CONFIRMATION-ICONS

As we prepared to run our Confirmation parent night, we decided to simply display the research done about our chosen saints, accompanied by an icon that we had created to represent our saint. Using the inspiration of other icons of our saint, we created our own representations!

Confirmation from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Book Week is approaching

Each year, we celebrate Book Week.  This year, Book Week is in August and the theme is "Reading across the universe".  The book week awards are rewards for the wonderful work of Australian authors and we enjoy looking at many of the short-listed books and waiting for the announcement of the winning books.  This year, we were excited to read that Miss Y from LRC Blog from another Melbourne school has a wonderful idea to help us think about and celebrate our favourite books.  

Miss Y has created the "Shelfie Challenge" 

We would love to join the challenge.  When we have some photos, we will publish them on the blog and link them to Miss Y's blog.   
Opportunities like this show how blogging can connect learners across the suburbs and how we can share our common love of books.  Thanks Miss Y. 

Social Bookmarking - Sharing and Evaluating Resources

In Term 3, we will be exploring elements of our past and the stories that create history. There are many resources available on the internet and it is important that we learn to use them critically (not trust everything we read).  We will be experimenting with two tools that help us organise and share on-line resources : EduClipper and Diigo.

Both these tools allow us to share a resource or site with our class mates, tag it (more on that later) and make comments on what we think about the information it provides. All students have accounts for both services.




History can be interpreted differently by different people.  When looking at any new resource, it is important to consider:

WHO 
What do you know about the person who created this source?
Think about: • age • gender • occupation • position in society • religious background.
WHEN
What was life like when this source was created?
Think about: • significant events • political environment • common prejudices • social norms.
WHY 
What is the creator’s purpose? Why did they create this work?
Was it to: • influence people? • sell something? • tell their version of events?

Source : State Library of Victoria : http://ergo.slv.vic.gov.au/learn-skills/research-skills/select-resources/question-text

PROUD TEACHERS

The soccer round robin will be upon us in week one of Term 3...so time for some training! So what is a teacher to do? Well if you're as lucky as us, you hand over the reins to the sport leaders and stand aside.

What a fantastic training session they planned and executed! Thank you for your leadership, skill and great goodwill! Your teachers are IMMENSELY proud of you!

SOCCER WORKOUT

LEARNING INTENTIONS IN MATHS-POSTED BY AMBER

This term we have been using learning intentions. Learning intentions are statements that help guide us throughout the lesson. If we were focusing on multiplying double digits, the learning intention might be, "We are learning to multiply double digits and apply them in a mental and visual way." We use the learning intentions in many things, especially maths. The learning intentions help all of us to know what we are focusing on and keep us on track. At the end of the lesson we go back to the learning intention to see if we have achieved what we were hoping to. I personally think that learning intentions help me to stay an track and to raise the bar.

Learning Intentions from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

CONFIRMATION REFLECTION DAY

STUDENT REFLECTIONS


Confirmation from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

The silence....the interest...the stories...the wonders..feelings..knowledge...places...the learning...experiences...

I felt there was  avery different approach to today's learning. I loved listening to the stories of all the trips to Uganda.

I had so many questions and they were answered. We have chosen to bring the Good News!

This day was amazing because it really connected to me, my family and the class. The most amazing part was hearing the story about how the gorilla touched Paul's heart...when he touched his hand. This was an amazing day that really gave us the idea of what we need to know and also how we should be thankful.

The reflection day was such an amazing experience...I could feel what he (Paul) was feeling and all his amazing experiences really touched me. He taught us so much...the great things he had experienced and how to help others.

Today WAS and "awesome" day. It was very different to past experiences. At the Holy Cross Monastery, our presenter, Paul, talked to us about his experiences, working with children in Uganda. He had some symbols from Africa such as a vest made from bark, a giraffe, a nativity scene made form leftovers and a special garment. Also Monsignor Curtin talked to us about the ceremony and the gifts of the Spirit. We discussed social justice because of its strong connection to Confirmation.

I think Paul was very passionate about his work. he was touched by a gorilla coming over to him and holding his hand..then he (the gorilla) shoved him over and sat in his spot eating the vegetation!

Guest Speakers-Bahay Tuluyan

A few days ago, we had some visitors from the Philippines. There were two past students, Gary and Aisa. There was also Catherine who runs the organisation.

We learnt:

• if you are reading this, then you are in the top 8% richest people in the world.
• if you have a bed, a closet, a fridge and a roof over you head, then you are in the top 20% of the world's richest people.
• that we have everything we need, but others don't (we have more than enough)
• that we can change the world within our generation, and even in our life time!

Everyone was amazed with everything we learnt, and now we are hoping to help change the world to become a better place. We now know that if we donate a few un-needed things, we can change someone's life for good. The school is now trying to raise money for many other organisations.

The most enjoyable, but emotional part of the day, was when Gary and Aisa put on a play. It was about both of their lives in the Philippines and how it changed their lives when they were given shelter and an education. We were shocked on how they lived their lives and how grateful they are for "Bahay Tuluyan" - which means house of welcome.

Here is a rough picture of what it may look like in the Philippines. Many people are begging for the chocolate, as we pretended it was real food. We learnt how hard it was for them to get food, and how sad it was too. This activity made us feel really lucky and selfish too...since what we have is unimaginably much more of what they have.

