Primary Specialists
Prep Art
Our Prep students have started their first Unit of Inquiry, focusing on the Central Idea: ‘Similarities and differences build good relationships’. In Art, we worked closely with the Prep team to explore the concepts of sameness and difference. Students reflected on how we are alike and unique, then learned how to use art skills to represent themselves. This exploration led to the creation of self-portraits, with a focus on three key elements of art: line, shape, and colour. In Week 7, students applied line and their prior knowledge to create a reflection/ self portrait of themselves. In week 8, our Prep students participated in a Harmony Week collaborative Art activity. We unpacked what Harmony Week is and then students used their creativity to create a flower and filled these flowers with orange, yellow and green colours. These colours signify social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. We focused on developing our fine motor skills of colouring and cutting. These beautiful flowers were added to a Prep Art Harmony Week 'garden' which are now displayed in our Prep art space.
Year 1 and 2 Art
In week 7, students continued with learning through the Elements of Art- students applied line and colour to create artworks that focused on Primary and Secondary colours. Students drew, or utilised templates of flowers and made a 'flower wheel', as well as having the opportunity to mix paint to make new and interesting colours. In week 8, our artists showed off their art pieces to make a colaborative art
work related to Harmony day!
Grade 3 & 4 Art
Year 3 Art
After analysing the artworks by Pablo Picasso, students focused on their use of the Art elements colour, shape, and line to express their own emotions by beginning to create an abstract portrait drawing. In week 8 they continued working on their final abstract portraits presentations by firstly drawing the portraits on watercolour paper and then adding watercolour paint. Later they outlined with black oil pastel.
Year 4 Art
Students continued their study on the work of artist Sandra Silberzweig, analysing her use of colour and style and started to work on their finals. They began to draw their own portraits using their preliminary work from their art journals.
Students showed they were thinkers when they applied their knowledge of complimentary colours such as red and green, blue and orange, yellow and purple to enhance vibrancy and contrast within their artwork.
Grade 5 &6 Art
In Visual Arts, Grade 5 and 6 students have been creating mood boards as a starting point for their final projects. They are gathering images, colors, and textures that represent their identity, helping to shape their creative direction. These preliminary works will guide them in developing meaningful and personal final pieces.
Mandarin Learning Update: Weeks 3-5
Dear Parents,
Over the past few weeks, our Prep students have been learning how to greet others using polite words. Through interactive activities and cultural explorations, they have begun to understand different ways people in China greet each other. By engaging with songs, role-play, and simple conversations, they are building confidence in using Mandarin greetings while also gaining insights into Chinese cultural traditions.
For our Year 1 and Year 2 students, the focus has been on developing polite conversations. They have practiced initiating greetings and responding appropriately while learning more about daily life in China. Through engaging discussions and storytelling, students explored what school life looks like for
children in China, helping them make connections between their own experiences and those of their peers abroad.
In Years 3 and 4, students have been working on introducing themselves in Mandarin. They practiced asking and sharing their names and gender in conversations while also refining their handwriting skills. Through structured speaking activities and writing exercises, they have made great progress in both verbal and written communication.
Our Year 5 and Year 6 students have been focusing on building confidence in self-introductions and greetings. They have also been practicing asking questions and giving feedback when they need clarification. Additionally, students have learned to specify different times of the day in Mandarin, helping them enhance their ability to describe daily routines and schedules in greater detail.
We are proud of the progress our students are making and encourage them to continue practicing at home! Thank you for your ongoing support in their language-learning journey.
Music
Dear Parents and Students,
I hope you’re all having a fantastic week! Here’s the latest from our Primary Music sessions, where students from Prep to Grade 6 have been making wonderful musical progress and having lots of fun along the way.
🎶 Prep: Our youngest musicians have been enthusiastically singing songs like Mr. Clickety Cane and The Little Green Frog. This week, they had a great time rotating through different percussion stations, exploring the unique sounds of each instrument and learning the skills to play them.
🥁 Grade 1: These students have been working hard on Hot Cross Buns, playing it on tuned percussion and drums. They’re developing their rhythm and coordination beautifully!
🎵 Grade 2: The students are continuing their work on Can You Dig That Crazy Gibberish? as a percussion ensemble. Their teamwork and timing are improving every session!
🌍 Grade 3: We’ve been exploring simple songs as a percussion group and have now settled into practicing Funga Alafia, a wonderful piece that brings a great sense of rhythm and culture to the classroom.
🎤 Grade 4: After learning two percussion songs as a whole class, students have now moved into small groups to create their own ensemble performances. Their creativity and collaboration have been amazing to watch!
🎼 Grades 5 & 6: These students have been rehearsing Sansa Kroma together and are now branching out into small groups. Some are working on ensemble performances, while others are composing their own original pieces—showing impressive musical independence!
It’s been a joy to see the students’ enthusiasm and progress each week. Thank you for your ongoing support of their musical journey!
Best wishes,
Mr. Steve Saxton
Media Art with Mr Howarth
As we’re approaching the end of term, our units are heading towards their conclusion.
Prep: The Prep students are now examining how media can be used to inform as well as entertain. We have been viewing “Ask the Storybots” to learn facts and information.
Year One: Having explored cultural stories and how they are represented still in modern day life, from Dreamtime stories, to the Chinese zodiac, to Greek myths and legends, we are finishing the unit with the tale of Hercules.
Year Two: In Year Two, we are concluding our unit with taking photos that represent the attributes “caring” and “principled”.
Year Three: The Year Threes captured the fun and colour of Harmony Day, taking photos of the class’s attires, and presenting those photos on PowerPoint and Keynote.
