Specialists

Performing Arts

STATE SCHOOL SPECTACULAR

On Wednesday July 24 students who are part of the State School Spectacular Mass Choir travelled by train into the city for a rehearsal at Melbourne Town Hall. Students from schools across the state attended and it was wonderful to hear some many voices fill the town hall and hear how the vocal parts fit together in harmony. 

IN THE CLASSROOM

Prep

Students in Prep have been using drama to explore the characters and stories of well known fairy tales, such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The characters that they have been developing using their bodies and voices will be part of their Prep Concert performance later in the term. 

Grade 1 and 2

Inspired by the world coming together in the Olympic Games, students have been learning about music and dance from different countries. So far students have explored dance, instruments and music from Zimbabwe, Greece and Spain.

Grades 3-6

With breaking (also known as breakdancing) being part of the Olympic games for the first time, students have been learning about the sport/dance. So far, students have learnt a variety of toprock moves (moves done standing on your feet)  and ways to go down to downrock (moves done on the floor). They've also learnt about the history and origins of the dance, and how it will be judged in the Olympics. 

Visual Arts

ART CLUB

The Art Captains have continued to show their excellent leadership and organisational skills the past couple of weeks in preparing and running Art Club each Tuesday lunchtime.  This term we welcome the Prep-2 students into the Art room to explore and create with the Grade 6 leaders. 

Below is the schedule for the remainder of the term:

Week 4 - Grade 2

Week 5 - Prep

Week 6 - Grade 1

Week 7 - Grade 2

Week 8 - Prep

Week 9 - Grade 1

Week 10 - Grade 2

The Preps enjoyed their first session experimenting with blowing ink. They created abstract artworks using a straw to blow liquid ink around their paper.

The Grade 1's created little fingerprint athletes with ink pads and fine liners. 

Book Week Diorama Competition

In week 6 of this term we will be celebrating Book Week. The Art Captains are running a competition leading up to this special event that all students are welcome to participate in. If your child would like to, they can create a diorama (using a small fruit box - there are lots in the Artroom ready to be collected anytime) of a scene from a book. 

This is to be completed at home in their own time, using any resources they can find - from nature, paper, figurines, the possibilities are endless! When finished, students can store them in their classrooms and they will be displayed during Book Week in the Library area. Winners from each year level will be chosen and be part of a special display. We're looking forward to seeing lots of beautiful creations!

WPPS MASCOT: BUNJIL THE EAGLE

Tash Whittle has been busy showcasing her design and sewing talents lately by creating a Bunjil the Eagle costume! She first created a 2D image which is proudly displayed on the  the BER wall, then turned it into a 3D masterpiece! You might have sees Bunjil make a special appearance at the Mini Olympics last week!

In the classroom...

PREP

Students have been busy creating a paper collaged winter calendar page and participating in stations focussed on the Olympic Games. They used crayons to make rubbings of textured athlete figures which required teamwork and patience, an Olympic torch, and a threading activity using pipe-cleaners and straws to create an athlete on a podium!

GRADE 1 AND 2

These little athletes came to life over the course of a lesson, and quickly became best friends with the Grade 1 and 2 students. There was a focus on symmetry, as well as fine motor skills of folding, twisting and threading.

We've also looked at the French Impressionist painter Monet, and recreated his 'Water Lily Garden' piece. The dispersing paper soaked up the ink from the droppers to create the illusion of water under the bridge. Check out their beautiful work in the office foyer and on the Art room windows.

GRADE 3 AND 4

Its been all about the Olympics and Paris in the Grade 3 and 4 classes. The Olympic medals have been a highlight and the detail features of their chosen sport were outstanding. 

We've also been looking at Von Gogh, in particular his piece titled 'The Starry Night'. Students were encouraged to show movement in the background of their painting which included two layers of different painting techniques.

GRADE 5 AND 6

To start this term, Grade 5 and 6's have focussed on the artist Keith Haring, and his pop/street art. We looked at the movement he created in this pieces and the simple shapes, colours and contrast he used. Students created four of their own action poses using sharpie markers and chalk pastels.

STEM

Grade 1 and 2

In grade 1 and 2, students have explored how everyday materials can be physically changed or combined with other materials in a variety of ways for different purposes, such as for food, medicine or simply for fun! They have made many different mixtures including sherbert, muesli and oobleck and have practised using their predicting and observing skills. 

Grade 3 and 4

The grade 3 and 4 students have been unpacking and exploring the topic of ‘Forces.’ Students have used a wide range of resources such as balls, ramps, and rope to investigate many hands-on experiments. They have built their understanding of friction, momentum, kinetic energy and more and related this knowledge to real life experiences like running and playing.

Grade 5 and 6

Students in level 5 and 6 area have focused on ‘Matter’ over the past few weeks. They have explored the different states of matter and their properties, as well as how these states change. They have developed their scientific inquiry and observational skills through participating in fun and engaging experiments that involved transforming substances and creating chemical reactions. 

STEM Club

On Friday we have been running a STEM club for students from grades prep to two. Last week we made bird feeders using cardboard rolls, paddle pop sticks and bird feed. The students really enjoyed crafting their own bird feeder and the smiles on their faces shone when they got to take them home. Next week students who are in group 2 will be making cloud dough using conditioner and cornflour. We look forward to seeing those students there and learning about how dry and wet ingredients can be mixed together.

Skye and Clare

Sport

Prep-Grade 2 Gymnastics Program

We are now a couple of weeks into the Prep-Grade 2 Gymnastics program, and we have received many positive reports from children and staff. The children have relished the opportunity to use specialised gymnastics equipment, such as the foam pit and balance bar, with expert instruction from the team of experienced coaches at Eclipse. This has also been a fantastic opportunity for parental involvement, with many parents volunteering to be part of this program. We look forward to the remaining weeks and the continued success of this program.

Level 3-6 House Athletics Carnival

After weeks of training during Physical Education sessions, staff and students are looking forward to our Level 3-6 House Athletics Carnival on Monday 5th August. Children will be competing in several track and field events, with the opportunity to earn points for their house. The track events in which students will have the opportunity to participate is the 800m, 100m and 200m race. During the field events, students will rotate through High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Discus and Shotput. The weather is now looking amazing. It promises to be another fantastic community event. We would like to thank the large army of parent volunteers who will be assisting on the day.

Victorian Championships Netball Tournament

Selected Grade 5 and 6 students will be attending the Victorian Championships Netball Tournament on Wednesday 7th August, at Knox Netball Centre. Mrs. Philp, Miss. Leydin and Nina will be attending on the day, along with several parent volunteers. The teams have been training hard and are looking forward to the opportunity to represent our school at this tournament. We look forward to hearing how they go.

Dulcie's Exceptional Achievement

Interview with Dulcie...

• I'm so proud of qualifying for for School Sports Australia competition because only the top three competitors get to go. My mum and I are going to Adelaide to compete. We get to stay in a hotel with some of my other friends from Aquanation. It's going to be so much fun. 
• There are three events - the Synchro, The Knock out and the Individual.
• I'm not sure what my favourite dive is, but possibly the reverse dive. It's really fun. The hardest dive is the inward 1 and a bit on the three-metre board.
• I've been diving for about one and a half years. It started when we were in the pool in Autumn and I started a competition with my brother. Then my mum asked if I wanted to try diving at a club and so we went to Auquanation, which is the 2nd biggest squad I think.
• I train six days a week. I practice all the time as I have a trampoline at my house, which helps with my style.

Congratulations to Dulcie, in 4A, on her selection in the Victorian School Diving Team! 

Such a wonderful achievement! We are all very proud of you Dulcie, and wish you every success!