Junior School News

Creative Connections and Learning Adventures: ELC and Beyond

Thursday, 20 June 2024
This fortnight has been a vibrant blend of artistic exploration, environmental engagement, and collaborative challenges for our students, offering enriching experiences and lasting memories.
Grant Bock

Grant Bock

Head of Junior School

Artwork

This week our ELC students had another visit from Indigenous Artist Amanda Westley, who shared with the students her dot work and the colours she uses to represent the colours from her coastal country hometown.

Both the Pipi and Pelican groups were able to listen and observe Amanda create her painting and share her stories, before having an opportunity to create paintings using the same techniques. These experiences provide students with the opportunity to develop fine motor skills and create work based on their own interpretations and understandings.

Early Years Explorers

Recently our ELC students had a great time visiting the Currency Creek Eco-Centre again. We continued to explore the themes of plants. Students spent time engaging in a range of activities set up in the Eco Classroom relating to the parts of plants, explored how native plants are propagated in the nurseries and spent time planting out sedges in the wetland. We shared that these sedges are used by local Ngarrindjeri people for weaving. The hope is that one day these students will be able to pick the same sedges for weaving sessions when they are in Junior School. Students also went on a nature walk through the wetland and spent time building cubbies in the campground. The weather was amazing, and we would like to thank all the parents who came along to help with supervision.  We look forward to continuing to offer these learning experiences each term and cannot wait to explore frogs and tadpoles in Term 3.

Green with a Cause

The Reception to Year 12 students recently enjoyed dressing in casual clothes with a splash of green to celebrate World Environment Day. Students participated in some fun Nature Play activities such as a nature scavenger hunt, a rock finding competition, and creating nature mandalas. These activities were all organised and run by the Student Representative Council (SRC) members. It was a very enjoyable day.

 

The da Vinci Decathlon – Years 5 and 6

The annual Da Vinci Decathlon took place at Saint Peter’s Girls College, bringing together 24 teams of eight from various schools across the region. The event, spanning ten disciplines, challenged students to collaborate and solve intricate problems throughout the day.  From mathematical puzzles to creative writing and engineering tasks, teams showcased their expertise in art, poetry, codebreaking, and philosophy.

After going through a selection process and several team training sessions at Investigator, the team travelled to Adelaide to compete. Despite a few students withdrawing due to illness, the collaborative spirit and enthusiasm were evident throughout the event.

It was delightful to witness many young minds coming together, sharing ideas and pushing boundaries. The day certainly provided opportunities for critical thinking, teamwork, and a passion for learning.

As the event concluded, exhausted but exhilarated students celebrated the day. The joyous camaraderie and sense of accomplishment were palpable, making this year’s decathlon a memorable experience for all involved.

One of the students who attended (Lincoln) made the comment that “It was engaging and difficult at the same time. I enjoyed the challenge of the Legacy discipline. I would definitely recommend da Vinci to other students who want to be challenged.” 


Comfort with a Cause!

On Thursday 27 June, ELC to Year 6 students are invited to wear oodies or pyjamas to school, along with a splash of blue or yellow in support of the Anglicare SA Star Bear camps. To learn more about Anglicare SA and their initiatives, please visit their website.

Grant Bock
Head of Junior School
gbock@investigator.sa.edu.au

Recent College News

2025 Commencement Service – Award Winners

2025 Commencement Service – Award Winners

On February 10, 2025, we celebrated the amazing things that our current and recently graduated students achieved in 2024. Congratulations to all award recipients. Your example will be an inspiration in 2025!

read more
Short-term pain for long-term gain!

Short-term pain for long-term gain!

Thank you for your patience regarding the construction of our new carpark. By the time you read this article it is anticipated that our new safer and user-friendly carpark will be functional, to be closely followed by the completion of a separate staff parking area, freeing up additional places for our families. As you will see, work has also begun on Investigator’s substantial new centrepiece building – with benefits for all ELC- Year 12 students.

read more
Junior School Update

Junior School Update

After months of planning the 2025 school year is well and truly up and running. We are delighted to welcome so many new families to the Investigator College Community. 

read more