Learning and Teaching

Australia Computational Thinking Challenge 2023

Dear Parents,

This year students in Years 3-6 will once again participate in Bebras Australia 2023. Bebras is an international initiative aiming to promote Informatics and engage students' computational thinking and problem solving skills in a fun, interactive environment. The Bebras international community has now grown to include 60 countries with over 2.9 million students participating worldwide!

Bebras Australia began in 2014 and is now administered through CSIRO Digital Careers. St  John’s began participating in Bebras in 2015. 

The goal is to promote computational thinking in students in a way that challenges them beyond science or mathematical skills. It uses a number of skills such as pattern recognition, algorithms and logic. Bebras Australia is designed to be accessible and easy to use and is linked to the Victorian Digital Technologies Curriculum.

We use problem-solving in everything that we do – and future jobs will require this even more. Teaching Computational Thinking is not about how to use technology to solve the problem but rather how to understand the problems and identify the tools needed to solve them. Bebras is a challenge, not a competition. The aim is for students to develop a positive impression about Digital Technologies. 

In Australia, the Bebras Challenge takes place in May and August-September each year. The students will participate in this online challenge in a 45 minute (Years 5 & 6) or a 60 minute (Years 3 & 4) session at school. Students will need to return a signed consent form to participate in the challenge.

For more information go to https://digitalcareers.csiro.au/en/Bebras 

Please return consent forms to your classroom teacher by: Friday 17 March 2023

Classroom Helpers’ Course - Wednesday Afternoon - 15 March

We are thrilled to be able to welcome volunteer helpers back into our learning areas! We would love for you to join us and enhance your children’s learning experiences.

If you are able to volunteer for an hour a week, fortnightly or even monthly we’d love your support. 

In order to be eligible to assist, we request that you attend a Classroom Helpers’ Course. This session outlines the type of tasks you will be assisting with and your role and expectations as a Classroom Helper at St John’s.

If you would like to be a new Classroom Helper in 2023, you are invited to attend a  

Classroom Helpers’ Course

 at 3.00pm in the Lyons Room on Wednesday 15 March

RSVP to Ange Crowe acrowe@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

or just come along!

Everyone is Welcome!