A Spotlight on Learning
A Spotlight on Learning in the SLC on Springvale Campus
What a term it has been for the students of the Senior Learning Centre! They have taken part in a range of exciting special events and real-life learning opportunities, while continuing to excel across all areas of the curriculum. Highlights this term have included our camp, the excursion to the Penguin Parade, inter-school sports, and Reconciliation Week. And we can't forget to mention our science investigations! These experiences have supported key areas of the curriculum while providing students with engaging, memorable, hands-on learning opportunities.
In Reading, the SLC students have shown their natural curiosity by asking questions before, during, and after reading. They have been exploring Indigenous culture through a focus on Indigenous narratives and Dreamtime stories and were particularly captivated by the short stories in Strangers on Country.
Students have inquired to clarify their understanding and expand their vocabulary, delving deeper by posing broader, more global questions and using a range of strategies to find answers. They have also been justifying their thinking by referring directly to lines from the text or drawing on their prior knowledge.
This learning has carried through into Writing sessions, where students have been developing their ability to construct clear, extended sentences to express and explain their ideas. As part of this work, students created thoughtful postcards addressed to our Principals, sharing what they learnt during Reconciliation Week and National Sorry Day. These postcards reflected a deepening understanding of Indigenous culture, the significance of the Stolen Generations, and the importance of acknowledging Australia's history.
The students also included personal reflections about how we can work towards a more inclusive and respectful future. Many offered practical ideas such as learning more about First Nations peoples' stories and promoting kindness and fairness for all Australians.
In Projects, students have embraced the role of 'scientists' by actively engaging in the science inquiry cycle. Drawing on their prior knowledge, they formed hypotheses (predictions) about changes in state and then put their ideas to the test through a lively experiment—dropping Mentos into a variety of liquids to observe the reactions. The results were both surprising and exciting! Students recorded their observations using a scientific template and reflected on the accuracy of their initial hypotheses, deepening their understanding of scientific thinking and processes. Throughout the project, students thoroughly enjoyed working collaboratively with their peers. These opportunities not only developed their scientific skills but also reinforced our school value of collaboration in a meaningful and engaging way.
In Mathematics, the SLC students have dedicated a significant portion of this term to building their conceptual understanding of fractions and decimal fractions. They've been connecting fractions to their decimal and percentage equivalence and applying this knowledge to describe probabilities, assigning numerical values to the likelihood of events occurring. The students have also been learning to rename decimal fractions in various ways and using a number expander as a self-monitoring tool. Consequently, this has prepared the students for success as they delve into their next teaching and learning cycle on Additive Thinking.
A highlight this term has been Interschool Sports, where students have proudly represented our school in football, netball, soccer, and sofcrosse. They have showed fantastic teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship in every game. The SLC students have supported one another, stayed positive, and given their best effort—win or lose. It's wonderful to see them growing in confidence, building friendships, and demonstrating our school values through sport. Their enthusiasm and team spirit make us incredibly proud!
So, as you can see, the students in the Senior Learning Centre have once again excelled in all areas of their learning! They have demonstrated excellence by approaching all learning tasks with consistent effort and perseverance and have utilised success criteria to reflect and set personal goals.
It has been a phenomenal Term 2 for the students in the SLC!
Mrs Sophie Christofakakis
Learning Centre Leader
(Springvale Campus)