What's Happening in Specialist Programs

Below is a 'What's Happening' about each of our specialist programs during Term 3.

Visual Art

We are looking forward to another engaging and creative term in Visual Arts. Throughout Term 3, students from Prep to Year 6 will be immersed in our Threads and Textiles unit, developing practical textile skills while continuing to build their understanding of the Elements and Principles of Art.

Across the term, students will investigate how fibres and fabrics are made, experiment with a variety of textile techniques and create artworks using stitching, weaving, threading, fabric construction and mixed media. Through these hands-on experiences, students will explore concepts including line, shape, colour, texture, pattern and repetition, while developing confidence, creativity and fine motor skills.

As a whole school, we began the term by celebrating NAIDOC Week. Inspired by Emily Kngwarreye's Big Yam Dreaming, students designed their own ‘Deadly Dots’ to create a collaborative display, transforming our entrance into a beautiful Deadly Door. Students across all year levels will also create a special artwork to celebrate Father's Day or another significant male or special person in their lives. In addition, Prep and Year 6 classes will contribute to collaborative artworks that celebrate our school community and support fundraising initiatives.

We look forward to sharing another term of imaginative, colourful and carefully crafted artworks with our school community.

Please enjoy some of the students' Modelling and Construction artworks from Term 2, you can find a number of works throughout the school on display too.

Prep

In Term 3, our Prep students will begin exploring fibres and textiles, discovering where different materials come from and how they are transformed into the fabrics we use every day. They will be introduced to simple textile skills as they learn to thread a needle and sew a running stitch while creating a stitched animal artwork. We encourage families to help teach knot tying, especially of shoelaces to help upskill the children and enable them to transfer this knowledge to their Threads and Textiles projects. Students will create a full-length portrait celebrating their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives using an oil pastel and watercolour resist technique, enhanced with radiating lines. Prep students will also contribute to a collaborative artwork that will be auctioned as part of the Parent Social fundraising initiative, keep a look out, as we would love your support.

Year 1

In Term 3, the Year 1 students will continue developing their understanding of fibres and textiles through a variety of creative projects. They will explore the traditional art of weaving by creating a colourful Mexican inspired sun and moon weaving, learning the over and under weaving technique while investigating pattern, colour and texture. Students will be painting a portrait celebrating their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives, using crafted papers to create a background.

Year 2

In Term 3, the Year 2 students will further develop their understanding of fibres and fabrics while exploring how textiles are created and used. Students will revisit important sewing skills, including threading a needle, tying a knot and sewing a running stitch, as they design and create a felt hand puppet. To celebrate Father's Day, students will also create a personalised plasticine portrait of a father figure or another significant male in their lives, carefully observing facial features and using modelling techniques to shape and refine their sculpture.

Year 3

In Term 3, the Year 3 students will continue exploring the history and development of textiles while strengthening their sewing skills. Students will revisit important sewing skills, including threading a needle, tying a knot and sewing a running stitch. They will design and construct a simple calico softie, learning how to plan, stitch and assemble their own textile creation while developing confidence with the running stitch. Students will then create a full body shadow portrait celebrating their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives to present as a gift.

Year 4

In Term 3, the Year 4 students will build on their understanding of textile materials and construction techniques. They will design and sew their own felt softie, further developing their skills with both the running stitch and over stitch while considering shape, texture and construction. Students will then create a felt embellished slap band as a personalised gift for their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives, exploring decorative stitching and embellishment.

Year 5

In Term 3, the Year 5 students will deepen their understanding of natural and synthetic fibres while continuing to refine their textile skills. They will sew their own Buddy Bear using felt, applying previously learnt sewing techniques to create a special keepsake that will later be gifted to their 2027 Prep buddy, helping foster connection and belonging within our school community. Students will create a plasticine portrait of their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives, exploring colour mixing to achieve realistic skin tones and facial features.

Year 6

In Term 3, the Year 6 students will extend their understanding of textile design through a range of meaningful projects. They will design and stitch an individual ‘Freak Flag’ representing their unique personality, interests and strengths. These flags will be combined to create a collaborative artwork for the Year 6 Production before becoming a legacy piece for the school. Students will then create a paper crafted portrait celebrating their dad, father figure or another significant male in their lives. They will also contribute to a Year 6 collaborative artwork that will be auctioned at the Parent Social fundraising event and finish the term by sewing a festive felt Christmas tree ornament using the stitching skills they have developed throughout the unit.

