SCHOOL OF INNOVATION

A huge thank you to the University of Melbourne for hosting a selection of St Anne’s College students at their Tech Taster Day! The students arrived at the UniMelb Science Gallery after a big bus trip. They were briefed at the Paccar Theatre before heading out to experience an exciting day involving drones, emerging technologies, and other really cool technology!

Some of the awesome experiences included learning about fascinating things such as red silk panels that were created by genetically modified silkworms. The silk from these silkworms normally appears white, but has been modified to be produced as red. Within this silk is the chemical hormone oxytocin which is a neurotransmitter for love. Each panel of silk is valued at around $30,000. Students also viewed AI performance art which they could interact with. The art modelled Chinese mythology.

The Year 5 campers headed off on their adventures on Monday to stay at Camp Adekate. The camp also included a visit to the famous open air museum Sovereign Hill. The students said they had a blast, enjoying the many adventurous activities at Camp Adekate including the the zip line, archery and milk-crate stacking.

Then it was onto Sovereign Hill to take part in roll playing at the costume school. The campers were given a story to act out - they came to Australia in 1854 from Ireland because of a potato famine and arrived in Ballarat due to hearing about the gold rush. The students learned about what school would have been like in the 1850s – vastly different to being at a modern school like St Anne’s College! They did a wonderful job of keeping in character.

OUR BUDDING BUSINESS PEOPLE

The Year 5 students have been busily creating products which they are creating for their Business and Economics inquiry learning. Working in teams, the students have been collaborating on their creations.

The incredible businesses and their products include:

- Pretty Little Keys: lanyards and keychains

- Secret Dreams: dream catchers

- Bead Beauty: beaded jewellery

- Punjabi Pottery: clay pots

- Bag Boutique: tote bags

- That’s Lit: candles

- Wizard Bombs: bath bombs

- Slime Time: slime

The students are working towards holding a market where the products will be available to purchase. Congratulations to the students for their incredible ideas and creativity – look out Shark Tank as we have some future entrepreneurs!

GROOVE IS IN THE HEART!! 

As part of the Year 8 biology studies, the students have explored different bodily systems. Students collaborated in groups using specialised equipment to dissect the heart of a sheep in science class on Friday last week! Some students were squeamish, some loved this, but importantly, they all learnt how the blood flows through the vital organ!

Cooler than a polar bear's toenails

Students have been studying energy efficiency using the STELR sustainable housing kits. These kits consist of a housing frame, heating and cooling components, and a number of different wall and roofing materials to simulate how real energy systems operate.

STELR sustainable housing teaches students about thermal properties and heat transfer.

It uses the context of designing a low-energy home to explore these concepts.

Class Resources

Our iPads! Please ensure any damage is reported to Pastoral Group Leaders and IT staff to ensure it can be rectified as soon as possible. iPads must be fully charged each day and it is encouraged that we adopt good habits to assist us with this. 

Important Pastoral Group Information

At St. Anne’s College, all students within the School of Innovation are allocated to a Pastoral Group. These groups are overseen by a Pastoral Group Leader and currently comprise students from their respective houses: Montessori, Charles, Cooper, and Majella houses.

Each morning, students commence their day within their Pastoral Groups. This time involves participation in morning prayer, a welcome to country, and updates about the day's news and events at the College. This period holds significance in allowing our students to establish strong connections with their peers and their Pastoral Leader. Consequently, our students are able to cultivate a strong sense of community at St. Anne’s College.

Our Pastoral Leaders also seize this opportunity to implement the three core principles of Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness (GEM), which stem from our school-wide program conducted by the Resilience Project. These principles encourage our students to contemplate and recognise the positive facets of their day-to-day experiences both at the College and at home. This practice ensures that our students embark on each day well-prepared for successful learning and meaningful connections with others.

Given that this session only spans 10 minutes each morning, it is imperative that students are punctual and actively participate within their designated Pastoral Groups. If students miss this period or arrive late, they will forfeit this crucial initiation to the school day.

We extend our gratitude to all parents and caregivers for your sustained support in ensuring that this routine is upheld for the continued success of our students.

Important Uniform Information

A reminder that all School of Innovation students are required to wear their academic uniform items each day, except for sports days or other nominated days when their sports uniform items can be worn. Please ensure your student is in their full academic uniform. If this is not possible on a particular day, please send a note, including the date your student will be able to be in full school uniform.

A dress code, in particular a uniform, provides a visual connection to identify students as members of St Anne’s College community. The way a uniform is worn makes a statement about our college and it represents the fact that the student is a part of the community.  The benefits of a school uniform include:

• Allows all students to feel equal

• Helps prevent bullying and competition on the basis of clothing

• Ensures students appearance reflects the expectations of St Anne’s College

• Enhances the profile and identity of the College and its students in the wider community

• Strengthens the spirit of community within St Anne’s College

• Enhances individual student safety and group security

• Ensured all students are dressed safely and appropriately for school activities

• Encourages students to develop pride in their appearance

• Prepares students for the expectations in workplaces

• Encourages students to present themselves appropriately for a particular role

Thank you for your support.