SCHOOL OF INNOVATION
School of Innovation
YEAR 5 UNIFORM
What a start to Term 4!
We have had our wonderful Year 8 cohort return from their camp adventures at Feathertop, we have had representatives from Melbourne City Football (Soccer) Club lead some of our Year 7 students in activities focusing on respectful, positive and cooperative relationships. We've had many awesome learning experiences for our School of Innovation students to continue to display and showcase their learner assets, develop and enhance their knowledge, understanding and skills, and continue to grow and thrive.
Richmond Football Club experience
In the last week of Term 3, Rach Preston Broughton and Tina took some students to a football session run for indigenous students with the Richmond Football Club. Two wonderful Indigenous educators attended and spoke to the students about leadership, football, and making the most of every opportunity. This was an incredible experience and one our students who attended will value and learn from.
Class Resources
Our iPads! Please ensure that any damage is reported to Pastoral Group Leaders and IT staff to ensure that it can be rectified as soon as possible. iPads must be fully charged each day and it is encouraged that we adopt good habits to assist us with this.
We understand as we are embarking on Term 4 that sometimes our resources such as folders, books and pens can be a little worse for wear. It is important that we continue to care for our resources and ensure we take all required items to class to best assist us with engaging in our learning. If an item has been damaged or lost, it will need to be replaced so we can continue to undertake our best learning in Term 4 as we complete the year.
Term 4 Uniform Update
It is that time of year again where the sun is shining and our students are required to wear their school hats as part of the Term 4 uniform. As we are a Sun Smart School it is vitally important that the students within the School of Innovation are able to role model this behaviour to our younger students within the School of Wonder. This is essential to ensure that all of the students at the college are protected from the damage the sun can cause during the spring and summer months. If your student requires a hat they will be able to purchase one from the school uniform shop.
Year 5, 2024 Information Session
We look forward to having our 2024, Year 5 students who will soon be engaging in 'Discovery Days.' The aim of the 'Discovery Days' are to provide a taste of what learning and teaching will look and feel like for the college's inaugural Year 5s as they enter into the School of Innovation.
We are delighted to have our Year 5 teachers for 2024; Andrea Bergamin and Ivy Davidson, and look forward to our Year 5s being an integral part of SOI.
Rach Chapman and Callum Thompson (School of Innovation Leaders)
Year 7
Year 7 students have been working on procedural writing in English. Being able to write and read instructions and procedures for how to make, do, undertake and complete something is a wonderful skill. Our students are recognising the importance of the language and words used to create a set of instructions or to provide information, and how challenging this can be if they are not concise, specific or accurate.
Our Year 7s have been doing some incredible work in their Specialist subjects; including photography, woodwork and foods. Some amazing and delicious cupcakes have been created that have delighted families - if they actually made it home!
In Religious Education, Year 7 students have been undertaking Prayer investigations and focusing on ‘A Just World’, Catholic Social Teachings, and the Dignity of the Human Person.
Year 8 Camp
Our Year 8 students have attended Feathertop Chalet in Harrietville this week. This camp provided the students with fantastic opportunities to deepen their current relationships with their peers and teachers, while allowing students to engage in activities outside of their day to day learning at school which enables students to test themselves in unfamiliar situations. Camps are a vital component of the learning experience and program which takes place at the college.
A moment to be proud...
I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the incredible Year 8 camp experience I've just returned from. It was such a great experience that showcased the remarkable dedication and passion of our staff and students.
The encouragement, collaboration, persistence, and joy that I witnessed during the camp was amazing. It was truly heart warming to see our students supporting and encouraging each other, working together as a team, and demonstrating a willingness to step out of their comfort zone. These qualities are what we aim to instil in all St Anne’s College students, and they were on full display throughout the camp. I believe that school camps play an important role in social, emotional, spiritual and academic development of our students; offering unique learning opportunities that go beyond the classroom.
I am extremely grateful to Ciaran, Bek, Keshia, Kasey, Stephen, Aidan and Abe. Each of these dedicated legends created a positive, supportive and fun experience for our Year 8s, and camp wouldn’t have been so successful without each of them.
I’m so proud to be a part of such an epic team!!
Mel Formica, Student Wellbeing
It truly was a joy to see students push themselves outside of their comfort zone and either try something for the first time or remaster a skill they haven't used for some time (such as riding a bike).
