Learning Community Updates

Year 1

This term in General Studies we’ve been learning all about the planets in our solar system and how the Moon, Earth and Sun work together to make night and day. Our main focus has been remembering the order of the planets from the Sun. To help us, we’ve been using this fun mnemonic:

My Vicious Elephant Makes Jumbo Sandwiches Using Nutella

(Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)

The students have really enjoyed learning about space and sharing interesting facts about each planet!

Year 4

Year 4 Learning Community

In General Studies this term, year 4 students are studying ‘Our Changing Planet’. Students have learnt about the cycle of rocks and water and how they change over time. 

“We loved working together to make a poster about water cycles.” Emily & Noami

“We learnt that there are many types of rocks and that rocks can change over time.” Kian & Ruby

The year 4 students have explored the differences in climate and weather. 

“I learnt that most countries don’t experience all 4 seasons.” Maggie

“I learnt that climate takes years to change, and weather can change within seconds.” Aalambir

Year 9

Year 10-12

 Our Senior Secondary students have been busy out and about in the community! Over the past few weeks, they’ve been finishing up their work experience placements and enjoying hands-on learning connected to the VPC curriculum. A highlight was our visit to the Geelong Show, a fun (and very dusty!) day exploring local industry, agriculture, and community events in action.

We are now turning our attention to preparations for our upcoming Year 12 Graduation, an exciting celebration of our students’ achievements and their journey through Senior Secondary.

Stem

In STEM last term we were looking at Simple Machines and how they allow us to change the size and/or the direction of forces. In year 10, we took that learning about forces and machines and applied it to building Rube Goldberg machines. 

Rube Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor. He is most famous for drawing cartoons of gadgets performing simple tasks in funny, complicated ways. The cartoons led to the expression "Rube Goldberg machines" to describe similar gadgets. Think of the game Mouse Trap, but in real life!

We planned, tested and built our own machines. Then, we created one final masterpiece; our room-sized, patented Light-Turning-Off Machine. The machine used a basketball, a tennis ball, ramps, empty iPad boxes for dominoes, a skateboard, a pulley and some extra large cardboard tubes to easily turn the lights off. Check out the results of our hard work here.

PE

Geelong United Basketball Clinic – Venom Girls Inspire Our Pathway Athletes

Last week, our year 6 Sports Academy students were lucky to take part in a special basketball clinic delivered by Geelong United Basketball. We were thrilled to welcome players from the Geelong United Venom women’s team, who shared their skills, energy, and passion for the game with our students.

This clinic is part of our Sports Academy Pathway Program, designed to connect students with elite-level athletes and provide authentic opportunities to learn from the best. The Venom players ran skill sessions, encouraged teamwork, and gave valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the next level.

It was an inspiring experience for all involved, and we thank Geelong United Basketball and the Venom girls for supporting our students and helping to build strong sporting pathways for the future.