Program Highlights

Hour of Code

Last December from the 7th to 11th was Computer Science Week and is when the Hour of Code is promoted all around the world. Kilvington students were given the opportunity to have a go at coding, maybe for the first time. All students from Prep through to Year 9 and some of the older students spent an hour on Monday 7 December coding. 

Why is coding becoming an important skill to teach to school age children? The graphic included here will give you some key points.

However, it also teaches:

• Logical thinking
• Problem solving
• Persistence
• Collaboration
• Communication

While in the Year 3 class, I personally witnessed students trying over and over again to get the code just right. Their persistence in achieving each stage so as to be able to move on to the next was explicit.

This year, Kilvington is beginning the implementation of the new Australian Curriculum called Digital Technologies. There is a component of this curriculum which involves coding. The Digital Technologies curriculum will be taught in IT classes from Prep to Year 8. 

Kirsty Watts, Academic Dean of Technology

Source :

http://breakingnewground.typed.com/blog/coding-a-new-literacy-superpower

Lord and Lady Somers Camp

Around two and a half months ago I heard about a camp scheduled for the last few weeks of the summer holidays. It was called Lord and Lady Somers camp. When I asked about the camp I got responses like, ‘oh you will really enjoy it’, ‘it pushes you to your limits’, ‘it will be the best week of your life’. 

The time came for me to go and I honestly thought to myself, “gosh Ekin you’re going on a camp with 99 other girls who you’ve never met and spending a week with them at a camp you don’t even know the location of.” 

I was very excited and anxious however I knew that I was always going to be open minded and try my best. During the week, I got to meet 19 extraordinary girls who I would be sharing a room with and spending my week with. Each of them where so unique and I loved getting to know them. 

The camp offered many opportunities for us to develop ourselves. It was designed to push us mentally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually. We were definitely all taken out of our comfort zones, however, this enabled us to discover more about ourselves and grow. 

Personally, I am not really a sporty person so the physical aspect of camp pushed me, but throughout the week I came to love the sporty side of things and it was probably one of my favourite highlights. 

Lady Somers camp was one of the best weeks of my life and I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. I was able to make 19 wonderful new friends, experience things that I normally wouldn’t and make memories for life.

Elkin Ilgin, Year 11

Kilvington will be again inviting Year 11 students to attend both Lord and Lady Somers camp, with both male and female students encouraged to apply.