During this unit in health we spent time researching about a relationship that is portrayed in the media, which was our final project for the unit. My group and I spent time researching about the different aspects of relationships for ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ which is a coming-of-age romantic drama about a teenage girl named Isabel “Belly” Conklin who spends her summers with her family and the Fisher family at a beach house. The story centers on a love triangle between Belly and brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, as well as themes of family, love, loss, and growing independence.
THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY PRESENTATION LINK 🌊 🔗
Research Results:
RED FLAGS 🚩
- Indecisiveness
- Selfishness/Lack of Empathy
- Poor Communication
- Avoidant Attachment
- Emotional Unavailability
- Possessiveness (Framed as Passion)
- Victim Mentality
- Lack of Accountability
- Manipulation
- Jealousy
- Codependency
GREEN FLAGS 💚
- Optimism
- Emotional Authenticity
- Protective instinct
- Thoughtful gestures
- Prioritises Belly’s happiness
- Values honesty
IMPORTANT IDEAS 💡
- consent- both sides agreeing to doing something
- relationships are the biggest contributor to happiness
- assertive communication- effective communication that is clear and expresses both sides needs
🧠 During this unit in Health, we explored different mental health illnesses and the stigmatised images often shown in social media, films, and the news. I realised that the media can sometimes spread false information, stereotypes, and assumptions, which makes it harder for people to truly understand what mental health really means. This also makes people that have these mental health issues feel that it is harder for them to fit in and fully feel included, which sometimes makes symptoms worse.
💭 I was able to expand my understanding and challenge some of the myths I used to believe. For example, I once thought that eating disorders were a choice, caused mainly by body image issues and easy to overcome. After listening to my classmates presentations, I learned that there are actually four main types of eating disorders: anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). I learned that these are complex mental health conditions that can be influenced by genetics, trauma, and emotional struggles not just appearance.
🌸 This unit completely changed how I view mental health. I now understand that mental health illnesses are not a sign of weakness, but real conditions that require empathy, awareness, and support. I also learned how powerful stigma can be and how important it is to speak up against stereotypes and show kindness to those who might be struggling. What surprised me most was how common mental health challenges are — and how easily misinformation spreads online.
✨ This learning has made me more open-minded, understanding, and aware of how I treat myself and others. I’ve realised that everyone has mental health, and it’s something we should care for just like our physical health. 💚
📖 About the Project
For this oral, we read La Guerre des Jumeaux a short French story about twins Lili and Charlie who are always arguing. They fight over almost everything — their hobbies, their toys, and even their friends. Lili and Charlie have different interests, and their friends don’t always get along either, which makes their arguments bigger.
Even though they constantly fight, the story shows their sibling bond, especially when they finally come together to find their dog Otto.
🧠 Vocabulary Practice
To prepare for the oral, I used Quizlet to study new words and expressions from the book. I usually memorise vocabulary by repeating it out loud, writing it down, and using it in short sentences.
The “Learn” and “Flashcards” modes helped me remember words more easily and recognise them when speaking.
🎬 Retelling the Story
I had to retell the story using pictures from each part of the book. I wrote short notes for each image and practised my pronunciation before recording.
The hardest part was remembering everything without reading my notes and keeping my voice natural while speaking.
📂 Uploading to Portfolio
💬 Feedback
| Comment:You prepared well your oral. I can see you can reuse the new vocabulary words in context. However I think you have notes and it sounds you are reading them a bit too much because you are going very fast. I think you know the vocabulary so you need to try to create sentences without reading. There is also another thing you need to work on is your pronunciation. You are using too much english sounds. |
🌟 Glow
Something I did well was speaking confidently and clearly during my oral. I’m proud that I was able to tell the entire story in French without freezing too much.
🌱 Grow
I want to improve my French accent because it still sounds a bit too American.
I also want to rely less on my notes and practise speaking more naturally, using a wider range of vocabulary and smoother sentences.
WOOP Goal:
this goal helps me manage my emotions by logging them in each day. it allows me to calm down, have more control over my emotions, and become more aware of how i’m feeling. my aim is to not crash out over small things and instead keep a calm, balanced mood so i can stay more productive.
what i want to achieve:
- having more control over my emotions
- not being afraid to talk about my emotions
- staying calm instead of overreacting
- seeing how i feel after a 7-day trial of daily emotional logging
- keeping up with a daily check-in and emotion radar
💭 app description & purpose
the app i used is quabble, which allows me to log my emotions each day and reflect on my mental state. it has a feature called a mind journal where i can type about how i feel in the morning and evening. over time, the app turns my logs into data and graphs so i can visualise how my emotions change throughout the week.
