School Highlights
Junior School Science Club: Seeds Investigation
Louise Macfarlane, Academic Dean of Science
Throughout Term 2, the Junior Science Club students have been actively engaged in seed analysis.
So far, they've dissected a wide range of fruit and seeds to learn about the many ways seeds are dispersed and when they germinate.
This week, the students started a fortnight-long investigation into the effects of bushfires on seed regeneration, as Australian seeds have unique strategies for coping with bushfires.
Students have already heat treated wattle and wheat seeds, and will soon be examining the effects of heat on seed germination in Mr Pelligrino's Year 6 class.
They are looking forward to sharing their findings with the Science Club in two weeks' time!
Kilvington Readers Festival: Shelf Indulgence
Fiona O'Rourke, Head of Library and Digital Resourcing
Reading is a superpower that helps us in many ways, from understanding perspectives beyond our own, to providing an escape from everyday worries.
We hope you had the chance to indulge in some extra reading during the Kilvington Readers Festival this week!
Over five days, from Monday 20 to Friday 24 May, the Library hosted a variety of reading-inspired events. These included author visits, a PJ Day for Years 7 to 12, National Simultaneous Storytime for Prep to Year 6, and a 'Battle of the Books' rehearsal for Years 7 and 8.
PJ DAY
On Monday, we kicked off the Kilvington Readers Festival with a 'PJ Day'. Inspired by pairing together the themes of reading and bedtime, we encouraged everyone to bring their favorite book to share.
The day was a great success, raising $420 for Community Spirit Foundation, a worthy organisation that supports First Nations families with early literacy and numeracy skills.
Our author incursion binge on Tuesday began with author Jane Godwin speaking to the Year 7 girls about her new Young Adults (YA) novel, Look Me In the Eye. She also shared some great writing tips with the students.
Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) shortlisted author Huda Hayek shared insights with the Year 7 boys about the personal narratives hidden within photographs, using her own life and a series of personal photos as examples. She challenged the students to choose a personal photo and write the backstory behind the event captured in the photo.
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
On Wednesday 22 May, we hosted National Simultaneous Storytime with a series of fun events inspired by Aura Parker's Bowerbird Blues.
Year 1s joined over 2 million children for a live reading by Aura, while Prep to Year 2s had fun with Seek and Find activities, discovering hidden blue objects in the Library, and also making bookmarks.
Meanwhile, Year 5s researched interesting facts about Bowerbirds, making use of sources like Britannica, World Book and Wikipedia.
Author Simmone Howell conducted a workshop on developing stories from objects, even sharing a photo of a bowerbird's decorated bower! Drawing inspiration from Howell's treasure trove, our Year 8 girls each chose an object to spark a short text.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
For the rehearsal for 'Battle of the Books', an upcoming competition against St Leonard’s College, Years 7 and 8 gathered in the Library during lunchtime.
They had great fun and came to realise the importance of familiarising themselves with the authors of each book, as well as the names of the characters! We are getting very excited for the real competition against St Leonard’s on Wednesday 5 June.
Unfortunately, due to illness, author Mark Smith was unable to join us this week. However, he will be presenting to the Year 8 boys in two weeks' time. Additionally, Will Kostakis will be presenting to the Year 9s early in Term 3.
It’s Everyone’s Business - Year 9 Impact Program
Mark Williams, Dean of Year 9 Impact Program
This week, we held the Social Enterprise Expo as part of the ‘It’s Everyone’s Business’ component of the Year 9 Impact Program.
This unique partnership withMonash University empowers students to create a social enterprise proposal designed to positively impact a social issue, from homelessness to mental health.
Students develop business, design and presentation skills while creating and refining their group product or service. The whole process culminates in an 'Expo Evening' where each team pitches their comprehensive, polished concept to peers, staff and parents.
On the night of the Expo, parents gathered to hear our students’ presentations and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award. We heard 24 creative and thought-provoking ideas, with six teams advancing to the finals.
The winning pitch was delivered by Year 9 students Lily Bruce, Eleanor Lloyd, Lydia Allison and Claire Whisstock for their business, Pure.
Their proposal involved selling self-care products to raise awareness about sexual assault and encourage survivors to seek help. They shared, 'We’re bringing the body positivity to you. We've made it our mission to create sustainable, self-positive products that advocate for sexual assault victims'.
Well done to all the students for their outstanding efforts, and congratulations to Pure on their well-deserved win!