Learning Community Updates
YEAR 6 DEBATING TEAM
Our Year 6 Debating Team has officially opened their season with a victory against Bellbrae Primary School.
Debating on the topic "Petrol cars should be banned by 2030," our team took the affirmative side and presented a compelling case in support of the proposition. With confidence, composure and some very persuasive reasoning, Georgia, Tash and Scarlett impressed both the audience and adjudicators alike. Their ability to think on their feet, respond to opposing arguments and present well-supported points earned them a well-deserved win.
A special mention also goes to Aliyyah, who fulfilled the important roles of Chairperson and Timekeeper, helping to ensure the debate ran smoothly and professionally.
Congratulations to all team members on a fantastic first debate. We look forward to seeing where their speaking skills, teamwork and determination take them next. One thing is certain—if you're planning an argument with one of these students, make sure you've done your research first!
The team's next debate will take place in the final week of term against Roslyn Primary School, so stay tuned for another exciting update. We wish them the very best of luck as they prepare for their next challenge!
YEAR 3
This term, the students in Year 3 have been studying the book Finding Our Heart, by Thomas Mayo, a Torres Strait Islander man who was born on Larrakia land in Darwin. Following the Uluru Convention in 2017, Thomas was entrusted to carry the sacred canvas of the Uluru Statement from the Heart across Australia. Finding Our Heart, explains the Uluru Statement to children in an honest and authentic way, using engaging language and beautiful illustrations by Blak Douglas, to support an understanding of Australia’s past, so we can have a shared future.
We also read ‘Fair Skin, Black Fella’ by Renee Fogorty and asked the students to ‘track their thoughts and wonderings’ as it was read to them.
Here are just a few examples of the tasks the students engaged in.
Our thoughts and wonderings on Fair Skin Black Fella, by Renee Fogorty
Kids Can Be Change Makers - Posters Inspired by Finding Our Heart, by Thomas Mayo
Letters to the ACS Community
YEAR 1
As part of General Studies this term, the Year 1 Learning Community has been learning all about sustainability, with a focus on the three Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
This learning culminated in our Eco Extraordinaires excursion in Week 9, where students learnt about how different materials can be reused and repurposed. They also had the opportunity to create their own upcycled creations!
Year 2's Wild Adventure at Werribee Open Range Zoo!
Our Year 2 students enjoyed an unforgettable day at Werribee Open Range Zoo as part of their General Knowledge learning.
One of the biggest highlights was the safari bus tour, where everyone got up close to some amazing animals. The students were thrilled when a curious giraffe stopped right in front of the bus and even gave the windscreen a big lick! It was a moment that had everyone laughing and will be remembered for a long time.
Throughout the day, students were lucky enough to witness many incredible animal behaviours. One group had the exciting opportunity to watch a playful lion cub jump on its dad and chase his tail, much to everyone's delight!
During the education workshop, students became habitat helpers by working together to build different habitats for the wallabies. They explored what animals need to survive and learned how different environments support living things.
Another exciting moment came when the elephants walked across the bridge above the students. Watching these magnificent animals stroll overhead was an incredible experience and a definite favourite of the day.
The excursion was filled with exciting animal encounters, hands-on learning and plenty of smiles. A wonderful day was had by all who attended, and we would like to thank our staff for making the day such a success.
Year 5 Earth Sciences: A Term of Natural Disasters, Creativity and Explosive Learning!
This term, our Year 5 students have been on an exciting journey through the world of Earth Sciences. From powerful earthquakes and towering tsunamis to raging bushfires, floods, weathering and erosion, students explored the many ways our planet's surface can change over time.
Students also brought their learning to life using Minecraft Education, where they designed and built their own volcanoes and flood events. These creative challenges allowed students to think like scientists and engineers as they applied their understanding of natural disasters in a fun and interactive digital environment.
The highlight of the unit was undoubtedly our volcano experiment! Armed with scientific knowledge, students created their own model volcanoes and watched them erupt before their eyes. There was plenty of excitement as bubbling lava flowed down the sides of the volcanoes, helping students see firsthand how volcanic eruptions can reshape the Earth's surface.
These memorable learning experiences were made possible thanks to the generous support of Woolworths Warralily and Woolworths Waurn Ponds. Their donations provided the materials needed for every student to take part in this hands-on scientific investigation.
Year 5 students embraced every opportunity to explore, create, investigate and discover throughout the unit. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Woolworths Warralily and Woolworths Waurn Ponds for helping make this engaging learning experience possible.
Secondary Update – Year 9
This semester, our Years 7–9 students have been busy settling into the school year, establishing routines, and engaging in a range of meaningful learning experiences.
The Year 9 team are once again delivering an engaging and impactful Change Maker program. As part of their Health unit, students explored topics including mental health, physical health, and nutrition. They then put their learning into action by preparing delicious salad rolls and soup for staff and students, raising funds for new sports equipment.
Throughout the semester, students have continued to build important life skills, demonstrating resilience, persistence, teamwork, independence, and self-regulation across a variety of learning experiences. They also developed valuable public transport skills while attending excursions to BFT, SHAKE Counselling, and Ocean Mind, where they were able to connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences.
Students embraced each opportunity with enthusiasm, actively participating in discussions, activities, and new challenges. Most importantly, they had plenty of fun along the way while developing the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to support their wellbeing and growing independence.
Year 7–8 Update
Our Year 7–8 students have been busy participating in a range of elective programs as they prepare for the end-of-year Holiday Stall. These electives provide students with opportunities to develop new skills, discover hidden talents, and explore areas of interest while building their confidence and independence. Throughout the semester, students have enjoyed participating in Photography, Physical Education, and Textiles, with Craft being introduced in Semester Two. The elective program has encouraged students to try new experiences, develop practical skills, and identify activities they enjoy and may wish to pursue further.
We were also fortunate to welcome a group of Iona students who visited over four weeks to develop their leadership skills while working alongside our students in Art and Physical Education. This partnership culminated in a fantastic football skills clinic and Sports Colours Day, which was enjoyed by all involved. Opportunities such as these help to build meaningful connections within our wider community, promote inclusion, and provide students with valuable social and learning experiences. It has been wonderful to see students engaging with new people, developing their skills, and having fun along the way.
