SCHOOL OF INNOVATION

Annually rousing the community in what has become a titanic battle of sporting prowess between students and staff, the coveted Staff vs SOI Students Soccer Match was hotly contested on Monday, December 11 bringing joy and fellowship to the college as the year

 comes to a close.

Against a torpid sky, the action on the field was electric as competitors met and fought amongst the cascade of cheers issuing from the enthralled younger students.

For the first time ever in College history (and to the great upset of the courageous student competitors) the staff team claimed victory in an enthralling 6-2 win. 

Congratulations to all who played and to all who cheered, it was another fabulous instalment of the highly anticipated Staff vs Students soccer match.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭! Fascinating, well-researched and inspiring, Year 9 students showcased their 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 on Friday, December 1 and what an awe-inspiring expo of topics it was. From the historical significance of 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘆𝗻 

to the theoretical possibilities untangling the ᴏʀɪɢɪɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴜɴɪᴠᴇʀꜱᴇ , the projects on display were as diverse and as impressive as the researchers themselves.

An opportunity to be engaged and informed, the Year 9s welcomed students from across the college to share their term's worth of rigorous inquiry and were also at the ready to answer eager questions.

Equipped with skills to engage in their research and learning in their own way, each of the Year 9 students demonstrated not only a deep understanding of their own chosen topics but a passion for it as well.

𝓢𝓸𝓶𝓮 of the Endless Possibilities Project topics included: Power Over People, Criminology, What is Optimal Health?, Art in Islam, The Wild West, What Makes a Good Movie, The History of Mixed Martial Arts, The Importance of Fairy Tales (moral instruction), Sikh History (1984), A Healthy Cookbook along with constructed replicas of the MCG and a mountain bike competition track.

Year 8C were involved in a practical that investigated reactions. Elephant toothpaste had been a special request this year and this week we had the opportunity to explore this particular set of reactions. Students discovered that the process wasn't as 'explosive' as they had seen online, so then manipulated the experiment to see if they could gain a more spectacular result. They discovered that adding more of the catalyst created a bigger reaction, producing  oxygen at a faster rate.

You can see the results below and goodness, what a mammoth sized tube!

This week Year 7 woodwork students diligently completed their toolboxes and as you can see in the photos below they did an exemplary job. As much a collaborative task as it was an individual project, students also stepped-up and lovingly completed Ruby Gribbin's toolbox.

Year 9 scientists were using their observation skills to determine the identity of various edible powders. They determined that the powders included citric acid, baking soda, cinnamon, chilli, icing sugar and coffee. After they identified these powders, we included jelly crystals and created sherbet out of them by using our mathematical understanding of ratios. Luckily we did this experiment at the end of the day so the students could go and burn off their energy in the December sunshine!

Class Resources

Our iPads! Please ensure that any damage is reported to Pastoral Group Leaders and IT staff to ensure that it can be rectified as soon as possible. iPads must be fully charged each day and it is encouraged that we adopt good habits to assist us with this. 

We understand as we are in Term 4 that sometimes our resources such as folders, books and pens can be a little worse for wear. It is important that we continue to care for our resources and ensure we take all required items to class to best assist us with engaging in our learning. If an item has been damaged or lost, it will need to be replaced so we can continue to undertake our best learning in Term 4 as we complete the year. 

Term 4 Uniform Update

It is that time of year again where the sun is shining and our students are required to wear their school hats as part of the term 4 uniform. As we are a Sun Smart School it is vitally important that the students within the School of Innovation are able to role model this behaviour to our younger students within the School of Wonder. This is essential to ensure that all of the students at the College are protected from the damage the sun can cause during the Spring and Summer months. If your student requires a hat, they will be able to purchase one from the school uniform shop. 

Important Pastoral Group Information

At St. Anne’s College, all students within the School of Innovation are allocated to a Pastoral Group. These groups are overseen by a Pastoral Group Leader and currently comprise students from their respective houses: Montessori, Charles, Cooper, and Majella houses.

Each morning, students commence their day within their Pastoral Groups. This time involves participation in morning prayer, a welcome to country, and updates about the day's news and events at the College. This period holds significance in allowing our students to establish strong connections with their peers and their Pastoral Leader. Consequently, our students are able to cultivate a strong sense of community at St. Anne’s College.

Our Pastoral Leaders also seize this opportunity to implement the three core principles of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM), which stem from our school-wide program conducted by the Resilience Project. These principles encourage our students to contemplate and recognize the positive facets of their day-to-day experiences both at the College and at home. This practice ensures that our students embark on each day well-prepared for successful learning and meaningful connections with others.

Given that this session only spans 10 minutes each morning, it is imperative that students are punctual and actively participate within their designated Pastoral Groups. If students miss this period or arrive late, they will forfeit this crucial initiation to the school day.

We extend our gratitude to all parents and caregivers for your sustained support in ensuring that this routine is upheld for the continued success of our students.

Important Uniform Information

A reminder that all School of Innovation students are required to wear their academic uniform items each day, except for sports days or other nominated days when their sports uniform items can be worn. Please ensure your student is in their full academic uniform. If this is not possible on a particular day, please send a note, including the date your student will be able to be in full school uniform.

A dress code, in particular a uniform, provides a visual connection to identify students as members of St Anne’s College community. The way a uniform is worn makes a statement about our college and it represents the fact that the student is a part of the community.  The benefits of a school uniform include:

• Allows all students to feel equal

• Helps prevent bullying and competition on the basis of clothing

• Ensures students appearance reflects the expectations of St Anne’s College

• Enhances the profile and identity of the College and its students in the wider community

• Strengthens the spirit of community within St Anne’s College

• Enhances individual student safety and group security

• Ensured all students are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities

• Encourages students to develop pride in their appearance

• Prepares students for the expectations in workplaces

• Encourages students to present themselves appropriately for a particular role

Thank you for your support.