Screen Time Survey

A recent survey of students and their use of technology revealed that six to seven hours of daily screen time is common. This also seemed to be the upper point where students were willing to share their screen time. This suggests a new social norm has been established where six to seven hours might be acceptable? Some students clocked up ten or more hours of average screen time for a week. The purpose of these random surveys has been to open the conversation and alert staff and students to the benefits and pitfalls of technology.

Surveillance capitalism is the economic driver of large-scale technology businesses. Big tech companies track the behaviour of users, apply algorithms and use results to predict and shape the behaviour of consumers. Increased screen time increases revenue opportunity for big techs so they engineer products and tailor the individual user experience to increase screen time. The well-being and productivity of the consumer are not considerations of big tech companies.

However, the use of technology is not all bad. We have a wealth of information at our fingertips, conveniently available, here and now, as images, video, text or voice. This is an amazing resource for students and staff alike, but it should be noted that mindless scrolling for hours disconnects us from relationships, study, work, exercise, sleep and other essentials for a happy and healthy life. As parents too, we must be mindful of our own engagement with technology and model responsible and appropriate use. I encourage you to have conversations with your family and friends, check each other’s screen time and reflect on what behaviours that may need adjusting for more positive outcomes.

For our students, October and November is a time to focus. Students will remain in contact with their subject content over the holidays in preparation for end-of-year assessments. It is essential that students maintain a balanced life with time dedicated to studying, friends and family, for many, employment, exercise and cultural activities. Of course, sleep and a healthy diet are all part of this big picture.

I have really enjoyed the conversations with students about their screen time and I have witnessed some massive behavioural changes and reductions in screen time. All of those who have made a significant reduction in screen time have been really positive about the benefits.

On the Passing of Queen Elizabeth

All of us will have individual reactions to the passing of Queen Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth’s enduring service to the Commonwealth, dedication to her role and empathy are commendable. As the longest reigning British monarch, the passing of Queen Elizabeth is a significant historical event.

Mixed emotions will understandably be present in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Due to significant historical events, the Queen and the Royal Family can be divisive figures to Indigenous Australians. Many Indigenous Australians will remember Queen Elizabeth fondly, while others will reflect on the past and look to the future with alternative perspectives.

For many Australians, their reaction to the Queen’s death has been defined by grief and mourning. Other Australians might have been slightly saddened by her death or maybe not feel sad at all. We all have different emotional reactions to different events. This is a part of being human.

For many Australians, Queen Elizabeth’s passing has raised the question, “Should we maintain ties with the British monarchy, or should we become a republic?”

Regardless of your personal perspective on the passing of any person, it is important that you respect the grief or sense of loss that others might experience. It is important also to avoid hasty and bold decisions whilst experiencing grief. Grief is a natural emotion and individuals’ differences in expressing grief or loss should be respected.

We wish our students a safe and happy break and we look forward to working together in Term 4.

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute held the annual Tas Titration competition in Term 3, giving students, including teams from Don College, the opportunity to prove their prowess in chemistry titration. 

Don College students did extremely well, gaining second, third, fourth and fifth places in the Senior Division of the competition. The school only entered five teams, but they managed to beat all the other colleges involved, pipped only by our Burnie-based counterparts from Hellyer College who received first place.

Three of the Don College teams were successful in making it through to the National Finals.

Chemistry student, Smitakshi Sinha is one of the students who took part and will be going through to the National competition. Here are her reflections on the event: 

What was challenging?

The competition felt like another day in chemistry titrating. The only thing was, we had limited time and resources, one small mistake and it was all over. It was challenging to know when to stop titrating and it was nerve-wracking when our solutions were getting more and more pink as they turned clear after a few seconds. Shooting over the end-point resulted in a bright fuchsia/magenta colour which was pretty to look at, but not pretty for the group results.

What felt rewarding to achieve in the competition? 

It was rewarding to obtain the perfect pale pink coloured solution. It was rewarding to obtain results within close proximity to each other. It was also rewarding when our school placed second, third and fourth in the state with precise and accurate results close to the unknown solution provided to each student. With three teams entering the National Titration Competition, we hope to achieve high results.

The aim of the competition is to encourage students who enjoy Chemistry - especially practical Chemistry - and to recognise proficiency.

