Bold Park Community School

The RIOT have been attending sessions at Riding For the Disabled..

 

It's not your usual sort of tree - and watching it grow promises to be fun...

NEWSFLASH! Communicating Cultures! Different Country, Different Culture! Children Develop Important Cultural Bonds!

The Dancing Leaves love being in the vegetable garden...

A recent article in News Week examines the Creativity Crisis and the role that schools play in developing creative thinkers. Recent research in America identified a decline in creativity since 1990. But why?

 

The MUPS have been working with weaving artist Colleen Walker to create a new school entry which represents the school.

Gillian McAulife, Helen James and Tim Vidler met this week with award winning writer Kirsty Murray to plan an exciting week of learning for term three.

The Dancing Leaves have begun their exploration into wire..

The Wild Things have been busy working on a set of guidelines for the Early Childhood Wildspace.

Our Pre-Kindy Wednesday morning group has made an amazing connection...

A Wildspace provocation...

We had been talking about how our visits to Lake Monger would be affected by weather.

Galup offers lots of places for children to hide - the Treasure Hunters share one of theirs ...

The very successful AGM was concluded last night with the launching of the Bold Park Family Nature Club. This initiative aims to connect families so that they can enjoy nature and each others company in the many and varied natural environments which Western Australia provides.

The RIOT ventured into outback WA for a week exploring the European and Indigenous history and culture...

Maggie Dent has written about Bold Park Community School in her monthly Newsletter.

The Middle School and College Students are currently enjoying a challenging experience in Kalgoorlie. They have sent an email and some photos for the school community to enjoy.

RIOT is participating in the "Scientists in Schools Program" this year. 

A large blank canvas is hung on the wall in the Early Childhood playground...

When the Treasure Bubble Hunters were reflecting on their construction area they soon realised they needed to find a new space for it to go...

Upper Primary, Middle School and College students become confident and skilled first aiders!

The Curious Scientists (7/8 year olds) are examining the flora and fauna at Galup.

Prepared with a change of clothes, towels and plenty of excitement The Wild Things approached the newly prepared Mud Pit in The Wild Space...

Our annual community breakfast started with a laugh this year...

On Wednesday 24 February the Bold Park Wilderness Playgroup had its first meeting...

Immersing oneself in Nature

Last Tuesday, our friend Sam, brought a Huntsman Spider into Kindy...

The newest Bold Park program, a 'Wilderness Playgroup' is set to commence ...

The 9/11's and Middle School group showed their ambassadorial skills this week...

One of our experiences in kindy this year will involve planting and spending time in the vegie garden...

Bold Park Community School 'Mud Day' experience pulished in a global magazine.

It is a time to share an experience and perhaps find a friend...

 

The 2010 school year started for BPCS staff with a full day creative workshop at REmida.

A group of parents and staff met on Sunday the 24th to continue the development of the early childhood 'Wild Space'.

As the end of 2009 draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bold Park community.

After Claire Warden's workshop in Perth...

Recently the education, child care and media have been discussing the issue of playgrounds for children which have become sterile and with very little opportunity for challenge.

Bold Park Community School is featured in this months edition of the World Forum Nature Action Collaborative magazine WONDER.

In October I had the great opportunity to attend an in-depth conference in Reggio Emilia with a focus on the development of collegiality among all the participants in a school context.  The conference was attended by 70 professionals from many different countries and provided the opportunity not only to learn from the Reggio educators, but also from each other.

Right from the outset of discussions about what sort of camping experience we were looking for, it was clear that it was to be in complete contrast to last year's trip to Canberra.

This term is packed with opportunities for the Bold Park Community ...

The children are curious but cautious as they begin their initial exploration.

Geoff Masters, Chief Executive Officer for the Australian Council for Educational Research, was quoted in The West Australian on 15 August, 2009 as saying that A to E grades contradicts what is know about the best ways to help children learn. He was further quoted as saying that it was a challenge for experts to offer an alternative to grades.

Armed with jackets and umbrellas, despite the looming rain laden clouds, RIOT decided to go for a walk at Galup.

Children are often drawn to nature in a way that is different to adults and when a  large  downpour leaves an enormous puddle we see how!

By Kieran Strom.

Often at lunch or recess time the Seeker, Explorers and sometimes the Magical Flying Possums play cricket together.

A window into a school where children are allowed the time to explore and wonder.

There was great excitement in the playground last week when the Lightning Team (EC4 T/F) transformed the gazebo into a theatre. 

Early Childhood buildings have received a facelift as a part of National School Pride.

Four year olds in the Busy Bumble Bees are busy investigating the question, "Can we freeze sand?"

PK2 have been experimenting with using earth to make a mark. By Gabbi Lovelady

The Nature Runners are working with Gill this term on building a "Wild Space" behind Early Childhood.

RIOT’s first session of fencing proved to be exactly what we were hoping for.

On Friday 31st of July, the Seekers class planted some plants donated to the School by Bunning. 

By Sienna Hoppmann-Smith

Wednesday 29 July saw RIOT Radio make its pilot broadcast to the Bold Park Community at a special Opening Party.

Taking learning outside is a focus for our classrooms as we develop and enhance our learning environments and build relationships with our natural world.

Gill’s Desk

Welcome back for what promises to be a very busy and exciting Term 3. All the classes are involved in exciting ongoing investigations about their world, which in turn, offers a wealth of opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the community and culture they live in.

Helen, Mira and Daniel spent five days during the holidays, at the Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange conference in Adelaide.

Claire Warden and her team out did themselves with their warm Scottish welcome and two days if rich conversation.

Last Wednesday the families preparing the staff lunch set up the meal in the kitchen garden.

