started at the Kiama lighthouse where students were placed in un-nominated groups.

They were then provided with a padlock per group, a series of numbers, and a list of instructions. For each padlock, there were 27 possible combinations. The groups were then told to unlock the lock. In a short period of time, some groups had figured out the correct combination, while others had not. Once task one was completed (by most groups), the students began to navigate their way to their sleeping destination.

At Minnamurra River, the students were met by Mr Nicholls who was seated in a boat ready to ferry them across the river.  

The evening was filled with a non-stop game of 9 square, night 9 square, Pictionary, cooking dinner sitting around God’s word together and considering where we each stand in our relationships with Him. 

The following day a southerly wind had developed bringing cold air, even colder rain and a pack up of tents that made the fingers hurt. Despite this, year 8 endured well and partook in surfing lessons.

Each student was grateful when full length wetsuits were handed over, and when they realised the ocean temperature was still a balmy 21 degrees. Once surfing was completed, all students agreed that the best place to eat lunch was back at school in a warm room.

Upon arrival back at school, 9 square was promptly set up, and another game had begun.  

Every student enjoyed the camp and this was clearly reflected in their camp feedback forms. Some comments that were made by students were:

“I loved being able to spend time with my friends”

“It was so good to see the grade become more together”

“I enjoyed that fact that people who normally don’t talk to each other did”

Mr Jonathon Nicholls

Director of Pastoral Care (Senior School)

We lost our first round 4-0 to Smiths Hill High School and thought it would be a short season.

However, we bounced back strong with a 4-0 win against Albion Park High.

Then in Week 7, we took on Oak Flats High School, where our Board 2 was first to finish with an unfortunate back rank checkmate. This left Board 1 in a tricky spot having to win for the team to win.

Our Board 4 was next to finish with a convincing win easing the pressure on Board 3.

Then with a clinical display of winning material with a trade of pieces, Board 1 could capitalise and clutch out the win. This has sent the team into Round 4, which will occur early next term.

Mr Hamish McKendrick

Mathematics

Students appreciated observing scenes demonstrated and explained by professional actors and directors, with specific links to their study of the Common Module. Year 12 also enjoyed the opportunity to forge memories outside the classroom and travel into the city for their final English excursion at Calderwood Christian School.

Mr Aaron Dunne

English, HSIE and Music Coordinator

Student Assessment Reports completed by the employers report that students were highly engaged, polite, punctual and took the initiative often.

A couple of students were either offered work or encouraged to complete courses to be employed. 

Hear from some of our students on their experiences during work experience week:

Ava – SEED (Staff Wellbeing) Program, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District

Q: What did you do during your week of Work Experience, and what was your favourite thing you did?

Over the course of my Work Experience, I was asked to complete a lot of tasks that I have never done before. This was challenging, but also really rewarding and stretched me to grow and learn.

My main task was to create a visual map of the journey of the SEED program to date, which also included where they are hoping to develop the program in the future.

One of my favourite tasks was a day trip to Robertson’s Wallaby Hill farm. This was a really beautiful setting and all the staff came together to do a range of different team building exercises and planning.

The SEED program has developed a set of ‘Affirmation Cards’ to support staff to consider different ways of thinking about complex problems in health, and to help staff to also consider how to care for themselves in this environment. I was asked to choose different cards and present these to the team during the Wallaby Hill day.

During the week I had been asked to represent what I had taken from the affirmation cards as a year 10 student, and to also create some visual representations of this using the theme of equine therapy. This was really hard, but it made me think really deeply about what I was learning.

I also had to present my draft visual map for feedback from the team.

Q: Do you think Work Experience was worthwhile, and why?

It was only a week, but it felt like I learnt so much more in that time than I would normally have, not just about what it is like to be at work, but also about myself.

Q: What advice would you give to the current Year 9 cohort about Work Experience?

Every new person that you meet provides an opportunity for a new perspective; every new perspective provides an opportunity for change; every change creates possibility.

Hannah – Always Flowers, Kiama Public Library

Q: What sort of tasks were you asked to complete as part of your Work Experience?

