This Semester four children participated in a program called the Virtual Academy. The Virtual Academy is a workspace for children online where we do work around the subject of the world. This semester three of us worked around the subject called Patterns. We could choose between Global Patterns or Local Patterns. I chose to do Global Patterns. Over the semester we would research solutions to our problem which was, "Can We work better with Nature?" I chose to solve this question through Green Architecture. We used out-of-the-box thinking to help us to solve our problems. When we finally finished our projects we had a great presentation packed with information. We presented to our classes the work we had been doing. We all learnt something new and we had a lot  fun doing it as well. 

Jack Webber Year 6

At the start of this year, I was lucky enough to be chosen to be part of Virtual Academy! Each semester, we are given a topic to complete a project on. This semester, we were asked to identify a local or global pattern that was or that caused a problem. We then had to solve this problem by doing a lot of research.  

The pattern I identified was deforestation. It has an enormous impact on many animal species including the Sumatran Orangutan. The Sumatran Orangutan living in the Leuser Rainforest in Sumatra is a main victim of deforestation. I aim to rejuvenate the species by relocating a group of these orangutans.  

Tetepare Island is part of the Solomon Islands located in the Solomon Sea. Tetepare island has a similar climate and vegetation to the Leuser Rainforest, and by relocating the species there, I know that the numbers will flourish, and the species will be safe from extinction. 

Molly Boyle - Year 6

My experience this semester with Virtual Academy has included some tough times but overall I have enjoyed  it. This semester I had some class mates to do Virtual Academy with so I could always get a little help if I  needed it. My project was to make safer headgear for children when playing Rugby Union and League. 

Timothy Collins - Year 6

This term in Virtual Academy I have been looking at how we can work better with nature. My topic was about Bali and I found out that Bali has no taps with running fresh drinking water. So instead, their only clean water is from plastic bottles and that results in lots of pollution. I undertook some research into this issue and created a solution. My creation has 5 sections that have water tanks with taps. The people will fill their already used bottles with water. My summary of working better with nature is that people don’t keep buying and throwing out plastic bottles and instead reusing bottles.

Kolby Barr - Year 5