The pre-pandemic vibe of the Merici Science Department started to return in 2023, as events returned to face to face and more external science activities opened up for our students.
We welcomed St. Joesph and St. Thomas Mores Primary Schools to the College for Big Sister Science Days with our Year 9 students. This gave the primary school students an authentic experience; to conduct experiments in a laboratory using a range of equipment and explore sustainability all under the guidance of the older students, who got to share their science and teaching skills.
Merici was strongly represented in the Chemistry Titration Stakes, the Da Vinci Decathlon, the Science Olympiad exams and the Big Science Competition. Although we couldn’t take Year 10 to Luna Park, it was good to be able to take students out into the wider community on excursions once again. We were excited to have two groups travel to the USA for the Actura Case Junior and Senior NASA Camps.
The Open Day, Information Evenings and Be a Merici Girl for a Day program provided the opportunity for the Science Department to showcase our facilities and to give a hands-on experience (although not so hands-on with the dry ice), to our visitors.
A huge thank you to all the Science staff who made these events possible by sharing their expertise and giving up their time to run events after hours. Our Lab Technicians, Ms. Cathryn Lambert and Mr. Jack Elliott-Dunn deserve a special mention and a huge thank you, as without them none of what happens in science would be possible.
2023 welcomed Ms. Kath Morris and Ms. Vicki Goss to the Science Department as Dr. Kathryn White and Mr. Oliver Barlow took a year’s leave of absence. Ms. Sonia Johnston joined the team for Semester 2 as Mrs. Ravi Dhillon took well deserved Long Service Leave. Sadly, Mr. Oliver Barlow has decided not to return to teaching, after being at Merici College for 13 years. He will be greatly missed by both staff and students and the corridors of science will not be the same without Oliver’s beaming smile and happy jig in his step. We also farewell Mr. Martin Wilkinson who is moving to Sydney for family reasons and who will also be greatly missed, particularly by the canteen who will experience a huge drop in sales. When Martin joined the team mid-2022, he brought a calming influence and a wealth of IB teaching experience. We wish both Oliver and Martin well for their post Merici endeavours.
Amongst all the events and activities of this year, of special note was Book Week, with the Science Department taking out the staff prize for best dressed. Using the book of ‘Elements’ as our inspiration we surprised staff and students with our creativity and dedication to making the perfect costume, that may have been just a little educational as well.
Mrs. Jo Aboud
Science Coordinator
