Modbury Matters

Wellbeing Information

Wellbeing and Engagement Collection (WEC) results 

Earlier this year our Year 4-6 students participated in the wellbeing and engagement collection (WEC) survey. The WEC survey collects information from students in years 4 to 12 about non-academic factors relevant to learning and participation. Data provided by the WEC survey gives schools, the community and government an insight into what needs to occur to ensure that students experience success, and are provided with resources and opportunities to reach their full potential.

 

The results from the Modbury School P-6 students are very similar to those from schools within our portfolio. We have seen upward trends in connectedness to school, and to school belonging, and have seen an increase in the number of students who identify as having a close adult at school, and having a close friendship with a peer at school.

ATSI STEM Congress

In Week 5 Mirabelle, Paul, and Kayla joined Mrs. Flavel and Ilona and headed into the Adelaide Convention Centre for the 2024 ATSI STEM Congress. The STEM Aboriginal Learner Congress is an annual departmental initiative to engage and inspire the next generation of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. It offers interactive and challenging STEM experiences designed to demonstrate that Aboriginal students are powerful STEM learners and lead thinkers. The STEM Congress aims to develop:

  • a positive attitude towards learning
  • an interest in studying STEM-related subjects at the higher levels of schooling and or an interest in STEM-related future careers
  • effective interpersonal, leadership and collaborative skills
  • a willingness to explore and learn how STEM connects to Aboriginal culture and people
  • an ability to work with the teacher to share the congress learning experiences with their school.an interest in studying STEM-related subjects at the higher levels of schooling and or an interest in STEM-related future careers
  • effective interpersonal, leadership and collaborative skills
  • a willingness to explore and learn how STEM connects to Aboriginal culture and people

Our students spent time in the Botanic Gardens Seed Bank, learning the process of identifying, harvesting, and banking seeds, so that scientists can propagate plant varieties in the future. They worked with microscopes and ultrasound machines to investigate the insides of seeds, ensuring the viability of the sample, and then explored the orchards where the Botanic Gardens society are planting and producing native flora.

 

Our students also spent time learning about traditional instruments, including how they are made, and how sound waves move through them to create music. They created their own instruments which they used to make music- and were lucky enough to be able to take these home with them. 

 

The students then moved into an interactive bug experience, where the investigated invertebrates and their uses in food and medicine. Students held stick insects and praying mantis, and got up close with a huntsman, a tarantula, scorpions, ants and worms. We learnt that there is a study underway which is looking at using spider webs to create armor for defence-force personnel due to the pliability, strength, and availability of the webs, and that they are investigating using cockroaches as a food source in the future.  

PBL Whole School Celebration - Pyjama Day

Our students spent Friday of Week 9 in their cozy PJs and Oodies for their chosen PBL Whole School Celebration. The decision was almost unanimous, with about 95% of students using their voice to vote for a Pyjama Day.

 

Term 4 selections for Whole School Celebrations are well underway, with suggestions coming from our Wakwakurna class representatives already being made. Students have put forward outdoor games, whole school water fights, and sliming the staff. 

Holiday Wellbeing

With the Term 3 holidays nearly upon us, we would like to acknowledge that while the holiday break can be a welcome opportunity to rest and reset for some of our students, it can be a tricky time for others. Holidays can take students away from their friends and from their usual school supports. 

 

Changes to routine can cause some children to feel stressed, isolated, and alone. The infographic below includes the contact information for national Mental Health Services which are available to support wellbeing.

 

Parent Information Sessions - Student Support Services