Year 4 News
House Swimming Carnival at GESAC
One of the most exciting events was the Year 4 students' first House Swimming Carnival at the GESAC pool. It was a fantastic day filled with enthusiasm and sportsmanship as students competed in a 50-metre pool.
We couldn't be prouder of our students for being such risk-takers! Many overcame their fears and participated in various races, demonstrating remarkable courage and determination. Their effort and spirit were truly commendable, and it was heartwarming to see them cheering for one another throughout the event.
This carnival was not only a celebration of swimming skills but also a wonderful opportunity for our students to bond with their peers.
Please enjoy some student recounts of their perspective of the day:
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Aree – 4C
On Friday last week year 4-6 had a swimming carnival. In the morning, I was nervous but also excited.
When we got there, we had to wait for the year 6 and 5 to finish their rounds of freestyle. Next was the year 4's freestyle round. First up was the girls and finally the year 4 boys. I was in the
first round for the boys. I had so many butterflies in my tummy. I came fourth for freestyle - I was so proud of myself. The next stroke was backstroke - I came fourth again. The next event was breaststroke – I came third in that one. And last but not least was butterfly, but I didn’t do butterfly because I had enough in my tummy! I didn’t even know how to do it.
We had a bit of time before the next races so I ate some food. I had a piece of cake a chocolate biscuit and some crackers. The next races were the 25M races. The first one was freestyle - I came first for that one. The second was backstroke and I came second in that one.
And finally, Mrs Hall announced the house winners for the carnival. Last was... McDonald and third was Wood, second was Morey AND FIRST WAS..... RESERVE!!!!!!!
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Immy – 4C
Last Thursday on the 21/2/25 I competed in my very first swimming carnival and I came 2nd twice – one 50m which was freestyle and one 25m which was freestyle.
The were these events - freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. I only did freestyle 50m and freestyle 25m.
Anyway when I got at school I had two bags; one school bag and one swimming bag. We had to be at school by 8:30 so when we got to school we had to go straight into our classroom to do the roll. When the teacher did the roll we rushed outside to line up. And then the teacher (Ms Carter) took us to the bus. We sat down with our friends (I was with Lucy) and we started chatting. Lucy and I were chatting about how nervous we were. Eventually we got to GESAC and we got out of the bus and started heading to the outdoor pool.
When I first saw the pool, I thought it was huge! We put our bags down in whatever house we were in. I was in McDonald which was yellow, Reserve was red, Morey was blue and Wood was green. We had to come to school in our house colours, wearing our bathers underneath. First off was year 6 girls freestyle then 6 boys then 5 girls and so on. Suddenly it was my turn! I was so nervous! The horn went to go and as soon as I was in the water my muscles relaxed but I realised I had to keep swimming. When I got towards the end, I was happy because I didn’t see anyone when my head was out of the water to breathe but Darcy just beat me. When I got to the end, I was devastated I didn’t come 1st but at least I got a ribbon. So then when every race was over we started to head back to the bus. I was exhausted and when we got back to school it was lunch, so we went outside and ate.
On the weekend I found out that I got into districts! Districts is where you compete against other schools!!!
I CAN’T WAIT!!
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Emma – 4C
Last Friday the 21st of February we went to GESAC for our Swimming Carnival. When we arrived, Estelle, Annabel, Maya and I set up camp in our house area. (in that order.) We are all in Reserve which is red house.
It was beautiful, sunny and warm. But luckily we were under the shade sail. Morey had to sit in the belting sun.
First up was the Year 6 Girls 50m Freestyle, then the Boys, then the year 5s and then us! We were all very excited.
I came second and Maya came first! We were both very happy.
We went back and had a snack and watched a few more races until it was time for Backstroke. First was the Year 6 girls and so on.
When you start in Backstroke you jump in the water and hold onto the diving block. When you hear the buzzer you push off the wall.
I came second in Backstroke and Butterfly, and third in Breaststroke.
My house Reserve won! We won against Morey who came second. We had 444 points and Morey only had 300!(:<
On the weekend I found out that I am going to Districts for Butterfly and Freestyle relay! I feel very excited but also a little bit nervous because it is at MSAC.
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Gracie – 4C
On Friday, the 21st of February all the year 4-6's had our Swimming Carnaval. It was at GESAC and we took the bus. Harper and I played a game where you have to say the thing that the other person said then after that, add on your own action. It is called "add on." But that’s not really important right now. When we got there we had to put our stuff down where our house colours where (mine was Wood which is green).
As soon all the other classes got there we began. First up was Freestyle in 50 meters and I came 2nd! Second was Backstroke and I came 3rd! Third was Breaststroke and I came 2nd.Then it came up to the 25m races and my friend Annabel and I competed in it and in those 2 races I came 1st in both!!!!!! 🏁🥇GOOOO WOOD!!!!📗💸💵💲📗🐸🦎🐢And here is the Wood theme song: 'Extra, extra read all about it, Wood’s gonna win and there's no doubt about it! Shout to the East, East shout to the West, West, come on Wood you’re the BEST! GOOOOOOOO WOOD!!!!!!
By the way as soon as Ms Hall announced the house winners it turns out that Wood came 2nd last which is very unexpected because Wood usually comes 1st but it doesn't matter that much. But what was really, really, really good was that mum come to watch & support me. 😎😋💖💪🏁
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Estelle – 4C
On the 21st of Feb the year 4s, 5s and 6s had to come to school early and we had to wear our house colours. I am in Reserve so I had to wear red, which for me is a very hard colour to find, but I found some stuff to wear in the end.
Oh and by the way the swimming carnival was at GESAC!!.😍😂
After the bus drive we went to find our house area to unpack our stuff.
