bowd8115

Welcome to St Mary's Campus, Semester 2 2011. During your time at St Mary's you will have a range of tasks to complete as part of the Wikispaces assessment task. In order to make things happen!! I ask that each individual 9 BROWN class member create their own page in the 'SMC Reflections page' and put your name to it. When you have created this page can you please copy and paste the following questions on to your page. We will discuss this further in terms of expectations etc during class. I will also issue you a Wiki rubric that will further outline the expectations. Please note the following Reflections and Discussion Posts need to be completed by FRIDAY 23rd SEPTEMBER. We will continue to use the Wiki beyond this date as a communication tool. Regards Ms Kays. ** Reflections: ** Each student will build their own page for the purposes of Reflection. This is because when two students are using the same page at the same time the page will not save properly. Each week for 10 weeks you will need to write a reflection about your experiences and opinions about the topic. Each reflection is expected to at least 200 words in length. The topic or questions you are asked to reflect on are listed below. Copy these questions to your individual reflection page. Thank you

The best piece of advice was from my mum early in year 8; “From a negative find a positive”. My friends ditched (left me on my own), I was upset for the remainder of the day and more so when I got home. My mum comforted me and said “from a negative find a positive”. She explained that this experience may have seemed terrible and callus but later on it would turn out to be a blessing. Not only did that day strengthen me it also allowed me to meet the group of friends I know now and have grown close bonds with. If they had not ditched me then I probably wouldn’t have met the friends I known now, some of whom I can call my best friends. Looking back I realise how much of a true friend Ben was to allow me into the group and to defend me against the group who ditched me. He supported me and introduced me to the people I call friends today. I also found that in my previous group I was fake and unable to enjoy myself, be free and was conscious of what I did said and how I looked/dressed… now I am loved for me and can truly express and enjoy myself for who I am.
 * Week 1 ** What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

If I threw a piece of rubbish on the ground I may not appear to be causing any dramatic harm to the environment. If everyone had this attitude and littered, then the percentage/statistics of rubbish found in marine life, the drains, parklands and so on, would increase rapidly. The numbers of these statistics would build and hit expediential levels if everyone littered (once or on a continual basis). Our wildlife is being harmed by careless people leaving there rubbish lying around or purposely littering as they cannot be bothered finding a nearby bin. The animals often see it as food and will consume this, choking or having rubbish build in their stomachs until it has serious affects on their health, risking their lives. Such careless behaviours are causing endangerment or extinction amongst species, also affecting the food chain. If species die out, then the animals that preyed on that species will have to rely on other sources and possibly have to fight with other animals to receive their share, affecting their existence as well. It may take years before such future evidence is analysed, considered and dealt with; by then we may not be able to undo the damages already done.
 * Week 2 ** What would happen if you threw a piece of trash on the ground? What if everyone did?

If I caught a friend cheating I would confront them and talk to them privately about it. If it continued I would talk to others affected by this person’s choice or teacher if work related. Whether it be cheating in a test, on their girlfriend/boyfriend or even in a game, I would speak to the person about it; stating my opinion and encourage them to stop, as it is not right and unfair to the other person who may receive the punishment for you or be hurt in anyway by their actions. If you cheat you are not learning and therefore not doing anyone any favours. If you treat people disrespectfully and abuse their rights and emotions, you are not learning the life skills you will need when wanting a sturdy relationship. If you cheat in a test, you will not learn what you need to know of that subject later on and if unable to cheat you will most likely fail or do poorly, affecting your chances in the career path which you wish to receive as you have not been able to fulfil the required studies. If cheating in a game continuously you will get a reputation, which will be hard to shake. By cheating you are fooling yourself.
 * Week 3 ** What would you do if you saw a friend cheating - report it, confront the friend or nothing - and why? What do you think courage means? What do you think makes a good friend?

Clothing provides warmth, privacy, protects your skin from harsh UV rays and means avoiding public humiliation, and therefore is my most indispensable possession. No matter what environment; windy, frosty, humid, hail, storm, rain, excessive heat etc, clothing will provide protection from both the cold and hotter weather. Clothing grows and changes as you do (sizes, styles, materials, fashions and so on). It covers majority of your body, dependant on what you wear and the weather, and if exposed to the sun, you may use sunscreen to avoid burning. Clothing allows you to express who you are makes you feel proud and indepent, rather than worrying about what others think. It allows you to show off your favourite bands, music, role models, sayings etc. Clothing allows you to carry possessions on yourself, rather than carrying multiple bags. Without clothing we wouldn’t have accessories such as handbags, jewellery, hair accessories and make up. It brings colour and beauty to our life. We can dress up for special occasions, wear casual clothes or our school uniform. There is so much variety and choice these days, to be whomever we want and can choose to express this through what we wear. Clothing labels us as a person which can either be lead to teasing (wearing outlandish clothing styles), or gain respect and recognition.
 * Week 4 ** What is your most indispensable possession and why?

Pollution is becoming a disgusting factor of life and has increased substantially since the 20th century. Our world is declining and will not survive such torture forever. The future of our children’s children is in doubt. If we continue to kill our planet, we too will eventually die along with it, together with the plant and wildlife, leaving little life upon it; other than some marine life. Many of the younger generation are careless and lazy with regard to caring for the environment, although the older generation are primarily responsible for the rapid decline in the Earth’s resources and pollution through extensive mining, deforestation and use of fossil fuels as an energy source. Dumping rubbish, wasting resources, abusing materials and not considering the long term affect they have on the Earth, are damaging our planet. The result of which is significant global climate change far in excess of normal changes to climate over the years. As evidenced by holes in the ozone layer, changes in weather patterns, shrinking and melting of glaciers, rising sea levels and other such occurrences. Even with significant reductions of use of fossil fuels and deforestation, as well as restriction of resources, it is unlikely we will be able to reverse the damage already done.
 * Week 5 ** What do you think about people polluting the environment?

