Italian

JUNIOR SCHOOL GIFTED & TALENTED

In Semester 1, the Year 4 Gifted & Talented students worked on exploring different ways of thinking and solving problems using Thinkers’ Keys strategies. In Semester 2, they studied Engineering and the way in which forces and materials are related to design. They applied the engineering process to the construction of a catapult, a lifting machine, a spaghetti bridge and an elevator, the latter using Lego in a workshop with Mr Chee Wong from Young Engineers.

The Year 5 students studied philosophical skills in Semester 1, using picture books and nursery rhymes to initiate discussion. They also participated in the inaugural THINKfest – a day of creative and critical thinking, collaboration, innovation and philosophy. In Semester 2, they studied forensic science. The students gathered and analysed data and combined this information with scientific knowledge to develop an explanation of an event. A highlight of the unit was the visit of speakers from UWA’s Centre for Forensic Anthropology, who taught the boys how to discern the age and gender of a body using observations on bone development and dentition.

The Year 6 students competed in the Cluedunnit Kids competition In Semester 1. They worked collaboratively to discover evidence, identify the perpetrator of a fictional crime and then convey the information in a creative manner. Towards the end of Term 2, they prepared and delivered a speech on a topic of interest they had researched. Three boys presented their speech at the Speak Up Awards. Semester 2 was busy, with the boys preparing for the da Vinci Decathlon and the Evening of Eminence. The Decathlon required students to use higher order thinking, problem-solving skills and teamwork across ten disciplines. The Trinity team were placed seventh, scoring highly in General Knowledge and Maths. The Evening of Eminence saw them research an eminent person who changed the world. They spoke for five minutes as that person and designed a learning centre that gave their audience additional insight.

The Year 4 and 5 students rounded off the year with an astronomy unit, enjoying the opportunity to visit the school’s remote telescope facility and learn from the very knowledgeable Mr Bill Cooper. The Year 6s indulged in passion projects, ranging from animation to a peace project.

Philosothon hosted by Trinity College

Shirley Houston

Junior School Gifted & Talented