⚙️ functionality & features
i mainly used quabble’s emotion logging and daily check-in features. the logging function let me write short entries about my emotions, while the check-in reminded me to do it consistently. after logging for several days, the app generated a graph showing my overall mood trend. this visual feedback helped me see how my emotions shifted depending on things like sleep, school stress, or social interactions.
most used feature:
- daily emotion log — it became part of my routine, helping me pause and reflect twice a day.
least used feature:
- community sharing — i preferred keeping my entries private, so i didn’t use the public sharing option much.
🔍 evaluation
core features for wellness goal:
quabble’s features directly supported my goal of managing emotions. it reminded me to check in, encouraged reflection, and gave me insight into emotional patterns.
comparison to marketing promises:
the app promised to “help users track emotions and build self-awareness.” my experience mostly matched this — i did feel more self-aware and calmer — but i found the app could be a bit repetitive if i didn’t have much to write some days.
limitations:
- limited customisation (e.g., can’t edit emotion labels easily)
- notifications sometimes came at weird times because of time zones or other factors
- hard to navigate in the app
📊 usefulness & baseline data
based on my baseline, i often felt emotionally reactive and easily overwhelmed. after using quabble for seven days, my mood became noticeably calmer, and i was able to recognise emotions before reacting. my wellness metrics improved — for example, fewer crash outs and more stable, neutral entries throughout the week.
hypothesis: using an emotion-logging app would help me manage my emotions better.
result: supported ✅
✨unintended consequences
an unexpected effect was that the app made me more aware of positive emotions, not just negative ones. i started noticing small good moments (like laughs with friends or quiet breaks) that balanced out my stress.
🌏 effectiveness for different users
this app could be very effective for teens or adults who want to track moods or build emotional awareness. it might be less useful for people who prefer talking instead of writing, or for those who find daily journaling repetitive. overall, it’s a good tool for anyone who values routine and reflection.
summary:
over this trial, quabble helped me reflect, calm down, and recognise emotional patterns. logging emotions daily gave me more control, fewer overreactions, and a clearer understanding of how i feel — which makes it a successful step toward better emotional balance 🌼
*written in collaboration with chatgpt*
Summary of the unit 🎬
During our first unit in language arts we used an AI bot to help us learn about grammar. The objective was for us to establish first contact with an alien who has crash-landed on Earth. Its motives and intentions are still unknown.
We had to teach the alien how to speak clearer English by using proper grammar, sentence structure, and conventions to model communication.
Alien Poster 📑
At the end of the unit we were asked to make a poster about all the information we knew about the alien this included its motives, origin, threat level as well as basic information about what its name is and a photo.
Glow 🌟
Something that I did well during is unit is using the correct grammar when I was teaching the alien, I also taught it a wide range of vocabulary so that it could express what was actually going on with more detail and depth. I also taught it slang words that we use in our daily life so that it could have a better understanding of the internet culture on Earth.
Grow 🌱
Something I need to work on in future units is developing a strong enough understanding of each concept so that I can confidently explain it to someone else. For example, my understanding of “shades of meaning” wasn’t proficient enough, which caused some confusion and led me to retake the assessment. To improve, I can make a habit of asking my teachers or classmates for clarification whenever I don’t fully understand a topic, instead of waiting until after the assessment.
Introduction
In this unit, we explored the relationship between health, the development of the teen brain, and the impact of stress. Understanding these concepts is essential for recognising how they influence each other during adolescence.
The Teen Brain
During the teenage years, the brain undergoes significant changes. Key areas involved in this development include:
- Prefrontal Cortex: Responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and reasoning. This area is still maturing during adolescence, which can affect judgment and planning.
- Amygdala: Part of the limbic system, the amygdala is involved in processing emotions, particularly fear and pleasure. It matures more quickly than the prefrontal cortex, leading to heightened emotional responses in teens.
- Hippocampus: Also part of the limbic system, the hippocampus plays a crucial role in memory formation and learning. Its development is essential for academic performance and emotional regulation.
- Limbic System: This system governs emotions and reward-seeking behavior. Its rapid development during adolescence can result in increased sensitivity to stress and strong emotional reactions.
Imbalance Between Regions
The imbalance between the developing prefrontal cortex and the more mature amygdala and hippocampus can lead to:
- Heightened Emotional Responses: Teens may react more intensely to situations due to the amygdala’s dominance.
- Increased Impulsivity: The urge to seek thrills or fit in with peers can result in risky behaviors.
- Memory Challenges: Stress can impair the hippocampus’s ability to form new memories, affecting learning and retention.
The Impact of Stress
Stress is a common experience for teenagers, arising from various sources such as school, relationships, and family expectations. The effects of stress on health can be significant:
- Mental Health Issues: Chronic stress can contribute to anxiety and depression, impacting overall well-being.
- Physical Symptoms: Stress can lead to headaches, fatigue, and other physical health problems.
