Primary News
North West Science and Engineering Challenge
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a day-long competition designed to provide Year 6 students with a positive experience of science and engineering. St Philomena’s, along with a number of other schools from around the region traveled to Narrabri last Tuesday, 14 June, to compete against each other.
Each school ‘team’ worked in pairs to solve 8 different challenges. Students were awarded points for each activity and the school with the most cumulative points at the end of the day
is declared the winner. We participated with determination and enthusiasm and won some of the individual challenges and came fourth overall. Congratulations to our following team members on representing our school so well.
Illuminate Challenge
During Week 7, twelve Year 6 students participated in the Illuminate Challenge, an entrepreneurial education program, where they worked together in teams to devise solutions for problems in our community. Throughout the five day challenge, students developed skills in public speaking, elevator pitches, financial forecasts, marketing strategies and collaborative teamwork.
On the first day, students outlined their community problem, reflected on their team’s values, and brainstormed ideas. The following day students worked together to establish a name, create a logo and an outline of their idea to present to members of the Moree Council. Throughout the week, the teams researched their start up and monthly costs and formulated marketing strategies to target their audience. On Friday, parents and friends were invited to a showcase of students’ creative thinking process, marketing materials and prototypes which collated their wonderful ideas throughout the week.
Alice Turner, Hugo Donaldson, Shae Brazel, Jackson McDowall, Sarasi Maheepala and Sophie Boydell’s team discussed the need for an engaging facility where community members can gather together to foster positive relationships while working together to unlock an escape room. They came up with ‘BREAKOUT’ and received positive feedback from the adjudicators about their idea and business values.
Mia Stokes, Eddie Ball, Clare Montgomery, Harriet Poole, Heidi Humphreys and Hugh Makim came up with the idea for a mobile fun park called ‘MultiXtreme’. This park would consist of activities for all age groups, including a ball pit for infants, laser tag and trampoline park, as well as a cafe for spectators. The adjudicators were very impressed with their inclusivity of surrounding communities with their mobile truck.
All twelve students thoroughly enjoyed the experience!
Stage 3 Drama
This term, students in Stage 3 have been perfecting the art of movement and mine. For their last task - they were invited to create a film using techniques from the silent film era. Using iPads and iMovie, they worked together to create a storyboard, film the scenes and then edit. Some put their film to music, others added sound effects. We will have a viewing in the last week of school.
Home Reader Recall
With the end of term approaching, it is an ideal time to return any home readers you may have at home. Home readers can be dropped off at the office or returned to your child's Leader of Learning.
