Primary School

Digging Up the Past: Year 5 Sovereign Hill Camp

Sovereign Hill has been a popular destination for school camps for decades, and earlier this term our Year 5 cohort made the (long) journey north-west to spend three days experiencing life on the goldfields of 1850s Ballarat. The camp is linked to the Year 5 literacy and integrated studies programs.

Across their three day visit, students watched a gold pouring demonstration and witnessed burning-hot liquid gold be transformed into a solid bar worth approximately $275,000; interacted with various old-fashioned games and pastimes such as bowling; browsed (and sampled!) many of the various 1850s stores; and tried their luck panning for gold! Several students even struck gold, managing to find tiny shards of gold on ‘the diggings’.

The main attraction was definitely the two underground mine tours and nighttime AURA Light Show. One of the two mine tours saw students travelling underground in complete darkness before being led through the narrow labyrinth of tunnels several metres underfoot of the unsuspecting tourists above; the second, the Red Hill Mine, took students through a self-guided tour to learn about the exploits (and luck) of a small group of Irish miners. The world-famous AURA Light Show was a sensory extravagance divided into three parts. The first part a 3D-movie showcasing the intergalactic origins of gold; the second an ethereal First Nations story of creation; and the third, and most spectacular, a dramatic retelling of the Eureka Stockade with projections, lights, and fire.

Students also spend time connecting with one another - a key component of any good school camp. After the past three years it was rewarding to see our Year 5 students coming together during meal times to break bread, share stories and help one another like a family. Key to their newfound sense of collaboration and togetherness was the talent show, hosted on the second night, where students showcased a number of hilarious and well-rehearsed comedy skits.

The Year 5 teachers, Mr Gavin Newport and Mr Jayden Williams, would like to thank Mrs Debbie Mibus and Miss Adele Smit for coming along to help us on camp. It is because of your combined efforts everything ran smoothly and the students had a fantastic experience.

Mr Jayden Williams

Year 5 Homeroom Teacher

Year 3 Excursion to Healsville

Last week, Year 3 students had the opportunity to take part in an exciting excursion to the Healesville Sanctuary. The experience immersed the students in a variety of engaging activities.

Throughout the day, the students had the chance to participate in a ‘Connections to Country’ workshop which allowed them to learn about Australian bush and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and stories. Through guided investigations,  the students explored the seven seasons of the Kulin Nation and how these changes impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of living and the life cycles of different species.  

In addition, the students were able to further consolidate their classroom learning on how living things depend on each other and the environment to survive, and sustainable practices to help care for flora/fauna. 

One of the highlights of the excursion was the ‘Spirits of the Sky’ show which allowed us to view a variety of native birds which included the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Barking Owl, magnificent parrots and more. Furthermore, the dingoes and sleeping Koalas were also amongst the students’ favourites.

Overall, the excursion was a great success and everyone had a fantastic time!

Miss Leah Kelly

yearh 3 Homeroom Teacher

Lightning Prem

Congratulations to our Year 5 and 6 Lightning Prem teams on great results!

The College is proud of the manner in which all students represented the College and we thank staff and volunteers for their assistance on the day.

Well done to everyone that participated!

Primary Art News

In the Junior Art Classes this term we have been undertaking double art sessions per week. We have been completing many core learning activities and also happily partaking in many collaborative projects.

Currently, our Prep to Year 2's have been decorating plastic cups ready for our Dale Chihuly-inspired chandeliers, and Year 3 to 6 students have been working on a Starry Night mural ready for woven stars for our arts building foyer. 

We are very excited to see the vast progression of projects coming along and cannot wait to showcase them all when completed. 

Year 1 students had their first Art incursion this week, which aligns with their next term's PBL foci. Presented by the National Gallery of Victoria and held by artists in residency Gracia and Louise. Students online actively partook in art history, collage making and with art movements toward their learning. 

Thank you to the many parents and friends who have been donating all the wonderful items that have been coming in. Art club at lunchtimes, have all been very grateful for our recyclable creations and materials available.

We're looking forward to seeing many more projects coming out of the art room and into your hearts.

Have a safe and blessed holiday.

Leonie Vaughan

Primary Art Teacher

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

BOOK Fair