The entire Year 1 neighbourhood was abuzz this week, as students prepared to share the journey of their collective inquiry with the PHPS community at the Learning Expo. It was a wonderful way to showcase this project, which began all the way back in Term 1.
Over the past few weeks we have poured our hearts into transforming each space into an inviting environment for our families to explore. Students practised their performances enthusiastically, the courtyard was carefully watered to ensure its vibrancy, and thoughtfully designed signage was displayed to highlight the rich depth of our learning experiences. The Year 1 neighbourhood was a visual tapestry illustrating our place in the world, highlighting our interconnectedness and how we can contribute to cultivating a wholesome, peaceful environment brimming with dynamic learning opportunities.
It was also a chance for us to showcase our provocations from throughout the year: from sustainable fashion and mini books in the Learning Commons, to construction and costumes in the Performance Space, to the many beautiful still lifes and observations of nature in the Studio.
In our quest to improve the courtyard environment, we actively explored sustainability principles, considering the wellbeing of humans, animals, and insects. We created delightful bee baths to encourage bee populations as we learned about their vital role in our ecosystem – we shared some of our research findings with the community in our Courtyard Creatures quiz at the Expo… Do you know how many eyes a bee has?! Additionally, we infused our surroundings with beauty by crafting stunning art pieces and lanterns, all while embracing the gentle, soothing sounds of wind chimes that danced in the breeze.
The students’ profound understanding of ecosystems and their local environment was vividly expressed through various mediums, including design and technology, visual arts, and engaging writing, showcasing their creativity and provoking thoughtful reflections. It really encapsulated our school environment as a place where students felt part of one community, able to relax, play and take part in cultural and artistic activities: one of their rights, as children, in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
As well as reflecting on our inquiry, we have taken the time to think back on where our journey began in the Year 1 neighbourhood, and all of the marvellous progress that has been made this year. On the first day of school in 2024, students were asked to write a reflection of their summer holiday, which was kept as a reminder of where they started – and can now be compared to how far they have come. The improvements in spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and the use of capital letters has been remarkable!
Every student in the Year 1 neighbourhood should be exceptionally proud of how much their learning has grown over the past twelve months. Their natural curiosity about the world around them sparked a year-long inquiry, with a product that will be cherished by future users of the courtyard space. Thank you to everyone who has been involved in our journey, through volunteering their time, speaking to students or donating plants, your contributions have been invaluable and we couldn’t have done it without you.