Learning and Teaching

Term 3 Inquiries

As the term draws to a close, we finalise our Term 3 Inquiries. Our overarching concept for Term 3 has been CULTURE which we have explored through geography and some elements of history. We began the term celebrating NAIDOC week and looking at how our European culture has impacted the indigenous culture that was already present on this land. We have examined cultures from a geographical perspective and investigated other countries and lands around the world. We have compared different cultures and grown in our understanding about differences and similarities between cultures. Next term we look forward to the inquiry concept of DISCOVERY with Science as the lens for our learning.

Year 3/4 Camp back in the classroom

This week, after their wonderful adventures last week, the students in year 3/4 took their learning back into the classroom. They spent some time writing information reports about their experiences at Camp Toolangi itself. They also used Google Slides and the Canva tool to design advertising brochures for Camp Toolangi. They included all sorts of interesting features and information. Check them out on Google Classroom when you get the chance these holidays.

Year 4 Stewardship Program

On Tuesday, Pam from  the Arthur Rylah Institute. as well as staff from Melbourne Water. came to both Year 4 classrooms to talk about eels. We learnt a lot about eels and why they are so important. An eel has a very complex life cycle. It starts off as a tiny egg, then into a leptocephalus - larvae. It then transforms into a glass eel, an elver, a yellow eel and finally a silver eel. It then gives birth and then the eel who gives birth dies.

Another fact that we learnt about eels was that there are 20 species of eels in the world, however only 2 of the species are located in Australia. The 2 species in Australia are known as the short finned eel and the long finned eel. 

Eels are special because they help with waterway pollution by cleaning the water, but the pollution also harms them.  It is important that we protect them.

It is very sad to know that eels are declining at a rapid pace due to predators such as sharks, whales and large tuna. Eels are also killed due to people fishing and eels are sometimes included in Japanese cuisine. However they should never be eaten raw because their blood is poisonous. 

Eels are around 1m long. The way eels are tracked is with satellite trackers (tags) which show a lot of information such as their body temperature and location. If they get lost they are very easy to find because of the tracker.

We enjoyed having Pam from Melbourne Water visit us to share her amazing knowledge about eels.

Written by: Leanne, Oskar and Aaron

PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE

Congratulations to all students who took part in the Premier's Reading Challenge this year. No matter what your total was, you should be proud of your efforts in challenging yourself to read as many as you can. Well done to the following who complete the challenge:

DIGIMAKER - Computer Programming Club

VIRTUAL REALITY AT ST JUSTIN'S

This year, the Year 5/6 students are embarking on a Virtual Reality (VR) journey using a program called CoSpaces. CoSpaces provides students with the ability to demonstrate their knowledge in new ways by building virtual interactive worlds, simple or complex, that are approachable for primary aged students. 

In order for students to experience the world they have created in virtual format, we are seeking donations of old iPhones that you are no longer using at home.

The iPhone must work but does not need to be a new model. We would really appreciate any donations in order to allow our students new and exciting opportunities in 21st century digital learning.

We will be collecting the devices over the next 2 weeks so please send them in via your child's classroom bucket, preferably in a bag/envelope with attention to Mrs. Wickens (Digital Technologies Leader).

Vote for a Tree - Win CASH for a School

St Justin's Primary School is currently taking part in a  promotional competition at Brandon Park Shopping Centre.  "Vote for a tree - Help Grow the School" promotion is being held at the Brandon Park  Shopping Centre from Wednesday 10th August - Sunday 9th October. 

All participating schools were asked to decorate a tree, which will be on display for customers to view and vote. 1st prize is $1500, 2nd is $800 and 3rd is $500.

If you happen to be in the centre, check out our tree.

Your vote counts!

Visit the Spring trees, beautifully decorated by local primary school students!

Vote for your favourite via the QR code.

Trees are located on the ground level. The tree with the most votes will win the Customer’s Choice prize of $1,000 for that school.

https://www.brandonparkcentre.com.au/vote-for-a-tree

Jump Rope for Heart