Instrumental Music

Maths Talent Quest

The Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) is an annual activity aimed at promoting interest in mathematics and fostering positive attitudes amongst students, teachers and parents. The MTQ is run by The Mathematical Association of Victoria and focuses on the process of mathematical investigations and relating mathematics to everyday life.

The MTQ program requires students to investigate a real-life problem and record as they investigate possible solutions to it. Throughout the process, students are encouraged to reflect on the mathematical concepts they apply to solve it.

Science Talent Quest

The Science Talent Search (STS) is an annual, science based competition open to all primary students in Victoria. The STS is run by Science Victoria with the purpose of promoting science and science education.

STS was founded in 1952, making it one of the longest running programs of its type in the world!

STS has three aims:

1. To stimulate an ongoing interest in the study of sciences by:

   • encouraging independent self-motivated project work amongst students of science

   • giving students the opportunity to communicate their achievements to a wider audience

   • according recognition of effort and achievement in a scientific enterprise.

2. To promote the direct involvement of the students in the processes of science and its communication.

3. To give the public at large an opportunity to see the quality of work being achieved in science. 

ICAS [Years 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is conducted by Educational Assessment Australia, UNSW Global Pty Limited. UNSW Global is a not-for-profit provider of education, training and consulting services and a wholly owned enterprise of the University of New South Wales.

Students from twenty countries now participate in ICAS. In Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific alone there are over 1.3 million entries. Wheelers Hill Primary School students are given the opportunity to participate in the following areas:

• English

• Mathematics

• Science

• Digital Technologies

• Writing

• Spelling

Maths Olympiad [Years 3, 4, 5, 6]

Maths Investigators [Years 3, 4, 5, 6]

Every term, results from various assessment results are collated and then averaged. The students are then sorted from the highest average down. The top eight students will then be selected for the Maths Investigators project, from each year level. Students must show positive work ethic in this program as it requires a lot of independent work.

'Maths Investigators' is a project assigned to students given to selected high achieving students. This program in undertaken during Maths lessons in place of the typical classwork to enable them to apply their maths skills in problem solving situations. This takes, on average, one maths session a week that is overseen by the classroom teacher along with a session with Mr Okita each Tuesday.

Mr Okita will advise your teacher of the timeline. Students will present their findings after four weeks on working on the task

ICT Enrichment [Years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

We are very proud to offer an ICT enrichment program here at WHPS. Students are selected to participate in the program by analysing aggregate data including assessments in Mathematics, Science and Digital Technologies along with teacher judgements and classroom contributions. Sessions take place during class times on Fridays.

The program increases in difficulty as students progress and covers a number of ICT disciplines. Students explore the relationship between science, technology, engineering and mathematics through problems and increasingly complex task requirements. Each session, they are expected to take part in both instructional and self-directed components which allow them to develop confidence in block programming, 3D design, 3D printing, robotics and, in Years 5 and 6, HTML and JavaScript programming.

G.A.T.E. WAYS

G.A.T.E.WAYS is an independent, non-funded organisation, established in 1994 to provide opportunities for highly able and gifted children with special educational needs. Like-minded students can participate in programs that will challenge them intellectually and help develop their individual talents. For information about upcoming sessions, please visit http://www.gateways.edu.au. For more information regarding the G.A.T.E.WAYS programs please contact the school by phone: (03) 9561 3457.

Young Engineers

Chess Club

Chess has been played for over 2,000 years and the tradition continues at Wheelers Hill Primary School on Monday afternoons at 3.35pm- 4.35pm.  Experienced coaches from Kids Unlimited teach students from Year 1 – Year 6 and cater for beginners through to experienced players. If you are interested in your child attending, please look out for the notice that is sent home before the end of each term.