Newington is part of the Northside Gifted and Talented group. The aim of this group is to provide opportunities for students to engage with other pupils, participating in various workshops held by schools within the Northside group. Our students have attended workshops exploring paleontology, code breaking, philosophy for children and Latin. This year we hosted a Science workshop for 25 students, the theme of the day was in line with Science week, ‘Game Changers and Change Makers.’ Students explored scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians, designers and innovators of the past and present who have made, and are making, great improvements to the way we live.

Mr Czerwenka and I began the morning with code breaking challenges and tasks set in our school bushland, students were required to use their research skills, scientific understanding and general knowledge. They worked collaboratively to break codes and complete challenges that enabled them to collect various resources. The resources that they collected were used to undertake a design thinking challenge.

The students were engaged with their groups for the entire day, they worked collaboratively with others and certainly showed their creative thinking and problem solving skills. Our Newington boys were wonderful hosts, they loved showing our visiting schools our beautiful bushland and school facilities.

‘We had to crack the codes to find out the combinations for padlocks which were on boxes. Inside the boxes were different resources. At the end of the day we used those resources to make a marble run themed around a snake, brush turkey or kookaburra. I found it was a really fun and engaging experience.’ Charlie Cooper Year 4

‘It was really fun getting to know the students from other schools, my favourite part of the day was building the marble run.’ Aaron Blayney Year 4

‘In the morning we had to crack some codes, they were pretty hard and we made an arm band that said our names in codes. We had to crack more codes down in the bush, my favourite part of the day was the marble run because we got to use the resources that we got in the bush like leaves, bamboo, rocks and lots more!’ Michael Sheehy Year 3

‘I really enjoyed the day because we had to code break and after we cracked codes we made a marble run. Michael and I were in the snake group with two boys from Arden, we made a track that looked like a snake. I liked cooperating with children from other schools.’ Aidan Lilley, Year 3.

Aleca Bradshaw – Learning Enhancement Team Leader