LODGERS BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
MAGAZINE
www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au @berwicklodgeps
Issue 01 2018
STEM AT BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY Full STEM ahead… A one page feature about the school’s new science, technology, engineering and mathematics extension program with STEM educator George Spiridis.
CHESS PAINS Ashwin’s quest to become Australia’s #1 Chess player!
INSIDE: EYE OF THE BEHOLDER Great art at BLPS
NEW JONESES
MISS THOMAS
Are we keeping up with the new Joneses?
Why do our LODGERS love Miss Thomas?
Learning for Life| © Berwick Lodge Primary School
LODGERS MAGAZINE Sandra McCrum
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR…
Assistant Principal
Welcome to the first issue of LODGERS magazine!
Principal Henry Grossek
Assistant Principal
Angela Maskery
School Council President
Brian Gardiner
On the day of writing this editorial, thousands of people around the world are recognising and appreciating the hard work that teachers do. From Apple CEO Tim Cook, to Thor himself Chris Hemsworth (whose mother is a teacher), everyone is showing respect and appreciation for teachers. Why? Today is Teacher Appreciation Day. It is trending on Twitter. It is rather appropriate timing as it coincides with the release of this magazine and our very own teacher appreciation page which can be found at the back of this issue. How serendipitous!
Business Manager Jodie Norton
Office Team Julie Begley Susan Wookey
Writer and Editor Rob Kelly
Special thanks to: Claire from Prep Ryan from Prep Tvisha from Prep Chris from Prep Jeb from Grade 4
Misha from Grade 4
So, here we are! Welcome to Lodgers Magazine! A cover-tocover showcase of the many exciting things we do at Berwick Lodge Primary School! This magazine is designed to provide our school with a forum to showcase our student’s fantastic work and show-off the many talents our LODGERS have. (Just have a look at the brilliant artwork our LODGERS are producing on our Eye of the Beholder artwork feature page.)
Ashwin from Grade 6 Alice from Grade 6 Brianna from Grade 6 Lowan from Grade 6 Puneet from Grade 6 Miss Christine Thomas and George Spiridis.
Front Cover Photo: Joshua V Back Cover Photo: Lowan from 6P Brainna from 6M Ryan from Prep
Tvisha from Prep
Visit our social media pages @berwicklodgeps or visit our school website at www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au Telephone: 03 9707 1766
In this first issue, we have lots of great content for you to read. We have a one-page feature pertaining to our STEM extension learning class, an interview with our Vice School Captain Ashwin and a great funny photos page that is definitely worth a look.
We hope you enjoy flicking through the pages of our first issue. Please let us know what you think of the magazine. We very much value your feedback.
Until next time, keep learning for life!
Best,
Rob Kelly
LODGERS Spotlight What have our LODGERS been learning about at school? Claire from Prep says… “I have learnt lots of things at school, but I liked making the Anzac Day wreaths most of all with my buddy.”
Faith from Grade 3 says… “I have learnt how to make more friends by playing with new people. I have also learnt how to do my times tables!”
Ethan from Grade 3 “I have learnt about robotics. It is fun as I have learnt how to build and create circuits and programs.”
Corey from Grade 6 says… “Stem has been a really enjoyable part of my learning this year. I am enjoying being part of RoboCup, too!”
Holly from Grade 6 says “I have learnt about the importance of Anzac Day. In Maths, I have learnt about square roots.”
Alice from Grade 6 says… “This term, I have enjoyed learning about our government! I have also enjoyed learning about Sir Henry Parkes.”
NEW EPISODES OUT NOW! VISIT US ON VIMEO!
VIEWER REVIEWS:
INQUIRY: WORLD EXPO Around the world in 80 minutes… The senior school students held their very own World Expo day on Wednesday, 9 May 2018. Lodgers Magazine was on the scene to talk to the students about their inquiry learning projects… Lowan from 6P has been working on a project about America. “I chose America as a country to learn about because my Dad is American. I have learnt about the currency, different sports and the different foods they eat.” The students spent weeks learning about many different countries of the world. Some students produced posters while other students produced digital media presentations (such as Powerpoint and Scratch projects) and some even created their own interactive games! Holly R from 6M has been working on a project about Russia. “I learnt that a typical Russian drink is ‘baked milk’.”
