Newman Selective Gifted Education Program

Newman Writing News -  ABC Education Writing Competition

We are very excited to celebrate Neve from Year 5 and Monique from Year 6 for their fantastic achievements in the Term 3 News In My Neighbourhood Competition run by ABC Education. Their outstanding entries were selected as runners-up, showcasing their creativity, curiosity and skill in capturing stories from their local community.

Their work has been published on the ABC Education website and certificates have been awarded to recognise their achievements. Congratulations Neve and Monique, you have made our community very proud!

Crochet by Neve F (Year 5)

Colourful yarn, pretty hooks and relaxation, crochet has it all! When I pick up my crochet hook it feels like I'm never going to stop. The best feeling in the whole world is when I finish a project that I have been working on for what feels like an eternity. Crochet is the perfect last minute gift, not to mention the reactions you get when you give a personal piece, even if it took 10 minutes, they are still so impressed! I recently made a crochet granny square cardigan with the cutest colours ever! Crochet is practical and rewarding!

Soccer by Monique K (Year 6)

Only five minutes left on the scoreboard. Within that rush, a vibrant atmosphere of electricity holds the air. I hear an echo of the roaring cheers in the crowd urging us on before our chance runs out of time. My passion is Soccer and here I am in Ballina trying to get selected for the NSW State Team. My idol Sam Kerr, a striker, offers me the perseverance to never give up and fight. I realise that 45 seconds remain. With all eagerness I push my foot back with power and BANG! I did it. I scored! Yes!

Drone Club: Path Planning and Execution

The students in the Drone Club have been working extremely hard with Mrs Chigioni,  focusing on a key aspect of drone operation: path planning and execution. This involves two main stages:

• Following Pre-set Paths: Initially, students practice flying drones along established, pre-programmed routes. This helps them understand basic flight commands, coordinate systems, and how the drone responds to automated instructions. It builds a foundation in precision and control.
• Creating and Achieving Custom Paths: The more advanced stage involves students designing their own drone paths. This could mean planning a route to fly around specific obstacles, complete a survey pattern, or navigate a precise sequence of waypoints. The objective is to program the drone, execute the flight and ensure the drone accurately achieves the set route planned -a hands-on lesson in coding, geometry and real-world application.

A crucial and excellent initiative in the Drone Club is the Mentorship Program being run by the Year 6 boys. They are taking the lead in teaching the younger Year 4 and 5 students.

This peer-to-peer teaching model serves a dual purpose:

1. Knowledge Transfer: The Year 6 students are ensuring a smooth handover for 2026 by passing on the technical skills, safety protocols, and path-planning knowledge they've acquired. This secures the club's continuity.

2. Leadership Skills: For the Year 6 boys, it's an opportunity to develop leadership, communication and teaching skills. Explaining complex concepts simply solidifies their own understanding while building confidence in the younger students.

    

Minecraft Competition 

Building the Dreamtime: Years 4-6 Bring Aboriginal Stories to Life in Minecraft!

Our Year 4, 5, and 6 students have launched into a project called "Australia’s Dreaming," where they are merging ancient narratives with modern technology.

Students aren't just playing Minecraft; they are using Minecraft: Education Edition as a powerful design platform to respectfully explore and interpret foundational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dreaming stories.

This initiative is a fantastic blend of history, digital literacy and cultural study.

The Project in Action

Working in small teams, the students have a clear three-part mission:

1. Choose and Plan the Story: Teams first select one well-known Dreaming story. They must simplify the narrative into core elements: The Main Action, The Setting, The Characters, and The Lesson it teaches. This phase is all about deep comprehension and basic scripting.
2. Build the Narrative Scene: They then translate their chosen story into a single, immersive scene in Minecraft. They are challenged to accurately Create the Setting (rivers, mountains, etc.) and Build the Characters (Ancestral Beings or animals) using only the in-game blocks. The finished scene acts as a visual storyboard.

3. Present and Retell the Story: The project culminates in a presentation where students use their Minecraft build to guide their audience. They walk through the digital world, narrating the Dreaming story and providing a clear explanation of the lesson and The Build choices they made.

    

This project goes far beyond gaming, promoting cultural engagement, critical thinking and essential digital design skills. We look forward to seeing the creativity and respect the students showcase in their final presentations!

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Chigioni for her exceptional coordination, expertise and dedication in leading these innovative Newman programs. Her passion for technology and enrichment continues to inspire both our students and staff

Miss Natalie Burland

Newman Leader of Learning