Years 5, 6 and 7

In Science, we have been investigating circuits and electricity. Using “Makey-Makeys”, little invention kits that allow us to turn everyday objects into touch pads that can interact with computers, we tested different materials for their conductivity. We also experimented with creating circuits that will allow electrons to flow through them. Zac’s question: is human hair a conductor or an insulator? Jorja and Ava were the first pair to successfully create a circuit incorporatin...
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Last week was National Science Week, and to celebrate it we ran some special activities. In Design & Technology, the students were given a challenge to design a toy car powered by a rubber band. This task was given without any concrete instructions, and it was fascinating to see the students work in groups to arrive at a solution: And here are a couple of movies showing the two vehicles that actually managed to move beyond the starting line: https://cdos.run/u-0/sites/813/2018/08/...
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Students in Year 6/7 have been given nomination forms this week. Please ensure the nomination forms are returned as soon as possible to be emailed to Tony O’Connell. If you have faxed or emailed these forms directly to Tony, please let me know so I can check this against student names. With thanks, Suze Ricketts
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Last week we practised our fluency and expression through a readers theatre exercise. The students chose pieces to practise and read out in groups. Their aim was to create an entertaining rendition of their chosen piece for their audience. The performances were enjoyed by all and Mrs Harradine’s costumes were very much appreciated, once again! https://cdos.run/u-0/sites/813/2018/08/12160116/My-Movie-1.mp4
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At the end of Term 2, the 5/6/7 students were introduced to the Barpapapas: French cartoon characters who can take on any shape they want to solve problems. The students’ end-of-term assignment was to create a Barbapapa character out of clay, paint it, and create a bedroom for it reflecting its personality. They had to develop simple descriptions of their character and their room. The descriptions were recorded on audio and linked to a QR code displayed on the side of the bedroom. On the l...
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During Term 2, the 5/6/7 and 2/3 classes buddied up for a 3D Printing project. Their brief: in small groups, identify a fairy tale and in it, a character who has a problem. Design a 3D object to solve this character’s problem. The 3D objects designed are very creative. It was fascinating to watch the objects become a reality thanks to the school’s amazing 3D printer. The objects were coloured by their creators. They will be displayed in the front office for the first week of Term 3 i...
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“Letters And Numbers” is a game show that used to be shown on SBS. In this Australian adaptation of a French TV show, contestants battle to form the longest possible words out of letters picked at random, and to reach a given number target using only specific numbers also drawn at random. In our class, we use the free web-based program “Countdown Maths” to warm up our brains each morning. Students draw 6 numbers at random. They can choose between “big numbers”...
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Last week the 5/6/7 students were given a real job by The Mount Gambier Theatre Group: to come up with a poster to advertise the one-act play “Blue Murder”. The theatre group were urgently looking for a poster, and to thank the students for their work, offered to run a mini-competition with the winning designer(s) to receive two free tickets to the “Blue Murder” play on either Friday 17th or Saturday 18th August. Ashley in our class is playing the part of the landlady in ...
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Today was a very lucky day for the 5/6/7 students, as they were visited by marine biologist Simone Ramage, an alumni of Mil Lel Primary School. We have been learning about the ocean for two terms now, focusing first on the impact of the ocean on climate, and then on its importance as a living environment. The students brainstormed questions to ask Miss Ramage before her visit. Simone presented the students with very interesting information based on her personal experiences. Her presentation answ...
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