A few  Wednesdays ago, the Nature Runners decided to give the new outdoor kitchen a work out by making pizzas.

 

It's been a busy week for kindy families!

After six long days at the World Forum for Early Childhood Education and Care Bold Park is on the global map.

Felicity Bradshaw, retired Zoologist and Author, recently visited The Magical Flying Possums to read to them her book "The Tale of Two Honey Possums".

On Arbor Day the Seekers and some of the Explorers went  on bus to Wembley Golf Course.

With a 30 metre piece of rope the possibilities are endless

Tuesday the 2nd of June was our first practical day at the RSPCA.

The Nature Runners, Magical Flying Possums and Explorers have been travelling on a journey through time  and music history with Charlie and his enchanted saxaphone.

Meet Elliot, Lizzy, Fritz and Barkley, four new members of the Bold Park Community who will be spending some time with the Magical Flying Possums and Nature Runners for the rest of this year.

Well known local artist Amanda Shelsher, aka Jakob's mum, came in to work with the Magical Flying Possums and show them some new techniques with clay.

On Wednesday 28 May parents and staff of the Bold Park Community joined an evening workshop with Gillian McAuliffe to discuss, Applying Reggio Principles to Nature Based Education.

Community Service TAFE Students work with Bold Park Students
"We are like free range hens here at Bold Park not caged ones!" (Chris,11)

Dyes - a gift from nature
Both EC4 classes have begun to explore natural dyes.

Outdoor Projects Get Some Help from The Professionals
The community outdoor projects have benefited from professional expertise as community members offer their services.

Twilight visits support and inspire!
Many of the staff assisted the school on Thursday night to support other educators with their visits to Bold Park.

Swans, Ducks and Geese!
EC5 walked to Galup (Lake Monger) to observe the animals living there.

 

A group of parents worked in the oppressive heat on Saturday 21 February to salvage stainless steel equipment from the old Carine TAFE.  Meanwhile other families worked back at the school campus.

The staff and middle school students will meet every second Wednesday from 1pm -  2pm this term to design and develop opportunities for learning in our outside environments. We are calling for seven parent volunteers to participate in the project to assist with the planning process. Other parents may be called for when construction phases of the projects are reached. We also need voluteers to help with development of our permaculture garden and shade house.

Over the school holidays Tim Dwyer has been busy co-ordinating our new look administration building.

Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd of September fifteen students and three staff from BPCS will join hundreds of other students from around Western Australia to discuss the challenges youth face as the future caretakers of our environment.  The two-day conference involves speakers from community, workshops presented by other schools.  a Gala dinner and engage in environmental management activities.

We look forward to hearing all about the event on their return.

 

Middle School students enjoyed a fantastic opportunity of a lifetime in visiting their national capital city, Canberra, from the 23rd to 30th August 2008.

Returning from their trip, R.I.O.T. would like to thank the school community for its support and fundraising efforts throughout the year. This support assisted families of the students with expenses such as airfares and accommodation throughout the class trip.

The scene was set, the lights were low, the band was ready and the audience was in… the backstage was a hush of excitement and nerves as the performers eagerly awaited their turn on stage…

Or is it? Potatoes proved they are not just vegetables at the Bold Park Olympics on Thursday the 28th of August 2008.

By Lily, Remy and Ben from The Great Seven and Eights

 The Earthmovers, have been busy looking into inventions. It all started with a visit to the Da Vinci Machines Exhibition where we were inspired by all of his wonderful ideas.

Recently Bold Park children participated in the biennial Art in Bloom. Part of the Art Gallery of Western Australia’s
public programme, community members from eclectic backgrounds were invited to respond to artworks hanging
in the Gallery. Open to the public for only 3 days, it is a very popular community event; using flowers to express
their response to the painting they were allocated.

Bold Park Primary and Middle school toilets are now flushed with water harvested from our Multi-function room roof.

The Middle School students of Bold Park Community School have dedicated themselves to constructing a sustainable watercourse within the school grounds.

Term two started with a focus on Nature Based and Place based education both in teacher PD and the parents philosophy morning.

On Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of April three teachers from the UK will visit Bold Park to see our Rock and Water and Bluearth programmes in action.

On Tuesday the 1st of April and Wednesday the 2nd of April seven teachers from Eltham College in Melbourne will be visiting Bold Park Community School to experience our learning programmes and interact with our teaching staff.

We have a class name! It took us three weeks of high energy discussions and deliberations to establish a fantastic class name that everybody is happy with.

Random Intelligent Optimistic Teenaagers

'RIOT'

On Tuesday the 19th of February nine upper primary students attended a leadership conference at Burswood with 650 other Western Australian primary school students. The students found the day to be very enjoyable and useful.

In 2008 Bold park Community School staff and committee have sought to develop our school website to be a meeting place for parents to learn about the school philosophy and policies, their child's learning journey within the class and a resource for communication of the schools operational information.

 

Bold Park Community School recently received a glowing accreditation report from the Bluearth Institute.

Bold Park Primary School Students participated in the Protective Behaviours Program and it was identified that the students that participated in the training were extremely confident, proactive and assertive in their approach to preventative behaviours in regard to abuse.

The Primary and Middle School are embarking on a new joint programme to investigate and work on projects to help our school become more sustainable.

The staff have been discussing the possibility of naming the multi-function room the Galup Room.

During the mid-year break, we were fortunate enough to travel to Tasmania to attend the ‘Landscapes of Possibility’ conference in the city of Hobart.

In the first week of the July school holidays, some students were invited to attend and participate in the WorldSTE (World Conference for Science & Technology Education) at the Sheraton Hotel, Perth.