Specialist Reports

Visual Art

We are thrilled to share the latest happenings in our Visual Art program at Wollert Primary School! Over the past weeks, our students have been embarking on exciting artistic journeys, diving deep into the world of Threads and Textiles. Let us take you on a delightful tour of their creative endeavours:

Prep Visual Art

This term in Visual Arts, our Preps have been on an exciting journey exploring textiles and threads! We already knew about the elements of art like lines, shapes, and colours, and now we have used this knowledge to have fun with a wide variety of textiles.

Using real tools like needles and fabric scissors, we have been busy manipulating threads and fabrics to create incredible designs through stitching and mural-making. It has been amazing to see how different fabrics work and how they hold up over time and with different colours. We even got a glimpse into traditional fabric techniques, like the Li people's Brocade methods. But that's not all! We have also learned about where fabrics and dyes come from, and why both natural and synthetic products are essential in the textiles industry. It's been an exciting and eye-opening experience!

Junior Learning Community: Our young artists in the Junior Learning community have been immersed in the captivating world of Threads and Textiles. They have been exploring various fabrics, discovering their unique textures, colours, and even the feelings they evoke. Drawing inspiration from the famous cubism artworks, they have skillfully used these fabrics to create mesmerizing images that blend shapes and textiles into unique masterpieces. The enthusiasm and creativity of our Junior artists have been truly remarkable!

Middle Learning Community: In the Middle Learning community, our budding embroiderers have been busy honing their craft. They have delved into the art of embroidery, learning essential techniques like threading needles effortlessly using needle threaders and using embroidery hoops to stretch their fabrics. The students' dedication and attention to detail have been impressive as they have skillfully executed basic stitches such as the running stitch, back stitch, cross stitch, and satin stitch, creating intricate patterns that are both enchanting and impressive.

Senior Learning Community: For our seasoned artists in the Senior Learning Community, Threads and Textiles have become an avenue for true artistic expression. With embroidery taking centre stage, they have embraced an impressive repertoire of stitches. From the classic running stitch and back stitch to the more complicated lazy daisy, chain stitch, and blanket stitch, their artworks have blossomed into intricate tapestries of stitched beauty. It's awe-inspiring to witness their creativity flourish as they design and craft their own unique and captivating artworks.

Through these artistic journeys, our students have not only expanded their skills in Visual Art but have also cultivated patience, perseverance, and a deep appreciation for the beauty found in simple threads and fabrics. We are immensely proud of their artistic growth and the enthusiasm they bring to every class.

As parents and guardians, we encourage you to continue supporting your child's artistic exploration at home. Perhaps you can engage in creative projects together, exploring various textiles, colours, and stitches. We believe that fostering creativity in our children enriches their lives and unlocks endless possibilities.

Prep STEM

How Things Move!

This term in STEM our Prep students have been exploring the physics of how things move. For the first few weeks of this term, they have looked at how they use their own bodies to move. They have taken great joy in exploring, observing, and describing not only how their bodies move, but also how some of their toys move. Their dance moves have been inspiring, and their bravery to try different ways to move their bodies has been commendable. They should all be really proud of their efforts!

Digital Technologies

Junior Learning Community

The Junior School have started Term 3 learning about online communication; how to do it safely, who you should trust and how you can protect yourself online so that you do not give personal information to the wrong person. All learning has been within the context of the eSafety Commissioner’s initiative – “Hector’s World”, a series of engaging animated videos designed to teach students about online safety and protection. Each lesson has provided rich, engaging discussions and the students have had a great time creating digital posters aimed at protecting others online. Check out some of their amazing posters below. Well done to our eSafe Junior Community.

Middle Learning Community

We have been having a great time in the Middle School, starting our Term off with a unit on designing online games. Students have made temporary accounts on the online platform ‘Scratch’ so that they can save their progress over the course of the unit. Students are working alongside Jayden to create a game called ‘Star Hunter’, a game with the objective of dodging pre-programmed obstacles and collecting stars. If students can program/code the game within the lesson time, they have been afforded the extra time to create their own Scratch projects using what they have learned during their time with Jayden. It has been incredible to watch students grow in confidence with their coding skills and experiencing the joy on their faces when they can get the game to do exactly what they intended. As mentioned above, the accounts at school are temporary, but if students are coming home saying they enjoyed the project, I strongly encourage you to work with them to create a personal account and let them show you what they can do.

