Class 7 has had a joyful start to the year.  A wonderful space fitting of a High School and a curriculum rich in European History and Science to support our teenagers.

Class 7 is held collaboratively by Robyn and Sam and is structured so the students will experience an english / history / geographical main lesson alongside a mathematical and science based main lesson.  The students will continue with their recorder and music notation exercises, singing, handwork, spelling, math practice, grammar, physical education, drawing and painting.  A lesson each week has been set aside for their guardian class with Robyn, their class guardian.  During the class the students will work through a series of exercises, discussions and activities to support the students as they embark on their 13^th year.  We will also be using the text Hello High School by Claire Eaton.  Claire is an expert in supporting teenagers through the many challenges they will face.

To begin the term the students have begun Medieval History, studying the origins and key features of the period spanning the fall of the Western Roman Empire.  The students will learn about different people who lived in medieval times in Europe and the feudal system under which they lived.  Significant people and events will be discussed and studied.  As part of the main lesson, we will be reading ‘The Seeing Stone’, by Kevin Crossly-Holland.  It is the first volume of the Arthur Trilogy.  The theme of medieval history will be the direction of our play and we will access scripts towards the end of term in readiness for a Term 2, Week 5 play performance of the renown ‘Canterbury Tales’.  We will also be heading to the Medieval Festival at Balingup later in the year.  How exciting!!!

Alongside the Medieval main lesson, the students will be introduced to Algebra and revising key number skills.  Students will begin to explore its history, including a key biography of Al-Khwarizmi regarded as the founding father of Algebra.

We will then move into the important field of Human Biology with a focus on the 'Healthy Human Being'.  The central experiences of this main lesson will develop students capacity to understand various health processes and how this combines with their own instinctive sense of health.  This is an opportunity to learn about all areas of health in life and bodily health in relation to our body systems, nutrition, exercise, social health and sexuality. 

In Physical Education the children have just returned from their surfing camp in Week 2 and this will be followed with a few weeks of Volleyball at school.  We will then be completing a 5/6 week sailing program run by Denmark Sailing Club.  The aim of the program is to provide students with an introduction program that will provide them with a range of skills for our sailing camp in Albany in Term 4.  This will be completed during PE lessons on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3pm and will take place at the river mouth on Wilsons Inlet.

The Class 7 students will continue with the schools strings program with many students opting to be involved in our Friday orchestra with Marie, which is wonderful.  Neal has been busy planning the Class 7 gardening curriculum which will see the children use their skills and become part of the community, working on various projects.  Heather will be including some leatherwork into the Class 7 woodwork sessions and we will be working on a collaborative woodwork and art piece in Term 4.

Jewels, our handwork teacher and myself, have revisited the makings of a Waldorf doll, with the very skilled Fran.  A waldorf doll will be the main handwork project for this year.

It is certainly an exciting year ahead for the students, their teachers and Golden Hill as our first year as a High School.  The student cohort consists of an amazing group of children and it is certainly a privilege to support them on their learning journey.

Robyn and Sam

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