STUDENT  LEARNING

Integrated Studies

Integrated Studies is a great way for students to further their knowledge about the world around them.  Posing questions, researching, thinking critically, making connections and problem solving are all key skills that students use and develop when investigating different topics. Our whole school Integrated Studies topic this term is Sustainability with all PLCs having a slightly different focus. 

The preps are investigating living and nonliving things, decorating pet rocks and growing “Hairy Harrys”. Students will be looking at habitats and identifying what makes things grow. They are very excited to further their knowledge and understanding of living and non-living things when they head off on an adventure to Werribee Zoo.

The Year 1/2s are exploring the question What can I do to help my environment, family and community? Students will identify and describe the changes in their local environment and will investigate how the environment impacts them and the living things around them. Students will think critically about real world problems and design an invention to help protect our environment. A highlight of the term is also planting seeds and watching them grow! The year 1/2s are also heading off on an adventure to Animal Land and the Wildlife Park to further their knowledge of animals, their habitats and the impact we have on their environments.

The Year 3/4s are investigating how they can be sustainable in their classrooms, around the school, in the community and the wider world. The students will work together in small groups and investigate a project to improve the school environment. This may include recycling, composting, gardening, saving water… the ideas are endless. This is always a highlight for the students to problem solve, be creative and present their ideas back to their peers.

Business and economics is the focus for the Year 5/6 students in Integrated Studies. Throughout the term, students will be creating their own business plans and learning about the process of creating a new product or business. This is always a fun project for students to use their creativity, while making connections their passions and hobbies, as they discuss needs versus wants and different strategies used in marketing.

We look forward to seeing all of the incredible learning that students discover in integrated Studies and how we can all be sustainable and have a positive impact!

Young Authors

Our Lucas Young Authors took part in their final celebration in Week 1 of the term. We all had an early start to catch the 7.30am train to Melbourne! Once we arrived, we caught the city train across to the State Library of Victoria, where we had a tour of the library – which has way more than just books inside. Did you know that the State Library of Victoria is not only Australia’s busiest library, but also the 4th busiest library in the world? And it’s free to visit, so if you haven’t been in there, put it on your list of things to do!

After our library tour, we had lunch at the Birrarung Marr playground and then headed to Federation Square to take part in a Literary Walk. We were able to walk around Melbourne, reciting the words of great authors and learning about the poems and stories that played a part in the history of Australia. We learnt stories about Vida Goldstein and her fight for the vote for women and the many stories about Ned Kelly.

My favourite thing was the literary tour, but it was so hot! I also liked the playground and the rock wall – Pippa (Grade 4)

Today my fav thing was the train ride. I also loved the library! It was amazing! – Carter (Grade 4)

I really enjoyed the lego at the library and the kids area looked so cool! We had a really nice lady named Janet who guided us through the museum. There was a library with all different kinds of books in different languages. We also had a guide/tour around Fed Square, he told us about the old 1850s and who was famous back then. I enjoyed every part of it! – Sahu (Grade 5)

My favourite part was the library because there was a lego area and the kids place was so cool. You know why? Well there was a big drawing of a whale and an area for them to read in different languages. – Kaif (Grade 5)

I loved how the State Library had Ned Kelly’s real bushranger armour! – Evelyn (Grade 4)

Energy Breakthrough 

On Tuesday 15th of October the Lucas PS Energy Breakthrough team went to the Haddon Go Kart Raceway to attend a Test ‘N’ Tune day. This was a great opportunity to test our trikes on a controlled race track and identify areas to be improved. We joined five other schools in the pits and shared the track with 15 other trikes. The action felt chaotic, but in Maryborough there will be approximately 95 other trikes on the track at once. This was great practice for this event. Here are some words from EBT members about how they felt during their time in the trikes: “Nervous, but excited”, “It gets extremely hot when you're in the trikes.”

We learnt a lot about our trikes from attending this Test ‘N’ Tune day and are looking forward to giving the other schools hell in Maryborough.

Jack, Minka, Darcy, Aaron

Prep Swimming

Last week, our Prep students had a fantastic time during their first school swimming lessons! It was wonderful to see them building confidence in the water while learning essential water safety skills. 

Each day, the students showed enthusiasm, listened attentively to their instructors, and practised new techniques with determination. On Friday, the students had a survival lesson where they practised real-life safety scenarios and how to stay calm in the water, float on their backs, and signal for help in an emergency. 

By the end of the week, there were many tired eyes and proud smiles as the students celebrated their progress. 

Well done, Preps!