Principal's Report
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, learn and play. We pay respect to Wurundjeri elders past, present and emerging and extend our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and families of Bimbadeen Heights Primary School.
Tournament of Minds is a problem-solving program for teams of students from both primary and secondary years. They are required to solve demanding, open-ended challenges.
Teams are required to work together on a Long-Term Challenge for six weeks without assistance from teachers, parents, or peers. They are encouraged to explore possibilities and experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution. They develop a creative and original way to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex challenge criteria and the deadline of Tournament Day.
The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Tournament Day. This challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think creatively and well-developed group cooperation skills.
This year, the Regional Finals for the Metro Central Region were held on Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th August at Deakin University, Burwood.
Bimbadeen Heights had two teams competing in the Social Sciences challenge, developing a solution to a time-convergence that combined two notable events from the past – including an artefact from each event - and explain how the convergence would impact life in the 21st century.
Both teams performed exceptionally well, demonstrating sensational teamwork, resilience and group thinking processes. They all embodied the Bimbadeen values and encouraged each other. It was lovely to see the lecture theatre filled with family and friends who came to support the teams present their long-term solutions.
I am very excited to announce that Team 1 won first place in the Primary Social Sciences section and have progressed to the Victorian State Finals, to be held at La Trobe - Bundoora on Sunday, September 10th. Team 2 was also recognised for their outstanding solution to the spontaneous challenge.
A special thank you to Alec Baroni, our Student Enrichment Coordinator, for supporting both Bimbadeen teams in their preparation for the tournament and at the competition on the day.
Well done to both teams, all students should be extremely proud of their achievements!
Once again, this year’s annual Book Week parade was a highlight for all Bimbadeen students, staff, and families. Our parade, held in the gym on Monday was an incredible sight, with hundreds of different characters represented. Thank you to all members of our community for making such an effort to celebrate children’s Book Week, and for getting into the community spirit and either joining in or attending our parade.
Check out the photos of some of our teachers in our fabulous Book Week Parade! Student photos next page.
We hope you all enjoy a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another fantastic week of learning at Bimbadeen, next week!
Adele Gregson and Sabrina George
