International Baccalaureate
Year 9 Community Project: Raising Awareness Through Student Websites
Year 9 students have been hard at work on their Community Projects, aiming to make a positive impact on various social and environmental issues. As part of their efforts, some students created websites to raise awareness and provide resources for these important causes.
We are excited to share their work with the broader school community and invite you to explore the websites below. Each site reflects our students' dedication, research, and creativity as they tackle real-world problems and advocate for change.
Please take a moment to visit these websites and support our students by learning more about the issues they care about. Your feedback and engagement can help amplify their message and encourage ongoing efforts toward positive change.
Thank you for your support!
Jessica Ventura
MYP Coordinator
Learner Profile Attribute - Thinker
In the journey of education, one of the most valuable attributes we can cultivate is that of a "Thinker," as highlighted in the PYP learner profile. Being a Thinker means approaching challenges with curiosity and creativity, enabling us to tackle problems effectively and make informed decisions.
As lifelong learners, Thinkers are not only equipped to find solutions but also to consider various perspectives. This openness enriches our understanding and helps us appreciate the diverse ideas and experiences of others. Whether in the classroom or in everyday life, embracing this attribute allows us to engage deeply with the world around us. Encouraging our students to think critically and reflectively prepares them for future challenges, fostering a mindset that values inquiry and continuous growth.
Rebecca Moore
PYP Coordinator
Year 2 Take Action in the Community
On Wednesday 30 October, the Year 2 students went on an excursion to Tarneit Skies Community Retirement Village. The excursion was a meaningful experience where students had the opportunity to read their handwritten published stories to the elderly. This visit complemented their recent unit of inquiry, in which they have been exploring the power of stories, the craft of storytelling and how we can take action through community participation. By sharing their narratives, the students built strong connections with the residents. This opportunity allowed our students to learn the importance of taking action and engaging with others, highlighting the value of connection within the community. We are grateful to the teachers, students, residents, and staff at Tarneit Skies for organising this enriching experience.
Rebecca Moore
PYP Coordinator
Thinkers in Action at the Year 6 Science Fair
The Year 6 Science Fair was an incredibly engaging and successful event. During the fair, students put their thinking into action by building models and conducting experiments focused on how energy is produced and consumed. Through hands-on projects, they explored various energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biofuels, demonstrating their understanding of complex scientific concepts. Each presentation highlighted their creativity and critical thinking skills as they investigated real-world energy challenges, fostering a deeper appreciation for the role of energy in our lives.
The engagement from our school and wider community was remarkable, as families and peers came to support and learn from our Year 6 students. It was wonderful to see the classrooms buzzing with conversation and excitement. This event was a true testament to the hard work and dedication of both teachers and students, providing opportunities for them to be creative and critical thinkers, as well as knowledgeable and confident communicators. We would like to thank all staff, students, and families involved in making this a joyful and successful event.
I used my critical thinking skills when I researched biofuels and explored new ways to use food waste to produce energy. This can be a sustainable option because it reduces land fill and promotes new plant growth. I was a creative thinker when I shared by knowledge in different ways. This helped others understand my project because they could access the information in different ways – Aarya P (6B)
I used my thinking skills to produce a steam engine that does not produce any waste or harmful toxins to the environment. I was challenged when trying to produce steam in non-harmful ways. I think steam engines can be used as a sustainable energy source in the future if we learn to use it in safe ways. – Vyas Badri Narayanan (6B)
I was a critical thinker because I asked lots of questions to further enhance my knowledge about biogas. I discovered how biogas can be an amazing energy source, and I became passionate about sharing my new knowledge with the community. One of favourite parts of the experience was during my scientific investigation when I left citrus, grass, rotting bananas and yeast in separate bottles overnight. When I woke, I found the yeast and citrus had produced eco-friendly renewable gas in such strength that the bottle expanded! WOW. I learnt that without oxygen, the microorganisms break down the waste and produce biogas. I think this idea has great potential for the future! – Quinn 6D
I was a thinker when I considered creative ways to build a wind turbine. I had to create and test my prototype and think critically about the function of my rotor blades. I thought deeply about the questions and answers I shared with my community when communicating my knowledge during the science fair. – Rishi 6D
When I was making my science project, I had to think critically about possible solutions to problems we are facing in the world. We still use many harmful options to produce and consume energy and I wanted to explore more sustainable solutions for the future. I researched kerosene lamps and how coal is used to produce light. I explored the renewable energy source of solar power and discovered how wonderful it is because it is readily available to all, and the power of the sun can be harnessed every day – Srivalli 6A
I investigated solar power. For my project, I created a model that demonstrated how solar power can create enough energy to power a house, a street or even a neighborhood. When I was designing my project, I had to use creative thinking to make my model engaging and informative for my audience. I did this by allowing young students to cover and uncover the solar panel so they could see how it works during the night and day. This was successful because I was able to share my knowledge about solar energy while my younger guests explored my working model - Gemma 6A
Rebecca Moore
PYP Coordinator
Year 4 Showcase Design
The Year 4 Design Showcase was a vibrant display of creativity and learning, where students explored physical forces, the properties of materials, and how innovators use science and design to solve real-world problems. Each student identified a specific issue and followed the design process to create a prototype aimed at providing a solution. The event saw a huge turnout of supportive parents, creating an encouraging atmosphere for our young innovators. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to demonstrate critical and creative thinking and experience hands-on purposeful learning.
Here are some reflections from our students:
"When we were going through the design process in our 'How the World Works' unit of inquiry, we linked it to line of inquiry 3: 'An inquiry into how innovators use science and design to solve problems.' In our design process, we began by identifying problems and then got inspired by existing inventions. We sketched out our own ideas for inventions we could create. After receiving feedback to make improvements, we did our final sketches. We used our knowledge of the properties of materials to plan what materials we would use if our inventions were to be made in a factory. Finally, we created our prototypes. This experience was fun for me, and everyone in the class enjoyed it as well. We learned so much about inventors and the important people in our society who create inventions to help us every day. We all say thank you to all inventors and those who help make our lives a happier place."
Saavya Prajapati 4B
In our design process unit, the Year 4 students have been learning about how the world works. We started by researching inventors such as Thomas Edison, the creator of the light bulb, and Fiona Wood, the inventor of spray-on skin, along with many others. After learning about these inventors, we got to become one ourselves! We began by brainstorming problems in our daily lives and thinking about possible solutions. We drew inspiration from the internet to enhance our inventions. Once we chose our solution, we received feedback from our classmates to make improvements. We then created our final sketches and began building. We made a prototype of our invention out of cardboard, and this part was very fun. Once we were finished, we held a showcase for parents and other year levels. It was exciting to share our learning with others. This was such a fun and engaging learning experience. I hope the Year 3 students are looking forward to this experience next year!
Vedika Singh 4B
Rebecca Moore
PYP Coordinator
Excursion to Davis Creek Exhibition
Year 5 students had the exciting opportunity to participate in the first exhibition at Davis Creek Primary School, centred around the transdisciplinary theme of "Where We Are in Place and Time." Their engaging presentations showcased their knowledge and understanding of the theme, with some students dressing in costumes that reflected their inquiries. This experience not only highlighted their creativity and learning but also served as a valuable preparation for our upcoming exhibition next year. Our Year 5 students were excited to engage in rich conversations exploring the connections between time, place, historical events, and journeys.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Anisha Dobson, the PYP coordinator, along with the staff and students at Davis Creek Primary School, for their warm invitation to all our Year 5 teachers and students. It was a pleasure to be part of such a powerful learning experience.
Rebecca Moore
PYP Coordinator