MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Throughout the year, we have had so many opportunities to celebrate learning at SVCC; from Science week to the Human Interdependency Project (HIP) in China and the exciting future for our ELC. This newsletter covers all these wonderful opportunities.
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It aims to acknowledge the contribution of scientists, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) professionals, innovators, designers, and entrepreneurs in the field.
The theme for the 2023 Science Week was ‘Innovation for future business’. With that in mind, the students had a wonderful week of special science project activities. We celebrated together, the week and the success of our Oliphant Science Award entrants, in two assemblies.
Please enjoy reading about the achievements and experiences of our students.
SCIENCE WEEK 2023
All Primary school classes have had an exciting and interesting start to Term 3 this year as we’ve explored varied applications of this year’s Science Week theme: ‘Innovation, powering future industries.’
Junior primary classes investigated farming innovations, unique watering systems and innovations based upon the invention of the wheel.
Middle primary classes learnt about innovations in the Space industry and have spent time building their own gliders from cereal boxes. They created a wing profile and discussed aerodynamics, tested their gliders and made adjustments to the weight distribution and wing flaps to improve their glider’s flying ability. And they particularly enjoyed throwing them all together during our assembly!
Upper primary classes learnt about medical innovations, such as new automatic pumps for diabetics, drone delivery systems for blood and medical supplies and using animal organs for human transplants.
Each class had a chance to share their discoveries at our Science Week Assembly and Mrs Lovett prayed that the initial sparks of creativity shown in our students would one day flame into amazing scientific contributions to bless the whole world. Such an inspiring and interesting week!
ESCAPE ROOM
Reflecting on National Science Week at Southern Vales Christian College: Week 4, Term 2, 2023 Was All About Innovation!
We delved deep into the theme "Innovation: Powering Future Industries," at Southern Vales in Week 4 with a special spotlight on advances in artificial intelligence. And who could overlook the suspense-filled escape room experience that our students embarked on?
Why Did We Spotlight Innovation? As the world progressed, so did the pillars that held up our major industries, ranging from health and the environment to groundbreaking tech developments. Our curriculum for that week encompassed everything from Chemical to Biological Sciences, stressing the importance of sustainable and transformative solutions in our modern era.
The Escape Room Adventure: Unraveling the Mysteries of Hydrogen Our Stile escape room, an annual favourite, took students on an enlightening journey about Hydrogen, announced as the fuel of the future. The backdrop? A hydrogen production facility, and in their company was ALFI, the AI program voiced by the exceptional Dr. Alan Finkel. And then, amidst the knowledge-sharing, the unexpected hydrogen leak! Racing against the clock, our students tapped into their classroom knowledge, piecing together solutions to avert a catastrophe.
A Retrospective Glimpse at Innovation's Role Australia has always been at the helm of innovation, with advancements that have resonated globally. Our National Science Week aimed to inspire our budding scientists and innovators, reminding them of their potential and the legacy they could build upon. Our teachers were equipped with resources, teeming with activities and ideas, ensuring every student's curiosity was piqued and addressed.
Potential further exploration of innovative solutions include:
Responsible Innovation: A deep dive into the ethics and impacts of innovation, underscoring its multifaceted nature.
Sector-specific Innovations: Students got a window into the world of modern agriculture, space, and more, charting their evolution and potential trajectory.
Agriculture: How farms had transformed with tech – from soil moisture sensors to disease detection mechanisms.
Space: The role of innovations like CubeSats in Australian-led space missions, even contributing to monumental NASA projects.
Biotechnology & Advanced Manufacturing: Introducing students to realms like DNA editing, robotics, and the magic of 3D printing.
While we celebrated the marvels of innovation, we also emphasised its balanced appraisal. Through the lens of responsible innovation, our goal was to mould our students into discerning thinkers capable of informed decision-making.
The escape room was just a week bursting with scientific activities, challenges, and deep dives into the world of innovation. Our students' enthusiastic engagement, thirst for knowledge, and journey into the world of science and technology were worth celebrating during the week.
Students in Mr Sweet and Mr Kowald's year 10 science classes at both campuses have been recently undertaking the 'Balloon Car Engineering Challenge' as part of their learning on Newton's laws.
Students were given the challenge of designing a car that could travel 10 metres while carrying a mass of 400 grams propelled only by balloons. This proved to be a difficult challenge indeed and required students to develop and utilise skills in communication, research, analysis and problem solving to maximise the distance their car could travel.
To achieve their goal, students followed the engineering design process, a sequence of steps that engineers use to help them develop and test potential solutions to challenges. The steps that students needed to follow were (a) defining the problem, (b) researching to generate new ideas, (c) designing a solution, (d) creating a prototype, and (e) testing and evaluating their prototype.
After testing and evaluating their prototypes, students were then required to analyse their results to investigate the relationship between distance travelled and the various masses that had been added to their cars. They then needed to delve deeply into physics and explore the relationship between their results and Newton's laws.
So, did anyone's car actually travel the 10-metre distance while carrying 400 grams? While success has been illusive for most, at the time of writing this article, some students are on the verge of achieving the mighty feat!
Congratulations to all students involved for their enthusiasm, persistence and ingenuity.
ICEE CAMP IN CHONGQING, CHINA
Text and photos from Mrs Scriven.
As the Chinese proverb says, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Our journey began in 2020 when an opportunity through the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) led us to the Human Interdependency Project (HIP) under the guidance of Professor Yong Zhao. Little did we know then that our paths would lead us to the fascinating streets of Chongqing, where our students would shine, innovate, and collaborate on a global platform. The initial HIP saw our students brilliantly conceptualising a board game for the blind, imparting intriguing facts about the world.