Abbey from Grade 5W said, “In Spain, basketball is a popular sport.” The expo provides the students with an opportunity to display and present their work to the school community. Taran from Grade 5C said, “We are doing the expo so we can learn about different counties in our world. I am learning about Austria. They play icehockey and the currency is Euros.”
The expo ran from 2.00pm to 3.20pm and was held in the Grade 5 and 6 classrooms. For 80 minutes, the rooms were packed with interested students, parents and teachers wanting to visit the expo from across the school. Alex from Grade 6C spent time learning about Denmark. “I learnt that in Denmark they speak a language called Danish. In Denmark, the people enjoy playing soccer and handball.” As an inquiry learning unit, the World Expo gave our LODGERS an open-ended opportunity to explore and learn. Grade 5 and 6 classroom blogs on the school website.
Tevin from Grade 6M said, “I didn’t know that Lego was created in Denmark until I started learning about their country.” Alisha from Grade 6P said, “I am learning about Mexico. I learnt that they eat tacos (which actually means 'small snack'), nachos and burritos.” Sophia from Grade 5K said, “I am learning about Belgium. Did you know that they actually created French Fries! I didn’t! In Belgium they speak French, German and Dutch.” Lauchie from Grade 5W said, “I am learning about Austria! Did you know they created the croissant?” Well done to everyone involved! For more photos and videos of the World Expo, check out the
Written by Rob Kelly
FULL STEM AHEAD
Every Tuesday morning at Berwick Lodge
stepping stone to Arduino (another programmable
printing and micro-controllers to Lego robotics and
Primary School, a select group of students from
micro-controller which uses C/C++ programming
Scratch, a world of engaging STEM activities await
Grade 4, 5 and 6 participate in a weekly STEM
language). The Arduino is used to physically control
those wanting to engage their students.
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
lights, motors and sensors to perform various
extension learning class with the school’s resident
functions. As Misha rightly postulates learning to
STEM educator George Spiridis, the school’s Leading
program is like learning a new language. Few other
ICT Teacher Michele Tan and the School’s Digital
primary school students in Australia are learning to
Technologies Teacher Rob Kelly.
use such complex hardware and software, but the
Every week, the students come to the lessons bursting with enthusiasm, excitement and a
students at Berwick Lodge are diving in the deep end. It’s universally agreed that in the next
willing attitude to learn. Part of the success of the
few decades employability will depend heavily on
STEM program has been the influx of girls wanting to
STEM related skills. Therefore, teaching STEM skills
learn about STEM. Berwick Lodge prides itself on
to students at an early age can have a positive
offering safe, inclusive learnings spaces for all
impact on their future employability. As Jeb from
students, but it has been particularly interesting to
Grade 4 explains…
observe more and more girls wanting to participate in the program. Misha from Grade 4 is one of those students. She enjoys learning new concepts and coding strategies to further her understanding of how the world works around her. “I like to learn new and interesting things and I really enjoy STEM. I am very curious about it. It is like learning a new language…” The students started in Term 1 by learning
“It’s easier to soak in new information
STEM educator George Spiridis (with over 26 years of experience in education and a lifetime of experience in engineering) said… “The students have the opportunity to experience the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through STEM. We hope they will gain some level of knowledge and skill to help them understand the interactions and interconnectivity of these STEM disciplines. We hope they are then able to apply the knowledge and skills they have learnt to further studies. The confirmation of the success of this STEM program came in the form of a comment made to me by one
when you’re young. The more you know when
of our students from her astounded uncle (a
you’re younger, the more you can understand in
university lecturer) who was amazed that his niece
the future. STEM is in nearly everything we do and
- in primary school - was understanding university-
the more we know about it the better…”
standard STEM related projects.”