We congratulate all the students involved and those winning places from both Don and Hellyer Colleges and Craig Gilmour for his wonderful leadership in Chemistry at Don College. 

Don College music students performed at the North-West heat of the Rock Challenge on September 5, winning the judges over with their standout performances, which earned them a place at the State Final.

Charlotte Woods and Charlee Saunders performed original songs in the acoustic solo section, while bands Nacho Varga (Ned Eaves, Oliver Mason and Geb Davis) and Disciples of the Cavern (Charlee Saunders, Ronan Mace, Kye Knowles and Blair Wilby) entertained the audience with their original and cover songs.

On September 16, they put on a professional performance for an enthusiastic audience made up of people from all over the state at the State Final. The experience gave them the opportunity to make connections and build relationships with not only their peers from other schools across the state, as well as work with people working in the music industry. 

The Rock Challenge is Tasmania's premier contemporary youth music event which gives students the opportunity to perform in a professional setting.

Reflection by Charlee Saunders: 

The State Final of Rock Challenge was incredible. Being on stage is the most liberating and powerful thing for me; when I am up there with my guitar in front of the microphone, I can be whoever I want to be. My band, Disciples of the Cavern, played two original songs, ‘Keep Talking’ – a song about ignorance towards government oppression – and ‘Head in the Dryer’ – a song about questioning our surroundings and defining reality.

The band played well and rather than playing for the judges, we played for the audience, and they loved it. There was screaming, jumping, flashes of lights, camera and cheers. That’s one of the reasons I love music, to bring people, total strangers together like that is truly something beautiful. I’m very grateful for the amazing guys in my band who enhanced the performance with me, those ten minutes on stage will be something we will all remember for a lifetime.

Reflection by Charlotte Woods:

The Rock Challenge this year was unbelievable! The amount of talent presented was unreal, I had the best time and made some awesome connections with other musicians. I strongly encourage any music students to go for it because you won't regret it!

Congratulations to all students involved!

Congratulations to Mia Atkinson for achieving the most public votes in the Latrobe Wonders of Chocolate Wearable Art Competition. Mia won an Anvers chocolate hamper valued at $100.

Don College student Elouyra Hoving received a highly commendable award

Congratulations to all who entered! The standard was very high.

In English 3,  Module 3, learners focus on detailed analysis of the purpose, language, style and construction of a prescribed text. They focus closely on textual details to examine different perspectives and develop their own reasoned interpretation.

Our prescribed text for this learning module is Sophie Laguna’s The Eye Of The Sheep published in 2014 and recipient of The Miles Franklin literary award in 2015.

Below is an excerpt from a review of the novel students have looked at to help gather meaning about the text: 

‘… The Eye of the Sheep  follows Jimmy’s journey as he tries to understand himself and the world around him. It works as a reminder that having a child with special needs is not an impossible task; it is a challenge that runs alongside complexities faced by many families.

Sofie Laguna tackles the intricacies of love and marriage, brotherhood, power dynamics, medical issues, and the definition of family – Equally distressing and uplifting, every moment of pain is juxtaposed with the light we see in the central figure of Jimmy. This book should be impossibly bleak, but Laguna has managed to imbue it with luminosity. This is a story about how to find your place in the world and how to accept what you have been given. The Eye of the Sheep will break your heart – a small price to pay to hear Jimmy’s story. …’

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Featured here is a reflective piece by Matilda Wordsworth from the perspective of Robby Flick, a central character in the narrative. Matilda has used stream of consciousness, a style of writing to perfectly encapsulate the voice of Robby.

Adele Geard

Teacher of English 3

The words of my brother gave me a sinking feeling. Like what a bottle of Cutty Sark does to my Dad.

My Uncle Steve has passed, drink driving Jimmy said.

I felt awful for my first thought to be wishing it had been my own father behind the wheel, maybe that would make life easier or maybe it wouldn’t but what I do know is I have to get out of here before my Dad comes home.

I pretend to call the David’s residence and hop on my bike hoping to not raise suspicion.

I ride down the street as fast as my legs can carry me until I get to the harbour.

I see the familiar sun-bleached wood and jump off of the jetty onto the cold sand below.

The softness comforts my feet and I walk under the long wooden planks until I get to my spot.

