Out and About

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Curriculum and community

The Western Australian Curriculum underpins everything we do at Woodbury Boston. While it may look like it’s all fun and games (we do have heaps of fun at school!) each of the experiences we create for our students is linked to the Curriculum, including our bi-weekly Out & About trips. Recently, we consolidated Science and History lessons with a trip to the Museum of the Great Southern. Keep reading if you’re wondering what insects, convicts, and a replica ship have in common.

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Beyond the 3 Rs

Years ago, school was all about the 3 Rs: Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic. These days, our Curriculum is designed to develop those skills, of course. But, thankfully, education has moved beyond simple rote learning.

Numeracy and literacy are still a prime focus, but they’re not the only ones. These general capabilities are just as important when our classroom adults plan units of study:


These capabilities are woven into the lessons, experiences, and excursions that we create for our students every day.

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Convict study comes to life

This term, the Little Penguins (Year 3-4) have done a deep dive into Australia’s history as a penal colony. Over the course of six weeks, they’ve learnt about the life and times of real people who were sent to Australia for committing crimes in England and Ireland.

Our students learnt about the conditions convicts had to withstand, as well as the lives some people went on to live after they served their sentences. The Little Penguins loved exploring the way laws and citizenship have changed over time and thought a lot about what life would be like for the convicts and the families they left behind. 

Visiting the Brig Amity and the Old Gaol on Out & About gave the Little Penguins an understanding of what life may have been like for a convict. The students couldn’t believe how crowded the fully-loaded ship would have been, and the size of the gaol cells was surprising as well!

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Incredible Insects

The Southern Right Whales (Year 1-2) have taken a deep dive this term, too — into the fascinating world of living things! Their in-school investigations found them learning about all sorts of animals, reptiles and insects. As a result, they were crawling with excitement to learn more at the museum’s Incredible Insects exhibit.

In early primary school, the Science Curriculum is split into three strands.

  • Science understanding: Introducing the facts, concepts, principles, laws, theories and models that have been established by scientists over time

  • Science as a human endeavour: Using science to help students understand their understanding of the natural world

  • Science inquiry skills: Introducing the scientific method — asking the right questions; planning, conducting, and reflecting on investigations; processing, analysing and interpreting evidence; and presenting their findings

And boy, do the Southern Right Whales love Science! As Year ones and twos, they spent time identifying similarities and differences among insects, learning about patterns of growth and change in their favourite bugs, and using counting to make quantitative observations. The Year 2s even organised their observations into tables.

Visiting the museum and participating in the Incredible Insects presentation gave each student the chance to be a real scientist: they used a microscope to examine specimens from the museum’s collection and make observations. And the learning didn’t stop with the children: we’ve heard from lots of parents about the mind-blowing insect facts their children announced at the dinner table on Friday night!

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Community connection

As usual, Woodbury Boston students managed themselves beautifully on our outing. The school adults are always so proud of how helpful, interested, and downright delightful the students are during Out & About. Interestingly, we’ve been running Out & About since the school opened, over 40 years ago! Sure, times have changed, but the importance of learning consolidation and community remains the same.

 

Recommended Reading

Woodbury Boston Primary School is a progressive independent school nestled in the bush between Denmark and Albany WA. We know that children learn best when they’re happy and having fun. With a strong focus on community, respect, independence and nature-based teaching, our students learn the Western Australian Curriculum and so much more. For more information or to book a personal tour, please ring 9845 1185.

Children, Philosophy & PracticeMartha Barnard-RaeWoodbury Boston Primary School