Beyond these STEM extension learning classes, the rest of the tеасhеrѕ at Berwick Lodge are treating thе adoption оf STEM as раrt оf their weekly lesson рlаnnіng as standard. Tеасhеrѕ wоrkіng
how to use a Picaxe micro-controller (which uses the
tоgеthеr hаvе tremendous роtеntіаl tо reform
programming language BASIC). This was used a
еduсаtіоn and improve student engagement. From 3D
Written by Rob Kelly
GEORGE SPIRIDIS Our very own STEM educator George Spiridis takes a break between lessons…
CHESS PAINS
Chess is a game of strategy and logic. It has been played and enjoyed by millions of people around the world for centuries, but there are few people in the 21st Century that play the ancient game as well as Berwick Lodge’s very own vice school captain Ashwin.
the game was helping me in my daily life. I could solve problems faster - and in more creative ways than I could before.”
It was while playing a game at Hampton Park Primary School in 2016 that Ashwin learnt something about himself that he had never realised before…
Ashwin has participated in dozens of chess competitions around Victoria and Australia and has won numerous medals and trophies to prove it. Ashwin started playing Chess in 2016 and hasn’t looked back since…
“I was losing to people who had just started playing the game, and I was playing terribly. It was painful. I got frustrated and angry with myself. After the tournament finished, I said I was going to quit chess forever! My mum became troubled since she knew I had a great future in the game and she tried to persuade me to keep playing. Luckily, she did! Mum helped me realise that it's not about winning or loosing the game, it’s about winning or learning the game.”
“I started to play chess after watching my brother and mum play. I become interested in it and I picked it up fast. My mum saw talent in me and encouraged me to play more and more. After attending chess coaching sessions, I was ready to play in tournaments.”
“After lots of tournaments, I realised
According to the website https:// au.tornelo.com/, Ashwin is listed as one of the top 30 best chess players in Australia.
Ashwin’s brother attended the tournaments with him and observed his game strategy. As Ashwin made mistakes on the board, his brother was able to assist him and coach him after the game.
state championships and he is playing at the national finals in October, 2018, too. He also plays at the Melbourne Chess Club and at inter school chess tournaments.
Ashwin is currently playing chess at tournaments at the Australian Junior Chess Championships, the Victorian youth championships, the upcoming
Written by Ashwin M and Rob Kelly


Eye Of The Beholder
OUT OF BOUNDS… From Berwick Lodge to Bunjil Place…
NEW JONESES A recent trip to Bunjil Place taught our LODGERS about reducing waste, protecting the environment and the importance of sustainability! On a recent visit to Bunjil Place, some of our LODGERS had the opportunity of visiting Joneses’ Tiny house. The house was erected in the foyer of the new Bunjil complex in Narre Warren. Our LODGERS learnt about the process of recycling, reducing waste, sustainability and solar energy. The exhibition provided the students with the opportunity to ask questions and explore ways to look after the environment when they are at school and at home. Peter from Grade 6 said, “I enjoyed learning about how to correctly treat the environment. I was surprised to learn that the size of a house matters
to the impact it has on the environment.” Brianna from Grade 6 said, “I liked seeing the TESLAR battery because I hadn't seen one before.” A BIG thank you to the parent helpers who came along - and a special thank you to Mrs McCrum for organising the event. Written by Rob Kelly
FUNNY PHOTOS…
MEET MISS THOMAS Berwick Lodge’s new PA teacher! She’s the new face of Performing Arts at Berwick Lodge Primary School! Here is a few reasons why our LODGERS love Miss Thomas…
“Miss Thomas is very friendly and nice.” - Chris from Prep “Miss Thomas is so nice! She spends time running the ZANCE committee for us!” - Puneet from Grade 6
“Miss Thomas is fun and she does lots of cool stuff with us.” - Yaneth from Prep “I like Miss Thomas because she makes all the activities fun.” - Oliver from Grade 2 “I like the way Miss Thomas helps us sing.”
- Isabella From Prep “Miss Thomas is beautiful and really nice.” - Kyah from Grade 4 “She always does a good job when she’s teaching us.” - Amelia from Grade 4 “Miss Thomas is an amazing teacher! I love what she does in our drama lessons!”
Berwick Lodge Primary School Website: www.berwicklodgeps.vic.edu.au Address: 139-145 Mansfield St, Berwick VIC 3806 Phone: (03) 9707 1766