Secondary Year 7-8

SKH

SKH were super excited by the visit of Wild Action Zoo; the chance to hold and interact with some of Australia’s endangered animals really engaged students and was a great starting point for our ‘Feathers, Fur and Leaves’ unit. We were also lucky enough to hold a Murray Darling Carpet Python and Blue Tongue Lizard which Luke (year 9) has as his pets. We each made a beautiful diorama of our chosen habitat and have been learning about life cycles. We are keenly observing our two remaining tadpoles: Ted and Tid and hope to see them become frogs before we go on holiday. Our third tadpole, Tod is a mystery. One day he was swimming happily and the next he had simply disappeared.

SEO and SFC

SEO and SFC have been really working hard and enjoying the Numeracy ‘hands on’ activities. We recently started learning about measurement. We had a fun activity with four groups, each group had to try to make the longest line of paper, they were so long we had to go outside and use a trundle wheel to measure their lengths. SEO were excited to plant some climbing beans where we will observe as a class how tall each student’s beans will grow. SFC have also planted in the Discovery Centre. We are observing whether they grow best in either sand, soil or water. So far, our water seed in direct sunlight have grown the most. As part of our Integrated Unit topic; Feathers, Fur and Leaves.

SEO and SFC loved learning about different animals and their environments. Students choose a habitat of interest and researched what animals fit into that environment.  To incorporate our learning we created habitat diorama’s. There was so many creative pieces, we all learned from one another and helped each other.

SMP

SMP we began exploring STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) activities.  We worked in teams that changed each week so that we got to explore a variety of different ideas and solutions.  This activity involved making boats out of 6 straws a square of cling wrap and a 15cm piece of duct tape. We had to use all of or materials and we weren’t allowed to add anything extra.  This picture shows Noah and Russell working on their boat with the other teams working on theirs in the background.  It was fun because there was no right or wrong way to do it and everyone had different ideas. 

SJF

SJF have loved beginning to learn all about Feathers, Fur and Leaves. Habitats have been our favourite topic to discuss, which lead to making some fabulous dioramas. We have enjoyed exploring the Discovery Centre this term, especially the MILE room set up as a rainforest. SJF also enjoyed researching and creating terrariums in the Discovery Centre and we think they make a wonderful display in our classroom!

SCS

SCS had James S’ grandmother come into Food Technology and teach students how to make Kifli. She showed the students some new skills and the students asked her many questions about Macedonian cuisine. SSB and SCS have been enjoying the new addition to Concord School, the GaGa pit. The students have been practicing and displaying their sportsmanship skills. It is extremely fun, and we would like to thank Ken and the SRC for building it. Some students from SSB and SCS made some dioramas as a part of Fur, Feathers and Leaves. Students were very creative and inquisitive about the different habitats.

Term 3

Term 3 has seen Secondary 7-8 students be highly active with their learning across all curriculum areas.. All classes have been investigating ‘Feathers, Fur and Leaves’ our integrated curriculum topic, and they have made many interesting discoveries in the Discovery Centre, in particular the MILE room. Students are thoroughly enjoying observing and recording the classroom tadpoles’ growth, we hope to have some frogs jumping around before the end of term!  Students have also been actively making terrariums and planting beans and are taking great satisfaction in watching and documenting their growth. Students have been planning for their camps.  Year 7’s are currently at Blackwood camp and Year 8’s to Lake Dewar in Myrniong in two weeks’ time. The outdoor camping program offers varied experiences; Students will work in teams to complete challenges including erecting a tent, sleeping in a tent, preparing and cooking a meal on the camp fire, and completing geocaching and obstacle courses. All students and staff will certainly enjoy a well-deserved rest in the school holidays after such hard working and productive term.    

Christine Pillot

Team Leader