DRUM ENSEMBLE | Our College Drumming Ensemble, fresh from their gold-winning Eisteddfod performance were invited to close the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod Showcase Event yesterday held at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre. This was a great opportunity for the girls, not to compete, but just to perform. Congratulations to our Drum Ensemble consisting of: Sarah Alsamirae , Susan Anastasie, Sophie Bennett, Kyra Berridge, Scarlett Boswell, Amelie Collins, Emma Czarnoz, Madeline Hale, Rachel Hamilton, Cassandra Horley, Amelie Hutchins, Elodie Hutchins, Abia Jayesh, Abbey Moir, Shalana Russell, Sylvie Schenke-Weir, Ruby Thompson, Kiara Wood

MARINE STUDIES | Year 11 Marine Studies class journeyed down to Bass Point in March. The purpose of this trip was to extend our knowledge of marine environments through snorkeling at Bushrangers Bay, walking the Bass Point Indigenous Walk and studying a rocky shore environment. During this excursion, the class was able to appreciate the importance of effective management in coastal environments, respect the importance of marine life and gain skills to work effectively in groups. The day of the excursion was predicted to have 0mm of rain, with wind at speeds no more than 22 Km/Hr, and a temperature of 20oC. This was not the conditions we met! When we arrived, there was heavy rainfall and winds of up to 35 Km/Hr straight into the bay! Under the care and guidance of dive instructors from Shellharbour Scuba, we entered the water. The visibility in the water was not badly affected by the windy weather and we were still able to spot the variety of marine life at Bushrangers Bay, including many grey nurse sharks and stingrays. In the afternoon, we began exploring the rocky shores at The Shallows. At first glance, there appears to be just rocks, but after some close examination, the rocks and rock pools were abundant with a variety of organisms. We conducted a survey of the organisms using a 1m x 1m quadrat and learnt how to identify different species. We rated the excursion a 5/5 as it was an incredible experience for students in Year 11 Marine Studies! If you are someone wanting to experience the marine environment at Bass Point, it is recommended that you check the Ultraviolet Rating (UV) for the day to determine the level of protection you need to take regarding sun safety. Secondly, it is crucial that you check the water temperature prior to the day to ensure you have suitable swimwear. The warmest months to snorkel are December to April when the water temperature is above 20oC. It is recommended that you wear a wetsuit while snorkeling, as it helps you to stay warm, which will enhance your snorkeling experience. (Written by students of the Marine Studies class.)

CAREERS | Part-time contract for Term 3 teaching Junior HSIE (Yrs 7 to 10). Applications close Monday, 12 June. Visit our careers page for more details and to apply: https://www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au/our-college/careers/