Student Learning
What's been Happening in Technologies
Learning with Purpose: Technology and Digital Safety Across the School
So far this year, our students have been joyfully engaging with technology in meaningful and responsible ways. As part of our commitment to fostering safe and thoughtful digital citizens, all year levels have explored the importance of digital safety and using technology wisely. From learning how to protect personal information to understanding how to be respectful online, our students are developing lifelong skills grounded in wisdom and integrity.
Our Year 3/4 students have been diving into the fascinating world of computer science and biological classification. Using digital tools, they have created classification tables and decision trees to sort and understand various animals - a wonderful blend of scientific inquiry and technological application.
Across the school, students are discovering how technology works behind the scenes. With the help of Edison robots, they are beginning to understand the basics of algorithms - the step-by-step instructions that guide how technology behaves. This hands-on learning experience builds strong foundations in logical thinking and problem-solving.
Our Year 5/6 students are extending their coding knowledge even further by incorporating repeat blocks and if/else statements into their programs. These essential programming structures are helping them write more advanced, efficient, and responsive code.
Meanwhile, our curious Year 1/2 students are exploring Design and Technologies, focusing on recycling, sustainability, and the impact of human activity on different environments. Through storytelling, creative design, and hands-on activities, they are learning that small actions can make a big difference. It is heartening to see their growing awareness of God’s call to care for His creation.
In Foundation the students are exploring Design and Technologies and how we build communities. What communities we belong to and what is needed in a community. We are looking at all the services and jobs required to make a thriving space to live.
We are so pleased with how our students are engaging with technology - not just as users, but as thoughtful, creative, and responsible learners. Thank you for partnering with us as we continue to guide them in using their God-given gifts to serve others, care for creation, and grow in knowledge - both now and into the future.
Libby Spencer & Lisa Newbury
Technologies Teachers
What's been Happening in Indonesian
Since 2023, Pilgrim School has had a partnership with SD Kowang (Kowang Primary School) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, through the BRIDGE program run by Asialink Education. In November 2023, two teachers from SD Kowang visited Pilgrim and during the April school holidays I was very excited to be given the opportunity to make a reciprocal visit to Indonesia on behalf of Pilgrim.
I received a very special welcome to SD Kowang, which I shared with students in their Indonesian lessons. While visiting SD Kowang, I participated in celebrations of Kartini Day, which celebrates a woman who fought for the right of girls to be educated in Indonesia. I presented to the Year 5 teachers of the district about education in Australia, and especially at Pilgrim School, discussed education with the Principal of SD Kowang, observed literacy and PE lessons and taught students about Australia, including introducing them to one of our favourite classroom games, Heads Down, Thumbs Up. In addition, I participated in their ecoprinting day, an activity which we will be doing as part of our Wellbeing Day next week. On my final day I was presented with a special plaque commemorating our partnership and some artworks which our Year 5 and 6 students will have the opportunity to paint during our Wellbeing Day.
Before I left, Pilgrim students were given the opportunity to write letters to students at Kowang, which was a wonderful opportunity for our students to use their Indonesian in a real life context. While in Indonesia, I was able to deliver these letters to some very excited students at SD Kowang, who then wrote back to our students, and again I had the joy of delivering letters to our students in their first lessons of Term 2. It is so special to see the excitement for students at both schools receiving letters from children from another country, and I look forward to these links between our two schools continuing to grow and flourish.
Kate Tretheway
Indonesian Teacher
Exploring Life at Sea – Year 5/6 Excursion to the Maritime Museum
The Year 5/6 classes recently visited the Maritime Museum at Port Adelaide as part of our iUnit on migration to Australia. This excursion gave students a powerful insight into what life was like for migrants making the long journey from England by ship in the 1800s.
During our visit, students explored exhibits individually and took part in an engaging "Life Onboard" talk. As they sat on hard wooden benches or lay on narrow bunks they listened to vivid accounts of life at sea - stories of cramped living quarters, poor food and limited water supplies, the potentially unskilled ship’s doctor, and the day-to-day realities of life at sea for months on end. Descriptions of the creaking of the timber hull, the cries of babies and animals, the discomfort, and even the smell – all sparked vivid descriptions from students such as “rats sharing their food” and “the scream of the ship doctor’s patient.”
We also stepped inside the cabins of two different ships. The first was a steam-powered vessel where space was incredibly limited – families were packed together or separated by gender, even among strangers. The second was a more modern, diesel-powered ship with greater comfort and privacy, though students agreed the mattresses still left much to be desired!
After our museum experience, we headed to the Princess Elizabeth Playground in the city for some well-earned playtime and exploration.
Back at school, students have been using what they learned, to write letters ‘back home’ from the perspective of a migrant. This writing activity allowed them to combine their firsthand experiences at the museum with their research, helping them better understand and empathise with the challenges faced by early migrants to Australia.
Libby Spencer, Kate Tretheway & Abbey McKennall
Year 5/6 Class Teachers
Year 3/4 Excursion
Last term the Year 3/4 classes combined for an Excursion to Belair National Park. We spent the day in the park to celebrate the end of our iUnit on Healthy Lifestyles. We took part in a range of healthy activities outdoors including a bushwalk, devotions and adventure play. We were blessed with wonderful weather and some friendly kookaburras, kangaroos and koalas.
Dana Baker, Andrew Harris & Jordan Wheatcroft
Year 3/4 Class Teachers
Oliphant Science Awards
Please note that Registration Forms were due by Thursday 15th May. There has been an amazing response this year from individuals and groups across year levels and categories, which is very exciting!
Projects are not due to the Science Room until Friday 6th June (Programming, Apps and Robotics only) and Monday 21st July for all other categories.
Please email me or see me, or remind your child to come, at the end of the day in the Year 3/4H classroom if you need any help or clarifcation about any aspect of your project.
Andrew Harris
Science Teacher
Premier’s Reading Challenge Indonesian Competition
Students are again invited to participate in this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge Indonesian Competition. This involves reading a book that is either in Indonesian or about Indonesia (eg a traditional story from Indonesia or a non-fiction book about something to do with Indonesia), and then writing a review about it on a provided template. Students have been given the opportunity in their Indonesian lessons this week to borrow books from the Indonesian classroom collection, but can use any book that is connected with Indonesia. Students need to return the completed templates to me by Monday of Week 8 (Monday 16th June). All participants will receive a certificate.
Please contact me if you have any questions about this competition.
Kate Tretheway
Indonesian Teacher