THE ARTS

Stillwell Unit

This term in World Culture and Arts lessons, Stillwell Unit students have been working collaboratively in small groups to design and create a Christmas tree that reflects how a particular country celebrates Christmas. Students have researched their chosen country's Christmas traditions and customs, explored the climate at this time of year, discovered special festive foods, and learned how to say “Merry Christmas” in the local language. These wonderful Christmas trees will be on display for students and families to view on the night of our school concert. We cannot wait to see their creativity shine!

Holly Unit

Holly Unit students have been exploring a variety of ways to produce different sounds and rhythms using cup percussion. With support from Kaboom online teachers, students have rehearsed and performed increasingly complex rhythm patterns to a range of well-loved tunes including I’m Still Standing, Havana, Count on Me and The Cup Song.Working in pairs, students have also created their own rhythm sequences using a range of cup movements. This week, they can attempt to take on the ultimate challenge—learning The 12 Days of Christmas, which requires remembering twelve different cup patterns!

Castle Unit

Reception/Year 1 and Small Classes

Students have been exploring onomatopoeia—words that imitate real sounds—through the Meg and Mog book series. They have recreated the sounds from the stories using their voices and untuned percussion instruments. Classes have also enjoyed learning songs and chants related to the books.As part of their creative arts work, students have used cutting, folding, drawing and painting skills to make a witch headband, a spell-filled cauldron, and a cat-face collage.

Year 1/2 Classes

Year 1/2 students have been learning how to maintain a steady beat and perform various rhythm patterns using tuned and untuned percussion. They have enjoyed playing along to a Halloween chant titled Pass the Pumpkin.Students have also been investigating how the length of chime bars relates to pitch—how high or low a sound is. In addition, they have further developed their music notation skills, recognising ta (crotchet) and titi (quaver) rhythms.

Choir

On Thursday, November 6th, our HEPS Choir superstars showcased their amazing singing, presentation skills, and the school values of courage, persistence and resilience at the Southern Metropolitan Music Festival.Over the past three terms, students have learned lyrics and choreography for a total of fifteen songs. They have committed to weekly choir lessons and practised at home using the Festival of Music app. Choir members also participated in three combined rehearsals with students from other Southern region schools.We are incredibly proud of the dedication of all 33 students. A heartfelt thank you goes to Tori Hay for her outstanding support with organisation and learning the repertoire. We also appreciated the assistance of Natalie Jolley at the Combined Rehearsal and for ushering at the concert.A very special congratulations to Lily Hay, who performed her solo in Put a Little Love in Your Heart with confidence and precision.Tori and I look forward to continuing with our enthusiastic choir members in Years 3–5 next year, and we hope to welcome some new students in 2026!

Whole School Concert

What happens when the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Hackham East Primary School—only for a series of mishaps to occur? Join us on Thursday, November 27th to find out, as our students showcase their performance skills in this year’s end-of-year production, A Very Important Visit.

Hackham Has Talent

The Hackham Has Talent committee has been busy during Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes auditioning 39 acts from across the school. Performances have included everything from gymnastics to pen drumming, singing to joke telling.Which acts will make it through to the Hackham Has Talent Show on the last day of term?Successful performers will be announced in Week 8!

Photo Gallery

Check out these photos:

• Cup Percussion lessons in the Year 3/4 classes
• Choir Festival concert and rehearsal
• Pass the Pumpkin chant using chime bars with Miss Hay’s 1/2 students
• Cauldron pictures created by our students in the Small Classes

Melissa Thiele

Arts Teacher