Student Learning

What has been happening in Digital Technologies?

This term in Digital Technologies, students have been working on a range of different tasks ranging from learning how to code and think logically, to learning about robots and the part they play in the world at the moment. Students have been able to think creatively and design solutions to problems that arise in all different scenarios.

Students in Foundation to Year 2 in the last couple of weeks have been learning about passwords, logins and private information. We have been learning about the importance of keeping our information secure and safe; whilst also having fun learning through different applications on their iPads that they had to log into.

Over the whole semester, our Year 5 and 6 students have been tasked with creating a portfolio of work that consisted of all the learning they have been involved in throughout each of our lessons. It’s been a blessing to have another lesson each week with these students and crazy to think that if we still had our regular one lesson a week with them that we would have gone through a ‘year's worth’ of lessons already! So it’s great to still have half a year to go, and so much more to do.

Finally, our Year 3/4 classes have been learning about sequential thinking and working on their computers and iPads using programs Swift Playgrounds and Sphero Edu. Students have enjoyed learning with the Spheros and seeing their coding come to life as the robots moved about the classroom, and have also enjoyed solving problems in Swift Playgrounds to move a character through levels to reach their goal.

All in all, we have had lots of fun in Digital Technologies this year so far and we can’t wait for the next half of the year.

Ethan Wildman

Digital Technologies and Media Studies Teacher 

NAIDOC Week

To acknowledge NAIDOC Week, classes participated in a variety of activities.

The Foundation/Year 1 classes completed a colouring activity.

Year 3/4H students looked at how the desert artists recently created the largest ever mural by having panels to work on individually, that could either tie together or stand alone as part of the complete artwork. Our students then discussed the idea of creating a word that would contain the artwork, so that it had more meaning, and the class voted on "Together". The class was really excited with the end result and enjoyed trying lots of techniques they'd never done before.

The Year 2 class celebrated NAIDOC Week by looking at Aboriginal art symbols and used these to do rock painting.

Our Year 5 students produced art work based on an art piece by a Christian First Nations artist, Inawantji Scales called Jesus Walking on the Water from the book ‘Our Mob, God’s Story’ by Sherman and Mattingly. 

Inawantji Scales has been a Christian since hearing the voice of Jesus telling her to love, trust and forgive while she was driving on the Stuart Highway near Alice Springs. She says she got the vision for her painting while listening to the Hillsong song Oceans.

[The song says] ‘Lead me to where my trust is without borders.’ It’s from the Scriptures – about Jesus on the water, but also us also on the water, taking a step of faith, letting the Spirit of God lead wherever he wants to lead us and test our faith and make it stronger.

Premier's Reading Challenge 

The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) plays an important role in promoting the love of reading. With your continued support, our students will keep reading and participating in the Challenge! This year is an extra exciting time for the Premier’s Reading Challenge as it is their 20th anniversary. 

To celebrate 20 years of the Premier’s Reading Challenge, students have the opportunity to take part in an additional challenge. Students can opt to do a ‘20 Years, 20 Books’ challenge and receive a one-off 20th Anniversary Certificate in addition to their usual Premier's Reading Challenge award. We would encourage everyone to take part in the additional challenge and will be providing students in Years 3-6 with the 20 Book Challenge Record. Regular Challenge Record (of 12 books) can be obtained from the Front Office or Mrs Spencer.

1. Rules - students will read 20 books by September. A Student Reading Record needs to be kept and a hard copy will be sent home today. 8 books MUST be from the PRC list and the additional 12 books can be anything at your reading level. You can search for books on the PRC list here:

You can search for titles according to year level (F-2, 3-5, 6-9, Mature) or you can browse the list. There are over 8000 books on this list, so you are sure to find something you are interested in. The school library and public libraries will have a selection of PRC books for you to borrow.

2. Students will still need to submit their record sheets to their teacher by the 1st September at the latest. We will accept a scanned copy via email.

3. Awards will be sent to our school in November as in previous years.

Foundation - Year 2 Student Reading Record sheets will be sent home at a later date. Good luck with the Premier's Reading Challenge this year and please contact your class teacher should you need any support.

During this time I encourage you to read more than just a single series - broaden the genre of books you choose and explore the wonderful world of reading.

Libby Spencer 

PRC Coordinator