Japanese

Welcome back to Term 3 Japanese minasan (everyone!)

This term, we will celebrate the Tanabata (Star/Wish) festival. During Tanabata, the students will celebrate by writing their wishes on colourful strips of paper called tanzaku. These wishes can be for anything, from personal dreams to hopes for peace and happiness. The tanzaku are then hung around the school. Good luck everyone!

What is happening this term in Japanese:

Prep

The Prep students will continue to learn Japanese songs, including colours and shape names in Japanese. The students will continue to practise reading Japanese names and asking each other how they are feeling in Japanese. They will enjoy celebrating Tanabata and will also begin to read simple hiragana mini books and recognise some basic hiragana characters. They will learn about items that are usually included in traditional Japanese meals, compare them and then share their likes and dislikes about different food.

Year 1

This term, the Year 1 students will learn how to say what the weather is, the day, month and date, and ask how each other are feeling in Japanese. The students will begin to read simple hiragana mini books and write hiragana characters. The students will principate in story creation using only Japanese language during this time. They will also look at traditional Japanese sports and compare to sports we play in Australia.

Year 2

This term, the Year 2 students will continue to communicate with each other in Japanese and start to read simple Japanese books called, Bonnie, Benji and Boris. They will learn high frequency verbs, nouns, adjectives and conjunctions to help with their comprehension of the books. Students will have jobs in the classroom and participate in cultural activities that link to Tanabata.

Year 3

This term, the Year 3 students will continue to communicate with each other in Japanese and start to read new Japanese books called Bonnie and Benji. They will learn high frequency verbs, nouns, adjectives and conjunctions to help with their comprehension of the book. Students will have jobs in the classroom and participate in cultural activities that link to Tanabata.

Year 4

This term, the Year 4 students will continue to communicate with each other in Japanese and start to read a Japanese book called Sadako. They will learn high frequency verbs, nouns, adjectives and conjunctions to help with their comprehension of the book. Students will have jobs in the classroom and participate in cultural activities that link to Tanabata.

Year 5

This term, the Year 5 students will continue to practice their hiragana/ katakana reading by doing weekly ikana tests on the ipads. They will start to read a Japanese book called Burgerman .They will learn high frequency verbs, nouns, adjectives and conjunctions to help with their comprehension of the book. Students will enjoy communicating and working on building the time only spoken in Japanese each week. Students will have jobs in the classroom and participate in cultural activities that link to Tanabata.

Year 6

The Year 6 students will continue to work through their belts and create stories to read in the classroom. This term, the students will start their orange, green and blue belts incorporating activities such as: This will encompass telling the weather today, tomorrow and yesterday, writing and saying the days of the week, completing role plays situations in the classroom, reading hiragana mini books, making origami tsuru, singing a Japanese song, creating sentences about family using a variety of adjectives, writing and saying numbers from 1-00, writing the seasons in Kanji and naming a variety of Japanese sports. Students will have jobs in the classroom and participate in cultural activities that link to Tanabata.

Japanese at home

The students will all learn to read using hiragana mini books from the Japan foundation. They can be accessed here

https://classroomresources.sydney.jpf.go.jp/resources/hiragana-mini-books/

Some students may want to work on their hiragana reading at home. These apps are free and may help some students who would like to practice

Performing Arts

In Performing Arts, Term 2 was filled with wonderful folkloric dances and the creation of some incredible performances across all year levels. From our Preps creating amazing Hip-Hop inspired dance art to our Year Five students making their own Just Dance videos, students should be extremely proud of their efforts and everything they achieved!

We are excited to welcome Term 3, our first term of Music for the year! It’s set to be a busy and engaging term, with students across the school focusing on playing, creating, and responding to music. Not to mention, it’s Musical season for our Year 6 students!

Prep

Students in Prep will begin exploring the elements of music through the Magical Music Circus! They will use a range of percussion instruments and their voices to create music while participating in games and activities that encourage them to think about beat, rhythm, pitch, and other musical elements.

