Curriculum Matters
Foundation
This term Foundation students have begun learning about the difference between living and non-living things.
To learn about living things, we are focusing on bugs! We have discovered that bugs have 3 body parts, antennae, don’t have a spine, and some even have wings! Look at these photos of our cute little explorers on a bug hunt!
Level 1
It’s been another exciting and busy fortnight in Level 1!
In SEL we have been focusing on stress management, learning practical ways to calm our minds and bodies. Students have enjoyed trying out breathing techniques, movement breaks, and mindfulness activities to help them feel centred and ready to learn.
In Maths we have been exploring location and place value. Using Mathseeds has helped us practise our skills online, and we’ve had fun applying them in real life—using maps to navigate the school, creating our own chalk zoos, and playing location games like Battleships. Our place value lessons have been very hands-on, with students using MAB blocks and whiteboards to show and explain their thinking.
In Literacy we’ve been revisiting narrative writing and drawing inspiration from traditional Dreaming stories. Students have used pictures as a stimulus, brainstormed imaginative ideas, and explored new ways to start their stories creatively and powerfully.
A highlight of the fortnight was Dolly’s Dream Day.
Everyone looked wonderful in blue as we took part in fun house group activities. Our Level 6 leaders did a fantastic job teaching us about bucket filling, and students loved making their very own “buckets” to remind them how to spread kindness every day.
Level 2
This term our Level Two students are exploring animal habitats as part of their Inquiry learning.
We’ll be investigating how different animals have unique external features that help them survive in their environments. Students will learn that living things need food, water, and shelter and that they live in places that meet these basic needs.
Throughout the term students will take part in hands-on activities, research and creative projects to deepen their understanding of how animals are perfectly suited to their habitats.
Level 3
This week Level 3 students have been making a splash at their swimming lessons! Everyone has had lots of fun learning new techniques to improve their swimming skills, from perfecting their strokes, working on their breathing techniques, to practising safe entries into the water. A highlight for many students has been getting to try some awesome diving in the pool.
It has been a wonderful start to a busy term for our Level 3 students.
Level 4
SEL
During SEL the Level 4 students have been focusing on resilience, learning how to recognise their emotions and develop practical coping strategies to use when faced with challenges. Through class discussions and reflection activities students have explored ways to stay positive, manage stress and support their peers during difficult times. It’s been wonderful to see them becoming more confident in handling tricky situations both inside and outside the classroom.
Level 4 Sport
This term we’ve launched an exciting new Level 4 sport program.
Students will rotate through three different sports in three-week blocks giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, build teamwork and have fun while staying active. We’ve started the term with netball, dodgeball and gaga ball, three games that are already proving to be student favourites. It’s been great to see everyone getting involved, encouraging their teammates and showing fantastic sportsmanship.
Level 5
The Level 5 students have settled back into Term 4 with enthusiasm and excitement, ready to continue their learning and reconnect with friends.
In Reading Groups and Inquiry students have been exploring the fascinating topic of states of matter.
In Writing the students are developing their knowledge and skills with persuasive debates. In Mathematics they have been drawing and measuring angles and applying this knowledge to create architectural designs.
Our swimming program has also begun and it’s been wonderful to see the students being responsible, organised, and enthusiastic about improving their swimming skills.
Recently students participated in Dolly’s Day, engaging in a range of fun activities focused on respect and kindness.
These included paper plane flying, sports games, rock painting, friendship bracelets and a year-level session exploring cyberbullying and online safety.
To celebrate the end of Wakakirri the students enjoyed a Wakakirri Party while eagerly awaiting the national announcement. They were extremely happy to find out they had received a National award for their performance.
In addition many Year 5 students have shown courage and leadership by delivering thoughtful and well-prepared school captain speeches.