Out of the Box

High ability report 

by Dr Bernadette Sheedy, High Ability Learning Specialist

English Masterclass 5 

On Thursday 25 August, Miss Rice delivered an English Masterclass which explored the topic ‘Literature and Philosophy: Mind Over Metaphor’. In this session, students were invited to consider how approaches to philosophy have shaped the way literature has been interpreted through the ages. This was a fascinating session which was thought-provoking which encouraged students to consider literature through a critical lens.  

Tournament of Minds 

On Saturday 16 August, students from Box Hill High School participated in the regional finals of Tournament of Minds at Deakin University, Burwood. 

 

Three teams participated in the STEM challenge, and one team participated in the Social Sciences challenge. All teams also attempted a spontaneous challenge which they were given on the day.  

 

Student feedback: 

  • Kyle K, Year 7 - I enjoyed working as a team to solve problems. 

  • Harion L, Year 7 - In this competition, I enjoyed working with my friends to build the model and presenting it to the judges. 

  • Zoe W, Year 7 - It was really fun working with my friends and presenting at Deakin because the venue was really nice and I have learnt adobe editing skills as well as making things with clay. 

  • Lisa W, Year 8 - Learning to assign tasks clearly and grow more as a leader was definitely a skill I had to develop this time around. 

Year 8 GAPP/SEAL Forensic Science Incursion 

Reflection by Aimee L, Class Captain of 8Z 

 

As our second collaboration with our Balwyn High School counterparts, the workshop provided us with the chance to rekindle with our old friends and take on a new challenge together – this time solving an assassination.  

 

Full of fun and mystery, we endeavoured to expose the malicious murderer of Peppa Pig through a series of experiments and analyses, collaborating with each other to piece together the puzzle and potentially win delectable prizes! From titrations and blood sampling to infrared spectroscopy and gel electrophoresis, we learnt and conducted a range of advanced forensic science techniques, collecting data and evidence that we had to interpret together to make our most accurate predictions. 

 

These complex and challenging concepts provided an amazing environment for students from both schools to not only enhance our learning, but also to work with like-minded individuals and develop in conjunction with one another. It was an engaging and enriching experience for all of us, and provided a truly enjoyable time for both schools to bond and be a little competitive. 

 

Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity that allowed us to consolidate both our knowledge and friendships, introducing us to the thought-provoking field of forensic science. The fun, the challenge and the learning truly made us excited for our future collaborations with Balwyn High School.   

 

Personally, when I look back on this experience, I will remember the new friends and connections I made (especially with my partner from Balwyn, Dorri), and how much I enjoyed conducting the forensic science experiments. But most of all, I will always remember winning three-quarters of a chocolate cake!   

 

We greatly thank Mr Ha, Ms Xie, and Ms Catsamas for all their hard work that went into the day, along with the awesome VCE students that volunteered.    

VAGTC Exceptional Exchange 

On Monday 8 September the Victorian Association for Gifted and Talented Children hosted an event called the Exceptional Exchange at the Centre for Higher Education Studies in South Yarra. This event featured a panel of highly able students who spoke about their educational experiences. Year 10 GAPP student, Han Y, was a panellist at this event, and he spoke eloquently about ‘the necessary ingredients for thriving’.