Year One

Year One students will explore the elements of music in a hands-on and engaging way, thinking about how we create music and how music feels in our bodies. They will use percussion instruments, their voices, and body percussion to make music while developing their understanding of key musical concepts.

Year Two

Throughout Term 3, Year Two students will continue exploring the elements of music. They will focus on learning games, songs, and rhythms that develop aural skills, notation understanding, and early composition skills. Students will use a range of percussion instruments and their voices to build these skills. At the end of the term, they will perform a body percussion piece for their peers.

Year Three

Year Three students will build their understanding of the elements of music through notation, composition, and aural activities. They will also begin learning the recorder; a wonderful, tuneful, and notoriously quiet instrument! Please feel free to reach out with any questions about the instrument.

Year Four

This term, Year Four students will continue developing their understanding of the elements of music by composing and translating their ideas into musical notation. They will also focus on their performance skills through continued recorder learning and peer performances.

If your child has taken their recorder home, please ensure it is returned to school by Week 2. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about the instrument.

Year Five

Year Five students will develop their aural and notation skills while exploring how the elements of music contribute to composition. They will also learn about the role of digital tools and programs in music-making, creating their own songs and mixes.

Please ensure your child has a pair of working headphones available for use in class this term.

Year Six

This term, Year Six students will polish and perform their musical, Shrek Jr. — the culmination of six years of Performing Arts learning, dedication, and hard work.

Students will take to the stage in Week 7 to perform for family and friends. Keep an eye out for a special sneak-peek performance during our Book Week celebrations!

Glee Club and Grade 3 Choir

Glee Club and Grade 3 Choir will continue this term as a combined ensemble for students in Years 3–6. All students are welcome to join at any time throughout the term. We meet every Tuesday during the first half of lunch.

Congratulations to both the Glee Club and Grade 3 Choir for their confident performances at assemblies and community events throughout Term 2. We are looking forward to another fantastic term of singing together!

Monday Morning Melodies

Every Monday from 8:45 am, students in Prep to Year 2 are invited to sing, dance, and start the week with a smile in the Performing Arts room. Students are welcome to join at any point throughout the term for a joyful start to their week!

Musical Update!

Only 40 days to go until the Year 6 Musical!

Students have been working incredibly hard to prepare a spectacular performance for our school community. Ticket information will be shared later this term, so please keep an eye on Compass for all the details.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Performing Arts program. I am looking forward to another busy, creative, and exciting term of music-making with our students!

Be good and be good at it!

Ms Pholi

Physical Education

Term 2 was very busy in PE, we had interschool sport, the end of season 1 of run club, swimming lessons and our first whole school cross country! Well done to everyone who has gotten involved in all our opportunities to get active in Term 2. A special congratulations to our boys and girls handball teams, boys' hockey and boys' softball who are district champions for 2026! They will represent our district at division finals throughout the remainder of the year. We also had 7 athletes progress to division cross country at Cornish College, it was a wet and slippery day, and they represented our school proudly.

In Term 3, our Year 4, 5 and 6 students will be hitting the athletics track for our House Athletics day. Students will be competing for the House championship and to be a part of our district athletics team. Later in the Term we will restart our run club to get our families and students active and start off the day right. Look for a Compass post for starting dates.

We wanted to say a massive thank you to all parents who have volunteered for sporting activities so far this year, without your support our program couldn’t have been possible.

Prep

Students will:

Continue to refine fundamental movement skills focussing on object control
Develop ball control skills in football and basketball
Work cooperatively with their peers in minor games
Work together to create and follow rules in minor games

Year 1 and 2

Students will:

Continue to practise fundamental movement skills and apply them to different sports such as football.
Investigate different ways of moving a scoop to produce an effective throw and catch to mimic lacrosse skills.
Work together to create rules to promote fair play.
Work cooperatively with their peers whilst participating in games and activities

Year 3 and 4

Students will:

Combine complex fundamental movement skills to participate fairly in track and field sports
Providing feedback to peers to improve technique
Develop object control fundamental movement skills in lacrosse
Discuss and develop team play by creating inclusive rules and scoring systems

Year 5 and 6

Students will:

Combine complex fundamental movement skills to participate fairly in track and field sports
Providing feedback to peers to improve technique
Positively participating in groups and teams through encouragement, feedback and team play.
Using teamwork skills and approaches in different sporting contexts