The invitation from YEE education through AISSA in 2023 led to another iteration of HIP and a sponsored opportunity to participate at the ICEE Camp in Chongqing, China. Our HIP Year 9 students, representing our school and culture, embarked on this immersive journey to foster innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Landing from our flight, the rich tapestry of experiences began to unfold.
As the sun rose, the expansive and majestic grounds of the Chongqing Secondary School unveiled themselves, setting the stage for the week ahead. From the rich culinary experiences that had our students delightfully overwhelmed to the vibrant Chongqing markets, each moment was an exploration, a lesson. The atmosphere of the Chongqing Secondary School extended its warmth and next-level hospitality. The well-maintained campus and the delicious local cuisine by on-site chefs added to our enriching experience. Our students, fuelled by the local cuisine and the energy of new friendships, dived deep into the learning process.
Our daily itinerary was a blend of academic pursuits and cultural immersion. Engaging workshops, interactive sessions, and insightful cultural excursions kept our students engrossed. The collaboration with international peers fostered a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. From problem-solving sessions to design sprints and cultural tours, every day was a whirlwind of inspiration and learning. Day 1 saw them channelling their energies into identifying genuine challenges and envisioning viable solutions. With days dedicated to design sprints, exploring the YEE ICEE Learning Festival, and immersing themselves in the history of Dazu Rock Carvings, the students were on a rollercoaster of personal and collective growth.
The concept of a global campus was no longer a mere theory. We lived it. Our students collaborated, negotiated, and innovated with peers from different cultural backgrounds, bridging the gaps with a shared passion for creating. The creative art session in Mrs. Scriven's group, where thunderous applause from a small storm blended seamlessly with the students' generated thunderstorm, highlighted the moment of 'Exploring Me Through We.' This activity showcased their teamwork and the seamless integration of creativity. What stood out the most was the personalisable learning experience. Each student carved their unique narrative in the vast sea of diverse thoughts, ideas, and strengths.
The culmination of this experience was the exhibition day and the closing ceremony. To see our students present their innovations on Day 7, under the esteemed gaze of Dr. Yong Zhao and Dr. Lai Chun, was a proud moment. Their journey from ideation to realisation, in collaboration with global peers, paints a hopeful picture for our future. Witnessing our students stand shoulder to shoulder with global counterparts, receiving accolades from renowned educationalists, and seeing Callum Russell shine brightly amongst his peers will forever remain etched in our memories. His exemplary efforts resonated well with many, making our teachers and Southern Vales Christian College proud.
Our ICEE Camp adventure in Chongqing was about more than just understanding entrepreneurship or design. It was about building global relationships, understanding different perspectives, and, most importantly, understanding oneself in this vast world. Our ICEE (Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship Education) Camp experience was not just an educational expedition but a testament to the power of global collaboration. The shared dream of solving real-world problems through innovation in the heart of Chongqing is a story we'll cherish forever. We embarked on this expedition intending to guide our students, yet we collectively returned enriched, absorbing valuable lessons from this multifaceted experience. We ventured out to teach and returned having learned – a true testament to the spirit of education.
The phenomenal support from YEE Education, who made this journey possible, has broadened our students' horizons and enriched our school's ethos. This trip is a testament to the fact that learning is not just confined to the four walls of a classroom. It's in every interaction, every challenge faced, every new city explored, and every dream pursued.
As we look forward to the future, the ICEE Camp's memories serve as a beacon, reminding us of the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Our young innovators are now equipped with the skills, experiences, and perspectives to shape the world of tomorrow. This journey has sown the seeds of entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation in their hearts.
Thank you to the parents for entrusting us with your child's journey. We are paving the way for a brighter, more connected, and innovative future. Here's to many more adventures, learnings, and milestones in the days to come.
SVCC ELC Flourishing Season
At SVCC ELC we have nurtured a culture for genuine quality and sustained improvement, where all stakeholders participate in the development and implementation of practices that allow us to achieve a high-quality education and care service.
We are very proud of the service we have been providing to the SVCC community as a place for children and families to start a safe and bonding connection to start the education journey.
As the ELC thrives and our preschool and transition to school program strengthens and refines, we have identified a growing demand of our service from enrolled families as well as having a growing waiting list.
In order to respond to this flourishing season and meeting the growing demand of our community, the SVCC School Board and the centre’s management have been planning for the following strategies to continue blooming, offering a high-quality education and care service.
From centre’s approval back in 2017, our centre was advised that increasing capacity would be easily achieved as the Indoor and outdoor physical environment were already quite large and only needed a few accommodations. A request to increase our capacity from 21 children to 45 children per day has been submitted to the Education Standards Board and we are looking forward to going ahead with upgrades in the meantime as they recommended.
2023 Christian Schools Australia (CSA) Christian Schools Community Profile: Parent Survey
WE WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!
Christian Schools Australia (CSA) are excited to announce that the 2023 Christian Schools Community Profile: Parent Survey is now open for all parents of our College to complete. This is the only national survey of its kind that is specifically designed for Christian school communities and seeks to gather key information regarding the perceptions, levels of satisfaction and priorities of Christian school families as well as their demographic profiles and the way families engage, support and interact with their local Christian school communities. It will be conducted amongst all families with children enrolled in participating Christian schools.
We would like to encourage all parents to complete this important survey. The survey will be conducted online and will only takes 15-20 minutes to complete. The survey can be accessed at any convenient time within the fieldwork period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.
All parents of our College community can access the survey via the following link: https://orima.com/CSAParents/start.php?u=gGj4z299
All responses to the survey are anonymous. The survey will be conducted from Wednesday 30 August to Friday 22 September 2023.
Please do not hesitate to contact David Chehade, Business Manager at bm@svcc.sa.edu.au if you have any general queries about the survey.
Thank you for your valued input into our Christian school community and Christian schooling across Australia!