Learning Updates -
School of Wonder
Sporting skills developed while having fun
Skillzone coaches Adam and Kev have been working with School of Wonder children during their Physical Education lesson this week and will again next week. This has been funded by a grant the college received from Sporting Schools to deliver different sports programs. Children have participated in a number of fundamental movement games to develop the skills needed in the sport of volleyball. Games have been designed for all children to be able to participate and not only develop their volleyball skills but to move their bodies and have lots of fun. Just look at their faces and you can see the enjoyment!
- Ellie Phillips, School of Wonder Physical Education Learning Mentor
Reconciliation Week - a time for sharing
Yorta Yorta language, culture and artefacts were shared with the Year 3 children as part of their Reconciliation Week activities on Friday, May 27. Representatives from ASHE (Academy of Sport, Health and Education) Daya spent an engaging session with the children, talking about their culture, teaching them some Yorta Yorta language, showing the children some Aboriginal artefacts, and answering lots of questions!
Reconciliation Week is celebrated from May 27 to June 3 every year as these dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision. School of Wonder children also participated in the whole-college smoking ceremony conducted by ASHE Daya representatives to mark the beginning of Reconciliation Week. It was a beautiful way to start the week, with students and staff gathering in the college garden for the ancient Aboriginal custom. A smoking ceremony involves burning native plants to produce smoke, and is believed to have physical and spiritual cleansing properties and to ward off bad spirits. A smoking ceremony is also a gesture of goodwill that brings people together.
National Sorry Day was also observed at the college on May 26 to acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. Children spent time learning about the significance of National Sorry Day, an annual Australia-wide observance which provides the opportunity for people to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.
Children join National Simultaneous Storytime livestream
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) was held Australia wide on May 25. NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
Years 2 and 3 children gathered to watch the livestream during which author Josh Pyke and illustrator Ronojoy Ghosh read the story ‘Family Tree’. Children then completed the NSS activities and decorated the tree within the learning space with personalised leaves expressing their connections to the story and celebration of diversity. The session was exciting and a great learning experience to be a part of.
- Nikea Grinter, School of Wonder Learning Mentor
