3W News

Winter Term proved to be the busiest, most active and enriching one to date. The holidays will have doubtless provided much needed rest and relaxation after an incredible 9 weeks, full of creativity and learning.

Our latest unit of inquiry explored the idea of a world with equal opportunity. Along with 3S, our boys were treated to incursions, where expert speakers came in to talk to the boys about their work in various underprivileged sectors; Jane Armstrong from Homelessness We Care, Matt McNally from Department of Communities, Sara Franklyn from Direct Reach Ethiopia and Rev Wall discussing refugees in a highly interactive and informative session. The boys had much food for thought and it spurred them forwards, taking action to try and offer their time and service to those less fortunate.

The following fortnight was a blur of activity; baking sessions, collecting items, designing and marketing posters, creating treasure hunts, writing to organisations and constantly updating our ‘to do’ lists with an ever-changing list of jobs. The classroom looked rather ‘busy’ with piles of donations, lemons, trays of cookies piled onto trolleys, baking equipment, that it was hard to see the carpet at times! However, the results proved to be hugely rewarding and meaningful as each boy contributed a mighty effort. Taking action proved to require collaboration and cooperation, drawing on the boys’ critical thinking skills and stretching them to think beyond their own world and experiences.

The boys and I must thank the huge team of supporters that we recruited along the way; our parents were amazing, the school community rallied to help us and donate and the Scotch Catering Staff were generous to a fault in lending us their equipment and ovens. We are so excited to be able to donate $560 to the Make a Wish Foundation and $220 to Direct Reach Ethiopia, not to mention oodles of sports clothes and equipment and piles of stationery for Indian schools.

Just to add an extra layer of chaos, we enjoyed two excursions to PLC, where the girls treated us to a Maths Relay competition and also a few games of netball. It is fantastic to foster these links with our sister school and watch this space, plans are afoot for Scottish Country Dancing in the near future.

Spring will have a lot to live up to but somehow, I am sure, we will find a way to keep ourselves fully occupied and engaged. Scotch never disappoints in that domain.

  

Mrs Alison Webster
Year 3 Teacher