At the florist I conducted tasks such as washing buckets and vases, taking flowers out of the cool room and preparing them for arrangements, writing Mother's Day cards (due to my Work Experience week being the one leading up to Mother's Day), learning to interact with customers, and helping with stock.

At the library I conducted tasks like helping with children's programs, shelving books, and aiding in stock take.

Q: What was a highlight of your Work Experience placement?

A highlight at Always Flowers was definitely taking the flowers out of the cool room in the mornings - I loved their smell and colours and arranging them into vases.

I am now also working for the florist each Saturday and I love it.

Q: What advice would you give to the current Year 9 cohort about Work Experience?

When planning your placement, I would suggest contacting as many people as possible, as early as you can. Don’t leave it to the last minute!

Jackson – BaiMed Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Clinic

Q: What sort of tasks were you asked to complete as part of your Work Experience?

I would observe when patients were undergoing their physiotherapy sessions, and come up with different exercises to help them.

I also helped run some of the Parkinson's Disease classes with elderly clients, and helped out 1-on-1 with some patients with disabilities or with their rehabilitation.

Q: What was a challenge you encountered during your work experience placement?

A challenge was helping people with Parkinson's Disease. We had to come up with ways to help them, but they had to be simple because people with this condition interpret things differently and are quite slow to process new information.

Q: What would you say to the current Year 9 cohort about Work Experience?

I would say if you are interested in the field of medical or physiotherapy, BaiMed Kiama is a great location!

They were extremely welcoming and helpful, and very professional but loads of fun. There was never a moment when we were quiet, so there were lots of things to do.

Elijah: Defence Work Experience Program, HMAS Albatross, Nowra

For this placement, I had to complete a state-wide competitive application that was composed with questions that tested my ethics and morals.

Q: What did you do during your week of Work Experience, and what was your favourite thing you did?

My schedule was filled with many exciting activities that involved teamwork, fitness, and problem solving. The majority of the time was touring the base and visiting different Squadrons, while meeting some of the recruits there and listening to what their life is like in the Defence Force.

My favourite activity was flying in the ‘MH-60R Seahawk Romeo flight simulator’. The experience was so realistic, it felt like I was actually flying.

Q: What did you learn from your Work Experience placement?

There was so much that I learned from this experience, from something simple like how to do a proper handshake to learning how to save someone from drowning. Everything I learned was very memorable and definitely worthwhile. I also loved seeing how structured and organised the Defence Force is.

Q: What advice would you give to the current Year 9 cohort about Work Experience?

Some advice I would give to Year 9 is definitely to find something you love and something that you're passionate about. Don’t pick something that you’ll regret, because the experience you can get from it is memorable.  

If you are reading this and thinking that your business or place of employment would be a great place to host a Work Experience student in 2024, please email dgillett@calderwood.nsw.edu.au.

Mrs Dianne Gillett

Secondary School Careers Advisor

Despite the frigid weather, the students were able to watch a sheep carcass turned into many different cuts of meat by a butcher with 30 years' experience.

The students also had the opportunity to handle live sheep and watch as a vet dissect a sheep and explain the function of the digestive, respiratory and reproductive organs.

It was a highly informative and relevant excursion that exposed the students to experiences they were not able to have at school.

Mr David Imisides

Agriculture and Science Teacher

As a part of their course they are required to study infectious and non-infectious diseases.

After a lecture from the curator of the exhibits, the students were supplied with worksheets that were completed at different stations throughout the museum.

Although some of the displays were quite confronting, it was highly valuable for the students to observe first-hand the effect different diseases can have on humans.

There was also information on the history of disease treatment and the role of technologies such as vaccines in human health.

Overall, the students  found the day very informative. Mr Imisides would like to commend his class for their diligence and application.

Mr David Imisides

Science and Agriculture Teacher

Passion Hour is one of the many ways we can support our students with academic giftings. In our Junior School, selected academically talented students from Stages 1-3 are nominated by teachers to engage in this program.

Passion Hour encourages and fosters students’ sense of curiosity, ownership and empowerment over their learning, both in and out of the classroom. Students engaged in the completion of an individual inquiry-based learning project. This inquiry project allows students to work on an idea they are passionate about. 