By Simon and Mairead

WISE OWLS ....POST by Nic and Joe

Last week for art our class created owls. The reason we were on this topic was because of the recent individual goals we set for this term and year. The seniors have spent three weeks designing and making these masterpieces. They represent wisdom and deep thinking. By Joe and Nic.
Wise Owls from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

RED CROSS FUNDRAISER

RED CROSS ACTION

Today some of our senior girls put into place an action that was inspired by our religious education research into aid organisations. We raised money for Red Cross Australia. To raise the money we drew a chalk cross on the pavement and asked the students to put their coins in the cross. Today we raised a good amount of money and we are still going to continue through out the week. We will let you know how we go!
P.S.  We raised $99.80 and our teacher rounded the amount to $100....thanks and well done everyone.

Student Blogging Challenge - Guest post by Mrs Coffa

At the moment we have our third group of Senior students working their way through the Student Blogging Challenge.  Last year in March and September and again in April this year, almost 50 of our students have created their first blog, personalised their pages, written posts, added widgets, and responded to others by way of comments.  They have learnt so much!  They have connected to so many other bloggers and created wonderful blogs.  I have had the privilege of mentoring students from other schools (and countries) who are also participating in the challenge.  

As part of Challenge 8, I have been asked to mention a few posts from this round.  It was really hard to pick just a few as so many students are working so hard, so I just randomly went through the participants list and chose a few. 

Tarah's Blog post on Challenge 3 about the Three R's based on the Earth Hour theme.  Tarah write clearly, explaining herself very well and used an attributed image . 

Hailey's Post on Basketball for Challenge 2 in the Free Choice section.

Amrita's response to the Secret in the forest Challenge No 5.

Amber's creative use of a spare sock and use of ToonDoo for Challenge 2.

I was also really impressed by Simon's post last year as he shared his first draft of his writing - asking for ideas, before it was finished.  I really like the idea of blogs being used to ask for help and not just showcasing our finished work.  Simon was lucky enough to get some great ideas from an author who read his draft ! 

Conor wrote a very emotive piece in last years challenge on a 'My Place' theme and I loved the comments he received. 

This process made me think about "What makes a good blog post?" My list would start with the following :

1. Characterful - letting the author's personality shine through
2. Easy to read - not too much or too little writing and of course correct spelling and punctuation
3. Sharing - whether it be an idea, a piece of writing, artwork or a question - blogging is about connecting with your reader, so a good post shares something
4. A simple graphic or image to make it appeal to the eye (of course the owner will be attributed!) 

What would you add to my list ? 

ANGEL OF KOKODA by MARK WILSON

Today's responses are to the poignant story, Angel of Kokoda, told through the eyes of a child along the Kokoda Track during WWII. Our focus was on how the author used a variety of devices to bring alive something of the past. The following are excerpts of Senior MY's writing.

Madi wrote: Mark Wilson has yet again written an emotive, soulful book that really makes you think. The themes of war and friendship were intertwined really well as each theme made the other shine. Talking about "shine', the illustrations were amazing. I loved the impressionistic feel to them and the vibrance of the colours added light to such a dark topic that is war......
Amber wrote:Kokoda, a very famous trail in Papua New Guinea, has had many different stories written about it, but one very well written story is "Angel of Kokoda" by Mark Wilson....in the story, the use of colour made a big difference and helped me understand the story better...especially the way black and white were used for emotion.
Rylee reflected: Kari and the soldier struggled through the jungle, over rocks and through the mud until they finally stopped, tired and sweating. A butterfly landed on the soldier's wounds as his breathing became lighter and lighter...a beautiful story about friendship and bravery woven together!

Carley thought: Combining the black and white images with the colourful ones was very clever as it told us which action reminded Kari of his mother....some images stood out to me such as butterflies and angels. These symbols represent a new life and freedom.
From Caitie: The author, Mark Wilson, made great use of effective action language such as "trickled","emerged" and "fluttered."
And Mairead:As sad as the story seems, the saddest, most symbolic and moving part for me was when the butterfly was like the dead soldier's spirit flying into heaven.

EASTER REFLECTION

Happy Easter to all. With Verdi's music to support the images, the whole school collaborated on this Easter Reflection.

Stations of the Cross from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

NEVER FAR AWAY IN 2013!

Our Aussie-Irish family have no sooner left Australia than they are up (with jet-lag) at 4.30 am (and -1 degrees),skyping their classmates in Australia. Aren't we lucky living in this global village where we can stay in touch with the click of a mouse! Enjoy the trip!

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

TODAY'S POST BY SIMON AND TRISTIAN  ...NOTE:MOVIES WILL FLIP WHEN YOU
                                                                                      SELECT PLAY

Today we have watched a BTN video about Childrens Rights. We have discussed  the rights that we wished that would come true, and then the important rights.

In our writing books, we wrote out wishes and facts about the topic, and have filmed a few students' ideas.




Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

Rights of the Child from Marg Yore on Vimeo.

YOUNG INVENTORS

        

                                                www.techi.com 

After completing research projects on a space
topic of choice, and viewing many 
documentaries about life in space, the Seniors
are now looking to create a prototype for a
 new invention. This could
be for use in space or for any other use.


What new inventions
could assist with space 
travel,space 
exploration or life 
in space?

What new inventions
could make life 
better for us today?