Teaching and Learning
National Science Week
This week is National Science Week. There are many activities planned for students in their classrooms, at STEM, along with some optional lunch time activities and challenges.
Although we are only two days in, there’s been plenty happening across the school, as you will get a sense of in the photos below.
The school theme for National Science Week in 2023 is Innovation: Powering Future Industries. The theme incorporates the advancement in technology in all industries, especially using artificial intelligence (AI).
Backpack Challenge
Last week our year 3/4 students participated enthusiastically in the Backpack Challenge. This has been an engaging and challenging experience that comes as part of this term’s Integrated unit focusing on Disadvantage called ‘Someone Else's Shoes’. Students spent a day and a half gaining perspective over what life can be like for others experiencing hardship, especially Refugees, who often need to survive with just the items in their bags. Students were challenged to explore Buninyong, go through Border Security, and keep their passports and other valuables safe both during school times and at home on Thursday evening. Congratulations to all of the students for participating and getting into the spirit.
BIOCATS
Over the last few weeks, our year 5/6 students have participated in excursions to the BioCATS. BioCATS is run from the Deakin Cats Community Centre at GMHBA Stadium as a full day program. Students and teachers participate in dynamic scientific experiments, using problem solving, statistical analysis and observation skills to learn about the science and mathematics of football and career pathways in sport.
The program also reinforces the concepts of health and wellness and the benefits that come from sports participation.
Yesterday 5/6 MM and 5/6 BW visited and were lucky enough to meet Geelong AFL player, Patrick Dangerfield as part of the program. Here’s Chloe and Harry taking on a kettle weight challenge with Patrick!
Book Week
Next week, Monday 21st - Friday 25th is Book Week! This year’s theme is ‘Read, Grow, Inspire’. We are getting so excited about all the fun that will be taking place in the classrooms and at lunchtime throughout the week in celebration of Book Week.
One of our major activities taking place this year again is our Buninyong Book Swap Bonanza. We are asking all students to donate a book (or more if you would like) from home that they have read, is in good condition, and they no longer want but know that someone else would enjoy. Teachers will be setting up a ‘stall’ on Friday (Thursday at Scotsburn Campus) within their grade levels for students to come and choose a book that has been donated. Students will get the chance to browse and choose a book to take home and keep (no cost involved). Everyone will go home with a book! If students could have their donated book to school by Wednesday 23rd August, that would be fantastic.
Some of the activities happening throughout the week… |
Below is a link to this year’s Children’s Book Council of Australia shortlist winners. We have been lucky enough to purchase a range of these books for our school library and look forward to sharing these with the students in the coming weeks.
https://cbca.org.au/shortlist-2023
The final winners for Book of the Year in the various categories will be announced at the start of Book Week on August 19th at 12 noon.
ICAS
Last week the student ICAS competition opened. ICAS stands for International Competitions and Assessments for Schools. It is a competition that recognises academic performance in a way others celebrate achievements in sport or the arts. At BPS this year, we have 63 students participating across the areas of Digital Technology, Science, Maths, Writing and English (reading) assessments.
Last week students completed Digital Technology and Writing, and this week is the testing window for English (reading).
Next week is the testing window for science and the following and final week is the testing window for Mathematics.
We look forward to sharing and celebrating our students’ achievements with the broader school community when we receive their results.
Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge
Keep up the great work with your participation in the Premiers’ Reading Challenge everyone and don’t forget to write a book review to share with others as well.
Every student who completes the challenge will receive a certificate at the end of the Challenge. The Challenge ends on September 8th, which is 31 days away, so keep up the reading!