I go here sometimes when the yelling pierces my skin and my dad is drunk decorating Mum’s skin with painful purple pictures.

My spot consists of an old, shipwrecked boat.

It has a log of driftwood where I sit and comfort my mind.

I have some fishing lures that have washed in from the shore they remind me of my brother Jimmy, they may not be new or as bright but every true fisherman knows that they work the best.

I have a broken fishing pole with half of the guides still intact it reminds me of my Mum. she remains strong for me and Jimmy even if she is broken herself.

And finally I have a damp box of matches that don’t work but are exactly like my Dad. He many appear dangerous but underneath his vulnerability there is a part of him that is soft and soggy just like the matches.

I often watch the boats going in and out from the docks, it reminds me of simple times when my family wasn’t broken.

It hadn’t always been so bad before Jimmy was born we used to have fun. Dad would take me to the docks and we would talk about the boats.

He taught me so much and I guess that’s why I love to come here, the feeling of my father’s love is slowly starting to fade and this place is the only thing keeping it alive.

Once Jimmy was born I felt on my own, Mum seems to hold him tight and won’t let him go.

Dad turned his fascination of boats to drinking it of a weekend and after a while when money got tight Mum started saying no.

This made Dad angry he blamed Jimmy’s constant whining for him having to drink.

It’s not Jimmy’s fault though, he can’t control the way that he is.

Sometimes I wish that I could put Jimmy on the back of my bike and ride until there is no road left, he doesn’t deserve the looks, the comments or the whispering behind his back.

A long horn from the boat brought me back to reality and I sigh as I come back to my feet and start my journey back home.

Written by English 3C student Matilda Wordsworth

Are you interested in eating more sustainably? This business idea that’s innovative and creative might be for you!

A Business 3 student, who preferred to remain anonymous, has written a business plan around a burger of the future, it is made from protein-rich edible bugs! 

The inspiration for his idea came from watching top gear in Cambodia where bugs are commonly consumed.

The Business Plan, Buzzburgers has been entered into the Tasmanian Plan Your Own Enterprise Competition and Ben has been selected as a state finalist. 

The winner will be announced at an Award ceremony to be held late next month in Hobart.

Good luck to this creative student! Maybe one day we will see Buzzburgers on the supermarket shelf! 

Tasmanian Police came to Don College yesterday, recognising Police contribution to our community. 

The event organised by Community Services Teacher Karen Slade allowed students from a range of classes to participate in interactive sessions with the presence Inspector Nick Clark (Western District Support Services) and Inspector John King (Devonport Police Station) at the college to answer student questions about the Policeforce 

Read the article featured on The Advocate's website by clicking onn the image below: 

Last week, a small group of Don students performed at the Devonport Eisteddfod over several days. Students impressed and entertained both the adjudicator and audience members and received lots of positive feedback.

These students should be very proud of their achievements, as they all gave excellent performances.

Results are as follows:

18 Years & Under Guitar Solo

1^st Place – Fabian Spratt

18 Years & Under Woodwind Solo

1^st Place – Chelsea Fittkau (Flute)

18 Years & Under Instrumental Duo (Student & Teacher)

1^st Place – Chelsea Fittkau & Danielle James

18 Years & Under Piano Solo (Romantic Composer)

1^st Place – Clara Ruffels

18 Years & Under Piano Solo (20^th or 21^st Century Composer)

1^st Place – Clara Ruffels

2^nd Place – Emily Carter

18 Years & Under Piano Solo (Jazz)

1^st Place – Martin Ricketts

18 Years & Under Piano Solo (Baroque Composer)

1^st Place – Clara Ruffels

18 Years & Under Piano Solo (Work from TV or Film)

1^st Place – Clara Ruffels

18 Years & Under Junior Piano Championship Solo

1^st Place – Clara Ruffels

Highly Commended – Emily Carter

Well done to all students on their exceptional achievements!

Certificate II and III in Hospitality and Kitchen Operations classes catered and served the Penguin Football Club for their annual presentation dinner on September 16.

Students were involved in all aspects of the planning, preparing, cooking and serving of the 210 guests that were in attendance. The guests were treated to Roast Lamb, Homemade Chicken Filo Parcels, Pavlova and Chocolate Brownie.

This was a fabulous real-world learning experience for our students, who will be able to use these skills to further their job prospects.