Junior School Update
With Mrs Fiona Clark
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) has been a significant focus for our Year 5/6 students this term. As part of the Term 2 Science unit, students explored the behaviour of light and how it travels. They developed an understanding that light moves in straight lines and can be reflected and refracted when passing through different materials. Through simple experiments using water, lenses and prisms, students observed and recorded how light behaves under varying conditions.
These concepts were then connected to everyday phenomena, such as why objects appear bent in water, how rainbows form, and how magnification works. Students also explored practical applications, including eyeglasses, magnifying lenses and optical tools such as cameras and microscopes.
In Design and Technology, Year 5–6 students investigated how food and fibre products are produced, with a strong emphasis on the Goulburn Valley region. This helped students connect their learning to their local environment. They explored how food is grown, processed and transported to consumers, while also examining the stages of production:
- Growing → Harvesting → Processing → Distribution → Consumption
Students discussed the roles of farmers, transport systems and technology, as well as seasonal growing cycles. They also investigated fibres produced in the region and how they are used to create textiles, such as wool from sheep farming in surrounding areas and cotton from parts of northern Victoria. Key concepts included the differences between natural and processed fibres, and their uses in everyday life, including clothing and furnishings. A key focus of the unit was understanding how climate influences agricultural production.
Foundation enrolments for 2027 remain open and we encourage interested families to book a school tour and learn more about our vibrant Junior School community.
More information about our Foundation program can be found on our website: www.cags.vic.edu.au/enrolment/foundation-2027