- Cognitive Impairment: High levels of stress can hinder concentration and memory, affecting school performance.
Strategies for Managing Stress
Throughout the unit, we discussed various strategies to help manage stress effectively:
- Open Communication: Talking about feelings with friends, family, or teachers can provide support and relief.
- Physical Activity: Engaging in regular exercise can reduce stress levels and improve mood.
- Mindfulness Techniques: Practices like meditation and deep breathing help calm the mind and enhance emotional regulation.
- Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Eating well, getting enough sleep, and making time for relaxation can promote better health.
Conclusion
This unit highlighted the critical connection between the developing teen brain, stress, and overall health. By understanding these relationships—especially the roles of the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus—and implementing stress management strategies, we can improve our mental and physical well-being during adolescence. Recognizing the importance of health during this stage can help us build resilience and prepare for future challenges.
In this unit, we focused on developing essential skills in table tennis, particularly the techniques of serving and ball manipulation.
One of the primary skills we learned was how to effectively serve the ball. Serving is a critical aspect of the game, as it initiates each point and sets the tone for the rally. We practiced various serving techniques, emphasising accuracy and placement to challenge our opponents. Mastering these serves improved our gameplay and helped us feel more confident during matches. 💪
We also explored the concept of cutting the ball. This technique involves imparting spin on the ball, making it more difficult for the opponent to return. Learning how to cut the ball during serves and regular hits enhanced our control over the game and allowed us to create strategic advantages. This skill highlighted the importance of technique and strategy in sports. 🎯
Throughout the unit, we learned valuable lessons about teamwork and communication. Practicing together allowed us to support one another and share tips for improvement. We recognized that encouraging each other helps everyone grow as players. 🤝
Overall, this unit was crucial for improving our fundamental skills and understanding of table tennis. It prepared us for future competitions and reinforced the importance of practice and determination. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned in upcoming matches and continuing to develop my skills in this sport! 🚀
Unit 1️⃣
During the first unit of art we made a recreation of a masterpiece, my partners (emily and serena) and I decided to recreate Artemisia Gentileschi’s “Judith beheading Holofernes” art piece we decided to create a photo, by dying cloth red to create ‘blood’ as well as creating a sword with cardboard.
Unit 2️⃣
During the second unit of art we learnt about sculptural reliefs and created a name plate as our final presentation, by using clay I faced many challenges for example shaping the clay the way I wanted. I kept practicing different techniques, like rolling and pressing, even when my first attempts didn’t look great and had lots of cracks, but I didn’t give up and eventually it became better
Unit 3️⃣
One of the most exciting parts of the unit was when we got to make our own digital tessellations. This project was both fun and a bit challenging since I did not have a lot of experience with making tessellations with digital art. Here is my final product, although there are many parts that do not perfectly align I was happy with how it turned out as it was my first time doing something like this.
Unit 4️⃣
During unit 4 we created a ‘artivist’ piece, we were able to meet up with artivist Nikkolas Smith for him to inspire our unit. The message of my artwork is “Nutritious Food for Everyone: A Right, Not a Privilege.” It highlights the importance of access to healthy and nutritious food for everyone promoting wellbeing and health equity.
What was the game? 👾
This is our probability game ‘Lucky Spin’ it is a game based on the trend double it or nothing. We created a spinner and added a 1/3 chance of getting a ‘pass’ on the first try. If the player got a pass on the first spin they could Take a Level 1 prize and be done or try for a better prize by spinning again, but if they don’t get a pass on the 2nd spin then the player would get nothing. If the player keeps getting a ‘pass’ then they can eventually get a level 4 prize which is a big plushie.
Working with my partners 👥
We were originally going to create a plinko game but figured that a spinner game could be more ‘fair’ to the players that were playing the game and that it wouldn’t take long even if we had a lot of people queuing up for the game. We decided the name ‘Lucky Spin’ because it was straight to the point and younger kids can understand what the game is about without having much trouble. We didn’t have conflicts during our time working together and we listened to each others opinions and changed our game accordingly. We collaborated with each other and also
What went well 🌟
Something that went well during the probability fair day was that lots of people came and played our game which made it easy to collect data during our reflection. We were also able to give out many of our smaller prizes and were able to have many people ‘risk it’ to get a better prize which made the experience more interesting and exciting.
What would I change ⏭️
Something that I would change about our booth for the probability fair is to make the chance of winning more so that more people could get prizes since many people wanted to ‘risk’ it so they didn’t walk away with any prizes which was quite disappointing.
Comparing experimental probability to theoretical probability 🧮
Our experimental probability was 33% of winning or 1/3. We had about 40 people out of 300 that won our game which means that the experimental probability of winning was 14%. Our game turned out to be way harder than when thought when we tested the game because many people wanted to ‘risk’ it so they didn’t get prizes in the end
Photos 📷
