Specialists 

Auslan

Grade 1 and 2

In Auslan this week, Grade 1 and 2 students will learn how to use simple Auslan signs to describe familiar people, animals and objects. They will practice key descriptive phrases and use their visual communication skills during games such as Guess Who?, where students sign clues about classmates and familiar characters for others to identify. Students will also continue to practice the Australian national anthem in Auslan, building confidence with signing sequences and expression.

Grade 3 and 4

This week, the Grade 3 and 4 students will continue learning how space is used in Auslan to show where people and objects are located. Students will practise placing people, animals and objects in different locations in signing space and using pointing to refer back to them clearly. We will play interactive games where students follow signed instructions, recreating scenes and describe simple actions. 

Grade 5 and 6

In week 4, Grade 6 students will focus on how space is used in Auslan to show meaning, location and relationships between people and objects. They will practice placing people and objects in the signing space and using pointing to refer back to these locations, helping to make their communication clearer and more precise. Through interactive activities such as a “place the object” game, students will develop their ability to follow and interpret spatial information, while refining their understanding of how Auslan uses space as a key part of meaning.

Physical Education

Congratulations to all the students for participating in our House Cross Country Day — it was a fantastic success! The top ten students in the 10-year-old, 11-year-old, and 12/13-year-old age groups now have the opportunity to represent our school at the upcoming Ringwood North District Cross Country on Thursday 21 June.

This week, students in Prep to Grade 3 have the exciting opportunity to participate in a netball clinic run by Warrandyte Netball Club which promises to be a lot of fun.

Our Grade 5 and 6 students are also busy practising and preparing for their two interschool sport Winter Gala Days coming up on Thursday 4 June and Friday 19 June. We wish them luck on these days.

In the Classroom…

Prep

Students are learning the basics of ball control through fun activities focused on bouncing and stopping a ball with their hands. They are practising using their fingertips, keeping the ball close to their body, and developing their hand-eye coordination through games and movement challenges.

Grade 1 & 2

Students are continuing to develop their bouncing and dribbling skills, with a strong focus on controlling the ball while moving safely around space. They are learning how to change speed, stop with control, and keep their eyes up while dribbling.

Grades 3 & 4

Students are building on their bouncing and dribbling skills by completing drills at a faster pace and under greater control. They are beginning to apply these skills in small game situations, focusing on coordination, movement, and decision-making while under pressure.

Grades 5 & 6

Students are demonstrating strong ball control skills at speed and in game situations. They are applying their dribbling, passing, and movement skills in team-based activities and modified games, while also developing communication, teamwork, and tactical awareness.

Performing Arts

Prep

Students will continue exploring First Nations music through listening, singing and movement. They will further investigate a range of First Nations instruments and the sounds they create, while also learning about the difference between beat and rhythm through songs, movement and percussion activities.

Grade 1

Students will continue exploring how pitch moves in music through the use of pitch maps. They will begin creating and performing their own pitch maps, helping them represent and perform melodies using high and low sounds.

Grade 2

Students will continue exploring singing in a round, developing their timing and listening skills when performing with others. They will also create simple ostinato (a repeated musical phrase) using the rhythm patterns explored in class and learn how to correctly hold and use beaters when playing the glockenspiel.

Grade 3/4

Students will continue practising their understanding of reading note names on the treble staff. They will apply this knowledge by learning and performing a simple song using tuned percussion instruments such as xylophones, while also being introduced to the basics of piano playing.

Grade 5/6

Students will continue developing their understanding of reading notes on the treble staff and applying this knowledge when performing music. They will practise playing melodies on tuned percussion instruments and begin exploring how notes are laid out on the piano keyboard, helping them make connections between written music and the notes they play.

Visual Arts

Open Art Room

Thankyou to all the students, Mums and special people who came and visited the Art room last Friday during our Mother’s Day morning. It was wonderful to see the students showing families members their work and celebrating the art of their peers. 

Mothers Day

I hope all the treasures that were lovingly made in the Art classes made it home and into Mum's hands for Mother's Day! 

In the classroom this week…

Prep students will be learning about bogong moths, a traditional, nutrient-rich food source for Indigenous Australians. They will practise making symmetrical markings on the wings of the moth and cover the body with paper bark from a melaleuca tree.

Grade 1 and 2 students will be using the gelli prints from last week and sharing them with their peers. They will then be collaging them onto a hand made flip book. 

Grade 3 and 4 students will be adding contour lines around their autumn leaf prints from last week, focussing on colour, balance and composition.

Grade 5 students will begin a drawing project based on Indigenous X-ray art. They will plan their drawing of their chosen animal, as well as the story and symbols that will complement their final work. 

Grade 6 students will be continuing their felted Australian landscape, adding to their background colours will middle ground details.