Every term the students from each class are invited to share their achievements with their peers. Not only does this foster a sense of pride in their work, but it also helps students to build confidence in their presentation skills. This term our visual senses were ignited by Year 1’s hot air balloon artwork and Year 2’s decorative Gustav Klimt inspired portraits. Our budding scientists in Year 3 shared their plant growing experiment with us. Following the MRS GREN process (Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion and Nutrition) the students were able to discover the optimum growing conditions. Year 4 recently visited Howick Historical Village. One of their follow up tasks was to write their own settler story. It was wonderful to be taken back to a time of adventure and anticipation.

In the Senior School Year 5 eloquently read their metaphor poems to us. Their excellent use of figurative language helped the words to leap off the page. Year 6 presented an interactive depiction of the transition from Roman kingship and a Roman democracy. We learnt that when the monarchy was overthrown, power and influence were distributed among the citizens through assemblies and voting. Year 7 promoted their charitable food drive project and Hugo, a talented writer, recounted a memorable incident from his childhood. Finally, two Year 8 students introduced the school to the cardiovascular system. It was fascinating to learn how the heart pumps blood through a network of vessels to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the organs and lungs. As always, the range of Good Works reflected the rich curriculum Ficino School provides our students.

Praise and recognition for effort, achievement and conduct is an equally important part of Ficino School life. This morning, we celebrated the success of individual students at our Commendation Assembly. Throughout the week teachers acknowledge students who uphold the school values by presenting them with a value card. The value cards translate into points for their houses and the children with the most points across the school that week are awarded a treat. As the points accumulate, the tension builds amongst the students because they all want their house to win the coveted end of term prize – a movie and popcorn on the last day of school. Our teachers also implement additional award systems within their classrooms to keep the children engaged and motivated to learn.