Through the Passion Hour process, participating students learn to:

• Link their ideas and research to express feelings and opinions
• Create texts, presentations and/or products for familiar and unfamiliar audiences
• Contribute ideas and opinions to class discussions
• Engage in processes of collaborative learning, e.g. brainstorming, negotiating, problem-solving, taking action, task completion and evaluation
• Investigate successful solutions to problems and explore how these solutions can be applied to their personal, school or community context
• Take responsibility by initiating interactions with others

Students in Stage 1 participated in Passion Hour for the first time this year under the direction of Mrs Lise Newing. The inquiry theme was Australian Animals. Students chose an animal they wished to investigate.

All enthusiastically met each week, shared ideas, and focussed on their research and creation of their projects. Students were excited and a little nervous about presenting their completed projects to peers and teachers. At the end of their time in Passion Hour, Mrs Newing asked them to reflect on this learning opportunity. A recurring question was, “When can I do this again?”

Mrs Catherine O'Doherty

Head of Junior School

Here’s what students had to say about the experience:

“I learnt that the concertmaster is in charge of all of the people in the orchestra and not just the violinists. I'll never forget the whole experience of going to my first-ever orchestra performance.” - Oscar, Year 9

“One thing I would never forget is the beautiful sounds that were put together to make this concert sound attractive and interesting.” - Tahlia, Year 9

“I'll never forget how they played because it was so good and I would watch it again if I could. I think that if you're thinking of seeing it you should.” - Kate-Rose, Year 9

“The Australian Chamber Orchestra is one of a kind, it isn't just something you watch, it's something that you experience.” - Jai, Year 12

A recording of the performance can be found here!

Mr Bram Leslie

Music

Recently, the NSW Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) Program sponsored a visit by Jyiro, a local street artist who specialises in spray painting and painting murals – especially on bins! 

Jyiro taught our Stage 5 and Year 11 Visual Arts students some spray painting techniques, and guided our students as they got busy decorating a wheelie bin using their new-found spray painting skills!

We would like to thank Jyiro for visiting us and to the RIEP for sponsoring his visit.

Zone & State Cross Country

We began with Zone Cross Country where our top 4 runners competed at Willandra Cross Country track. All our students were very competitive and finished in the Top 15 for their age group progressing through to State.

A special congratulations to Ella P, Ava P, Jonathan M and Joel M who all secured a podium finish! 

Our students then went on to compete at State Cross Country at Sydney Equestrian Centre, where they ran against all other students from Christian Schools in NSW. Again our students were very competitive, with Ella P and Joel M finishing in the top 10 and progressing through to the CIS Championships, while Oscar W placed 12th in his age division!

CSSA Mixed Volleyball Gala Day

Over two days our under 15 mixed team and open mixed team competed in State Volleyball in Windsor. Both teams were very competitive and won several of their games. There were also a number of nail biting competitions where the games went down to the last point.

CSSA Soccer

Our CCS soccer teams participated in the Zone soccer competition down in Nowra. Students had a wonderful day together playing in their teams. Our Junior Girls performed the best, winning two of their games to finish 3rd, and even winning one of their games 11-0.

Calderwood Athletics Carnival

Our school Athletics Carnival was held again at John O’Dwyer Oval, where we were blessed with beautiful, warm weather. There were some exciting new additions to the carnival this year; we were able to use electronic timing gates which was exciting for students to use for the first time.

Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students also joined us at the carnival this year to be part of the whole school community and participated in a range of fun activities. Student participation was at an all time high, as many of our students enthusiastically participated in all their events. The House Cheers were a highlight of the day, with both sides barracking passionately for their house.

The other highlight of the day was the Calderwood Cheetah where the fastest secondary students compete against some staff members to find the fastest runner at Calderwood. Congratulations to Kim A (Year 10), who outstripped all his competitors to be crowned the Calderwood Cheetah for 2023!

Both Yallah and Tongarra students from Primary and Secondary put in a huge effort to represent their house with the house points. At the end of the carnival,  it was so close, with a difference of 72 points between the houses. But congratulations to Yallah who came out on top!

View a gallery of images from our 2023 Athletics Carnival here.

Mrs Cassie Gold

Secondary Sports Coordinator