ST. MARKS AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL eNewsletter

YEAR 2 BEGINNER MANDARIN: CHINESE CHARACTERS

Do Chinese characters look like magical pictures? Our Year 2 Mandarin students certainly thought so during their recent lesson! Each character is like a little story that has traveled through thousands of years. Students journeyed back in time to the era of oracle bone script, discovering how characters were first carved onto turtle shells before evolving into the words we use today.

They were amazed to see how some characters reflect the world around us, for example, “mountain” (山) really does look like three mountain peaks, while “water” (水) seems to flow like a stream.

The class also practiced the eight basic strokes that form the foundation of every Chinese character, from dots and hooks to horizontal and vertical lines. Just like building with LEGO blocks, once these strokes are mastered, students can begin to write any character!

YEAR 5 THAI: COOKING ACTIVITY

Our Year 5 Thai class recently enjoyed a special hands-on learning experience through a Thai cooking activity. The students worked together to prepare some classic Thai dishes, including fried rice (Khao Pad), papaya salad (Somtam), and fried egg (Khai Dao).

This activity not only allowed students to practice their Thai language skills in a practical setting but also gave them the opportunity to explore Thai culture in a fun and memorable way. They learned about the ingredients, cooking methods, and the importance of these dishes in everyday Thai life.

It was a wonderful experience for the students to combine language, culture, and teamwork, while also enjoying the delicious results of their efforts.

YEAR 8 PHYSICS LAB: MEASUREMENTS AND UNITS

On Wednesday, our Year 8 Physics students enjoyed their very first timetabled laboratory session of the year. The lesson focused on Measurements and Units, giving students the chance to put theory into practice through a variety of hands-on activities.

Working in groups of four, students rotated through three engaging tasks:

Measuring the Laboratory to calculate its overall volume.
Determining Mass and Weight Force by recording their own mass and converting it into weight.
Timing a Pendulum to calculate its period with accuracy.

Throughout the session, students were encouraged to handle equipment carefully and to work with a strong focus on safety in the lab. This first practical experience not only reinforced key Physics concepts but also helped students develop teamwork, precision, and confidence in using scientific equipment.

It was a fantastic start to their Physics journey this year, and we look forward to many more exciting experiments ahead!

YEAR 9 BIOLOGY LAB: INVESTIGATING TRANSPIRATION

During their recent laboratory session, the Year 9 Biology class explored the fascinating process of transpiration in plants. Using Philodendron leaves, students set up an experiment to measure how different parts of a leaf lose water over time.

To do this, students covered sections of the leaves with petroleum jelly to block water loss, then carefully recorded the mass of each leaf at the start and again after 48 hours. By comparing the results, they were able to collect accurate data that revealed how transpiration occurs mainly through the uncovered surfaces.

Afterward, students presented their findings by drawing a clear bar graph and writing a scientific conclusion based on their results.

This practical not only strengthened their understanding of plant biology but also developed their skills in data collection, graphing, and scientific analysis.

SECONDARY LIFE TALK

Our secondary students have been enjoying a series of engaging activities during Life Talk sessions, designed to build friendships, strengthen teamwork, and encourage creativity.

The week before, students played a lively “Getting to Know You” Bingo game, which helped them connect with one another in a fun and interactive way. Last week, they took on another exciting challenge: working in groups, each team was given a different topic to act out. The twist? They had to perform the same moves in perfect sync without speaking or planning beforehand! This activity encouraged students to observe, adapt, and collaborate in creative ways.

These playful yet meaningful activities are helping students build trust, communication, and teamwork skills. Over the next few weeks, we plan to continue with a few more of these energizing games before diving deeper into our Life Talk discussion topics.

SECONDARY FRIDAY ASSEMBLY

In this week’s Friday Assembly, our secondary students had the opportunity to learn about an exciting career path, becoming a pilot.

The session began with a video presentation that gave students a glimpse into the life of a pilot, highlighting the training, responsibilities, and daily challenges that come with flying an aircraft. Students discovered not only the technical skills required but also the importance of qualities such as responsibility, focus, and decision-making under pressure.