Primary School

Naming all the Countries!

Lucas Carr, in Grade 4/5 BR, achieved an impressive result of being able to name all the countries of the world with 100% accuracy! This was no easy task, as he had to do this in front of a live audience with a randomised list of names. So, if you get Bhutan mixed up with Brunei or have no idea where to find Togo on the map – ask Lucas. He will be happy to help!

Learning about the Ocean Environment in Grade 1

Over the past 4 weeks Grade 1 students have been having a wonderful time investigating the ocean and the different marine life and plants that inhabit it. As part of our Unit of Inquiry the students have been investigating how the ocean environment can be altered by human activity and by the end of the unit will come up with an ‘action’ to help protect the ocean.

When starting a Unit of Inquiry, we spend time as a class unpacking the central idea and lines of inquiry that guide our learning. Our lines of inquiry explore the different plants and animals that inhabit the ocean, how people use the ocean and in what ways we can take care of the ocean. After spending time thinking and unpacking these statements the students freely share what they already know and ask any questions they may have. Some of the questions students asked were:

• How deep is the ocean?
• How do sea animals breath underwater?
• Are there any undiscovered animals that people think are real, is there any evidence?
• How can we stop plastic going into the ocean?

To support the students in finding their answers we were very blessed to have Josh Bennett (Mrs Bennett’s son) come and share some of his knowledge on marine science and how best to maintain and preserve the ocean environment. Josh was also able to share some information about his studies on sea urchins, which the children found very interesting.

Last week the students had another opportunity to explore marine life at the Marine Discovery Centre in Woodbridge. The students had a wonderful time seeing some marine life up close, touching, and picking up marine creatures such as star fish, hermit crabs, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. The students also learnt about the different ocean zones and the marine life that can be found there. A highlight for the students was feeding a draughtboard shark and some other sharks and skates with bait pegged on to a stick! What a valuable experience these Grades 1 student’s have had!

Mrs Charlotte Beadle and Mrs Emily Overton

Grade 1 Teachers

Primary Assembly

More '100 Days of Kinder' photos!