EARLY YEARS VISUAL ART NEWS

As first term comes to an end, Ms Kat and Miss M want to say a huge thank you to all students for their creativity and enthusiasm for Visual Art so far this year. Also, a big thank you to staff and families who regularly donate newspapers. We use this to protect our tables during painting sessions which has been working really well. Students have embraced this idea and can change the newspaper between classes at record speed now.

Grade 1B and 1D have been very busy this term. They have explored the art style of Minecraft, exploring symmetry and colour. They have also been learning about the life and work of artist Frida Kahlo. Students explored colour and enhanced their cutting, folding, gluing and design skills by creating Frida-inspired portraits complete with birds, butterflies, flowers and jewellery. They made brightly coloured tissue-paper flowers.

Prep B, D and E have been investigating what makes us individually unique through the ‘Colours of Us’ unit. Prep students have been delving into the art of creating self-portraits. Students have drawn and painted themselves, paying particular attention to their eye, hair and skin colours. These wonderful artworks will be put up for display during next term.

Students drawing themselves for " Colours of Us" unit

Grade 1's exploring the the work of artist Frida Kahlo

Learning in 2B

has been on a dazzling adventure, exploring the wonders of light and color! Their recent science unit focused on how light interacts with objects, and they made a truly captivating discovery using everyone's favorite – bubbles!

Students learned that white light, like sunlight, is actually made up of many different colors. When light hits soap bubble's thin film, some of the light bounces back (reflects) while some passes through. This interaction creates a dazzling display of colours, similar to a real rainbow! which shows a perfect example of how science can be both fascinating and fun. By combining hands-on experiments with clear explanations, students gained a deeper understanding of a scientific concept while creating lasting memories.

Year 3 persuasive writing presentation

On Monday, March 25th, these young advocates gathered in the auditorium met Mr. Pagano for a special presentation. Their mission was to convince everyone that the school needs a brand new 3/4 playground! Armed with persuasive writing skills, the students didn't just make wishes – they built a case. Their arguments were filled with details about the benefits of a new playground. They shared evidence of how a new playground would encourage more playtime and improve physical activity among their peers.

Grade 3:

Students have been exploring Australia and they have learned about the different states and territories, including natural and man-made landmarks. They have also learned about the different fauna (animals) and flora (plants). This incursion was an immersive experience where students get hands-on with native Australian animals. The professionals from Snake Safe Victoria brought in an array of animals ranging from dingoes to lizards, to snakes and native birds. An hour session helped students to make connections between the various Australian environments and the animals that live there.

Year 4 Incursion States of Matter

In this engaging 90-minute incursion, students had fun time investigating solids, liquids and gases. Students explored how both heat and chemicals can create changes between these states from exploring the melting point of various materials, to creating a lava lamp, this incursion was packed full of fun activities that extended their knowledge of the states of matter. Passionate science educators carefully guided students through each activity, prompting students to predict, observe and reflect on each activity they participated in.

Early Years - Performing Arts

The Year 1's and 2's have been rehearsing and preparing for the performance of the script “The Brementown Rappers” in our Drama unit this term. Here are some images of the final performance from Year 2B.

Year 9 and 10 Food Technology

Year 9 Food Technology have been learning about the different methods of cooking and putting their skills to use. So far they have looked at baking, frying, boiling, steaming and poaching. Year 10's have explored the wonderful world of nutrition, the importance of healthy eating and the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. They completed a learning task where they had to turn their favourite takeaway into a healthy "fakeaway". Mmmmm delicious!

Yr 10 Hospitality

The Year 10 class demonstrated their commitment to safety and hygiene. "Following proper food handling procedures was paramount, Ms Daniele continued. The students understood the importance of maintaining a clean workspace and safe food practices throughout the preparation process." The final product? A towering club sandwich, boasting layers of perfectly seasoned meats, crisp vegetables, and creamy sauces, all nestled between slices of toasted bread. The positive feedback was overwhelming.

