Science Inquiries and More

Science In Action!

At the end of Term 3 and moving into Term 4, plans are afoot for a focus on Science Inquiry.

Next week (Week 8) we are looking forward to visits by Guest Scientists (some parents and a certain BEPS Principal) who will turn our LC into a scientific lab as we investigate a number of concepts linked to possible scientific vocations.

In addition, students have been developing their knowledge of procedural texts in our English Workshops, which will link well to our scientific inquiry when students will be following scientific procedures to complete experiments and learn about the scientific method.

We thank the parents who have offered to be a part of this inquiry!

Hands-On Science

The first week of Term 4 will feature Hands On Science - Forensic Science and Reactive Chemistry. Students have already nominated their preference, with two-thirds opting for Forensic, and one third for Chemical.

Notes are coming home next week. Could you please have the payment back by the end of term so that we can have everything in place ready to go in week 1 of Term 4. Thanks!

Forensic Science (1.5 hours)

A crime will be set. Students will apply chemical testing skills, interpret data and develop an understanding of how scientific evidence is used to solve a crime. Students are asked to platy the roles of detectives, scientists and lawyers during the session.

Reactive Chemistry (1.5 hours)

Students will learn hot to distinguish between physical and chemical change, investigate the behavior of chemicals when mixed, and explore ways of producing a chemical change for a particular purpose.

Friday Market

Our last Friday Market is now scheduled for the first Friday of Term 4. Apologies for the postponement. Look out for a notice about it at the end of the term. Thanks!

Maths!

Well done everyone who took a risk and had a go at the optional opportunities to develop their maths knowledge. We have had kids involved in the Maths Talent Quest, the Maths Olympiad, and the Australian Maths Competition.

Results of each of the three challenges will soon be out and we are looking forward to celebrating achievements, even for those that just "gave it a go", with students. 

MTQ 

Students who entered the MTQ have already heard their result and are looking forward to the awards ceremony soon. If you are interested in viewing the projects, they will be on display at the school in the Su Nei Cieli main corridor for a little while. Come up and take look!

Finally - don't forget hats for Term 4!

Term 3, 2015 - Up and Running

Well, Term 3 is up and running! We have some information for you:

 

Puberty Education Sessions

Puberty Education sessions (run by Family Life) begin this week, August 6^th, for students in years five and six. These sessions will take place each Thursday for one hour for a total of three weeks.

As well, on Thursday evening, August 6^th, there will be sessions run by a Family Life facilitator to support dialogue between students and their parents/carers about puberty. Parents/carers accompany their children to these sessions.

The first session at 5:45pm – 6:45pm is for parents/carers and students in years three and four. Following this session will be a session for parents/carers and students in year five and six at 7pm – 8pm.

Sessions will be held upstairs in the Su Nei Cieli (4/5/6) Learning Community.

AMC

Students who signed up sat the Australian Maths Competition last Thursday! We were very pleased with the number of students keen to give it a go, and they gave it their best shot. Results will take a little while to process, and we will present result certificates when they arrive.

Humanities Inquiry

Students are busy refining their information in preparation for their group’s documentary. Each  inquiry group has used a BTN (Behind the News) documentary, to facilitate a discussion about the way information is presented in a documentary format and how links are made between topics.  We will share our LC final documentaries when they completed.

Heads Up! Calling all Scientists!

Our next focus is a science one. In the last part of this term, students will be exposed to simple experiments, making hypotheses and recording the results. As well we are planning to expose the students to a variety of science knowledge and this is where you may be able to help. If you work in a science field, our teaching team is hoping you would be prepared to give up an hour or so to share your knowledge with a group of students. We are pleased to announce that Janet, who has a long history of teaching science at secondary school, is our first volunteer.

When: We would like to offer a variety of workshops for our students to elect to participate in, during week seven and eight of this term.

Please email us if you can help out. We will endeavor to work around the times and day of the week that best works for you. Please note that on Mondays, students are at Curiosita for most of the day, and Friday morning is sport.

First week back, in term four, students will participate in a science incursion with ‘Hands on Science.’ Students have chosen between Forensic Science and Reactive Chemistry and by far we have lots of curiosity about forensic science. Notices will come home about this at the end of term three. We will end the year with some Science challenge projects,