Autumn 2014
EVENTS & ENVIRONMENT Class captains learning to lead Each year, more than 70 primary students from Years 3-6 have the opportunity to become Class Captains. Each term, a boy and a girl student are elected to represent their class in meetings with members of the Primary Leadership Team. Once elected, all Class Captains undergo a leadership programme to ensure they are fair and open-minded when addressing issues important to them in the school. Students explore what they think it means to be a positive leader and role model. Many students make connections to the IB Learner Profile Attributes, Attitudes and Transdisciplinary Skills. The Captains then go about finding opportunities to become great leaders themselves by making a difference for others in our school. This includes things like ensuring all voices are heard during class meetings, and looking at issues from a range of perspectives before making decisions or taking action. It is fair to say that the future is in very capable, internationally minded, hands. Matt Baron Primary Vice Principal
Appreciating the wonders of nature The Year 3 unit of inquiry, ‘How We Express Ourselves,’ culminated with The Wonders of Nature Exhibition last spring. Students showcased their learning of an appreciation of nature and its influence on creative expression through a vast array of experiences. Work that was on display and presented included sculptures, drama, music, architecture, photography, visual art, fashion design and dance. The students performed, demonstrated, and explained their learning to their parents and visitors throughout the morning. “My son has learned to appreciate nature in many new ways,” said one parent. Jason Edwards Year 3 Team Leader
Year 2 explores celebrations In the Year 2 ‘How we Express Ourselves’ unit of inquiry, we explore celebrations from around the world. It is an opportunity for students to investigate the ways in which people celebrate as well as how culture and beliefs influence celebrations. At the start of our inquiry, parents support student understanding of this by discussing initial thinking using students’ mother tongue languages. Throughout the unit, guest speakers share celebrations from various cultures, and students also share personal celebrations significant to their families. We further develop understandings by making connections between celebrations, traditions and experiences. Because celebrations are an expression of beliefs and values, students use the expressive arts to demonstrate their new learning by creating artefacts and dramatizing events. The unit culminates in a mini exhibition where students share new learning with their parents through the use of technology, music, dance, art and written information. Loretta Romano Year 2 Team Leader
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EVENTS & ENVIRONMENT