CBCA Book Week 2014

This week the ISC has being celebrating Book Week with a number of activities and competitions:

• Prefects (Mike Kerrison, Georgia Dunkley, Kelsey Rettino, Hugh Evans, Maggie Taylor, Leah Sjerp, Lilly Walsh) visited  year 7 English classes and spoke about their reading habits and  significant books in their lives. Those involved did a fabulous job. They were very well prepared, inspiring  and were much appreciated by their audiences.
• Year 9 shortlisted book trailers were showcased in the front window of the Collins Bookstore. Liz from  Collins' said that there had been quite a lot of interest in these, with people dropping in and asking about the books. 
• The ISC launched itself on Twitter. You can now follow us on @ISCGGS.
• Indigenous guests, Debbie Leon and Jodi Dowsett, ran a painting workshop on Wednesday at lunchtime .Indigenous guest B.J. Bishop  and Roland Brown also played their didgeridoos.
• QR Challenge  and Book Timeline Competitions  for students
• ISC Book Challenge  and Twitter competition  for staff

Developing A Growth Mindset

Some weeks ago I posted  about Carol Dweck and the Growth Mindset. It has been great to hear that our "preps" know all about "growth" and "fixed" mindsets. The Khan Academy is also a fan of Carol 's concept and have developed with her the videos below.




For some excellent resources on the Growth Mindset see Larry Ferlazzo's curated lists below.

Resources To Show Students How To Make Your Brain Stronger
Resources For Improving How You Give Feedback

Literary Benches

Earlier this year, Liana sent me an article from the Guardian that I thought was worth sharing with you now, considering that it is Book Week. The English National Literacy Trust have just installed 50 beautifully illustrated book benches in London. Being a bibliophile, this project  makes my heart sing! For a bit of fun,check out this link to see if you can guess the title of each book.

National Science Week

 

 

 

Also this week has been National  Science Week with many great activities that have included coloured flames, liquid nitrogen, imploding 44 gallon drums and fire. Our students have vey much enjoyed these activities. This month's Scootle News also featured resources for National Science Week. It was here that it was announced that it would be the very  last Scootle News. Next month it will be transitioning to the ESA News. The monthly publication will be similarly structured and continue to provide theme and curriculum resource recommendations from Scootle as well as other ESA projects and services.

 

Gippsland Grammar's Political Forum

Our "Prefect body" can be congratulated for organising  Wednesday's lunchtime  political forum.  Held in the Lecture Theatre, guest speakers  the Hon. Darren Chester, Member for Gippsland and Scot Campbell Smith, the Greens candidate for Gippsland at the 2013 Federal election spoke to a packed audience that included senior students from Sale Catholic College and Sale College. The topic of the forum centred around the ramifications of  The 2014 Federal Budget's proposed changes to Higher Education. The speakers had been given the opportunity to prepare for the event as Darren and Scot had prior knowledge of  all questions that had been written by our prefects. It was a very successful event, helped to shed light on the issue and gave our students the opportunity to air their concerns.

ISC Twitter Launch

To help celebrate Book Week next week, the ISC is launching social media tool, Twitter. This tool will help us to promote resources, services and programs.Staff will be able to follow the ISC @ISCGGS. To encourage a following, everyone who subscribes to Twitter, follows the ISC and responds to "If you were a book, what would the title be? will be eligible  to win  a prize. Lyn McNally has created some very easy to follow instructions to help you on your way. Just click on the image above and start following us!

Anti- Bullying Video

The above  music video for Australian country music duo McAlister Kemp’s new single Fight Me  features 120 school children from age 5 - 13 from Gosford Public School in the Central Coast. The song has a strong anti bullying theme  and has  become a hit on social media. A good resource for junior and middle years.

Master of Education

Charles Sturt University is offering a new Master of Education course called Knowledge Networks and Digital Innovation.

Reasons for studying Knowledge Networks and Digital Innovation at CSU

1. Study innovative and emerging educational trends to develop expertise in global and community networked knowledge environments
2. Expand your knowledge and professional practice using information and networked learning
3. Become a leader in 21st Century learning environments

It's a two year part time course and so if you are thinking of further study this might just be the course for you. Click here for more details

Google Search Tips

Some years ago, Richard Byrne from the blog Free Technology For Teachers created a  10 Google Search Tips List. This list has now been turned into an attractive  infographic by canva.com. To download this infographic, click on the link here. It would be a useful poster to have in your classroom.

2014 Lorna Sparrow Artist in Residence

This week  our students and teachers have  been privileged to have been engaged and inspired  by local award winning author Scot Gardner. Scot was here for three days as our 2014 Lorna Sparrow Artist in Residence. During his residency he  ran writing workshops with our Year 7 and 8's and spoke to our Year 9's and 10's about his creative writing journey.Scot is a highly acclaimed author of many novels that   capture the essence of adolescence. He is also  a dynamic presenter who delights his audience with his stories and humour. For more information about Scot click here

Ricky Gervais and the Creative Process

Most of you will know of  funny man Ricky Gervais, the creator of "The Office". In this first episode of Creative Stories Ricky turns serious to talk about "the single biggest influence on his creative process". Yes it was a childhood English teacher! To find out how he was influenced, watch the video above.

A Minute on the Internet

You might like to show this to your students.Click on the image above from Bytes to see what happens in a minute on the internet. It will surely surprise you.