Junior School News

Year 9 Horticulture

The Year 9 Horticulture Class has been working away to help the Year 9 garden to grow some amazing foods this semester. We have enjoyed some great success in harvesting fresh fruit and vegetable and have cooked and prepared a variety of dishes using the produce from the garden including stir-fry, salads, jacket sweet potatoes, pizza, vegetable pasta and sweet potato chips.

Mr Matt Clark

Yr 9 Program Leader

Year 8 Mind, Body & Pedal Fitness day

Keeping fit, caring for yourself, being kind and facing challenges was the message across Yr8 earlier this term. Year 8 Girls participated in a range of fun activities organised by Ride2School and the Bicycle Network. This included a bike ride in our local wetlands with the aim of increasing the girls’ confidence in riding a bike. In addition,  a hands-on bike maintenance workshop gave the girls the opportunity to practice changing tyres, refixing chains and making basic adjustments to bikes – essential skills to encourage girls to get back on their bikes. A skin care clinic presented by staff from the Body Shop was very well received (especially with the inclusion of some free samples) and  The Kindness Effect presentation concluded a day of wellbeing for the girls.

The boys were similarly engaged in a series of workshops throughout the day. This commenced with ‘Persistence and team work’ challenges with Mr Leith and a ‘My Body, My Temple’ clinic with Mr Clark, the Year 9 Program manager. Mr Jack initiated thought provoking conversations with the boys in ‘Breaking the Link’ in which they examined the importance of school engagement and attendance for success.

Our year 8 students were terrific throughout the day and they particularly impressed the presenters from Mind, Body, Pedal with their insightful questions and enthusiastic participation.

We look forward to upcoming events with Year 8, including our trip to Point Nepean (date to be advised) and the Annual Spelling Bee (starting soon!)

Mrs Christine Kloas

Year 8 Coordinator

Year 9 Learning for Life:

Term 2 - Our Melbourne

During this term, Year 9 Students have been studying the topic of ‘Our Melbourne’ which includes six city trips. So far, students have been on three of those city experiences.

During week one our Year 9’s were lucky enough to visit the Shrine of Remembrance in ANZAC week. Students were given a guided tour of the Shrine and the guides helped our students understand why the Shrine was originally built and what purpose it serves today. After the Shrine visit, Year 9’s made their way down to the Yarra River to visit the Sandridge Bridge and look into the waves of migration.

City trip two was to the Old Melbourne Gaol. Students were involved in three activities on the day. Students got to act out a court room Drama of either Ned Kelly or Elizabeth Scott’s trial or see firsthand a mock Koori Court in action. Next students visited the old Watch House where felons were brought to face justice. Finally Year 9’s were given an eerie tour of the Gaol itself and learnt of the history including that of Ned Kelly’s end.

During city trip three students undertook the City Challenge. The City Challenge started back in the classroom at school where in small groups, students strategically planned out an itinerary around the city to famous landmarks where teachers were waiting to check them in.

In the next few weeks the remainder of the trips will include a group inquiry task, ice skating and a visit to the Melbourne Star and a river cruise to learn more about the history and the present use of the Yarra River.

Mr Matt Clark

Yr 9 Program Leader

Youth Day

Year 8 Elective - 8Green

In gardening you learn hands on learning sort of stuff, and it’s really fun. When I first joined we learned how to hammer and saw, we also planted trees right at the back of the oval and recently we made a garden bed filled with carrots and they are going to be great. It was fun. I got to pick what veggies to plant and everything.

Michelle, 8D

Year 7 Science

Over the last few weeks, our Year 7 students have been learning various methods of separating mixtures. Once fully trained, our budding young scientists are being put to the challenge of separating a mixture of pebbles, sand, iron filings and salt. Those students that have already completed the challenge have passed with flying colours.

Mrs  Julie Woodroffe