MCNS Newman Selective Gifted Education Program2019 Symposium
On Wednesday 6 November the College hosted the annual Newman Program Symposium where Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 students showcased their enrichment projects
and presentations in the Academic Resource Centre. The Newman classroom is differentiated with gifted teaching and learning activities that develop
the students’ critical and creative thinking skills, problem-solving skills, investigation of real-world issues and processes, collaborative working
practices, and most of all having choice in their mode of presentation and recognising their unique gifts and talents.
The Year 7 and Year 8 students developed projects in their core subjects under the guidance of their teachers. Time to create their unique products was
provided through curriculum compaction as they work at a more rapid rate. The Year 9 students presented their Individual Project at the Symposium which
was developed over this year with the mentorship of their teachers or experts in the field. The Individual Projects ranged from novels, poetry, TED
talk presentations, coding to create a fractal design, artworks, music composition, and performances. Their depth of inquiry and mature approach to
their selected area of investigation was appreciated by their family, guests, teachers and their peers.
This year we collaborated with St Mary’s Primary School with a mentorship program with Year 7 students co-designing STEM PBLs with a Year 3, Year 5 and
Year 6 student. They presented at the Symposium their theories of safe energy and removing plastic waste with worms and bacteria.
Some students and teachers have shared their reflections on the Symposium.
The Newman Symposium was special for me because it was a chance to show our work to family, friends, teachers and other students. I was most proud of my
group's Science project where we designed a working flying car in a physics simulator, then built it out of styrofoam.
William Solomon, Year 7 Montagne 5
The Newman project I was most proud of is my English fantasy board game. I found this project to let me have the most freedom, allowing me to create something
that I enjoyed making and am happy with the end product. During the symposium, I had fun playing my board game with others as well as looking at other
people's projects.
Tim Street, Year 8 Mackillop 4
My project was a research task presented by a TED Talk on the mindset of high-level athletes. I found it really great that we were able to have freedom
in how we presented and the topics we could choose from our areas of interest. It was a great way to extend us as we could go into great depth on our
chosen topic as we had ample time to do so. I also found it good to present to family and friends and to "show off" my project that I had been working
hard on for the past year.
Daniel Devaris, Year 9 Moore 1
I was really pleased with the way in which the boys extended themselves, especially in terms of their extended writing which was intelligent and engaging.
Their ability to write extended narratives also reflected their love of words and reading.
Mr Jon Watts, Year 8 English Teacher
It was fun to walk through the rooms and see all the work that everyone has done. It was also satisfying to see my own work on display for the parents
to see. I'm particularly satisfied with my work in Science and my 'Bill Nye' parody to figure out if we can colonise Mars.
Harry Pasalidis, Year 7 Salta 2
For the Newman Symposium, I created a book. It was great being able to share my creation with all of my family members and friends. It was helpful to get
feedback as it would make me think of new ideas that have more meaning and are liked more by the public. Having the opportunity to create whatever
I want was very enjoyable.
Marcus Papallo, Year 9 Mackillop 6
For my Art enrichment, I took photos of the city that were intended to be dramatic, I am happy with the end product of my project and how people enjoyed
my photography.
William Whitear, Year 7 Salta 3
Watching students engage in their areas of interest and build their knowledge up to an expert level in some instances was amazing to see. These students
showed a true love of learning to produce some outstanding research projects, with many students challenging themselves well beyond what even they
thought they were capable.
Mr Jeff Davidson, Year 7 English Teacher
I was most proud of my Science group project. During the process of researching it, I discovered and learnt many new things related to DNA splicing and
gene editing. This project also helped give me a larger idea of how science works and both the positives and negatives of working with new technology.
Luka Shattock, Year 8 Kelly 3.
Looking forward to working with the teachers and students in 2020 developing more innovative and thought-provoking projects.
Carolyn O’Brien
Director of Diverse Learning - Newman Facilitator
