Specialists Updates and Celebrations

Visual Art (Prep)

This week, the Prep students began their new unit, Prompt Artworks! Each week, students will be given a different prompt to inspire their creativity before choosing their preferred materials to bring their ideas to life. This week’s prompt was shapes! We discussed all the things that come to mind when we think about shapes, and I was very impressed by some of the mathematical connections the students made. This unit provides students with an opportunity to apply the skills they have developed throughout the year, experimenting with materials such as watercolour paints and oil pastels while expressing their ideas in their own unique ways. I cannot wait to see the spectacular artworks they create throughout this unit!

Mandarin (Years 1 and 2)

During the first three weeks of Term 4, the Year 1 and 2 students stepped back in time through the Ancient China Explorer Passport unit! They explored what “ancient” means and compared historical objects from China with items we use today. Students then investigated ancient farming, discovering how water channels helped farmers water their crops. They also compared ancient Chinese homes with homes today, learning the Mandarin words 门 (mén, door) and 窗户 (chuānghu, window). Through picture comparisons, discussions and sentence-building activities, students practised using simple Mandarin to describe their discoveries. They recorded their learning through drawings and Mandarin labels in their explorer passport booklets, building their language skills and curiosity about life in the past.

Physical Education (Years 3 and 4)

During the first weeks of Term 4, children have practiced the events for our Sports Day in Week 7. 

In Week 1, we practiced our races including sprint, egg & spoon and obstacle. The children had lots of fun learning the sprint start technique, finding the best way to hold their eggs & spoons and practising throwing, crawling, balancing and leaping over the different obstacles. In Week 2, children then started to practice the team events. This week's first event was the foam javelin throws, throwing them over different point scoring lines. Finally, children practiced a number soccer game in four different teams, aiming to score in an opponent's goal.

Well done to all the children taking part in PE this week!

Music (Years 5 and 6)

Our theme this term is “Marimba, Kalimba & More!” During the first part of the term, we have learning “Wimoweh” ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight” on the marimba. Students have learnt to play the challenging A and B sections melodies, chords and bassline. 

We are working towards playing the song as a whole class as well as in groups of three.

We have worked on playing with correct technique to improve playing efficiency and note quality. 

Students have focused on listening to others when playing this multilayered piece to help their timing and beat keeping in an ensemble setting.