LEAP - Learning, Enrichment and Achievement Programme
LEAP is a core subject for Years 7 and 8 in which students engage in diverse units of study centred around Design, Creativity and Technology, Research and Communication in order to provide skills on how to learn.
Year 7
Learning how to study begins the course in Year 7. Investigation of how the brain functions helps to support understanding of learning. In the school context learning is supported by two very important skills of study: the ability to take notes effectively and to summarise texts. These are explicitly taught, as well as rapid reading and scanning approaches. Brain buzz techniques for memory assistance, such as flash cards, the use of acronyms, incorporation of story and colour coding all help students to acquire a repertoire of study approaches. These are applied to science and revision for testing.
An excursion to Hays Paddock was the introduction to the Design and Technology unit. The girls analysed the various pieces of play equipment and played games to simulate a specific disability. Their task once back at school was to design a new piece of play equipment to suit a disabled child and then build a small model of it – identifying safety, hazards and suitability.
A highlight for the Year 7 girls was the unit on Notable Characters. They spent quality time and effort preparing their character through research, concept maps and rich questions, the culmination of which was Presentation Day, when they dressed up and ‘became’ their character. We had many visitors who were very impressed with their presentations and rewarded the girls with well deserved praise.
Animation under the guidance of Technology consultant Ms Sue Inness assisted students to learn the basics of claymation techniques. The girls filmed their stories based on Sustainability and then used Stop Motion Pro software to edit the film. Using this understanding of the animation process, Sue then taught PowerPoint animation techniques which the girls used to great effect. This was both challenging and great fun and the girls enjoyed showcasing their finished works in a small Expo at the end of the unit.
Year 8
Problem solving at its finest tested the girls. The challenge was to produce a bridge out of twenty pieces of spaghetti and a sheet of paper. The bridge had to have a span of 30 cm and be able to take the weight of a toy car. In teams of three, they had to design, build, test and evaluate their bridges. The strongest bridge team was then entered into the Connell Wagner Bridge Building Competition held at Scienceworks.
An analysis of the work of Mr Shaun Tan and his book The Arrival is the beginning of this unit of work. The girls then produced three panels of drawings in his monochromatic style. An appreciation of the feelings of a migrant was demonstrated through drama and the items each group found in their suitcase.
The popularity of television's MasterChef supported the Food Technology unit in the Year 8 course. The girls demonstrated their competence and co-operation in the kitchen as they prepared a delicious multicultural three course meal at the Abbotsford Convent with support and assistance from the staff. With this level of skill and insight, the girls then devised a meal for their family, creating the budget for the food and then shopping, preparing, cooking, serving and cleaning up afterwards, with great success. Many of the girls went to a great deal of effort to create atmosphere and made it a family event not to be missed.
The girls rounded off their LEAP experience with an Expo demonstrating their interest in, and research around a topic of their choice. There were many and varied topics of interest and the girls demonstrated sound research techniques honed from Year 7, and enhanced by field studies entertaining our visitors on the day.