Luke Kelleher

Science at CMCC kicked off 2025, quite literally with a bang. Year 7 students have been introduced to the labs and have spent time exploring the scientific method and chemical reactions. As part of this, they observed the combustion of ethanol vapour, through the demonstration of the whoosh bottle.  

The first topic of year 7 introduces students to a few foundational skills, such as following a method and collecting accurate data with a range of measuring equipment. They were tasked with following a complex set of instructions to create a rainbow by mixing exact quantities of coloured water. 

Year 8 have commenced the year exploring a topic we have named, Medieval Warfare.  It is a unit that allows students to explore a range of concepts including the forces and energy within catapult systems, the chemical processes used to make alloys for swords and the spread and treatment of a range of deadly diseases. Last week, students spent time designing and testing prosthetic legs and exploring how technology has developed to create the highly complex prostheses that are available today. 

Year 9 have commenced a topic that explores energy, studying waves and the transmission of energy from one place to another. This week students are completing eye dissections to help them understand how light is transmitted and focused on the optic nerve.  Additionally, they will be developing a range of working scientifically skills and applying their thinking to make judgements about energy efficient housing designs. 

Year 10 are delving into genetics and evolution where they are investigating what makes us unique. They commenced with reproduction and are zooming in on DNA and how this provides genetic information for all our traits. Investigating reproduction and the inheritance of genes through generations provides a great starting point to unpack evolutionary theories and the evidence that supports the hypothesis that all life on earth has evolved from one common ancestor that lived 3.5 billion years ago. 

STEM opportunities 
In March and May, Year 10 and year 8 students have the opportunity to compete as a team at the Science and Engineering Challenge and Build me a Future STEM days at the university of Newcastle.  These are fantastic opportunities for students to apply their critical thinking and problem solving skills to collaboratively develop solutions to real world problems.    

Year 10 currently have the opportunity to register for the opportunity through their Science teachers and Year 8 expression of interest will open shortly.  Keep an eye on this space. 

Year 10 Mental Health and Wellbeing Elective 
A beautiful lesson with guest staff members Claudette Stace, Kristie Monaghan, Kylah Hollingsworth, Jenny Newling, Sarah Gardiner, Siobhan Kelly and Year 12 English Studies who students came into our room for 'tea, conversations and biscuits'. The Year 10 Mental Health Wellbeing class are exploring the PERMA+ Wellbeing framework and were practicing conversational skills to build relationships. The students and staff worked through a number of interactive settings such as, making introductions, entering and exiting conversations, including others and moving between groups of people. It was an enjoyable lesson that worked to provide opportunities for students to engage with a variety of people and practice essential people skills. Students will then go onto to study 'meaning' and 'accomplishments' before spending term 2 organising the school-wide wellbeing week.  

United in Mercy