Virtual Canberra Excursion

Last week (1st Nov - 5th Nov) was the week our year 5/6 students should have been travelling to our nation's capital, Canberra. Instead, we were able to make Canberra come to us! The students engaged with a variety of attractions, locations and icons through Zoom, interactive websites, and hands-on tasks.

Monday

We started our week off by researching and learning about the design of the city, Canberra. We learnt about the international competition held, and the winner - Walter Burley Griffin - who ultimately designed Canberra as we know it today. See below for some more information about Burley Griffin from the students.

We then became mini-Burley Griffins and used our design skills to design 'The Perfect School'. Here's a snapshot of our work:

We then attended a live Zoom with the Australian National Art Gallery. Following this Zoom, we created some of our own artworks based on the word of Sidney Nolan's 'Bushranger' series.

Afterwards, we were involved in an informative Zoom from the Parliamentary Education Office, about our level of government, the Ministers, and our voting system. We designed our own Federal Electorates, and discussed issues that may exist within society, while also brainstorming possible solutions for these....Australia's future leaders!

Tuesday

Tuesday was a day of reflection and remembrance. We attended a personalised Zoom from the Australian War Memorial. Mrs Barnes then led us in an art activity for display:

Wednesday

We started today off with some Zooms from the Australian National Museum where were learnt about how objects from our past, can remain important into the present day.

Today we also became Wildlife Protectors. Students were working on researching either the Bilby or the Koala. After researching and understanding the intricacies of these species, we worked on designing wildlife corridors, and protected areas for release of animals. These activities continued on for the rest of the week - they were very in depth!

Thursday

We not only learnt about Canberra today, but about other places within Australia.

The students were allocated a budget of $10 000, and had to plan a trip via plane to each capital city of Australia. While there, they had to budget for accommodation, meals and other tourist activities.

We then focused on an Australian state (not NSW!). Students created a brochure explaining its features to someone who may want to visit there.

Students learnt a lot about new places... maybe one day they will be able to go to some of them!

Here are some of the students working hard, both individually and collaboratively, on these tasks. Love the engagement and focus!!

Friday

We spent our morning on another Zoom by the Australian Royal Mint. We learnt about the robots and how coins are made in Australia.

Afterwards, we had a go at designing our own Australian coins. Here's some of our work:

Friday was a celebration day - we wore casual dress, had a BBQ lunch, as well as some other small treats along the way.

Joey’s Matters

Weekly Newsletter of St Joseph’s Primary School Quirindi

Week 6, Term 4, 2021 · 09 Nov 2021

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