School Highlights
Year 3 Science - building solar ovens
Karen Chandler, Deputy Head of Junior School
Recently, the Year 3s have been exploring the incredible power of the sun, focusing on how its energy affects and influences all life on Earth.
As part of this inquiry, students expanded their understanding of the sun's influence and discussed how its energy directly affects their daily lives.
To bring their learning to life, students were challenged with designing and building their own solar ovens with the aim of cooking marshmallows using the sun’s energy.
Although we encountered less-than-ideal weather conditions for solar cooking, we adapted by using heat lamps to simulate the sun’s power.
Overall, this inquiry has been an engaging and educational experience for the students, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a hands-on way.
Olympian Tamsin Hinchley visits Kilvington
Kilvington was lucky enough to have three-time Olympian volleyballer Tamsin Hinchley visit us as we continued to celebrate the 2024 Olympic Games. Tamsin answered our staff and students’ inquisitive questions and gave a fascinating insight into her experiences as a professional athlete.
Plus, our Junior School students had the chance to bump, volley and spike their way through Tamsin’s awesome volleyball clinic! Thanks so much, Tamsin!
Year 7 Geography excursion to Werribee Water Treatment Plant
Annabelle Chick, Year 7
On 7 and 8 August, the Year 7s went for an excursion to the Werribee Western Treatment Plant, as we have been focusing on the topic of water in our Geography class.
During our visit, we participated in two key activities. The first was an interactive session titled 'Future Water Story,' where we were tasked with making decisions on managing water for a fictional town.
This exercise asked us to look at economic, emotional and environmental factors while collaborating with other groups, mirroring the complex decision-making processes that country leaders and stakeholders often face.
The second activity was a guided bus tour of the plant. During this tour, we explored the various facilities, including the ten different ponds used to treat waste material. We learned how wastewater is transformed into Class A recycled water, which is safe for use in crop irrigation. We also heard about the plant's aerators, waste management systems, and the numerous processes wastewater goes through.
Overall, it was a great experience and a very interesting day for all of us!
Year 9 Impact Program - visit by AFL player
Emma Hedger, Health, History and PE Teacher
In Semester 2, the Year 9 Impact Program focuses on the themes of Health, Wellbeing and Character. Recently, we were fortunate to welcome AFL player and business owner Andy McGrath to the School.
As a professional athlete, Andy prioritises holistic health and wellbeing, leading him to create his own business, Pando Society. The name 'Pando' was inspired by a phenomenon in the USA where, after a fire, healthy trees were found to provide nutrients to the dead ones, symbolising the interconnectedness of all life.
Students learned about Pando Society’s offerings, including various medical practitioners and classes, and enjoyed participating in a breathwork session.
The visit from Pando Society was especially interesting for students, not only reinforcing our semester focus on Health and Wellbeing, but also serving as a practical example of a business created following their work on successful Social Enterprise projects in Semester 1.