Junior School News
Jack Forbes
ENGLISH - This term, students have immersed themselves in the world of informative texts, exploring a variety of topics and honing their research and writing skills. They engaged in searching for and analysing information in a range of informative texts and comparing and contrasting different perspectives on inventions and biographies. Students enjoyed digging deep into the details, learning about the history of famous inventions and the lives of remarkable individuals. They then applied their newfound knowledge to create their own informative texts, choosing an invention or creation that sparked their interest, and writing a biography of a person they admired. The unit developed their research and writing abilities but also enabled them to express their creativity and personal interests, making the term both enjoyable and educational.
SCIENCE - This term, students have been diving into the world of the electromagnetic spectrum. They explored different types of waves, from radio waves to gamma rays, and took a closer look at visible light. Using prisms and even bubbles, they experimented with how light bends and splits into vibrant colours. For sound waves, they got creative by making gummy bear models with sticks taped on to explore vibrations in a fun and hands-on way. It’s been an exciting and interactive term full of scientific discovery!
MATH – This term, students have been diving into real world applications of number, money, and finance. They’ve tackled budgeting challenges, from running their own café to planning a three-day trip in a city of their choice, learning how to manage expenses, compare costs, and make smart financial decisions. These hands-on projects have helped students develop essential numeracy skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.
MEDIA - This term, Media has been introduced to our students as a core subject for the first time at KCHS. This means that students have all begun an introductory Media unit, considering their place as both consumers and creators of different media forms. We have worked on technical skills such as shot-types, framing techniques, editing photos and videos, and begun to experiment with different technical aspects of photography and film, including lighting and sound. The unit has culminated in students creating a short scene using the codes and conventions of a particular film genre; examples include action, thriller, and sci-fi.
FOOD TECH – We have had a fantastic start to food technology in 2025. The Year 9 and 10 cohort have been enjoying the great facilities and commercial kitchen at Jean McKendry House in North Melbourne. All students have been learning new skills in the kitchen. They have been working safely in teams, producing brownies, homemade pizza, burgers, and special Easter treats. We have had whole school events such as Pancake Day and a special food tech school camp for the year 8 students. Well done to all our students!
HUMANITIES – This term we embarked on an engaging exploration of history, delving into some of the most significant events of the 20th century. World War I – Students investigated the key moments that shaped the war, including the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, the main causes of WWI, Gallipoli, and life in the trenches. World War II – We covered an overview of WWII, the impact of the Treaty of Versailles, and the rise of Hitler.
The Holocaust – Students have gained insight into this tragic period in history, fostering understanding and reflection. To deepen their learning, students had the incredible opportunity to visit The Shrine of Remembrance, where they engaged with real-life artefacts from both World Wars and The Melbourne Holocaust Museum, further enriching their understanding of these pivotal historical events.
HEALTH - This term students have been focusing on strategies to support their well-being and readiness to learn. They have been creating "Ready to Learn" plans, which help students identify personal strategies for staying focused and calm during lessons. Students have also been learning about de-escalation techniques to manage difficult situations and reduce stress. In addition, they’ve explored the concept of interoception, which helps them understand their body's signals, such as hunger, tiredness, and stress.
PE - This term in PE, students have been active and engaged with a range of fun activities designed to build their skills and teamwork. Each week, students visited the North Melbourne Recreation Centre to play games like octopus and kickball, which helped improve agility and coordination. They’ve also worked on hand-eye coordination through different exercises and challenges. It’s been a great term of fitness, fun, and skill-building!
