Wednesday 27 June 2018

Year 1 Computer Scientists



Y1 Computational Thinking / Inquiry

The Year 1’s have been venturing into the new Digital technology curriculum to learn unplugged computer science activities.

Aim:To integrate digital technology into the Junior School Inquiry programme based on the theme of “Peace”

Year 1 initially talked of robots and how they think and act with sequential movements. They were faced with a new student in the their class called RED the Robot. The girls had to teach RED to be a responsible student at St Margarets (class Inquiry).

The Junior School Inquiry focus on Peace investigated world renowned peace heroes as well as smaller things in life that also give inner peace. Inner peace in the form of playing with friends and the girls love of fairies brought a combination of sequential steps to create fairy gardens.

We have listened, verbalised, reordered, wrote, drawn and rearranged pictorial sequential algorithms.
Lesson Expectations:
  • Accurately count from one space to the next one.
             Mathematics: Numeracy
  • Actively listen to the feedback and debug the program.
  • Communicate when the code isn’t correct so that the person knows what needs debugging.
  • Explain why it’s important to give very exact instructions.
  • Follow instructions accurately.
             Mathematics: Geometry Literacy: Listening
  • Give accurate instructions at a pace that the person can follow.
             Literacy: Speaking
  • Give a set of instructions that programs an object to move from one point to another.
  • Identify where a bug has occurred and be able to correct the code to allow the object to move to the desired destination.
             Computer Science: Programming

Students have:-
given arrow and verbal instructions as sequential algorithms.

reordered pictorial instructions to complete a story and make a flower garden base.

labelled fairy garden plans to follow. These show the girls’ fabulous ideas.

followed their plans to start building their gardens.



Wednesday 13 June 2018

Technology For The 3rd Age

Technology For The Third Age


Our T3A ( Technology For The Third Age) has sadly come to an end for the term.
And what a term it has been! It began full of in trepidation, worry and fears of not being good enough,
trying to keep up and being faced with these new high tech devices.
Together, Linda and I set a comfortable, supportive atmosphere and proceeded gradually at the
group’s pace for them to gain confidence and relax.
 Our course covered :-
  • The keyboard and key functions 
  • Using the camera - focusing, selfies, viewing and editing etc., 
  • Using email to send photos & save photos that are received etc., 
  • Web browsing 
  • Apps - Libby - downloading a ebook to read 
  • Accessing newspapers and online resources available through the Christchurch City Library 
  • Radio and Music Apps - free and paid 
  • iTunes Store and purchasing music
I received an email from one of our group sadly stating “it was all too much for her, that she was too
old for all this new technology”. After much deliberation, I replied “ I do not accept your resignation and
please give it another try”. I am thrilled to say she came back. Bravely she shared her dilemma with
the rest of the group and it became a turning point for her and others.


The environment welcomed questions, encouraged problem solving and promoted self belief.
Frustrations were aired openly and together we moved forward.
As a tutor, this was one of the highlights of my week.


Feedback from participants

  • Very good introductory course thoroughly enjoyed my time very informative with great fun teachers
  • I would very much like to follow up on more courses please and special thanks to Audrey and Linda 
  • for their time and patience with us and thanks for the great morning teas
  • Thank you both for your excellent tutoring. I know everyone has gained much from the course.
  • Great course and met some lovely people. Would recommend to others.

Contact us here at St Margarets to register your interest for future courses.
Audrey Campbell, Linda Chong
Centre For Innovation

St Margaret’s College

Thursday 7 June 2018

ARA Mission to Mars - Year 9 - 13 Students

Are you interested in being part of the Mission to Mars programme run by ARA

Check out the following links:
Yr 9-10 students know about Mission to Mars
10 July 2018:

Screen Shot 2018-06-06 at 9.03.47 AM.png



For Yr 11-13 students know about Aerodynamix.
 12 July 2018:

Kendall Engraving Design Award

Here is an opportunity for Year 11 - 13 students at 
St Margaret's College to enter a competition 
to showcase your design skills with the laser cutter.  



Poster with more information