Year 11 Food Studies

Unit 1, Outcome 1 (Food around the world) is coming to an end for the Year 11 Food Studies cohort. Students explored the use of ingredients available today that were used in earlier cultures. One example of this is the tomato and chickpea curry dish that students cooked. The perfect vegetarian dish suited for these colder days coming up!

Year 11 Food Studies cooked up a storm today with their chicken quesadillas and Mexican rice!! Delicious!

VCE Art Making and Exhibiting

On Wednesday March 20th, the four VCE Art Making and Exhibiting classes along with four art teachers attended the National Gallery of Victoria Triennial exhibition as part of their learning about how exhibitions are curated, designed and cared for in preparation for upcoming assessments. It was a big day with lots of art and three educators from the NGV guiding our students who made the most of the opportunity, contributing to discussions, recording their research and overall, enjoying the experience of learning outside of our usual classroom setting.

VM Excursion to the Careers Expo

VM students had the chance to explore their futures at the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo, a one-stop shop for anyone seeking new skills, training, or a fresh career direction. The Expo was a hive of activity, with over 130 training organizations and employers on hand to answer questions and showcase opportunities. Students could chat directly with representatives, gaining valuable insights into specific courses, apprenticeships, and potential job openings. Expo offered much more than just connections. Students could tap into a wealth of free career guidance, with experts sharing their knowledge on crafting winning resumes and acing job interviews. Interactive seminars explored the exciting world of "Jobs of the Future," equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in emerging industries. For those interested in specific training pathways, leading organizations were available to discuss apprenticeships and programs tailored to their aspirations. Overall, the Victorian Careers & Employment Expo offered VM students an invaluable opportunity to explore their options, gain practical skills, and connect with industry experts – all for free. It was a chance for them to take a proactive step towards shaping their futures and confidently navigating the exciting world of work.

ACED 7C & 8C: Reach for the Stars Program

The incursion on Wednesday, May 19th, was an exhilarating journey into the realm of rocketry. As we embarked on the challenge of crafting and launching our own rocket ships, our goal was clear: to soar to unprecedented heights with precision and efficiency. Each participant was tasked with engineering a rocket capable of surpassing all others in both distance and durability.

Initially, our attempts were met with mixed results. Some of us mistakenly believed that maximizing air pressure alone would propel our rockets to victory. However, through trial and error, we quickly realized that an optimal balance between water and air pressure was the key to unlocking our rockets' full potential.

With each successive launch, we honed our skills and refined our ratios. We discovered that achieving the perfect equilibrium between water and air pressure was essential for maximizing distance and longevity in flight. As our understanding deepened, so too did our rocket's performance.

The collaborative spirit among classmates fuelled our progress, fostering an environment of shared learning and experimentation. Together, we embraced the challenges presented by the incursion, emerging not only with improved rocket designs but also with newfound knowledge and skills in the field of aerodynamics.

In the end, the excitement and sense of achievement were palpable as we witnessed our rockets soar through the air, surpassing previous records and defying expectations. For both 8C and 7C, the incursion was not just a lesson in rocketry, but an unforgettable adventure filled with discovery and teamwork with our individual groups.

2024 Student Leadership Camp

The Student Leadership Camp occurred on the 25th – 26th of March and carried the purpose to build the leadership capacity of students from grade 4 through to 12 who are members of the 2024 Student Leadership team. The aim of this camp was to build relationships and collaboration skills between students from grade 4 to 12, through various team building activities and programs

On Friday 22nd March, Year 12 Business Management

Students attended an Incursion. The Presentation and Q&A session was held by the leader of a trade union that represents employees in Victoria in areas of:

Performance management
Award understanding
Agreement negotiations
Dispute resolution (including at the Fair Work Commission)
Redundancy, resignation, and termination of employment

Students found that the presentation was very informative and supported their Unit 3 Outcome 2 studies in an engaging way outside of the classroom

Mount Ridley P-12 College

Preparing today's students for tomorrow's opportunities

Issue 3 · 28 Mar 2024

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