When in trouble or having done something wrong, I feel guilty, embarrassed, angry/annoyed with myself and develop a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach (butterflies). If in trouble I coward away until everything has calmed down then apologise for my wrong doings. I am often grounded or forced to walk or take the bus, where ever I have planned to go.
 * Week 6 ** How do you feel when you do something wrong? How do you feel when you do something that is very good?

After doing something good for either myself, others or rating highly in a test, assessment or overall average, I feel proud, warm, big headed, overwhelmed, relieved, joyful and as though all that hard work has payed off. I usually tell my family straight away, with a beaming smile, if something joyful has occurred. Last year I was short listed in a book for my poem “Sorry”. I was overwhelmed and told my close relatives, friends and teachers. I screamed and was deeply proud of what I had accomplished.

If in trouble or receiving praise, I am often filled with various emotions, annoyance, anger, guilt, belittlement, or pride, joy, success and relief. When in trouble I accept the consequences even I think them to be unfair and if having achieved something, I will freely express my happiness, but may be stunned to begin with.

I wish there was a law against bullying both in and outside schools. Fines will not stop the persecutor but only aggravate them more, meaning they will take it out on those around them; family, friends or the initial victim, seeking revenge. Warnings should be given and if offender continues to disobey the law, they should be sent to Juvenile Detention Centre or jail (if old enough). This would hopefully prevent depression and suicide victims. Relationships need to be solved between those involved and to prevent such a thing from happening again. Police should have the ability and to access specified profiles of the accused on online social networking to gain evidence (cyber bullying). This should be readily available. The statistics and reports of bullying, knife attacks, bashing and videos posted on social networks will hopefully lessen, as they are afraid of being caught and linked to the crime (also suffering the persecutions). People who witness such behaviours and do not take action; try to break-up the situation, call the police, teacher, etc, should be warned then subsequent events will result in fines. They should remain anonymous to avoid danger themselves and to feel safe, encouraging them to act. This will encourage the general public to become involved and help prevent crime on our streets.
 * Week 7 ** I wish there was a law that said... This would be a good law because...

When angry my cheeks become flushed (turning red and feeling hot), I lean forward and raise my voice or yell. A disagreement then turns into a heated argument, which looses its purpose, and no one ends up winning. Afterwards I usually apologise, as I feel guilty and my gut tells me it’s the right thing to do, but an apology doesn’t always mend things between the person if am fighting with, and myself.
 * Week 8 ** When you are angry, how do you look? When are you happiest? When have you felt lonely? When do you feel proud?

I feel happiest when with my friends and family; not doing homework. I feel relaxed and relived of stress. I can put all my troubles, due work and upcoming assessments and tests behind me, so I can enjoy the moment at hand. I often feel lonely during fights with friends, when I was ditched in year 8, seeing people going out (resembling the perfect match and carefree joy), when left out of partnership or grouping work/events and when people complain to me about missing their previous boyfriend/girlfriend, wanting a relationship and feeling as though they never find the right person for them.

I feel proud after achieving my set goals, high marks, facing my fears; high ropes, leap of faith, giant swing (at this year’s camp), being first to do something (jump off pier in Geelong), proving myself to others, after a performance, and when a friend or family member courageously stands up for themselves.

The quality I dislike most about myself is that I often over do my work; whether it be by spending to long on one aspect of the task, writing too much, or completing/improving someone else’s addition to the work. The time spent doing this often causes me to become stressed, lethargic and short tempered. This also results in missing an element of a question, or making silly mistakes, such as in tests. If in group or partner work I am usually the one to pick up their slack and complete the tasks they were allocated so I can pass myself; adding to the stress of the load and timeframe to finish it in. I enjoy a break from homework, yet a days grace means a days extra of work and the load only builds up, ensuring I spend the entire day trying to catch up, (usually over the weekend, because I have after school activities on weekdays. By doing this extra work I may receive higher marks for the assignment, but my report score rarely changes to suit. Mostly I receive at standard and, only recently, above. This annoys me greatly, as I try and try but still fall short. I blame myself and therefore work harder and longer to better this result.
 * Week 9 ** Which quality do you dislike most about yourself - laziness, selfishness, childishness - and why?

Prejudice is the judgement of something before knowing all the facts or necessary knowledge and may include biased opinions. Prejudice exists in the world in many ways including, racism, sexism and general discrimination. People are scared of unknown and do not understand, therefore degrade a person or idea. They may not want to show this lack of knowledge and choose to put down others, so that they feel superior. Often people are prejudice towards others by picking out the faults they see in themselves, to hide their own deficiencies. Some individuals may also be prejudice towards others because they suffered a difficult upbringing; may have been abused, teased, etc, and take it out on others. The raising of a person may influence their behaviours, as they may have different beliefs or instincts; had been through tough times or viewed/experienced harsh, scarring events, meaning they would have a different perspective on things than others. An individual’s view of a situation can differ from one person to another as everyone has different views and understanding. Everyone is unique, have their own opinion and understanding of diversity, fairness and what is right and wrong. Prejudice can be found in individuals and groups (they may have been raised within a closed environment and taught in a like manner, which may colour their views on subjects).
 * We**ek 10 Why do you think prejudice exists in the world?