Scotch College

Junior School busy bees ...

Junior school busy bees...

Bike Education -
Special Thank you

For the past three weeks the Year 4 boys have been participating in a Bike Education programme. Everyone brought their bikes to school and each day they worked through a variety of skills and road rule simulations. The set programme lasts for a whole week with each boy riding for one and a half hours each day. On the final day they are assessed and also go on a long bike ride over the whole school campus.

On Friday 27th October we had a special Assembly in the Junior School to thank the twelve parents who have been Instructors for this year. Bike Education involves much parent involvement and we are deeply grateful for all the effort and work they do.

In particular there is one parent who deserves a mention. Mrs. Jennette Newnham has been an Instructor in the Junior School for ten years. She was one of the first parents ever selected to participate in the programme and be trained as an Instructor. When she was selected her eldest son, Christopher was in Year 1 and her youngest son, Finlay was only two years old. Now Christopher is in Year 10 and Finlay in Year 6. Jennette was presented with flowers and chocolates for her outstanding efforts over the past ten years, which she so rightly deserves.

Ms Liz Wyatt
Year 4 Coordinator

---

Year Five Technology

One of the technology challenges for Year Five has been the design and construction of either a motor boat, swamp buggy or steam boat from a block of balsa wood. The motor boat consisted of an electrical system and a motor, shaft and propeller below the water line while the swamp buggy contained a similar electrical circuit and motor with a propeller in the air. The steam boat was propelled by heating water in a copper tube with the exposed ends below the craft.

The students investigated a range of aspects, which included flotation, propulsion, steerage and balance and having completed a number of experiments, began the design process. Rough sketches of concepts led on to more elaborate, neat drawings of ideas. The next stage involved the cutting and shaping of a streamline hull and the attachment of pontoons, cabins and partitions. The electrical and propulsion systems were placed into position and the boats tested in a tank. Numerous modifications occurred to ensure the boats functioned as intended and coats of paint were added to improve the aesthetic appeal of the models.

To conclude the project, all boats were put through their paces in a final test to evaluate performance. While some craft still needed further adjustment, most boats successfully completed numerous laps of the tank and provided much enjoyment and satisfaction to their designers and builders.

Mr Alistair Webster

---

An Excursion to Melbourne Airport

During Term 4 the boys from Year 2 have been learning about flight. The boys were fortunate enough to take a trip of a lifetime to the Melbourne Airport. The day began by boarding an Ansett simulator used for Flight Crew Emergency training. The simulator looked exactly like a B737 and boys were able to board the aircraft and sit in real life seats. The cabin trainer was then elevated with associated aircraft noises to simulate flight. Here the boys learnt about safety procedures, as the trainer landed without a nose wheel.

Next we walked to the main terminal where the boys were taught how to read screens and check in. We were then able to look at the cockpit, galley and other areas of an A300 Airbus.

After leaving the main terminal we drove to the Aviation Fire Department. Here the boys watched an interesting video before being shown around the station. The officers took the fire truck out and demonstrated how they extinguish a fire with both water and foam. The day ended with each boy operating the fireman's hose.

It was a wet afternoon, but a trip that I am sure the boys will never forget.

Mr Chris Carney

---

Year Five Gold Activities

Term Four has been another busy and exciting term for Year Five students. The general studies topics of Gold and Bushrangers have provided the focus for many of the students' activities.

The study of gold by Year Five students has been undertaken from an historical point of view. The discovery of gold, both in Australia and Victoria, has been covered. Students have focussed on the lifestyles of the diggers on the gold fields, as well as the conditions. Students have participated in gold simulation activity, through which they have gained an understanding of life and living on the gold fields and the lifestyle for the digger's family.

The gold simulation game, played across the Year Five classes, has provided all students with a great deal of enjoyment and learning.

Students have taken on the role of diggers, gold cradlers or gold miners and have all experienced the highs and lows of living in the diggings.

The game has allowed students to engage their creative talents and numerous students have developed considerable business skills, and these students have all learnt that the providers of services on the diggings were the most prosperous. The imagination of the boys has taken them to Gregory's Gully, Webster's Waterfall and Carson's Creek and gold of varying purity and abundance has been found at each of these locations. A surprise visit from Bushranger Mason halted the escalating prosperity of some of the diggers. The gold unit concluded with a most enjoyable excursion to Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, to gain first hand experience of the early Australian gold diggers and diggings.