Senior Learning Community

It has been a lot of fun teaching the Senior Community about conditional formatting in spreadsheet apps like Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Firstly, we revisited what we know about pixel and then spent some time looking for simple pixel art that we would be able to recreate. Pixels are tiny, programmed squares which all combine to create colours and images on digital screens and displays. Students were then taught how to assign colours to number values so that they could input data into a spreadsheet, and the corresponding colour would appear when they pressed each respective number. Students seemed to have a lot of fun with these lessons, and I think the results speak for themselves. Check out some of the pixel art from our talented Senior Community.

Physical Education

Prep and Junior Learning Community 

This term the Prep and Junior Community are working on the skills of ball bounce, leap, hop, skip and dodge through fun rotational activities.  Just imagine your little ones bouncing like balls of energy, leaping into action like superheroes, hopping with the grace of playful bunnies, skipping merrily as they explore new horizons, and dodging with the agility of nimble little champs!

Middle and Senior Learning Community

This term the  Middle and Senior Communities are stepping into the world of athleticism, as they delve into the art of Athletics and its captivating track and field events. Not only that, but they will also be honing their skills in the exhilarating sports of Newcomb and Volleyball. 

The Middle Learning Community were lucky enough to have Matt from Melbourne Victory come out and provide a clinic for them, through a fun and engaging session, they learned the basics of soccer, leaving them with stars in their eyes and dreams of future victories!

Dig2Dine

In Dig2Dine this term the Middle and Senior students have been taking part in an enriching culinary journey that revolves around the delightful cuisines of the world. Each week, we embark on a delightful adventure, exploring the flavours and traditions of a different country. Our students not only learn about the influences that shape food choices and ingredients in various cultures but also delve into the beautiful customs and practices surrounding the art of dining and food sharing.

One of the best aspects of Dig2Dine is the active participation of our students. They eagerly suggest cuisines they would love to cook, often choosing to share their own cultural treasures with their peers. Through this act of sharing, we celebrate the essence of diversity and unity.

We have discussed how communal meals are a common practice in most cultures, especially during special occasions and gatherings. It's an opportunity for family members and friends to come together to share a meal, fostering a sense of unity, connection, and strong social bonds. We like to think that we experience this in Dig2Dine as we prepare and enjoy foods together. 

In the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the Dig2Dine kitchen, students find a safe haven to explore new flavours and culinary adventures. Many of them are curious food enthusiasts, always keen to collect recipes for the delectable dishes we prepare together.

In Dig2Dine, we believe that food brings people closer, transcending borders and language barriers. It's a delightful experience that nourishes not just our bodies but also our souls, creating lasting memories and friendships.

The countries and cuisines we have explored so far have included:

• India: Vegetable Biryani, Masoor Dal & Roti Bread
• Macedonia: Macedonian Ravanija (Semolina Cake) & Kifli 
• Iraq: Kleicha (Date cookies), Falafel & Tzatziki dip

The students have really enjoyed sharing food from their cultures and some of the culinary skills they have learnt from home both observing and preparing foods with their family. 

Performing Arts

Prep

In Prep, we're diving into the enchanting world of music, mastering the beat with body percussion, rhythm sticks, and lively egg shakers. We're embracing our inner maestros, harmonising with heartwarming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tunes, along with action-packed melodies. Our musical adventure is a captivating symphony of joy and cultural celebration!

Junior Learning Community

In the Junior Learning Community, students explored enchanting melodies and rhythms with percussion instruments like bells, rhythm sticks, egg shakers, and bucket drums. They sing, follow rhythms, and create their own band performing the lively 'Rhythm Stick Line Dance' and the catchy Ghanan song 'Che Che Koolay.' Music ignites their passion, fostering harmony and creativity in their musical journey.

Middle Learning Community

In the Middle Learning Community, students were sparked with a newfound passion for percussion, by exploring body percussion in a rhythmic extravaganza of claps and stomps. They crafted a round using their bodies as instruments, and have been singing the song 'Dancing' by Aaron Smith with added percussion later this term. Music weaves its magic creating a captivating symphony of creativity and joy.

Senior Learning Community

In the Senior Learning Community, students create musical magic by turning everyday items into percussion instruments. Cups compose a melodic harmony, while pencil tapping becomes their latest exciting endeavour. Together, as a harmonious team, they unite in perfect unison, following the music's beat with joyous rhythm and creative flair.

Playscape

This term in Playscape, our fantastic Preps and Juniors have been fully engaged in a journey of learning about social awareness and management. We've had a blast exploring the exciting world of relationships and diversity, with a special focus on being inclusive and making new friends. As the term continues, we're excited to dive even further into themes like teamwork and working together.

The most amazing part? All of this wonderful learning happens through play! Our students have been having a great time with games, crafts, art, and messy learning activities that have been like magic for their social awareness skills. These fun experiences have been a big help in growing and learning about how to connect with others.