Around the Junior School
The final countdown for Year 6!
As the wonderful Year 6 graduation came to a close, students finalised and clocked off from all of the classroom work for 2022. Contextualised, hands on learning came into play- creating memorable and exciting times for all students.
Kite making was a highlight in Week 8, where students designed, painted and built their own kites. Students researched Japanese Koi Fish and used them as their iconic design for their kites. This connected to the Geography unit, ‘Diversity in Asia’. Students had the chance to construct their own kites and enjoyed flying these out on the oval. Alan welcomed us with his magnificent kites where all students were able to have a fly! Week 9 for Year 6 was camp week!
An incredible week of hands on, action packed activities at Port Hacking Youth works. Students showcased many skills such as teamwork and it was wonderful to see all of the special friendships the students have made over their time at the Junior School.
From sailing to rock climbing and times on the waterslide, all students participated in every activity with enthusiasm, laughter and smiles. What a way to end a magnificent 2022!
Belle Hazelton & Mark Whitehead
Mathematics and Problem Solving
This year our Junior School classroom teachers have been dedicating their professional learning time to mathematics. They participated in The Primary Numeracy Project which involved working with education consultants from the Association of Independent Schools NSW to learn explicit and systematic teaching strategies which best support students in the classroom.
Staff have also incorporated the principles of inquiry based learning into their teaching and learning programs. Dr Jo Boaler, a leading expert in mathematics education, talks about the multiple dimensions of mathematics and how there are different pathways to solve problems. She believes that when students are exposed to mathematics in a variety of ways, they will engage with maths more deeply.
All students from Years 4-6 have participated in a creative maths problem solving competition this year through the Australiasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO). Year 4 have participated in ‘Maths Explorer’ which is a fun, friendly competition introducing students to the foundations of problem solving. Year 5 and 6 participated in ‘Maths Games’ which is another friendly competition building on student’s problem solving skills with application to real world concepts. Finally, a select group of students in Year 6 participated in ‘Maths Olympiad’. This is an advanced competition, competing against students from across Australia and New Zealand.
Our Maths Olympiad team also competed in the annual Newcastle Permanent Primary Mathematics Competition for regional schools in NSW.
The following students have been recognised for their ability to identify, apply and explain problem solving strategies. They also showed a commitment to understanding concepts and overall improvement.
APSMO - Maths Explorer
- Prayan Dulal
- Daniel Kerdic
- Thomas Rourke
- Lucie Chambers
- Reg Caskey
- Mason O'Toole
APSMO – Maths Games
- Zaro Jala
- Jett Johnson
- Caityn Long
- Harry Oldroyd
- Isabelle Provost
- Lachlan Turnbull
- Clancy Hazelton
- Nicolette Saran
- Vivaan Desai
- Charlotte Williams
APSMO – Maths Olympiad
- Highest Results and top 25% achiever: George Nash
- Special Encouragement Award: Max Kenny
Newcastle Permanent Primary Mathematics Competition
Merit
- Ben Chambers
- Isaac Ross
- Jed Volkofsky
- Sophie Caro
- Jude Jansen
- Amelia Lawrie
- Sam Commins
- Xavier Zinga
- Elliot Terrey
- Ella Kerdic
- Harriet Blair
Distinction
- Max Kenny
- Alexandra Karrasch
- Georgie Simpson
- Chloe Caro
- Aurora Everett
- Luca Johnson
- George Nash
- Zoe Strahorn
Ms Amanda Dodson
Assistant Head of Junior School – Academics