On the way home as we got closer, just pasted Dookie, I walked up and down the aisle asking the students what was their favourite experience on camp and they all had a range of answers. The winner was by far the Giant Swing, but high ropes, bike riding, kayaking, swimming, tennis and the campfire all made it in there.
Bek Ryan, Majella Pastoral Group Leader
Year 8 Mathematics
For Maths students played Battleships. Playing Battleships is an engaging activity that not only sparks excitement but also provides a fun way for students to develop their understanding of linear and non-linear relationships. As they call out coordinates to locate and sink their opponents' ships, students practice reading and interpreting the grid, reinforcing the concept of linear relationships. Additionally, the strategic thinking required to find hidden ships introduces the idea of non-linear relationships, helping students grasp the importance of variables and their influence on the game's outcome.
Scoring with respect…
With a visit to the college this week from Melbourne City FC, Year 7 students were thrilled to participate in respect and team building drills as well as a jovial, good-natured match as part of the club’s Respectful Relationships Program.
Aimed at empowering the students to have a go while strengthening their communication and team building skills, students practised breaking mid-drill and game to share strategies and to reflect upon the strength of respectful outlooks in contrast to harmful stereotyping and negativity in sport.
The session was a fun, safe space for students to think about the power of respect and respectful relationships both on and off the field while enjoying the sun alongside club athletes.
Recognised for leadership, team coaching and participation skills, several students were awarded club merchandise as a prize.
Year 7 - Foundation Buddies
Happiness ...is being with my buddies. What better way to finish-off a Friday afternoon at school than to catch up with a very special buddy! With plenty of laughter, chatter and one competitive session of Kahoot! Foundation children along with their big, Year 7 buddies had a rollicking good time together.
Contemplating the endless possibilities...
Reflection is a key component of inquiry-based learning. Our Year 9s have been meeting with random partners in their class to receive advice and feedback about their Endless Possibilities Project, which is an open inquiry that gives students the opportunity to show off their passions, learner assets, and other skills!
We have students developing cookbooks, analysing film and musical pieces, constructing gym and diet programs, organising basketball tournaments, comparing brands and products, and many, many more!!
An additional benefit of this exercise is providing students with an opportunity to talk to other students that they may not normally interact with, supporting a major goal of the wider Year 9 team which is to build the group up as a cohort!
Well done, Year 9s!
Important Pastoral Group Information
At St. Anne’s College, all students within the School of Innovation are allocated to a Pastoral Group. These groups are overseen by a Pastoral Group Leader and currently comprise students from their respective houses: Montessori, Charles, Cooper, and Majella houses.
Each morning, students commence their day within their Pastoral Groups. This time involves participation in morning prayer, a welcome to country, and updates about the day's news and events at the College. This period holds significance in allowing our students to establish strong connections with their peers and their Pastoral Leader. Consequently, our students are able to cultivate a strong sense of community at St. Anne’s College.
Our Pastoral Leaders also seize this opportunity to implement the three core principles of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM), which stem from our school-wide program conducted by the Resilience Project. These principles encourage our students to contemplate and recognize the positive facets of their day-to-day experiences both at the College and at home. This practice ensures that our students embark on each day well-prepared for successful learning and meaningful connections with others.
Given that this session only spans 10 minutes each morning, it is imperative that students are punctual and actively participate within their designated Pastoral Groups. If students miss this period or arrive late, they will forfeit this crucial initiation to the school day.
We extend our gratitude to all parents and caregivers for your sustained support in ensuring that this routine is upheld for the continued success of our students.
Important Uniform Information
A reminder that all School of Innovation students are required to wear their academic uniform items each day, except for sports days or other nominated days when their sports uniform items can be worn. Please ensure your student is in their full academic uniform. If this is not possible on a particular day, please send a note, including the date your student will be able to be in full school uniform.
A dress code, in particular a uniform, provides a visual connection to identify students as members of St Anne’s College community. The way a uniform is worn makes a statement about our college and it represents the fact that the student is a part of the community. The benefits of a school uniform include:
• Allows all students to feel equal
• Helps prevent bullying and competition on the basis of clothing
• Ensures students appearance reflects the expectations of St Anne’s College
• Enhances the profile and identity of the College and its students in the wider community
• Strengthens the spirit of community within St Anne’s College
• Enhances individual student safety and group security
• Ensured all students are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities
• Encourages students to develop pride in their appearance
• Prepares students for the expectations in workplaces
• Encourages students to present themselves appropriately for a particular role
Thank you for your support.
