From the HSIE Faculty – Mrs Karla Treeves
ANZAC Care Package Project 2026
Help support our Aussie heroes! The Engadine RSL sub-Branch is collecting donations for deployed soldiers who won’t be home this ANZAC Day. We want to send them a taste of home to show our support at this very meaningful time of year for soldiers.
Please bring in Aussie-themed foodstuffs – think Tim Tams, ANZAC biscuits, Vegemite, savory crackers, tea, and coffee. Your contributions provide a huge morale boost to those serving overseas.
We have until 22 March to collect as much as we can for this wonderful initiative, so please start bringing in donations and handing them to your homeroom or HSIE teacher.
Preliminary Ancient History
On Thursday 12 February, Year 11 Ancient History students got a real “taste” for archaeology by conducting a cookie dig. Their aim was to carefully excavate the artefacts (choc chips) from the soil (dough) with their specialised archeological equipment (toothpicks – which are actually used by archaeologists in uncovering and cleaning ancient artefacts).
Through this activity students were able to appreciate the care with which archaeologists need to uncover their items, look for clues when an artefact was to be found beneath the surface, complete a site sketch with notes about where each artefact was found and keep track of their artefacts (a challenge given their artefacts were so delicious).
The cookie dig also supported students in their study of our current topic: The Nature of Ancient History – The Investigation of Ancient Sites and Sources. This topic informs students about how an archaeological site is found, methods of excavation, the use of science and technology in understanding artefacts, and how artefacts are used as evidence in our understanding of history. The knowledge and skills taught during this unit are foundational to a deep understanding of Ancient History and encourages our students to be critical thinkers.
Rhiannon O’Connor, HSIE Teacher