Curriculum Matters 

Foundation

Let’s Be Scientists!

This term, our Foundation students have stepped into the shoes (and lab coats!) of real scientists and what a wild ride it’s been! 

From making bold predictions to observing mind-blowing reactions, we've been getting hands-on, asking big questions, and having an absolute blast along the way.

Things got gross (hello, mouldy bread!), things got messy (vinegar + eggs = whoa!), and things definitely got explosive (lemon volcanoes, anyone?). Along the journey, we discovered just how important clean hands are, watched eggs bounce like magic, and are now cheering on our growing grass seeds like proud plant parents.

The excitement has been off the charts, and it’s only getting better. 

Next week we’re wrapping things up with an epic, interactive science show incursion. The students are buzzing with anticipation… and honestly, so are we. 

Let’s do this…science style!

Level 1

As always it has been a busy fortnight in Level 1 🙂

In Maths, we wrapped up our unit on data in an exciting way—students created tallies from a beanbag target game, then used their results to make graphs. A highlight was our delicious graph made using Skittles! We’ve now begun our subtraction unit, practising through engaging games such as "air hockey," making light sabres, and even trapping Pokémon.

Literacy has been very creative, with students writing information reports on their own invented animals—each one made by combining two animals together. This has sparked both imagination and clear, structured writing.

In Inquiry, we have been learning about different aspects of safety, including beach safety and how to stay safe around the house. Our SEL sessions have delved into Topics 7 and 8 of the Respectful Relationships curriculum, helping students think deeply about respect and empathy. Thursday morning team games remain a highlight, with lots of laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition.

Of course, Book Week was a standout! The Book Parade was filled with colour, excitement, and outstanding costumes—well done to everyone who joined in the fun.

Level 2

In Writing, we have been learning about information reports. To practise, we created our very own report all about penguins! 

We explored their habitat, appearance and diet, and discovered so many interesting facts. One fun fact we learnt is that penguins slide on their tummies to travel quickly across the snow. 

The students really enjoyed learning about these amazing animals and sharing what they found out.

Level 3

It has been a very busy and exciting time for our Level 3 students!

JPPS celebrated Book Week last week where students loved sharing their costumes that they have been working hard on. It was a great way to celebrate our love for books and our love for reading. 

In Writing, students have been working hard on their information reports, choosing their favourite animals to research and write about. They have been developing skills in organising facts, using subheading, and presenting their research clearly with lots of great diagrams.

We read ‘The Magical Yet’, a story that reminds us that even if we can’t do something YET, with practice and determination, we can always improve and achieve our goals. Students created their own magical yet creature to have with them during times when they find something challenging and can't do YET. 

Level 4

This term Level 4’s Inquiry topic is Future Innovators, we are learning about the design process. To build our skills we had a Billy Cart Incursion. 

The sun was out and the students got to enjoy riding and pushing the Billy Carts, as well as building a prototype and designing their own cart. 

The Billy Carts were lots of fun and I learnt a lot like how to build a Billy Cart- Madi 4B 

I learnt how to build a Billy Cart and it was lots of fun. Ellie 4B 

I had fun trying to drift on the easy rollers- Pippa 4B 

I learnt how the Billy carts worked and how they rolled- Zion 4B 

I loved zooming around on the Billy carts and I learnt how to make a fast cart putting it down the ramp and winning the competition- Ryan 4B 

I learnt how you create a Billy cart and how they rolled- Evan 4B 

4B have had an extra busy couple of weeks with a visit down to Jells Park Kindergarten. We had two groups walk down over two weeks. The students had fun learning how to be great buddies, playing and getting shown around the kinder. This also gave some of our students a chance to go down memory lane and remember their time at kinder. 

It was really fun to see the chickens and to talk and play with our future buddies-  Cathy 4B 

Watching the kinder kids say goodbye was the most adorable thing I have ever seen. Meera 4B

It was fun to learn new things from the kinder kids -  Ash 4B 

Level 5

Throughout this term, Level 5 students have been learning about Animal Adaptations as part of our Inquiry unit. 

We integrated our learning during our Literacy sessions by writing Explanation Reports which included the use of different Language Features to help describe how certain adaptations allow animals to survive in their environments.

The students enjoyed attending our excursion to the Werribee Zoo where they went on a safari tour exploring the African animals. They also attended an educational workshop where they explored a variety of fossils to determine whether it was a predator based on its physical clues such as the shape of claws and teeth and the positioning of its eyes to hunt.

Last Friday, all of Level 5 went on an exciting excursion to Werribee Zoo — and we had an awesome time!  We saw a wide range of animals, including hippos, rhinos, giraffes, lions, and many more. My favourite was the lions. The highlight of the day was definitely the African safari, where we got an up-close view of the animals and their natural adaptations. It was a breathtaking experience!                      - Alex Y (5BA) 

On Friday the 22nd of August, Level 5 went to Werribee Zoo. When we got there everyone was fullof excitement! We split into 7-8 groups and the trip began. Our group went to thelions first, it was the best experience ever. At the workshop, some of us got to touch real bones of theanimals! The safari was amazing but the wind was very cold. It was the best experience and we were all very sad when it was time to leave!                                                                                                                     -Qinmo.Z (5BA)

Level 6