Year Four: We continue analysing Thalu to explore Aboriginal history. This has included an exploration into reviving languages, and the importance of representation of different peoples and cultures in media.
Year Five: In Year Five, we have been creators, using our devices to make music that incorporates loops and instrument samples.
Year Six: Students have been completing and publishing their podcasts, with a focus on engaging starts, a call to action, and music underlays.
Wellbeing
Grade 1 & 2:
Students in Grade 1 & 2 have been working on identifying and understanding what it means to be kind and the importance of being kind to others. Students were able to identify kind and unkind behaviours and reflected on themselves as friends to others. After sharing positive stories, students then created their own images based on their discussions.
Grade 3 & 4:
Students in Grade 3 & 4 have completed their focus on stress and how to cope with stressful situations and are now moving towards identify and what makes up who they are. Students worked on a personal designed drawing where they were free to express who they were. Students were encouraged to use cultural backgrounds, favourite foods, personality traits and much more.
Grade 5 & 6:
The Grade 5 & 6s have been working hard on self-reflecting by focusing on who they are and goals they want to achieve. Grade 5 & 6s looked at setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant & Time-Based) goals that were relevant to their future. Students were encouraged to focus on personal goals whether it be a long- or short-term goal.
Spanish 🇪🇸🎉
¡Hola familias! 👋
Our Spanish classes have been filled with fun and learning! Here’s a look at what our students have been up to:
🌟 Prep – Year 2:Students practiced their greetings, they learnt to say “Hasta luego” (See you later) and “Adiós” (Goodbye). To finish our Family Unit, they played a Family Members Bingo! 🎉
🌟 Years 3 & 4:Students have been learning all about Family Members and Fruits in Spanish. Through engaging activities and games, they have been building their confidence in using new words in conversations.
🌟 Years 5 & 6:Older students have been exploring a wider variety of vocabulary, covering Family Members, Fruits, and Vegetables 🥦🍇🥕. They practiced pronunciation when reading sentences.🌟 Family Members Bingo Fun!
To reinforce their learning, students in Years 1 to 6 played an exciting game of Family Members Bingo! This interactive activity helped them recall and use their new vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
We encourage families to practice these new words at home to help students retain their learning. ¡Hasta luego! 👋😊
Spanish Team
Physical Education
Term 1 update:
So far in term one, our prep students have been learning about safe participation and movement in P.E. classes. They’ve been practicing the correct response to the whistle and how to follow teacher instructions.
Grades 1 and 2 have been enhancing their fundamental movement skills through a series of fun, engaging minor games, with a special focus on throwing and catching.
Meanwhile, students in Grades 3 to 6 have started training for the upcoming Athletics Carnival in early Term 2. They are working on building athletic skills and techniques in preparation for next term.
Cross country
This week, students participated in the school's Cross Country event at Brookdale Road Reserve. The 9/10 age group ran 2km, while the 11, 12, and 13-year-olds completed a 3km course. It was an incredible effort from all students, who participated with great enthusiasm and team spirit.
A big congratulations to the following students who have advanced to the next stage and will represent our school at the District Cross Country on April 30th at Saltwater Reserve.
3F: Zoey See
3H: Ava
3I: Zoey A
4B: Arav
4C: Dahamsa
4F: Logan
4G: Celeste
4H: Judah
4I: Cooper S, Dylan
5A: Sai
5C: Zoe T
5E: Akenya
5F: Patrick
5G: Nivan
5H: Will, Hayley
6A: Fernando, Micah, Ayda, Elina
6C: Jun Ming, Daniel J
6D: Leo
6E: Eloisa, Evanna
6F: Emily, Iris, Mya
6G: Chrino
6H: Evangeline, Melody, Noel
6I: James, Lewis
Well-done everyone and all the best in the next stage!
Active holiday program
Active Holidays – free activities for kids these holidays
Running from Saturday 5 to Thursday 17 April, Wyndham’s Active Holidays brings fun and activity for kids to your holidays! Starting with Cross Country, there’s lots to try including Dance, Rugby, Basketball, Yoga, Footy, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Table Tennis, Golf, Lawn Bowls and Hockey. Registrations open 7 days before each session. Check out the program at www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/activeholidays
DANCE.
In dance the Year 4 classes have been working on teamwork, and working outside of their comfort zones. Everyone was paired up with other students they don’t normally associate with, automatically pushing students to confront the unknown, and work out of their comfort zones to achieve the tasks set out. Set detailed choreography was taught to all students, who were then paired up with other classmates to reconstruct the order of the combinations given, but not actually change the steps themselves. This was an exercise that worked on problem solving, communication, time management, compromise, creative thinking, listening skills, patience, and being proactive in how they approached the tasks.
Through working with other classmates, students learnt more about the person they don’t normally play or spend time with, and it also opened their minds to different approaches, ways of thinking, creative outlooks, and helped them to gain more knowledge in other peoples perceptions and opinions. It kept everyone engaged and working towards a common goal.
VSSS.
Rehearsals commenced in the studio as the secondary students came in to start learning the choreography for this years Victorian State School Spectacular. Next week we will be hosting Saltwater Colleges first combined schools Hub rehearsal for VSSS, as 5 other school will be joining us for rehearsals in the gym. It will be a great day ahead for everyone, and we can’t wait for our other school guests to see and learn more about Saltwater College and our community.
Wakakirri.
Rehearsals have commenced also with eager students practising already and getting the new show locked into their minds and body. We are so proud of all the students and how they’re working in their respective teams, and we couldn’t have asked for a better team this year…thank you!2025 is off to a great start this year with our Saltwater dancers and teams, and we know this will be another amazing achievement and performance!
