Scotch College

The year of the ocean

During the first three weeks of Third Term, all children and staff were involved in a whole school focus on the International Year of the Ocean.

Stimulating units of work were planned by the staff and the students developed their understanding and appreciation of the oceans of our planet.

Prep pirates

Preps commenced their Ocean Unit with a literature based study of pirates. They performed a musical about Michael Salmon's book 'The Pirate Who Wouldn't Wash'. Then they boarded the magic pirate ship on a voyage to discover the natural treasures of the sea. The classroom was transformed from the deck of a pirate ship into an enchanting underwater world which included live fish and hermit crabs.

Mrs Anne Kimber and Mrs Elizabeth Dawe

Exciting and eventful lighthouses

The life of a lighthouse keeper can be very eventful, as the year 1 boys have discovered whilst undertaking a study of the lighthouse keeper series of books by Rhonda and Davis Armitage.

Acrostic poems, diaries and letters have been written; lighthouses and mosaics designed and constructed; lunches planned, made and eaten. It has been an exciting and eventful three weeks.

Mrs Debra McMenamin

Stranded on an uninhabited island

After being stranded on an uninhabited island, Year 2 boys have been exploring and documenting life in an undeveloped environment, without the accustomed 'luxuries' of home.

The students have been required to use their resourcefulness to plan shelter, food and other needs for a stranded community. The scenario has provided opportunity for activities such as journal writing, map making and reading, the study of the animal and plant life of an island and the surrounding sea, food chains, ecosystems and living in a community. The boys have also enjoyed many related art and craft activities in this enjoyable unit which recognises the International Year of the Ocean.

Mrs Christine Robertson

Investigating water

Year 3 investigated some of the characteristics of water. The boys explored a variety of materials, including their absorption properties and whether these materials can be made to float or sink. They examined real-life applications of their findings, when they designed and built their own cargo boat. The boys also visited Polly Woodside to study a sailing ship in detail, and learned about the life of a sailor. To conclude the unit the boys investigated life under the ocean and how shipping could damage the environment and its inhabitants.

Mrs Julia Nash

What is an ocean?

Year 4 students have concentrated their efforts on 'What is an Ocean?', and the different types of whales that exist in the oceans of the world.

The students researched and discovered many sites about the oceans and whales on the Internet and drew underwater sea pictures in Information Technology using 'Mouse Art'. During Mathematics the boys calculated sizes of the variety of whales and also worked out the area of oceans and continents.

In Music, the students composed whale songs and in Drama played with the wide selection of puppets, such as mantaray, shark, dolphin, fish and turtle. Jonah and the Whale was discussed during Religious Education.

Mrs Elizabeth Wyatt

Oceanic disasters

Fetch. Tsuaami. Neap. Continental. Hurricane. Tidal. Mariana. Exxon Valdez. Plankton... The Year 5 unit of work on the Ocean Theme has been a wonderful learning experience and opportunity for all of the students in this level, particularly with their language development.

The students commenced their study with a discussion on oceanic and coastal landforms, followed by work on the continental shelf, currents, tides and underground mountains and trenches.

Later, the boys shifted their attention to disasters and examined naturally occurring and man-made situations. The devastation and destruction caused to Papua New Guinea from recent Tsuaami, provided an opportunity for learning and discussion, based on a real-life situation.

Further study of disasters considered the problems caused by oil transportation across the oceans and how disasters can have serious and long term influence on the environment. The unit, whilst focussing on serious issues, also provided an opportunity for the students to complete a balsa boat building project and some great cross-age activities.

Mr Dean Gregory

Ocean Odyssey

To celebrate 'Year of the Ocean', the Year 6 classes set sail on 'The Great Ocean Odyssey' for a three week voyage. Every student was part of a crew that worked to complete a series of activities across curriculum areas. Enthusiasm and team spirit was high, as each crew completed tasks such as: building a sea craft to certain specifications, charting their course, observing the marine life, producing a video production, costing their voyage, graphing the ocean depths, keeping a detailed 'ship's log' and exercising evacuation plans in response to various scenarios. The boys returned to land exhausted but with a sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Ms Jocelyn Pride