Junior School

Year 4 CCL Unit

Article by Jane Palfrey - Year 4 Leader

At the beginning of Term 3, Year 4 students launched into their new CCL unit. The central idea for this unit is: “The evolution of technology impacts the environment.”

To spark curiosity and inspire big questions, students began with an excursion to CERES, where the focus was on waste. At CERES, students explored what waste is, where it comes from, and the impact it has on our environment. They discovered the exciting ways that CERES turns waste into something valuable, and considered creative solutions and technologies used for this.

This excursion was used as a provocation for our Genius Hour projects. Students collaborated to brainstorm nongoogleable questions that will drive their group inquiries, encouraging creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. They are now considering the ways evolving technologies influence our environment, both positively and negatively and exploring the possibilities for change in the future.

We look forward to seeing how these exciting questions develop into meaningful projects that showcase the passion and curiosity of our learners.

Junior School String Ensemble Achieves Gold! 

On Monday, 11th August, the Junior School String Ensemble participated in the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The students travelled to the Hawthorn Arts Centre and performed for an audience of families, friends, other participants, and a panel of adjudicators. 

Following the performance, the lead adjudicator provided immediate feedback and led the ensemble in a “mini workshop,” demonstrating ways to further develop their skills. 

The ensemble was awarded a Gold-standard plaque. We congratulate the students and their conductor, Mrs Prue Jury. We also thank Ms Lynn Dahl, who supports the ensemble during their weekly rehearsals after school on Wednesdays. 

All the College String ensembles, and Orffestra will feature at the “Luminescent Strings” concert that is part of the Festival of Music, on Monday 1st September at Brimbank Salvation Army.  For ticketing details, and information about learning an instrument at the College turn to the Encore Music & Theatre page in this edition of Whispers.