5-6 Class

Chemical Science 🧪

We wrapped up our Chemical Science unit, an engaging and mysterious investigation in which students had to solve The Case of the Golden Beaker using scientific processes and evidence. Across the unit, students explored particles and how their arrangement and movement differ in solids, liquids and gases, states of matter, density, mixtures and solutions, solubility, and techniques for separating mixtures including magnetism, filtration and evaporation. We also investigated reversible and irreversible changes, including melting, freezing, dissolving, burning and rusting. Along the way, students conducted fair tests, made predictions, collected and compared data, considered the reliability of evidence and gradually pieced together clues from our crime scene. The unit culminated in students drawing together the scientific evidence to determine what happened to the missing Golden Beaker and who the evidence pointed towards. It was a terrific way to develop scientific knowledge while also learning to think, question and reason like scientists.

Bush Play

The last two weeks of Bush Play have been lots of fun! A fortnight ago, we held our very own Bush Olympics, with students designing creative Olympic events before putting them to the test and competing against one another. The following week, we continued the theme by designing outdoor games with their own rules and point-scoring systems, before heading outside to play them. There was plenty of competitive spirit, some extraordinary creativity and, best of all, lots of wonderful fresh air!

Respectful Relationships 💬

One of our final Respectful Relationships sessions was affectionately described by the students as “therapy”! Students anonymously submitted realistic problems that young people might face, involving friendships, peer pressure, teasing, rumours, conflict and being left out. Our Problem-Solving Panel then considered each dilemma from different perspectives, taking on the roles of a grandparent, coach, psychologist or doctor and offering advice. As a class, we evaluated the different responses, considered whether some advice might actually make a situation worse, and discussed what we would ultimately recommend. It was a thoughtful and surprisingly lively session that developed perspective-taking, empathy, problem-solving and critical thinking