Banksia Unit

 In 2008, Banksia Unit consists of approximately 150 students in Years 4, 5 and 6.

We have two Year 4/5 classes along, three Year 5/6 classes, five classroom teachers and an Executive teacher.

2008 Units of Work

This year we will be studying a wide range of Learning Elements including:

· High Five – A Personal Needs Learning Element based on Choice Theory, which states that almost all behaviour is chosen, and that we are driven by our genes to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun.

· Ten to Teen – A Personal Development Learning Element that explores the changes we go through during puberty, nutrition and hygiene

· Manmade Marvels – A Technology-based Learning Element that encourages students to investigate and learn about bridges and towers

· The Olympic Dream – A Sport, PE, History and Geography Learning Element based on this Year’s Beijing Olympics and looking at Australia’s sporting legacy.

· Artistic Impressions – A Learning Element where students learn a range of artistic techniques and are encouraged to display their creativity in the Arts.

Camp

Every year, Banksia students are given the opportunity to attend a school camp lasting 4-5 days. In 2007, we attended Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/jindabyne/.

In 2008, we will be going to Camp Long Beach http://www.camplongbeach.com.au/, 10km north of Batemans Bay, in the last week of Term 1 (7 – 11 April).

The program of activities are selected to consolidate and extend student learning from the Gordon Gold social skills program and focus on developing students’ leadership, initiative, resilience and social skills and ability to work in a group.

All activities are designed specifically for Primary School aged children and promote active and healthy lifestyles.

Our 2009 camp will be at Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre.

High School Transition

 Gordon Primary School has close ties with Lanyon High School and we provide our students with a range of activities that facilitate the transition to high school.

Our main activities in this area are:

A Taste of High School – All our Years 5 and 6 students go to Lanyon High School and spend a day doing ‘High School’ activities with their peers. The day is structured so that unsupervised contact between Primary and High School students is minimised with different recess and lunchtimes for each group.

Earthkeepers / Peacemakers Day – All Year 6 students from the Lanyon Cluster of Schools go to Birrigai Outdoor School and work with each other to complete activities focussing on Environmental and/or Social Harmony Themes. (We will be working through the Earthkeepers Learning Element in 2008).

There have been numerous cross-school friendships made during these days in past years.

Transition Day

In Term 3, Lanyon High School hosts a transition day for Year 6 students who have enrolled to commence at the school in the following year. The purpose of this day is for students to become familiar with teaching staff, other students and the layout of the school. Successful transition to Lanyon High School is also facilitated through the close contact and open communication between all teachers in the Lanyon Cluster.

Year 6 Tops

Our Year 6 students wear School Leadership shirts to signify their leadership status amongst the student body.

The shirts are short-sleeved navy blue polo shirts with a red collar.  The school logo is embroidered on the chest and the collar has the words ‘Gordon Primary Class of 2008’ in white writing. There are no names on the tops so that students coming into the school part way through the year do not have to worry about being left out.

Orders for the next year are usually lodged in Term 4 and delivered in the first week of Term 1. Some extra tops (in a variety of sizes) are ordered at this time to cater for new students.

Unfortunately, orders are not usually placed during the year unless there is high demand, e.g. more than 40 Shirts. This is a requirement of our supply company as smaller quantities will demand a higher price.

In 2007/2008, the shirts cost $30 each.