Teaching & Learning

A message from Mrs Hodgetts

What a wonderful celebration we had this week .....all things SCIENCE!

From Pet Rocks ........

to Asteroid Balls......

to live stream from Matt Cosgrove and his new book, Alpacas in Space .....

to the House Challenge and fun Kahoots!

Of course, the highlight was the Science Day! There is just something special about students across different year levels working collaboratively. As I wondered through each of the different workshops, I could see new relationships blossoming, the natural leadership of our older students mentoring the younger and the formation of new connections with less familiar staff.

A MASSIVE and SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to our wonderful parent volunteers. Events like this are not possible without your amaing support!

Professor Hodgetts!!!!

Mathematics

A message from Mrs Toney

Maths in the Real World:

How Kangaroos Can Teach Us to Count!

When you think of maths, you might imagine numbers on a page. But in Australia, maths is hopping all around us — literally! Let’s take a look at how kangaroos can help us learn some clever maths tricks.

1. Skip Counting Like a Roo

Kangaroos don’t walk one step at a time — they leap! If you count in 2s, 5s, or even 10s, you’re doing the same thing as a kangaroo, just with numbers instead of legs. Next time you practise your skip counting, imagine you’re bouncing across the outback.

2. Estimating Kangaroo Mobs

A group of kangaroos is called a mob. Imagine you’re in the bush and spot a mob grazing. Can you estimate how many there are before you start counting? That’s a skill scientists use when tracking wildlife numbers.

3. Measurement in the Wild

Red kangaroos can leap up to 9 metres in one hop. How far is that compared to your classroom? Could you measure it out in giant steps? How many of your steps equal one kangaroo jump?

4. Data Collection Down Under

Wildlife rangers often keep charts of kangaroo sightings. You can do the same! Create a bar graph of how many kangaroos (or other Aussie animals) you see over a week. If you don’t live near roos, try birds, bugs, or your family’s pets.

Why it’s awesome: Maths isn’t just about working things out on paper — it’s a way to explore and understand our amazing Australian environment. So, grab your hat, put on your sunscreen, and let the numbers hop into life!

English

A message from Miss Cardillo

BOOK WEEK IS NEARLY HERE!

Next week we celebrate books and the wonderful and exciting world that author's can create for their readers.

Don't forget to come to the Book Week Parade and see all the fabulous costumes on Tuesday morning.

Here is a run down of what is happening at St Mary's.

OUR GUESTS OF HONOUR:

We will be hosting two talented and creative Australian author/illustrators at St Mary's next week to speak with our students about their creative process and share some of their notable work with us.

The Foundation and Year One students have a very special illustrator by the name of Allison Colpoys who, not only works with many notable Australian Children's book authors BUT is also the beloved aunty to one our Prep students. We thank Allison for coming to share her talent with us.

She will be reading the book 'One Little Word.' It is a beautiful book with a powerful message and AMAZING illustrations.

Our Year Two to Six students will be visited by famous author Leigh Hobbs whose work you may know. These include the adventures of his characters Old Tom, Horrible Harriet, Mr Chicken, Mr Badger and Freaks on the Loose! Leigh will be sharing some of his work with the students and working through his writing and drawing process.

THE HOUSE COMPETITION

We will be launching a HOUSE COMPETITION for students next week.

Please watch the video below to learn about how your children could win and earn points for their House.

Here is a closer look at the details that will be sent out to children at the end of this week.

Positive Behaviour Learning (PBL)