IEU Art Design Awards 

Theme: FRIENDS 

If your child has an artistic talent and would like to prepare a piece of artwork at home, Mrs Williams will submit it into this competition. Due date is 18th July. 

• Each entry must be that of an individual (no joint work) and the original work of the entrant. 

• Name of the artist must NOT be visible on the piece of artwork. 

• Artwork must be in keeping with the  theme. 

• Artworks may be painted, drawn, collage work or photographic work and must be suitable for exhibition purposes. Sculptures are not permitted. 

• Artwork must be easily transportable by post but no larger than 60cm x 100cm.  Sizes A4, A3, A2, A1 are acceptable. 

A number of students have already registered to participate in these assessments which are designed for students wishing to extend themselves academically. 

They are available for students in Years 3-6 and will be conducted in Weeks 4-7 of Term 3 as indicated below. Exact dates and times will be determined once we know how many students have registered. The cost per test is $20.95 including GST. 

ICAS Digital Technologies (Week 4)   4 Aug –8 Aug 2025 

ICAS English (Week 5) 11 Aug – 15 Aug 2025 

ICAS Science (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025 

ICAS Spelling Bee (Week 6) 18 Aug – 22 Aug 2025 

ICAS Mathematics (Week 7) 25 Aug – 29 Aug 2025 

Please indicate your interest in purchasing one or more of these assessments by emailing Mrs Williams (awilliams2@cns.catholic.edu.au) and she will provide you with further information for accessing the Parent Payment System. Closing date is 28th July. 

The Opti-MINDS Creative Sustainability Challenge is a creative problem solving event for students from Years 3-6 which EMPOWERS them to THINK, CREATE & COMMUNICATE.  

They are required to solve open-ended Challenges from one of the following categories: 

| Language Literature | Media Communication | Science Engineering | Social Sciences | 

The Opti-MINDS Challenge is an opportunity for all those with a passion for learning & problem solving to showcase their skills & talents in an exciting, vibrant & public way. 

THE CHALLENGE… 

• Teams are required to work together on a Long Term Challenge for up to six weeks without assistance from anyone outside the team. Participants are encouraged to explore possibilities & experiment with ideas as they endeavour to produce their best possible solution. 

• They develop creative & original ways to communicate this solution to others, working within predefined parameters such as limited materials, complex Challenge criteria & the deadlines of The Challenge Day. 

• Students present the product of their ideas – their Challenge solution – to a panel of judges & an audience on Challenge Day. They have 10 minutes in which to present & must do so in a 3 x 3 metre performance area.  

• The teams must also participate in an unseen Spontaneous Challenge on Opti-MINDS Day. This Challenge requires rapid interchange of ideas, the ability to think effectively, creatively, & well-developed group cooperation skills. 

Opti-MINDS will commence on Monday 14th July and conclude with the Challenge presentation at JCU on Sunday, 31st August. Students in Years 3-6 who wish to participate or would like to know more, should register their interest by completing the google form. Students do not need to commit until they have seen the challenges in Week 1, Term 3. 

Please contact Mrs Williams if you are unable to access the google form or would like any further information. 

Year 3 Enrichment Writing
 

Students were asked to describe what happened when Jack got to the top of the beanstalk and then what happened next. Enjoy reading these examples of “show not tell” using various techniques from the “suspense toolkit”. 

Jack climbed with all his effort. He felt so tired. When he finally got to the top he saw huge boots. As he looked up, he saw a mammoth shadow. He smelt stinky socks. “Ew!”  said Jack. 

He touched the leather boot. 

“Who did that?” roared the shadow. 

“Ahh…too loud” cried Jack. 

Jack thought what could’ve made that noise? Maybe a dragon? No. He gasped. “Could it be?” wondered Jack, “a giant?” 

by Olivia Lee 

Jack was struggling to pull himself up. His hands were aching as every pull brought him closer to the top. Finally, he was there. He smelt the fresh air as it slowly faded away turning into dusty air. He then saw some leather boots. He stayed silent. He slowly crept down the beanstalk. The monster’s eyes were locked onto Jack. He bolted back down faster than a cheetah. 

Luckily the giant was scared of huge heights. 

by Josaia Daganayasi 

Jack’s arms were sore. Just when Jack was nearly at the top he heard, “Boom! Boom! Boom!” As he got to the top, he saw big brown leather boots and he saw something as big as a skyscraper. “Wow! Look at that. It’s huge!” Jack exclaimed. 

Jack was hungry and ate a sandwich on the boot. 

“Get off my boot!” the monster growled. 

Jack left his lunch and sneaked behind the boots. 

by Rayani Dinadayura 

Jack’s hands were aching when he climbed the beanstalk. He didn’t know where he was going. He just knew he had to climb. 

When he reached the top of the beanstalk, he saw something…something big. The thing that was bigger than the Eiffel tower chased Jack down the twirly whirly beanstalk. 

by Walter Irvin 

When Jack climbed the beanstalk, he saw a massive shadow hanging over him. He was exhausted from climbing the beanstalk. He had no energy left.  

Jack screamed, “ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!” 

When the giant shadow heard it, he started, “Oh, it’s little ant.” He sounded like Mrs Doubtfire. 

by Leo Karalus 

Jack just finished climbing when he saw two huge giant leather boots. He felt so scared and he felt like it was a dream. He smelt something really smelly. ‘That is so smelly. I wonder what that is?” Jack sighed. 

The two huge leather boots growled. Jack wanted to run away but he didn’t. He went closer and closer until he was so close he couldn’t see what was at the top of the boots. He felt like the boots were going to smoosh him. 

by Gia Whitcroft 

Jack’s hands were aching trying to reach the top. All of a sudden he smelt something that was like rotten eggs. He saw a big ginormous brown pair of shoes. 

At that next second, after looking up from the shoes, Jack thought for a moment. “Have I shrunk or is he a GIANT?” While Jack was thinking he felt like he was flying. Instead the giant picked him up, up to his eyes. 

“Why are you here?” roared the giant. 

Jack froze, acting like a toy feeling scared. 

by Emma Kim 

Jack pulled himself up with all his strength and spotted two house-sized boots in front of him. He trembled and shook. Apart from this freaky image, it also stank like rubbish. “Ayawwwwwww!” moaned Jack. 

Jack was as quiet as a mouse when he was tiptoeing to the door but there was no way in. But suddenly he felt rumbling. Something was moving, something BIG. At this point, Jack thought he would faint! But luckily, he saw a crack in the door and walked through it. Jack’s mind didn’t have time to think. 

by Stella Townson 

Alison Williams
Enrichment Teacher