Powerful Learning

28 June 2019

2019 Year 7 Challenge Day

2019 Year 7 Challenge Day

'the girls looked at neuroplasticity, attitude and the amazing way our brains work.'

Building Lego, sketching abstract shapes and lines, manipulating pentominoes and devising a way to get everyone across the river were the challenges that greeted the Year 7 students. As part of our Wellbeing Programme, the Year 7 girls engaged in these activities designed to test their resolve. We investigated and reflected on our emotional responses to challenge and discussed strategies to help us overcome our own personal tests. In the lead up to the Year 7 Challenge Day, the girls looked at neuroplasticity, attitude and the amazing way our brains work.

Kaitlin D and Noraan E provided the following reflection about the 2019 Year 7 Challenge Day:
 
‘At the beginning of the day, we looked at emotions and how we respond to different situations. We then rotated through four different challenges to complete in our form groups. The Maths Challenge really got our brains working on a Tuesday morning! We worked on several problems using pentominoes and a sheet with 100 numbers. The Lego Masters involved a lot of teamwork and collaboration. It was challenging because we were not able to talk to our partner, who was in a different room. For the Art Challenge we were in groups of four and each person was given a piece of the puzzle to draw. This challenge required teamwork, as at the end we put all of our pieces together to create a picture even though we didn’t know what we were drawing. The River Crossing Challenge involved crossing a “river” using certain criteria. This was a lot of fun because it was a physical activity that allowed us to use our bodies as well as our minds. It tested our grit, and when we found out the answer, we all said “Ohhh, I get it.” Following each session, we reflected on how we felt during and after completing the challenges. We also discussed what we learnt from the Year 7 Challenge Day experience.’

Jacinta Power, Year 7 Wellbeing Leader