Great Scot December 2019 Great Scot 158_December_ONLINE | Page 13

JUNIOR SCHOOL
YEAR 5 BOYS AT
SOVEREIGN HILL
‘SHOWING ADAPTABILITY IS
A VITAL SKILL TO HAVE’
Experiences at the Year 5 camp at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat (28-29
October) tied rather comfortably with the theme for this edition of
Great Scot – ‘a world for adaptable minds and good grace’.
Through a problem-solving and construction activity, the Year
5 boys noticed how adaptable and innovative the gold diggers had
been. Moving water uphill or across valleys, crushing quartz ore or
simply raising it, ventilating mine shafts or using a cradle to maximise
gold finds were all problems that gold diggers solved using adaptable
thinking. It rubbed off on the boys, who completed their own problem-
solving and construction activities using observant and adaptive
thinking.
On all occasions the boys were reminded of the power of courtesy,
manners and good grace. The role models on offer at Sovereign Hill
returned boys to age old thinking when not only were good manners
on display, they were expected. The boys displayed manners,
courtesy and good grace while on camp. There were many examples
of good grace displayed, including opening doors, using ‘please’ and
‘thank you’ and waiting patiently for a turn. The boys were good to
youngsters, peers and older folk alike.
Here are some of their thoughts:
‘We think that showing adaptability is a vital skill to have. It can help
you grow and make you look good in the eyes of others, and make
you think of solutions. It is one of the biggest parts of life and it is so
simple. To show grace you have to be kind, caring and considerate.
You should respect people, places and things. And, most importantly,
you are courteous.’ RORY BOOTH and LACHIE ROWELL
‘Being fit to adapt to change well means you have a changeable
mindset. That is helpful in life, as it changes the way people perceive
about things. As people see things from other people’s perspective, it
will change their mind on things, and will make people find better ways
to solve problems. Showing respect and good manners is courteous
and polite to others around you, which shows you are a respectful
person. By implementing this into your daily routine it will improve you
as a human being.’ ELLIOTT MARK and MATTHEW BLAMEY
‘Having an adaptable mind means to have a flexible mind that can
solve problems and can adjust to things quickly. Showing good grace
means to be respectful and to show consideration to others. Showing
good grace is one of the most important aspects of life. For example,
in the 1850s, gentlemen would show courtesy to ladies by tipping their
hats. In the olden days, everyone would have to call ladies ma’am and
gentlemen, sir.’ WELLINGTON ZHANG
‘To have an adaptable mind and showing good grace means to
be able to change your perspective on things and be tolerant when
things don’t go your way. Back in 1851, miners had to adapt to their
surroundings. They also had to show grace to one another on the
goldfields, by simple things like taking their hats off, holding the door
for others and saying please and thank you. Showing good grace
also means being able to encourage and help others when they are
struggling. These are examples of showing good grace and having an
adaptable mindset.’ AIDAN ABEYNAIKE and OLIVER LACEY
‘To have an adaptable mind when a problem faces you, you
must be able to find a way around the problem without giving up. It
takes problem solving and the ability to persevere when the going
gets tough. You must also have a positive mindset and not give up.
To show grace you must be respectful and show courtesy to your
peers and elders. For example, if an elder walked behind you and you
walked through the door, showing good courtesy would be opening
the door and holding it for them. You must always be compassionate
and show humility.’ ETHAN HILHORST and CHRISTIAN HENG
‘Good grace is helping other people when they need help and
having good courtesy to everyone around you. Doing the right thing
when everyone around you is doing the wrong thing. Do small kind
things without thinking about it even if you won’t be noticed.
Do good things not because of the rewards but because it is
respectful, courteous and the right thing to do. Good grace is
having a good mindset.’ JEREMY LI and TOM KELLOCK
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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