Specialist News
Physical Education
This Term has started with amplifying our kicking skills in Prep and Grade 1 and applying them into games in Grade 2. Grade 3/4 have been practising their AFL skills with handballing and punting, applying these in minor games. Ultimate Frisbee has been a testing sport for our 5/6s with the wind and weather so we may try it again in Term 4 to really apply them in game settings.
In the sporting world, Athletics is fast approaching with a joint Athletics Carnival between Bittern PS and Tyabb Railway Station PS at Mornington Athletics Track on Monday 10th August. This event will be for our Grade 3 - 6 students only, with a P-2 event planned for later in the term. At this event, the students will be divided into their gender and age groups and be able to compete in all athletics events, including high jump and hurdles. The students will have the opportunity to verse each other and ribbons will be awarded within the school groups. I'd love to see everyone there and if you are able to assist with measuring the throwing and jumping events, please let me know.
At the end of last term, there was another wonderful day where I was able to be the principal. The students were divided into their house groups and performed a play about 'a day in the life of Mrs B' and they were definitely interesting! In one, I got lost at a coffee shop, in another there was a special guest: The Lorax. The students that were 'Mrs B' really stayed true to their character, including dressing up, quoting me and copy my mannerisms. They also participated in 'minute-to-win-it' style games' and played bucket kickball and sardines in their house groups. These days are really becoming a highlight and are the best way to finish off the term.
Have the best week!
Mrs Berthet
DIGI TECH
Students across all year levels have continued to build their knowledge and skills in Digital Technologies through engaging, hands-on learning experiences that promote computational thinking, collaboration and problem-solving.
Our Prep/Year 1 and Year 2 students have commenced an exciting unit using our Blue-Bot robots. Blue-Bots are programmable floor robots that introduce students to the fundamentals of coding and algorithms in a practical and highly engaging way. Students have been learning how to input simple commands to control the robots, enabling them to move forwards, backwards and turn left or right to successfully navigate a defined course. Throughout these activities, students have developed an understanding of sequencing by planning the order of commands before testing and refining their programs. They have also been encouraged to predict outcomes, identify errors and make adjustments when their robots did not travel as expected. It has been wonderful to see the enthusiasm and confidence students have shown while using the Blue-Bots, with many demonstrating excellent problem-solving skills and celebrating their success as they successfully navigated increasingly challenging courses.
Our Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 students have continued working with our new LEGO Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence kits and are now nearing the completion of the introductory course. This initial unit has provided students with a strong foundation in key computer science concepts through a combination of construction, coding and collaborative problem-solving activities. Students have developed an understanding of the relationship between hardware and software, learning how physical components and digital instructions work together to create functioning technological systems. They have also explored the importance of algorithms and sequencing, constructing and programming a variety of LEGO models while testing and refining their designs.
An important focus throughout the unit has been team-based collaboration. Students have worked together to interpret instructions, share ideas, solve challenges and support one another throughout the design and construction process. These experiences have strengthened not only their technological knowledge, but also valuable interpersonal skills such as communication, cooperation, resilience and critical thinking.
As students complete this introductory course, they are well prepared to move into more advanced learning experiences later this term. Future lessons will build on these foundations by introducing increasingly complex robotics, programming and artificial intelligence concepts, allowing students to further develop their understanding of how emerging technologies are designed, programmed and used to solve real-world problems.
Mr Durrington
Auslan (Australian Sign Language)
It has been another exciting fortnight of learning in Auslan across the school, with students continuing to build their signing skills through engaging stories, songs and real-life communication.
Our Prep and Grade 1 students have been enjoying learning to sign the much-loved story Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. Through repeated language patterns, colours and animals, students are developing confidence in using Auslan while bringing the story to life through sign.
In Grade 2, students have begun exploring more complex emotions using the book My Emotions by Kerrie Taylor. They have been learning the Auslan signs for feelings such as excited, content, grumpy, fed up, frustrated, brave, motivated and determined. These lessons encourage students to expand their emotional vocabulary while learning how to express a wider range of feelings through Auslan.
Our Grade 3 and 4 students have started a new unit focusing on signs for items found in different rooms of the house. Students have enjoyed practising everyday household vocabulary, and this week they will extend their learning by exploring the outside (facade) of the house, including features commonly seen around Australian homes.
In Grade 5 and 6, students have been collaborating to interpret the meaning behind the Kindness Song. They have been discussing the message of the lyrics and carefully selecting the most appropriate Auslan signs to convey both the words and the intended meaning. This process is helping students develop a deeper understanding that Auslan is a visual language where meaning, expression and context are just as important as individual signs.
It has been wonderful to see students across all year levels enthusiastically embracing Auslan and continuing to develop their confidence in communicating through Australia's rich and vibrant sign language.
Miss Bacon
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program has had a vibrant start to Term 3, with students across all year levels exploring colour, pattern, and artistic inspiration in exciting ways.
Foundation and Year 1 students are learning about the seasons and how colour can represent changes in the natural world. Inspired by Joan Blond, a contemporary Melbourne based artist, students are creating expressive landscape paintings, carefully selecting colours to reflect their chosen season.
Year 2 students have been exploring abstract art through the work of 11-year-old, internationally recognised, artist Alf Barbel Wits. They are experimenting with shape, pattern, and bold colour choices to create their own unique abstract artworks.
In Years 3 and 4, students are creating nature-inspired prints using negative space and colour influenced by Aboriginal understandings of seasons. Through planning, gelli printing, and painting, students are developing layered artworks that highlight the relationship between nature, colour, and seasonal change.
Our Year 5 and 6 students are working on detailed fish paintings inspired by Grotti Lotti. Using a variety of painting techniques, students are building their skills in layering, pattern, and colour to create vibrant and highly detailed artworks.
It has been fantastic to see students engaging creatively and developing their artistic skills across a range of techniques and styles. We look forward to sharing more of their wonderful work throughout the term.
Mrs Roberts