School Highlights
Footy colours!
On 17 September, we had the AFL Finals! Our awesome students and staff got on board and wore their favourite footy colours to celebrate.
Junior School Art challenge
Congratulations to the Art Challenge winners from end of Term 3 (the theme was ‘Portrait’).
- Prep to Year 3 Category: Louis Allen (1V)
- Years 4 to 6 Category: Savannah Burdon (4M)
The winners will receive their prize when they return to School.
Total House points so far:
- Burman - 60
- Fysh - 40
- Barrett - 20
- Fethers - 0
Year 5 author visit from Bren MacDibble
Michael Cirrillo, Year 5 Classroom Teacher
In Term 3, Year 5 students read Bren MacDibble’s dystopian novel How to Bee. Last week, we were fortunate enough to have Bren speak to all Year 5 students about her journey as a writer.
She also shared some tips for writing and answered questions students had about her novel. Below are some reflections from Year 5 students.
Henry Song, Year 5
I enjoyed the book because it allows the reader to connect with the characters’ emotions. Bren MacDibble really expressed the characters emotions in How to Bee. She has created a fantastic novel.
During her presentation, I learnt how Bren generates her creative ideas. She uses amazing stimulus material and uses some personal encounters. She thinks of things that will get everyone hooked into the book and I must say she is doing a spectacular job!
I enjoyed the part when Bren answered some of our questions. It was quite interesting to finally find out what colour Peony’s hair is.
Nirvi Bijwal, Year 5
I felt How to Bee is a wonderful novel. The main character has lots of determination, courage, bravery and other fantastic qualities. I love the way Bren connected me with the main character which made me want to keep reading. I hope Bren will make a sequel soon.
When Bren was presenting, she gave us some tips about writing which I have started to use; they are great tips and will enhance my writing dramatically. It was certainly a plus having Bren talk to us. I really enjoyed the part where Bren showed us how she got her ideas.
Cameron Leighton, Year 5
During the author visit with Bren MacDibble we learnt lots about writing in the first person. We learnt that you don’t write things like ‘I can see’ and ‘I can feel’. For example: I can see the dog on the corner can become: An old brown dog sat on the paved corner.
The difference is that you use less ‘clutter’ and more description. In the first sentence you don’t know that the dog is sitting or its colour. It was a fun experience that we all enjoyed.
Our class book was one that she had written called How to Bee and I highly recommend it. It is about a dystopian world where bees are extinct. It is great for all ages.
Macie Power, Year 5
The Year 5 students read this exquisite book called How to Bee by Bren MacDibble. This story definitely ticks all my boxes; it entertains the reader and makes them not want to put the book down.
While we were reading the book, we would do brainstorms about characters and how the characters felt. We would also brainstorm what the setting would look like; we compared two different characters’ rooms, this helped us use our imagination.
After we finished the book, we had an author talk online with Bren MacDibble. She told us that she was a farm girl, so she connected with the many character who were also working on the farm. She also explained why she didn’t really describe the characters. It was because she wanted the reader to use their imagination and try to connect to the story.
The University of Melbourne School Mathematics Competition
Helen Cole, Academic Dean of Mathematics
On Wednesday 4 May, 17 students from Years 7 to 10 chose to sit The University of Melbourne School Mathematics Competition. The problems were of a demanding standard, and required a high level of mathematical insight and creativity.
The Years 7 and 8 exam was two hours and the Years 9 and 10 exam was three hours. The students who participated in this competition are congratulated on their persistence in working through the six questions.
I am thrilled to announce that Caleb Mendez from Year 8 achieved a Merit Award. Well done Caleb!
Maths Challenge for Years 7 and 8
In May, some Years 7 and 8 students participated in Maths Challenge, which is a series of six tough questions they had four weeks to complete.
The questions are designed to test students’ problem solving skills, logical reasoning and ability to present strong mathematical evidence. Students could choose to work with a partner, which encouraged mathematical discussion.
All of the solutions were marked by a Kilvington teacher and the best ones were sent to the next stage of the competition.
Congratulations to Caleb Mendez who earned a Distinction, and to the three Credit winners, Derek Huang, Chester Webb and Calista Yap.