Secondary 9/10 Learning

Welcome

Our camps are getting closer and closer! We are busily finalising arrangements and would like to remind you to please send in any medication as soon as you can, particularly for Camp 1 (SSB, SKA and STH). We would like all medication for Camp 1 at school by Monday July 16th (the first day of Term 3) at the latest. For Camp 2 and 3 please have all medication in by Thursday July 19th.

 

Another exciting date which is coming up is our Secondary 9/10 Night of Celebration. This is an evening where our students showcase their learning and share some of the amazing things they have been doing in class and out in the community. Please mark August 8th in your diaries and look out for further information in the coming weeks.

Mathematics 

In Maths we have embarked on a focus on Patterns and Algebra. Students are working on identifying patterns which are around them, both natural and manmade. They will then move on to identifying the rules which create a pattern in Maths, is it simply repetition of a pattern? Is there more than one step in the pattern?

 

Location continues to be a focus with students following instructions to locate a hidden object in their classroom using locational language such as left, right, underneath, behind etc. They have also begun exploring coordinates and using them on a grid.

English 

In writing the students have started a focus on persuasive text. They have begun by identifying the features of a print advertisement, a TV advertisement and the persuasive features of slogans and jingles that accompany these ads. They have also explored how opinions can be different and that there are two sides to an argument.

 

In reading we are focusing on word level grammar and identifying the different types of words and word groups while we are reading. Students have explored different examples of nouns, common and proper and have identified verbs as they are reading. They have also compared the difference between nouns and verbs.

Integrated Studies

Students are now busily choosing how they will present their learning from our Immigration unit. They are able to choose how they would like to share their learning either through creating something digitally or physically such as a blog, powerpoint, poster, animation… the choice is theirs. It has been a really engaging topic for our students. They have enjoyed learning about the history of Immigration in Australia as well as their own and their classmates’ cultural heritage.

PreCAL

Community Experience

The PreCAL classes visited a different Melbourne Polytechnic site in week 8 at Heidelberg. They visited the constructions programs including plumbing, bricklaying, welding, and electrician groups. They looked at safety hazards on the job including what they needed to be careful of, what to wear and the reasons for that clothing and the physical environment of construction workplaces. The students practiced asking questions and communicating with the Melbourne Polytechnic staff as well as listening to and following directions.

English

 

In reading the PreCAL classes are wrapping up their focus on concepts about print and will start to look at word level grammar. They will explore the different types of words we read, why they are important and help us understand what we are reading. We will tune them into identifying the types of words there are, eg nouns, verbs and adjectives as they are reading.

 

In writing the PreCAL classes are at the exciting part of the process in creating their workplace safety advertisement. They are busily filming the scripts they have created as a class using the Green room in the Discovery Centre. They are focusing on voice projection and pace when speaking so that they are clearly communicating the important safety messages they have written about. We are looking forward to seeing their finished products plan to share these will you at the celebration evening in Term 3.

Mathematics

In Maths the PreCAL classes are starting a focus on patterns and algebra. The students are tuning into the patterns which surround them at school in the classroom and outside including repeated routines and sequences in everyday events. They are also looking for patterns when they are on their community experience day. The focus on location is continuing with students practicing giving and following directions as well as identifying objects and locations within the school and community environments.

STEAM

In the PreCAL STEAM program the students are into their final rotation of the Robotics and Coding unit. They are learning how to program and code the final type of robot and continue to practice their communication and collaboration skills. The students are looking forward to showing off their skills at the Seconday 9/10 Celebration evening in Term 3.

Duke of Edinburgh

The current Fit For Life rotations for the Physical Recreation component of Duke of Edinburgh award have until the end of term to run. Students are enjoying ten pin bowling, gym workouts, yoga, sports games and Inter School sports competing against other schools.

 

STEAM sessions provide an opportunity for our students to mix with different classmates and learn new skills in areas which interest them. It is impressive to walk into the different STEAM classes and see engaged students interacting and problem solving together. We have begun work on developing four new units for Semester 2 and will survey the students for their preferences in the coming week. It has been very worthwhile involving the students in the selection of topics for semester 2.

 

 

Sam Birrell

Secondary 9/10 Team Leader