Specialists

Lote

Our Prep students have been doing a fantastic job counting to ten and identifying a range of colours in Indonesian. Year 1 and 2 students have taken on the challenge of learning bigger and trickier numbers—and are rising to it with enthusiasm! In Years 3 and 4, students have been building their translation skills and are almost ready to hold their own conversation for bargaining at a market. Meanwhile, Years 5 and 6 have completed their very own menus for a traditional Indonesian restaurant—creative, colourful, and completely in Bahasa Indonesia!

Sampai jumpa! (See you next time!)

Performing Arts

It’s been a dynamic and engaging fortnight in Performing Arts! Across all year levels, students have continued to develop their confidence, creativity, and collaborative skills through a range of music, movement, and performance-based activities.

All students from Prep to Year 6 have been participating in our “Dancing Through the Eras” unit. Each class is learning choreography inspired by a different decade—from the Charleston of the 1920s to the pop beats of the 2000s. It’s been fantastic to see students embracing each style with enthusiasm, while developing their coordination, timing, and expressive movement.

In addition to dancing, students have continued to sing with pride—especially our Yarra Road School Song, which holds special meaning in our school community and is being learnt across all year levels.

Choir Update

We’re excited to share that our Year 2–6 choir students will be going on an excursion to Croydon Place Community Care (9 Jackson Street, Croydon) on Wednesday, 19th June. The choir will perform a selection of songs for the residents, showcasing their hard work and bringing joy through music. More information and permission notes have been sent home with students involved.

As always, it’s a joy to see our students expressing themselves and growing through Performing Arts!

Physical Education

Prep

Last week during Prep PE sessions, the students worked on their gymnastics skills, including balance, and  static and dynamic movements. They showed great balance and technique while carrying out their yoga poses, and enjoyed trying a variety of rolls down a wedge block. Most were able to manage their first forwards rolls!

Year 1 and 2  

Our Year 1 and 2 students have continued to participate in a Gymnastics Unit. They investigated and practised a variety of rolls, balances, and locomotor movements, and are beginning to create simple routines that they can share with their classmates. They also explored with ropes, balls, and hoops to create simple rhythmic routines to display later in the unit.

Year 3 and 4

Last week, the 3/4‘s worked through activities aimed at developing attacking and defending skills, while also fostering strategic game play. The students especially enjoyed the game, ‘Sink the Ship’, which had them working in teams to defend their ship, while attacking others. This game also incorporated throwing and catching skills, further developing timing and precision of their throws. 

Year 5 and 6 

We have continued to work on a variety of strategies conducive to game play. Students worked in small groups to brainstorm the attacking and defensive strategies that they could apply to invasive games, such as soccer, netball, basketball, and AFL. They then applied these skills to a modified game called “Matball”, to see if they were successful.

Division Cross Country

Congratulations to Olivia W, Lenny M, and Matthew B for the outstanding way they represented Yarra Road at the Division Cross Country at Yarra Glen Racecourse on Tuesday, June 3rd. They were competing against the very best cross country runners from across both the Maroondah and Manningham areas and should be very proud of their efforts. 

STEAM

Prep – Inventors at Play!

Our young game designers have been hard at work! Over the past two weeks, Prep students created their own outdoor games using chalk, beanbags, hoops, and lots of imagination. Working in pairs, they came up with game rules and taught their new games to classmates. We also explored traditional Indigenous Australian games, like Gorri, learning about the rich cultural history behind them. Students shared how these games were similar to or different from the games they play now. It’s been an active and creative fortnight of teamwork, respect, and fun!

Year 1 - Handmade Creations and Plastic Play

This fortnight, students investigated how toys were made before modern factories and plastics. After learning about handmade toys from the past, students created their own toys using paper and cardboard — with impressive results! We also explored the arrival of plastic toys and why this material became so common. Students sorted toys by materials and reflected on how plastic has shaped the toys we see today.

Year 2 - Plastic, Electronics & Play in a Changing World

Students explored the rise of plastic and electronic toys—from LEGO and Barbie to Tamagotchis and Game Boys! Through sorting activities and hands-on investigations, they compared materials and discussed how technology has transformed play. At our toy observation stations, students recorded the differences between electronic and non-electronic toys and shared thoughtful opinions on which they prefer. Sustainability was also a key theme—students learned about eco-friendly materials and brainstormed ideas to make toys better for our planet.

Year 3/4  - Planning and Building Our Mini Communities

This fortnight, our young historians and designers began planning and building their 3D models of the community using recycled materials. Students worked in groups to sketch layouts, assign roles (builder, historian, designer, presenter), and begin crafting key features like buildings and transport systems. It was fantastic to see their teamwork and problem-solving skills in action! Students also gave peer feedback to help each other improve their models—true collaborative learning in action!

Year 5/6 - From Research to Design – Creating Our Technology Stories

The classroom was buzzing as students transformed their research into engaging presentations. Whether through digital slideshows, physical models, or creative storyboards, students decided how best to represent their chosen technology’s journey. They developed drafts and gave each other feedback, fostering collaboration and critical thinking. With peer input, each student began crafting a first version of their final project, showing impressive initiative and creativity in how they tell the story of innovation.