The first race was freestyle and I was a little bit nervous but when the race started I managed to get rid of the nerves and I came 4th.
The second race was backstroke and I had a lot of people in my heat so I felt a little bit nervous again but I knew how to deal with it and in the end I came 1st 😋
Lastly it was breaststroke, and I only had 3 people in my race so I came 2nd.
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Clo
On Friday 21st February the year 4s, 5s and 6s were going to GESAC.I arrived at school & everyone was in their house colours. By 8:50 we were on the bus!
When we got there we got into our houses.
There were flags representing each house in this order:
Reserve, MacDonald, Wood and Morey.
After we got ready in our house, the races started!
First was the 50 metre races, starting with freestyle.
As the year sixes raced I was barely focusing! Then the year fives raced and then year 4.
After the 50 metre races were done, the 25 metre races started!
I was going to race for breaststroke, but sadly we didn't get time.🙁
So instead I did backstroke😊 but came 6th 🙁.
After that we did fun races!!!!😍
We did a noodle race with a partner, but me and my partner were bad at it😂.
After everyone was changed Mrs Hall announced the score:
1st Reserve
2nd Morey
3rd Wood
4th MacDonald
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Liam W
Our swimming carnival was on the 21st - it was so much fun. First, we did 50 m races then we did the 25m races. I did the 25m same as my friend Emil. My mum came to my race just in time. We both attempted to do freestyle but neither of us got a ribbon sadly): I tried for backstroke, and I still didn't win a ribbon. I was utterly devastated. I was so tired I felt like I had to lay down.
After the event, Mrs Hall, the Judge, decided who could go to districts after she looked at the time. Then Emil and I had some food. Emil wanted a slushie, but I wanted to do the fun race, so we didn't get a slushie): WE WON! Reserve was the winner! After that we all left for school, but it was stacks and stacks of fun!
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Annabel
On Friday, 21st of February, years 4-6 went to GESAC for the swimming carnival. We caught the bus at about 9:30 am to get there, and it took about 15 minutes to drive there. Oh, and another thing, all of us were in our house colours. Reserve in red, Morey in blue, McDonald in yellow and Wood in green. I'm in Reserve, so I was in red (chants: 'Turn on the radio, whadd'ya hear? Reserve is the best, so give 'em a cheer! Beat 'em, bust 'em, that's our custom! Gooooo Reserve!' '2, 4, 6, 8, who do we appreciate? Not the kings, not the queens, but the Morey sports team! Gooooo Morey!' 'Mac, mac, mac attack! We'll give you a heart attack! We are strong, we are bold, we are yellow, we are gold! Gooooo McDonald!' 'Extra, extra, read all about it! Wood's gonna win and there's no doubt about it! Shout to the east, east! Shout to the west, west! Come on, Wood, you're the best! Gooooo Wood!').
When we got to GESAC, we all got off the bus and followed our teachers to the outdoor pool. We went to sit in our house group; Reserve with a red flag, Morey with a blue flag, McDonald with a yellow flag and Wood with a green one.
The first races were the year 6 girls in 50 metre freestyle, then year 6 boys in 50 metre freestyle, year 5 girls 50 metre freestyle, year 5 boys 50 metre freestyle and THEN the year 4s got a turn. I walked over to the marshalling area for the 50 metre freestyle, with my cap and goggles on, in the line for the second race. I was really excited to race, but also pretty nervous. Mrs Jones directed us to the blocks on the edge of the pool, and I was behind block number 6. I stepped up onto the edge, got comfortable in my diving position, and..... BEEP! I kicked my legs as hard as I could, and I came 4th!
I participated in 50 metre backstroke and breaststroke as well, and for backstroke I came 3rd, and for breaststroke I didn't place, but I came 4th for 25 metre backstroke and freestyle again! It was a really fun day, and I'm super excited for next year's swimming carnival.
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Sharing the Planet
Exploring the Convention for the Rights of the Children another enriching activity, our Year 4 students engaged in learning about the Convention for the Rights of the Child.
They demonstrated empathy and critical thinking skills while working in teams across the three grades to explore several of the 42 rights outlined in the convention.
After discussing and understanding these rights, students collaborated to sort them from most important to least important based on their perspectives. This activity not only encouraged thoughtful discussions but also allowed students to consider the rights of children globally and fostered a sense of responsibility toward advocating for those rights.
Their ability to empathize with others and engage in meaningful conversations about such important topics is commendable.
SAT Student Agency Team Speeches
Additionally, we had the exciting opportunity to witness the Student Agency Team (SAT) speeches. Each student made fantastic presentations, showcasing their unique skills and ideas. After all the speeches, students voted for their preferred candidates, and we were thoroughly impressed by the variety of talents demonstrated.
The race was very close in each of the classes, highlighting the enthusiasm and support for each candidate.
We are pleased to announce the 2025 representatives are Sam S. from 4A, Luca C. from 4B, and Emma W. from 4C. Congratulations to our new representatives! We look forward to seeing how they will lead and represent their peers throughout the year.
New Inquiry Unit: Where We Are in Place and Time
We have commenced our new inquiry unit Where we are in place and time. This unit aims to deepen students' understanding of exploration and the significance of place and time in our world.
To kick off the inquiry, the students participated in an engaging scavenger hunt around the school. Working in teams of three, they collaborated to solve clues that led them to different locations.
Along the way, they discovered various words that they then had to unjumble to create a sentence defining 'explorers.' This hands-on activity not only ignited their curiosity but also fostered teamwork and critical thinking skills.
As we continue with this inquiry unit, we look forward to exploring the various aspects of exploration, including historical figures, significant events, and how they have shaped our understanding of Australia and the world today.
