In the Moment
Girls in Physics Breakfast
Last month, six Year 10 students attended the Girls in Physics Breakfast, connecting with students from other schools and hearing from women working and studying across physics, engineering and STEM.
Students explored a range of career pathways and heard from an astrophysicist about research into black holes, supernovas and gravitational waves. The students found the experience both inspiring and informative:
“The Girls in Physics breakfast was an amazing opportunity to connect with students from other schools and to learn more about future careers in STEM.” Cassie Yeo
“I gained a greater understanding of the many pathways within physics and engineering and had the opportunity to speak with professionals about their work and research.” Miriam Cunliffe
“Listening to mentors in university and working in physics also taught me about future STEM careers.” Sarah O'Neill
“It was a great way to extend my understanding of different paths in physics and get an understanding of if I want to do something physics related in the future.” Hannah Wu
“My favourite part was Dr Siellez’s presentation about how she and her team observe and study gravitational waves. I found both the research process and the scientific explanations really interesting.” Dora Cui
“We got to talk to current women studying or currently working in the physics area... The whole experience was incredibly interesting and fun.” Charley Johnston
Bastille Day
Our Junior School students recently celebrated Bastille Day with a lively day of French culture and activities.
Students took part in French games, face painting and crêpe making, as well as interactive djembe workshops. While the djembe originated in West Africa, its inclusion reflected the strong cultural connections between France and French speaking West African nations, making it a meaningful part of the celebrations.
It was a wonderful opportunity for students to engage with French culture in a hands on and enjoyable way. Merci to our Languages team and everyone who helped bring the celebration to life!
Year 8 Cultural Day
Our Year 8 students explored the traditions, language and culture of France and Japan as part of Kilvington's annual Cultural Day.
The day offered plenty of opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, with students trying their hand at activities including Kendo, fencing and circus skills. Students also put their detective skills to the test in a lively game of Cluedo and unleashed their creativity through Shrinkies art, and precision through Japanese ink art. A highlight was the much loved French and Japanese Luncheon, where students prepared and shared a delicious selection of traditional cuisine.
Thank you to our guest presenters for generously sharing their expertise and helping bring these rich cultures to life.
veski Girls in STEM Program
Our four Year 10 students selected for the veski Girls in STEM program recently visited RMIT University’s Bundoora campus, where they spent the day with their mentor, Professor Thi Thu Hao Van.
After connecting through mentoring sessions, our students had the opportunity to experience university research firsthand, exploring laboratories, working alongside PhD students and developing practical skills including running DNA gels, using a PCR machine and isolating bacterial colonies. As part of the program, the students are investigating the link between gut microbiota and autism, a project they will continue to explore throughout the year.
Sarah reflected: "The veski Girls in STEM program has allowed me to explore new areas in science and has provided me with invaluable knowledge and advice through our mentor. We were even working alongside students doing their PhD! I am so grateful for this opportunity and I cannot wait to see how our final project about gut microbiota and autism will turn out."
100 Days of Prep
Our Prep students recently reached a very special milestone, hitting 100 days of school at Kilvington. To mark the occasion, our youngest learners swapped their usual appearance to arrive at the school gates dressed as 100 year olds!
The costume parade was a hit, with plenty of creative outfits and personality on display, followed by themed activities and a disco, giving our youngest students plenty of ways to celebrate how far they have come since starting school.
It was a wonderful opportunity to recognise the learning and new experiences that have filled their first 100 days. We look forward to seeing what the next 100 bring!
Crazy Hair Day Raises More Than $6,000 for Flying Fox
There have been some bold hair choices around Kilvington recently, all in the name of a good cause! Junior School students embraced Mad Hatter’s Day last week, arriving with colourful hairstyles and wonderfully creative homemade hats made out of anything from toys to noodle cups - there was certainly no shortage of imagination!
The celebrations continued in the Senior School with Cut for a Cause, where 12 Senior School students and one courageous teacher, Mr Charlton, took things a step further, cutting their hair for a great cause. Long locks were donated to Sustainable Salons to be repurposed into wigs, while many students bravely embraced the chilly weather with their new buzz cuts. A very special thank you to the team at Charlie Bean Salon, who generously donated their time and expertise to support the event.
The carnival atmosphere throughout the day perfectly reflected the motto of our charity partner, Flying Fox: “Fun is a human right.” Thanks to the generosity of our School community, more than $7,000 was raised for Flying Fox, helping them continue their wonderful programs that create opportunities for social inclusion, connection and, of course, plenty of fun.
Thank you to everyone who dressed up, donated, cheered on our brave participants and helped make Mad Hatter’s Day such a memorable celebration.
Science Week
The entire school community has been getting into the spirit of Science Week, donning lab coats and taking part in a range of experiments and activities. Our tiniest scientists in the ELC got hands-on with a range of experiments, from making music with beakers filled to different heights to exploring natural materials with magnifying glasses. They also discovered the science behind spinning thaumatropes, created colourful ‘shooting stars’ with milk and food colouring and investigated chemical reactions that could make a bottle float.
In the Senior School, students enjoyed a variety of acctivities, including the fan-favourite liquid nitrogen show, exploring the amazing properties of nitrogen at −196 °C through shrinking balloons, smashing frozen flowers, using banana hammers to drive nails into wood, popping canisters, observing the Leidenfrost effect and plenty of spectacular fog. We finished with the best experiment of all - freshly made liquid nitrogen ice cream!
Science Week at Kilvington encourages students to look more closely at the world around them, ask questions, follow their interests and discover new things about themselves and the world they live in. While the activities are designed to be fun and engaging, their hands on nature also provides students with opportunities to learn in new and memorable ways.