Junior School
Year 5 STEM Day
Earlier this week on Monday, all Year 5 students took part in our inaugural STEM Day Junior School event at the College in recognition of National Science Week. Throughout the day, students explored the impact of earthquakes on physical structures in society and how many buildings nowadays are purposefully constructed to withstand their effects.
The boys then worked with their peers in small groups on creating their own two-storey building capable of surviving an ‘earthquake’. Each student had a different role to play as part of the challenge, all of which required the boys to collaborate effectively with one another, not to mention think creatively when roadblocks were encountered. The building structure that students created was required to meet certain design elements based on a small number of materials provided. The constructions were also tested by being required to hold a 250-gram weight, in addition to needing to survive ten seconds of a simulated earthquake experience!
For many of the Year 5 boys, this was their first foray into an authentic design and make challenge which drew upon key STEM principles, and it was most pleasing to see the way in which students eagerly embraced the task they were presented with. Although many of the final designs that the different student groups created were certainly a sight to behold, only a small selection of buildings ultimately made it through to the final showcase in the afternoon session when all Year 5 boys gathered once more to review the challenge.
To conclude the day, Mr Hannaford (Senior School Science teacher) also dazzled the boys with a range of fun science experiments linked to different fields within his subject area of expertise. Who knew that ice cream could be made in a few simple steps with some liquid nitrogen?! I’d also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Mr Hannaford for the huge amount of time he spent in preparing and facilitating this unique STEM Day College event experience for the boys. I know I speak for all involved when I say that we look forward to hopefully being able to provide future year groups with the same opportunity to engage in such a worthwhile day of learning!
The Importance of Humility
I am regularly amazed by the talent we have within our ranks in the Junior School at St Patrick’s College. Whether it be in the classroom as the boys complete a challenging learning experience, playing out on the sporting field as part of an undefeated team, or singing a perfectly pitched melody as a member of the choir, our students demonstrate great skill across so many different disciplines. Their overall effort and their enthusiasm to grow and improve have such an enormous impact on the culture of our classrooms, on their performance on the sports field and in the creative and performing arts. However, greater than their talent and skill is their ability to achieve with humility.
Humility should not be confused with meekness or weakness. Instead, it is about acknowledging and respecting others at a deeper level (being empathetic) and accurately understanding and owning personal limitations. It’s a trait I see in so many of our talented academics, sportsmen and musicians, and one that brings me even greater joy than the achievement itself that may be reached because it demonstrates their personal character. Teaching and coaching students with a strong sense of humility is so rewarding as it means that they are open to feedback, which in turn helps them to grow even further.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of watching our Junior School boys represent the College in a variety of ways. Most recently, our Year 6 student ambassadors embodied the essence of what it means to be a St Patrick’s College boy as they courageously led nearly 800 prospective parents around our school on tours of the campus, showcasing their strong understanding of the many features that sets the College apart from its competitors.
Working together effectively in collaboration with others to achieve a common goal really is the perfect model of humility. It involves recognising the role that a peer has to play and trusting them to do their part. In sporting terms, it’s not always the person who scores the goal that deserves the credit, but the one who sets it up. It’s both winning and losing with grace. It’s listening and showing gratitude to all parties involved. It’s cheering on others by celebrating in their success and providing comfort to a friend when things don’t always go to plan.
Ultimately, humility inspires a sense of belonging. It encompasses self-confidence and an understanding of personal strengths, but it is also relational because it considers the strengths of others too.
Author and researcher, Anna Schaffner, suggests several techniques to help children foster a greater sense of humility in their lives:
- praise effort over results
- expose students to other ways of seeing the world through books, film and art
- tell children when and what you may learn from them
- partake in gratitude exercises.
I’d like to encourage all Junior School students to continuing displaying this important character trait in their daily interactions with others and also thank our parent body for doing their part to nurture a sense of humility within the boys. It certainly contributes to making them teachable young gentlemen and modelling the behaviour we hope to see from all boys as we steadily prepare them for the next stage of their educational journey in the Senior School.
If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.
May God bless you,
Glenn Stephenson
Director of Junior School
Bookmark Competition/ Marc McBride visit
Last Tuesday, 15 August, our Bookmark Competition winners were announced - Zachary Nissirios, Ryan Wong, Nicholas Quaratiello and Sebastian Di Martino. All four had the opportunity to talk with visiting illustrator Marc McBride, who was very impressed by their work. The students in the Junior School will receive one of the winning Bookmarks this week.
The Junior School was fortunate to watch acclaimed illustrator Marc McBride draw dragons. He also spoke about following your passion and that you can produce some of your best work when you make mistakes!
The students were very inspired by Marc. The following are some of their responses to his visit:
“Marc McBride was so amazing and engaging, when he started spray-painting the dragon, he took my breath away. I love his technique of painting. I learnt so much when he came, and I thought it was so cool. I would recommend this to everyone. I really enjoyed the experience.”
Charlie Ackland
“The world is a pattern, it is all around you even when you don’t notice.” Oliver McDonald
“I enjoyed how he engaged with Year 5 while drawing pictures, which has encouraged me to get back into drawing again.”
Julian Maguire
“Marc McBride is a funny illustrator who is inclusive to everyone. He had a wonderful showcase of his magnificent art. I hope that he visits SPC again.”
Marcus Donovan
“Shockingly amazing work, keep it up! You inspire me!”
Ryan Forrest
Helen Gibson
Westcourt Library Teacher | Librarian