Learning is Better Together
Enrichment in our Junior School provides a plethora of opportunities for students to flourish and showcase their exceptional learning habits. Through engaging activities, co-curriculars and competitions, students are empowered to explore their passions, develop critical thinking skills and build confidence. From activities based on extending Literacy and Numeracy skills and understanding to creative arts, our enrichment programs cater to diverse interests and provide a supportive environment where students can thrive and achieve remarkable success.
Gateway8
On August 22nd, Mrs Grant and Mr Mitas took 16 Stage 3 students to Gateway8, which is an interschool academic challenge day at Macarthur Anglican School. Our Year 5 team and Year 6 team versed around 23 other teams in challenges throughout the day in a range of disciplines, such as English, Humanities, Music, Science, Mathematics and Creative Design.
The Year 6 team was awarded 2nd place for the Creative Design challenge, where they had to invent a solution to transport crops of livestock across a river, without using a bridge, ensuring they showed a planning process, sketch and model.
Each team showed exemplary sportsmanship, as well as ambassadorship of our 5 College values, and we are so proud of their efforts throughout the day.
Across Stage Collaborative Maths Session
During Week 7, Mrs Grant and her Year 6 Maths class joined forces with Miss Makko and her Year 2 Maths class to encourage across year group collaboration and craftsmanship through the lens of Maths. Mrs Grant and Miss Makko wanted their learners to engage in mathematical talk, reasoning and problem-solving with different aged students to bring new perspectives to mathematical concepts and skills.
The students were arranged in small groups, where they had a set number of coloured beads. The challenge was to figure out how many ways the beads could be arranged on a necklace to create perfectly symmetrical necklaces to sell at a hypothetical school fair. Students worked together to create different combinations and arrangements for their necklaces, all while justifying their arrangements, and making changes to their necklaces when the arrangement was not perfectly symmetrical. Some groups were extended by being given extra beads and experimented with having odd or even number of coloured beads, which extended and enriched the mathematical talk taking place.
Mrs Grant and Miss Makko were impressed with how the students worked so effectively together despite the age difference between the students. Here’s what a few of our students had to say.
“I learned how to make patterns and form symmetry. I also learnt how to work with others, our focus was interdependence which means to work with others. I really want to do it again!” Elijah B (Year 2).
“I liked it because you get to meet new people and practice teamwork. I enjoyed working with my buddy because we took turns when putting the beads together to make symmetry. We also solved the questions together, not just one of us.” Alicia T (Year 2)
“It was interesting that the Year 2 students thought similar thoughts and ideas to us. This surprised me. I thought we would have to help them more than we actually did. I really liked forming connections with the Year 2 students.” Owen L (Year 6)
“I liked that we got to see the skills of the younger students, and I am excited to see how they grow as learners. It was really fun to work and guide someone younger.” Emily P (Year 6)
God bless,
Mrs Kathryn Watkins
Deputy Head of Junior School – Teaching and Learning
