Learning & Teaching
Prep Firefighter Visit
The Firefighters returned to Sacred Heart for another exciting visit with the Preps!
The Preps were very excited to see the firefighters again and continue learning about the important work they do to help keep our community safe. Students had the opportunity to spray the firefighter hose and even climb inside the fire truck to have a look around!
It was a fun and memorable experience, and the Preps loved getting to see some of the equipment firefighters use while on the job.
Mandarin News
Prep
This term, the Prep students have been learning to name and recognise different colours in Mandarin. We have used songs, rhythms, games and other simple routines to familiarise the students with the sounds, tones and patterns of the language. In Week 8, the students rotated through a variety of activities to help them identify and say different colours in Mandarin.
Students played connect three to practise saying the colours in Mandarin.
Students drew some pictures to match the colour words.
Students practised writing some Chinese characters related to colours.
Year 1
This term in Mandarin, the Year 1 students have been learning about birthday
celebrations and practising useful words and phrases through songs, games, card
games and other interactive activities. They have also been revising and practising
writing Chinese characters they have learnt, developing greater confidence in
recognising and writing characters. The photos show some of the activities students
have enjoyed during their Mandarin lessons.
Students played memory games to consolidate the vocabulary they had been practising.
Year 2
The Year 2 students have been learning to state their own age and the ages of their family members and friends in Mandarin. In this lesson, the students practised writing down the ages of themselves and their family members using simple sentence structures and number vocabulary. They then applied their speaking skills by reading their written information to their classmates.
Year 3
Year 3 students have been learning how to communicate in situations such as visiting the doctor. They have practised vocabulary for body parts, describing simple symptoms and giving basic advice. Through songs, games, online activities and situational role-plays, students have had many opportunities to practise using Mandarin in meaningful contexts. The photos capture some of the activities students have participated in during the term.
Students used the Educandy website to play online games focused on the vocabulary and sentences they have been practising.
Year 4
This term, the Year 4 students have been learning to name different classroom objects in Mandarin. This week, the students worked in groups to create a classroom-object shopping list using the vocabulary they have been practising. They then exchanged their shopping lists with another group and completed a shopping task. Through this activity, the students developed teamwork and problem-solving abilities while practising their speaking and listening skills in Mandarin.
Seniors
The Year 5/6 students have been exploring how Chinese characters are formed and structured, including the use of meaningful components called radicals. They have practised writing characters and developed their understanding through a range of language-learning activities. Students have also extended their learning through a traditional Chinese paper-cutting activity, creating artworks featuring Chinese characters. The photos highlight some of their learning experiences and creative work.
Students demonstrated their learning by producing paper-cut pieces inspired by Chinese characters.
Year 3 Marble Run
As part of the Year 3 Inquiry Unit, Move It, the students have been creating Marble Runs to investigate friction and gravity. Last week, the Year 3 students presented their marble runs to the class. They discussed the materials they selected and explained how they worked collaboratively to plan, construct and test their final designs.
During the testing phase, they observed that the marble was catching on the sticky tape, which created friction and reduced the marble’s speed. They made adjustments to their design and worked together, listening to each other’s ideas to find an effective solution. After making several modifications, they successfully improved the movement of the marble through the run.
Through this hands-on investigation, they developed their understanding of force, gravity, friction, motion, speed, pushes and pulls. They also learnt that forces can affect the movement and direction of an object. Most importantly, they discovered the importance of collaboration, problem solving, testing, observing and modifying their designs to improve their performance.
3GR Marble runs
3CH Marble runs
Senior Boroondara Leadership Day
On Monday 7 September, the Year Fives and Sixes went to Hawthorn Arts Centre for a Leadership Day. We started the day by walking to the tram stop to catch the number 16 tram down Glenferrie Road. When we arrived at the Arts Centre, the Mayor spoke to all the attending schools about how to be a good leader.
Then, we headed off to our first activity, which was run by some people from the Y. The purpose of the activities was to meet new people and work on our communication skills. The next activity was about conflict resolution and behaviour. We learnt about different types of conflict and acted out examples of good and not-so-good behaviour. The leaders told us about different animals that were similar to our behaviours. We are going to try to be like dolphins because dolphins are kind, positive and helpful.
After lunch, we went to a workshop about storytelling and how everyone tells stories throughout their day. We learnt about getting better at making conversation, projecting our voices, getting comfortable talking with new people and how telling stories with a moral can change people’s minds.
Overall, we had a really fun day, and it inspired us to be better leaders at Sacred Heart.
By Emily L and Annabelle R
