FOUNDATIONS

Our Unit of Inquiry this term has been Sharing the Planet, with the central idea, “The choices we make have an impact on our planet.” Throughout the unit, students have inquired into the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling, and have explored how the choices we make can help care for our planet.

We had a fabulous incursion from Urban Upcycle, where students used a variety of recycled materials, including bottle tops, boxes, CDs and lids, to create robots, animals, modes of transport and many other imaginative creations. This hands-on experience encouraged students to think creatively about how everyday items can be reused rather than thrown away.

Our Djila-Tjarre inquiry play space has provided a wonderful environment for students to continue exploring these ideas through play. The space includes a recycling centre, craft tables where students can create using recycled materials, a construction area with recycled wood and planks, a writing station and a garbage truck centre. These learning stations have supported students to develop their understanding of sustainability while engaging in meaningful, creative and collaborative play.

Our next Unit of Inquiry is Who We Are, where we will investigate how we can live healthy and balanced lives.

Celebrating Our Year 5 and 6 Learners: The IB PYP Exhibition at Highton PS

Dear Parents, Carers, and School Community Members,

We are thrilled to invite you to one of the most significant milestones in the Primary Years Programme - the IB PYP Exhibition. This powerful, student-led learning journey will be proudly showcased by our Year 5 and 6 students during Week 8.

Save the Dates:

Monday, 31 August
Wednesday, 2 September

The PYP Exhibition is the culmination of a student’s entire journey through the Primary Years Programme. It is an intensive, collaborative inquiry project where students identify real-world, global issues, conduct deep research, connect with community mentors, and take meaningful, self-directed action to create positive change.

This year, our senior students are exploring the transdisciplinary theme, Sharing the Planet. This theme invites students to investigate rights and responsibilities in the struggle to share finite resources with other people and with other living things; communities and the relationships within and between them; access to equal opportunities; and peace and conflict resolution.

To give you a glimpse into the diverse and inspiring work taking place, student inquiry focuses may include:

Biodiversity & Conservation: Investigating local and global threats to ecosystems, and how human choices impact endangered species and native habitats.
Finite Resources & Sustainable Energy: Exploring renewable energy alternatives, the reality of global water scarcity, or how communities can shift toward circular economies.
Climate Action & Extreme Weather: Looking at the science behind climate shift and how communities adapt to or mitigate environmental challenges.
Consumption & Waste Management: Examining the life cycle of consumer goods, the impact of fast fashion, or designing school and household initiatives to reduce plastic pollution and food waste.
Equal Opportunities & Human Rights: Delving into global equity, access to clean water, sanitation, education, and health services across different communities.
Peace and Conflict Resolution: Exploring how local and international organizations negotiate peace, manage community disagreements, or advocate for displaced populations.

Over the past several weeks, our Year 5 and 6 students have been hard at work developing their own unique Central Ideas, interviewing experts, and designing creative ways to present their findings. The Exhibition is a beautiful demonstration of the critical thinking, communication skills, and Learner Profile attributes - such as being principled, open-minded, and caring - that these students have nurtured throughout their primary school years.

We warmly invite you to attend this special event. Come celebrate the curiosity, creativity, and commitment of our senior learners as they inspire us all with their ideas and actions. We look forward to welcoming you on Monday, 31 August and Wednesday, 2 September.

Warm regards,

Tracy Thornton

Assistant Principal / PYP Coordinator

Curriculum Development at HPS