SCHOOL OF WONDER
School of Wonder
The past fortnight in the School of Wonder has been a veritable whirlwind of exciting excursions, activities and learning. From a big day out to the Melbourne Zoo to sketching local ecosystems during a field trip, the students have also advanced their swimming and water safety skills.
A huge thank you to all the staff and invaluable individuals who have made the children's learning experiences such a success!
Below are some photos and 'news bites' celebrating SOW children as they went about their 'work' over the last two weeks.
【Ｔｈｅ Ｐｏｔａｔｏ Ｐｅｏｐｌｅ】
This term, Foundation students have been exploring different authors. With great enthusiasm, Ivy's Foundation class discovered the wonderful books by ever popular author, Pamela Allen. On Tuesday they read The Potato People. The children then expressed themselves by creating their own potato people. The children used wire, buttons, textas, fabric, wool, pipe cleaners and icy pole sticks.
GOD'S CREATION
The Foundation students have been exploring all things nature as they got up close and personal with God's creation. Students used all their senses to investigate and then they took a photo of their favourite aspect of God's creation in our beautiful school grounds. They sketched and used water colour pencils to create an artistic representation of God's creation.
END OF 1/2 INQUIRY UNIT PRESENTATIONS
Celebrating the culmination of their ‘Life Cycles’ unit of Inquiry, Year 1&2 students showcased their learning with their peers this week with pride and purpose.
Energised with curiosity and bubbling with enthusiasm the children presented and viewed dioramas, posters and handcrafted habitat models.
Having put all their learning assets to good use, the learning space was full of hotly discussed facts, questions and wonderings as the children shared their work.
'Water you doing at school this week?'
Mustering all their excitement and stamina for a week of fun-filled swimming, water-safety and essential skill development, Foundation, Year 1 & 2 classes delighted in their annual swimming program at Aquamoves last week. Having a whale of a time, the children also splashed a little closer to achieving their Victorian Water Safety Certificate, an achievement required by the end of primary school.
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀...
Walking into studio 4 & 6 you are not only met with a busy hum of Grade 3/4 students happily working but a multitude of proudly displayed work.
Darcy is just one of the many students in the 3/4 learning space keen to share his Memory Box which was crafted after a class reading of Mem Fox's moving and reflective 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘤𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘨𝘦. Written on the box are some of Darcy's most treasured memories, including the first time he played soccer along with some special moments spent with family and friends.
Delving into ecology, Grade 4 students Heli and Sophie were just as eager to share fascinating facts from their biome research. Did you know, for example that the Rafflesia flower is actually a parasitic plant that doesn't have roots of its own but rather grows tissue in other plants to steal the nutrients it needs.
In the field
Quality research often requires time spent observing the subject and Years 3 & 4 did exactly that last week at Waterbird Park, Glenmaggie Avenue. Working in small groups or individually, the children identified and sketched ecosystems within the wetlands area, while also compiling lists and notes of data.
The visit to the local wetlands was a local excursion which perfectly complimented
the students' ongoing inquiry unit.
Zoology is the name of the game
An enthralling day was had by all as our 1/2 learners ventured to the Melbourne Zoo on Tuesday, October 31. The visit was the perfect opportunity for the children to explore and expand upon their learning as well as celebrate the culmination of their inquiry unit, Sharing the Planet.
A fantastic day was had by all and the students represented St Anne’s wonderfully, displaying college values of respect and care for others.
You can look forward to an abundance of zoo excursion photos in the next edition of il giornale.
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿'𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟱𝘀
There is so much for our college's first cohort of Year 5s (in 2024) to be excited about and recently they got a taste of what is to come in their first Discovery Session.
Comfortable and eager in next year's learning space, the Year 4 children were presented with an overview of next year's captivating and challenging units of inquiry as well as the teaching and learning subjects that will be incorporated within them.
Pleased and excited to learn that their new learning space will be revamped to accommodate their dynamic learning next year, the children also eagerly discussed facets of their new uniform and heard about the continuation of wellbeing programs and supports.
With a cheerful visit from college Principal, Sue the children listened intently to the presentation delivered by School of Innovation leaders, Rachelle Chapman and Callum Thompson before relaxing into a good natured round of Kahoot!
SOW events to mark on the calendar & other important reminders
Assembly
The next SOW assembly will run on Monday, November 13 at 9.10am in the 1/ 2 learning space. Please join the children in celebrating SOW.
PJ Day
On Friday, November 17 SOW is having a PJ day. Students and staff can come dressed in their PJs and are welcome to bring their favourite bedtime story to share with their pastoral group. A day of reading, dreaming and imagination will take place and will conclude with SOW coming together to watch the college production of Matilda Jr. the Musical.
Italian Celebration Day
On Wednesday, November 29 we are having a day of Italian Celebrations. Our learners will have various activities related to Italy.
Hats and Sunscreen:
In Term 4 it is a school expectation that we are all wearing hats when we are outside. If a student does not have a hat, they are required to stay under the covered areas provided. Please ensure that hats are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
All students are reminded and encouraged to bring their own SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to school. Staff will oversee the safe use of sunscreen.
Zooper Dooper purchase limit:
In order to support School of Wonder children to make healthy choices, they will only be permitted to purchase one Zooper Dooper each on Tuesdays and Fridays as part of the college's fundraising efforts for the Vinnies Giving Tree Christmas appeal. Children are asked to bring the correct money - $1.
We are committed & dedicated educators
Teaching and Learning:
Our aim as Educators is always to improve student learning outcomes for all our learners. We continue to strive to improve our professional practice to ensure that our learners get the very best learning opportunities and outcomes. Our SOW team works collaboratively to provide thought provoking learning experiences to our learners. Our learner assets (collaboration, communication, self-management, thinking and researching) are life long skills that set our young people up to life long learners and to continually question, explore and challenge their thinking. Please direct any teaching and learning inquiries to Megan Shiner. mshiner@sackialla.catholic.edu.au
Wellbeing:
Wellbeing is a holistic term that encompasses all aspects of a student's life, including their physical, social, mental and emotional state. It is often defined as a sustainable state of positive mood and attitude, resilience, and satisfaction with self, relationships and experiences at school.
Wellbeing at St Anne’s is driven by the themes of doing our best, allowing everyone to succeed.
Upcoming events:
Next SOW assembly - Monday, November 13
SOW PJ day - Friday, November 17
SOW Italian Celebration Day - Wednesday, November 29
SOW leaders email contact:
mshiner@sackialla.catholic.edu.au
eokeeffe@sackialla.catholic.edu.au
Megan Shiner & Emma O’Keeffe- School of Wonder Leaders
