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As with every lesson at John Colet School, it all began with a pause. A moment of stillness to settle the mind and prepare for deep focus. This practice of mindfulness, woven into the rhythm of each day, allows students to fully engage with what comes next.
As Year 6 student Rose Pengelly puts it, “After taking a pause, I feel under control, peaceful, focused, and in the moment.”
Once centered, lessons proceeded considering the philosophical origins of colour, exploring how it was discovered, and how we perceive it. Students were introduced to Isaac Newton’s visible spectrum of light, sparking curiosity about the science behind what we see. This led into an exploration of bioluminescence, camouflage, and mimicry in the animal kingdom, examining how colour can serve as a warning, a disguise, or a means of attraction.
“In our class, we talked about mimicry, which is when a plant evolves to resemble another thing, like a monkey-faced orchid!” said Thomas Carlisle, Year 5. “Did you know some fungi glow to attract insects that help spread their spores?”
In the plant world, students turned their attention to chlorophyll and conducted a hands-on experiment using Blue Butterfly Pea flowers to create a natural dye. When mixed with various natural indicators like lemon juice and milk, the dye changed colour based on pH, offering a vivid, practical lesson in chemistry.
“I was intrigued by the change in colours when Mrs Green poured in the lemon juice and milk,” said Aradhana Patel, Year 5. “It was amazing to know that by eating delicious multi-coloured fruit on the skewers, the vitamins are helping our bodies stay healthy.”
They also looked at the impact of colour on the human body, particularly which coloured foods benefit different organs, like carrots supporting eye health.
“I found it interesting how different coloured fruit and vegetables can affect both our health and emotions,” Aradhana added.
The unit wrapped with a vibrant food activity. In pairs, students prepared simple fruits and vegetables using child-safe tools, with one acting as the safety officer while the other practiced knife skills. Using low-allergen ingredients such as melon, apples, bananas, grapes, and carrots, they created colourful fruit skewers, tasting the rainbow in the most literal sense.
“An aspect I found really interesting is how important it is to eat all the colours of the rainbow,” Thomas explained. “Did you know you should try to eat at least 30 different fruits and vegetables per week?”
For younger students, the experience was as magical as it was educational. “Gardening is exciting,” said Ruby Bates, Year 3. “You’re learning new things about the real world by doing fun work, and you never know what you’ll be doing next.”
The early bird catches the worm. Before the school day even begins, John Colet students are already stretching their minds and bodies. Morning clubs include Orchestra, Latin, Running Club, Cricket, Tennis, German, and the ever-popular Shakespeare Scholars. Whether it’s racing across the oval or reciting lines from the Bard, these sessions offer a lively, enriching start to the day.
“It is an engaging, physical, fun, and creative way to start the morning,” said Alethea Donald, Year 5.
Fellow student Mylo Ricketts agreed, “Our teacher has helpful and fun methods. She doesn’t just focus on our lines, but on moving naturally and appropriately to what we’re saying.”Curious to learn more about John Colet School’s unique approach to learning? Visit johncolet.nsw.edu.au to discover how they are nurturing curious, calm, creative and colourful young minds.
John Colet School | 6 Wyatt Ave, Belrose 2085 | (02) 9451 8395 | @johncoletschool | johncolet.nsw.edu.au
