Learning and Teaching 

Performing Arts

During Performing Arts classes last week students were involved in a Circus Incursion, in preparation for our School Production of the Circus.  Sam from Ruccis Circus, Bayswater lead us through a series of circus tricks and skills. Students from Prep and 1/2 explored the use of scarves, juggling, spinning plates, ribbons and hula hoops. Although initially some of these were tricky to do, I was so impressed with the persistence and willingness to ‘have a go’ (one of our Performing Arts class rules) and 'keep trying'. Their faces showed initial frustration and then a great sense of accomplishment when they succeeded. My name was often called out loudly and with great enthusiasm and urgency to look at them and see what they had mastered!

The 3/4 and 5/6 classes learned the skills of juggling, poi (Maori warrior training balls), spinning plates, devil sticks, diablo and hula hoops. They also displayed perseverance and teamwork as they worked together, often supporting each other and providing encouragement if things got difficult. Sam was a great teacher and I would encourage anyone to visit him at Ruccis in Bayswater if your child shows an interest in circus skills as they are such a great way of teaching students that in order to master a skill, they need to keep on practising and not give up. Sam told the students it took him years of practising how to throw and catch a ball before he could even juggle three balls.

Please save the date for our Circus Production which will be held on Thursday 19 August. Next term, we will be calling for parent helpers to assist, so if you have any skills you would like to share with us, stay tuned.  On a side note, if you get a chance to take your child to see a live Circus during the holidays that would be a great learning opportunity and family time.

Ms Lou Devoy

Performing Arts Teacher

Future Leaders

The Future Leader Program at St John's aims to enable student voice and action, represent the needs of students, build leadership qualities and skills, use creative thinking and design to solve problems and put ideas into action, develop students’ understanding of society and democratic processes, enable the school and students to live the principles of catholic social teaching and provide peer learning opportunities. the Future Leaders meet on Monday afternoons. Congratulations to the following students who will be participating in the Future Leaders program for this first semester:

Prep          Annabelle & Angus          

1/2CB      Chelsea & Nathaniel

1/2KR       Margaux & Isaac

3/4KC       Lachlan & Tyler

3/4TJ         Madison & Milla

5/6EP       Chanel & Jarrod      

5/6AB       Archer & Estelle

Summer Sport Gala Days

"Both the Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 students participated in interschool sports days with other schools in the North Box Hill district. Students played tennis, newcombe, softball and rounders. Students enjoyed developing their skills in specific sports as well as co-operation and teamwork. Students displayed great sportsmanship on both days. Congratulations to the 5/6 Hot Shots Tennis team who came runners."

 - Zarah, Hayden, Oliver S and Kieran (Sports Leaders)

Ride 2 School Day

Thank you to the Future Leaders who assisted in organising Ride 2 School Day. They wrote to Coles Mitcham asking for donations for breakfast and purchased the fruit and juice with the gift card Coles donated. It was a wonderful sight seeing so many students riding, walking and scootering to school. Thank you for supporting this school and community event.

Experience Whitefriars Day - Year 3/4  

On Friday 19th March Year 3/4 students were invited to attend, “Experience Whitefriars Day” in which they participated with students from other schools in a range of engaging activities. Students had the opportunity to experience activities such as Performing Arts, Science, Physical Education and languages. 

Here are some comments from students that attended the day:

Monique - “I loved experiencing the Performing Arts at Whitefriars, when we got to listen to music and people singing”

Lachie - “I enjoyed the science activities, especially the dust explosion experiment because there was lots of fire!”

Maxwell - “All of the science experiments were really cool, I hope I get to do these experiments when I am in high school”

Ben - “I loved learning new games in PE and playing with my friends. The ovals and stadiums were much bigger than ours”

Chase - “It was fun playing new mini games, like swamp ball and number soccer. The games involved a lot of teamwork” 

Bella - “I got to experience lots of different types of science, that was different to our school. I like learning about the different chemicals and the reaction that happen when they've been mixed together”

Thank You 

Thank you to Bill (Hannah 1/2CB) for the grant he obtained through REA Group Ltd.  The funds were used to purchase equipment to develop  fine and gross motor skills, oral language, turn taking and play based learning in the junior area.