Program Highlights

Building Confident Learners in the ELC

Dispositions such as curiosity and flexibility, and processes of learning such as problem-solving, are essential to learning, particularly in a complex and rapidly changing world (Kress, 2000; Reid, 2004).

Confident learners ask questions, are open to different perspectives, and try new ideas and resources. With adult support and scaffolding, children learn to listen and to cooperate with others. They listen to others’ explanations and ideas, often solve problems collaboratively, and negotiate and work towards shared goals. When children are reflexive, they are aware of others and their relationships with others, and reflect on their own learning.

Sharon Donnellan, ELC Coordinator

Year 2 Strings Concert

Recently, parents and teachers enjoyed a performance delivered by 35 Year 2 students on violins, violas and cellos. It was so impressive to see how well the students managed these difficult instruments and how confidently they played. 

A program of pieces that ranged from waltzes to jigs gave the students an opportunity to show that they can pluck and use a bow, read a simple score, follow a conductor, play in unison and in parts, vary the style of playing from slow to fast and loud to soft and change from a major to a minor key.  These skills are a building block for the next stage when the Year 2 students will be challenged to use more advanced techniques and play more demanding music. 

Ms Barbara Geerars was an energetic and informative conductor, while Miss Fiona Radford accompanied on the piano and Miss Vanessa Neagle and Ms Imogen Mannins led the students on violin and cello. The String Program teachers and the students are to be congratulated for their hard, focused and rewarding work, as are the parents who have encouraged their child along the way.

Where might this musical prowess lead?  Have we just witnessed the first concert by a future leader of the MSO?  

Susan Searle, Music Teacher

Judging Senior School Picture Books

Year 2H students went to Year 7AB girls to rate their picture story books they wrote. In my group was Archie, Rayaan and myself. They read the book to us and then we gave them some feedback. We had a rating sheet of paper which had smiley faces on it and we had to colour in the smiley faces to vote. We went to different groups and everyone was reading all at one time. We had a great time. I enjoyed listening to all their stories. 

Alexander Fotiou, Year 2

Year 7 & 8 Soiree

The Year 7 & 8 Soiree is an opportunity for students taking private tuition on an instrument, voice or speech and drama to perform in front of a supportive audience. The students presented with confidence and demonstrated a high level of musicality, energy and enthusiasm. The success of performing at a Soiree is an encouragement which acts as a springboard to further engagement and dedication to the dynamic Performing Arts program here at Kilvington.

Many thanks to Mrs Stephanie Hamlet for her sensitive piano accompaniment.

Fiona Radford, Junior Music Curriculum Coordinator

The Future Problem Solving Program of Australia at Kilvington

As part of our Gifted and Talented offerings this year, selected students from Years 7 - 11 have participated in the Future Problem Solving Program of Australia (FPSP).

The Kilvington community would like to recognise the hard work and dedication of these students. FPSP is a nationally recognised competition that requires students to research competition-set topics that may pose problems for society in the future. The 2016 topics have been as diverse as ‘Recovering from Natural Disaster’, ‘The Treatment of Animals’ and ‘Disappearing Languages’. The students then apply their critical and creative thinking skills to analyse the ethical, environmental, social, and economic issues likely to be present in these topics and generate a solution that would be relevant and applicable in 20- 50 years’ time.

The following students from Years 7 - 9 are competing in the Individual Scenario Writing division: Ethan Dharmawardena (7), Rosie Morrison (7), Stephanie Darvell (8), William Douglas (8), Kasey O'Connor (8), Martha Sands (8), Shreta Bala-Aiyer (9), Johnny Barkoczy (9), and Elisabeth Yeo (9).

The following students from Years 10 and 11 are competing in the Global Issues Problem Solving division: Harrison Broughton (10), Aimée Coquillat (10), Jasmine Fassoulis (10), Holly Haslauer (10), Aidan McShane (10), Jade Redman (10), Nicolas Socic (10), Gemma Webb (10), Ryan Harding (11), and Aaron Kale (11).

Together with accredited FPSP coach Laura Furze, these students have been meeting weekly since Term 1 in preparation for the final round of the competition in early Term 3. It is hoped that the critical thinking, organisation, communication, and teamwork skills that are fostered through training for FPSP will benefit their studies and the situations they encounter beyond school. We wish these students the very best of luck for the final round!

Dee Broughton, Gifted and Talented Coordinator