Trails of Discovery
🏀 Top of Your Game Basketball
This term, our Top of Your Game Basketball students had the incredible opportunity to meet Peter Ogunyemi, a Paralympian who lost the use of his legs after contracting polio as a child in Nigeria.
Through the WheelTalk program, Peter shared his inspiring story, the challenges he has overcome and some powerful messages about resilience, inclusion, diversity and empathy. Students were encouraged to appreciate the opportunities they have, make the most of every experience and never give up on themselves or their dreams. Peter reminded students that sometimes the biggest thing holding us back is ourselves.
Students then had the chance to experience wheelchair basketball first-hand. It was fantastic to see them adapt their basketball skills to a completely different environment as they learned to manoeuvre their wheelchairs, evade opponents, create space and position themselves effectively on the court. The competitive games were a real highlight. Students embraced the challenge, supported one another and gave their absolute best, while gaining a genuine appreciation of the incredible skill, fitness and determination required to play wheelchair basketball at a high level.
The experience was a great reminder that sport is about much more than winning or losing. It is about challenging ourselves, embracing differences, learning from others and giving things a go. Our students certainly did that and they finished the session with a new appreciation for what is possible when we don't let obstacles stand in our way.
Top of Your Game AFL
Our AFL Trials of Discovery students have been developing their personal strength in the weights room, learning how resistance training can support their AFL performance. They have also explored the different fitness components required in AFL and how these contribute to performance on the field.
A major focus has also been game play, skill development and tactics, with students putting their learning into practice through modified games and competitive activities. It has been great to see students building their confidence, teamwork and understanding of how different skills and strategies can be applied during a game.
We were also lucky enough to have an exciting Wheel Talk incursion, where Peter, a Paralympian, visited the class and ran an engaging wheelchair AFL session. Students had the opportunity to experience AFL from a different perspective, developing new skills while learning about inclusion, adaptability and wheelchair sport. The session was super engaging, challenging and lots of fun, with students embracing the opportunity to try something completely different.
It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to challenge themselves throughout the unit. We look forward to seeing what the class gets up to next.
Lights, Camera, Action: Drama Club Shines On
What's been happening: The program has been buzzing with joyful rehearsals. Students have been dancing, singing, and diving into improv and acting in a fun, relaxed setting that encourages risk-taking and creativity.
Looking ahead: Many exciting events are planned, including an upcoming excursion to watch a live play that will inspire our performers and give them new ideas for stagecraft and storytelling.
The Art Box
In our Art Box trail students are currently working on their personal inquiry based around the theme of 'Who are You? They have each selected their preferred art form and have completed a series of ideation sketches to plan and explore potential ideas related to the theme. It has been really exciting to see them exploring and experimenting with so many different materials to build personal skills based on a selected study artist's techniques that they admire and want to learn from. As teachers we are working with students in drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, digital media and textiles so the studio spaces are a hive of activity. Students are actively engaged in their personal learning and we cant wait to see the work that emerges from our latest inquiry.
