Class 7 Wardong Sailing Camp

Have you ever pondered the origins of some of our more colourful expressions? Believe it or not, a surprising number of common phrases have their roots firmly planted in the world of sailing. Take, for instance, "batten down the hatches," a nautical term meaning to secure the ship for rough weather, which we now use to describe preparing for any kind of trouble. Or consider "all hands on deck," a call for every available crew member to assist, now used whenever a situation demands everyone's attention.  

Last week our very own Class 7 Wardong embarked on a thrilling adventure: Sailing Camp! With fair winds filling their sails they casted off to learn the ropes of navigating their vessels. They tackled the sometimes turbulent and sometimes blissfully smooth waters of the Royal Princess Harbour in Albany, each student learning to trim their sails, tack into the wind, and come about with newfound confidence.

It's always a true pleasure to witness a group of individuals connect so deeply. Over the course of the camp, these young sailors worked diligently, mastering the intricacies of sailing and, more importantly, forging friendships that will undoubtedly hold water throughout the rest of the year. The camaraderie and teamwork on display were truly something to behold.

Thank you to all who helped make this years Sailing Camp a huge success!

Class 11 Geography Main Lesson

In Class 11, students begin their Geography Main Lesson by looking at what climate is and how it changes over time, both naturally and anthropogenically.

They study the Greenhouse Effect, Albedo, Geodesy, and Sea Level Rise before looking at more human-level effect on the climate.

We celebrate the success story of the Montreal Protocol which is healing the Ozone Layer and look at our impacts on the environment through our choices as consumers and daily lifestyles.

We finish up by having students use these principles to envision a sustainable house they would like to live in and a wider community they would love to be part of.

Sean Connolly
High School Science & IT Teacher

Class 12 Projects

Zaliah Saikip-Ricciardo

Hi, I’m Zaliah, and for my Year 12 Project I have been looking into how capitalism interacts with women’s oppression, and how a socialist revolution could dismantle the patriarchy. Initially, I started with the idea of gender equality, and was curious as to what could help mitigate women’s oppression. This led me to socialism, which is a political framework that aims to prioritise people over profits, promote gender equality and directly oppose capitalism. My question is frame to not just lessen, but eradicate patriarchy, going as follows:  

“How would a socialist revolution dismantle patriarchal oppression?“ 

The further I’ve delved into my topic, the more radical my opinions have become, and my passion for not only gender equality, but for a socialist society has grown immensely. From this, I’ve made the leap to argue for a socialist revolution over reformist policies, as I believe that the only way for patriarchy to be eradicated is for capitalism to be abolished, due to the mutual dependence of the two systems. I’m aware that advocating for revolution is extremist thinking, but I think that demanding issues call for demanding changes, changes that are effective and worthwhile. 

What really sparked my interest was learning how capitalism actively benefits from reinforcing the patriarchal stereotype that women should be the domestic labourers. Women perform substantially more unpaid work than men, which feeds into the economy. Lower taxes for all are subsidised by women, as governments rely on them to provide services (childcaring, cleaning, cooking) that could instead be nationalised and paid for by taxing the capitalists, who’s wealth only continues to grow. This means that it is in capitalism’s best interest to uphold patriarchal values. Who would’ve thought that there are structural reasons behind why my brother never does the dishes? Naturally, I thought that reform could help fix this issue, and whilst this is true, it is just unrealistic to try and work within a capitalist system, which aims to benefit the minority at the top, and keep the workers at the bottom subordinate.  

Because my question argues for an entirely new societal structure, it has been quite enjoyable expanding on the idea of an egalitarian society, one that feels almost dystopian, where the world isn’t a hierarchy of gender or wealth. It’s liberating to feel that there is a possibility for genuine solutions, that there is an actual path, even if theoretical, that could bring genuine equality. Capitalism fails for the majority of people, and I think that it’s important for not just women, but for everyone to unite against the oppression that it promotes. I’ve always been outspoken when discussing women’s issues, but through my process of learning, I now address the wider forces that perpetuate patriarchy, adding nuance to my previous feminist thinking. 

For the practical component, I would love to make a short film and am interested in using Adobe Premier Pro as my editing software. I am still new to this software, so if anyone reading this knows someone or would be willing to help me gain skills and learn on this program or on editing short films as a whole, please reach out! 

I hope that my project can inspire people into thinking with a socialist feminist perspective, and to understand how liberation comes from not only opposing patriarchy but opposing the capitalist state as a whole! 

I’m Jack Catton, and for my Class 12 project, I’ve chosen a topic that’s really close to my heart:

“What are the best techniques, conditions, and tips for fishing responsibly in WA?” 

Fishing has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. My Pop first took me fishing when I was just three years old, teaching me the basics, and from that moment on, I was hooked! Now, I want to share that passion with others and encourage more people—both kids and adults—to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and experience the thrill of fishing instead of being glued to a screen all day. 

To bring my research to life, I’ll be running small fishing classes on Sundays at Ammo Jetty in Woodman Point. Just like my Pop taught me, I’ll be teaching beginners how to fish in a fun and responsible way. Bait such as squid and bread will be provided, but participants will need to bring their own rods and tackle. Children must always be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Keeping your catch will be optional, but undersized fish will always be released. I’ll also be teaching the basics of lure fishing, which is an exciting way to target bigger and more challenging fish. With some great species being caught at Ammo Jetty recently, I think it’ll be a real adrenaline rush for those willing to give it a shot! 

Alongside the classes, I’ll be creating small fishing pamphlets with useful information on different fish species, where and when to catch them, size limits, regulations, and the best techniques to use. These will be handed out at my fishing classes and to beginner fishers who want to learn more. 

As I’ve researched this topic, I’ve come across some shocking cases of irresponsible and illegal fishing. For example, in May 2023, a boat in Denham was caught with 20 pink snapper and 51.32kg of fish fillets—way over the legal limit of 10kg per person. And that’s just one case that got caught! There’s a lot of greedy and cruel fishing happening that goes unnoticed, which is why education on sustainable fishing is so important. 

On a positive note, I was excited to learn that one in five Aussies go fishing! Through my project, I hope to help that number grow and, more importantly, encourage responsible fishing habits along the way. 

Fishing is more than just a hobby; It’s a way to connect with nature, challenge myself, and create unforgettable memories. The picture of me here was taken after I caught a 34cm black bream, the biggest of 13 I caught that day. After taking this quick photo and measuring, I released this fish back into the water to grow and spawn. Black bream are one of my favorite fish to target because they fight hard, look awesome, and can grow to impressive sizes. The biggest black bream ever recorded was a whopping 58cm and 4.45kg! My personal goal for 2025 is to catch a 45cm+ bream, which is extremely rare in WA—but I’m determined to make it happen. 

If you’re interested in learning more or joining a fishing class, feel free to reach out: class12projects@pws.wa.edu.au.

My fishing classes will be starting next term so keep an eye on the Pabulum for more details.  

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About Class 12 projects

Class 12 projects are a key part of our students' final year, helping them explore big questions about themselves and their place in the world. They run alongside coursework and are a culmination of students' Steiner education.