Specialist Centre
SPECIALIST FEATURE NEWS
你好 nǐ hǎo to our wonderful community!
Students across all year levels have continued to make wonderful progress in learning Chinese during the first few weeks of Term 2. It has been especially pleasing to hear that some students are enthusiastically repeating Chinese phrases at home!
This term, we are excited to introduce the much-anticipated online language-learning platform, Languagenut, to students in the Senior Primary years. The program will gradually be rolled out to Junior Primary students over the coming weeks. This engaging platform supports non-background learners in developing accurate tones and pronunciation, helping to build their confidence in speaking Chinese while strengthening their listening skills. For background learners, it provides valuable opportunities to recognise Hanzi characters and reinforce their existing language knowledge.
Below is a snapshot of our learning across the year levels:
Foundation. Our youngest students have thoroughly enjoyed learning to recite and sing the song and rhyme Searching for a Good Friend. They are demonstrating growing confidence by rhyming accurately and fluently. They also love learning to say and write the numbers 一，二，三，四，五，六，七，八，九，十! While many were already able to count from one to ten in sequence from their kindergarten experiences, they are now learning to recognise and say the numbers in random order.
Grade 1 and 2. Students are learning The Good Manners Rhyme and Searching for a Good Friend rhymes, as well as practising numbers in Chinese. They have been developing both speaking and Hanzi (Chinese character) writing skills. It has been wonderful to see so many of them putting great effort into carefully copying Hanzi stroke by stroke and matching the pinyin to the correct characters.
Senior Primary. Students have been exploring the Chinese language through Languagenut, developing a range of language skills including Hanzi recognition, pinyin reading, listening, and speaking. The platform provides students with a fun and meaningful way to learn a challenging language.
Over the past few weeks, Senior Primary students have also participated in a group performance task titled “Let’s Rap in Chinese – Chinese Class Has Started” on Seesaw. Students were challenged not only to rap in Chinese, but also to use gestures and actions to demonstrate their understanding of the rhyme and its meaning. Some Chinese background students further extended their learning by writing and typing Hanzi independently.
Above all, a special compliment to all students for the cheerful, respectful, and positive way they present themselves in Chinese learning. Your warm greetings, excellent manners, and enthusiasm for learning help create such a welcoming learning environment. Keep up the wonderful effort!
Physical Education
Monday 18th May (Week 5) - District Cross Country
Thursday 28th May (Week 6) - Grade 4 Winter Gala Day
Thursday 11th June (Week 8) - Grade 5/6 Winter Gala Day
Friday 24th July (Term 3) - MPRPS House Athletics
Physical Education
2E: Remi
For a great attitude in PE this week. You are continuing to improve each week!
3/4M: Olivia F
For an amazing kick during Football in PE. Keep up the great work!
Visual Arts
2E: Zara A
For demonstrating creativity and care when creating your detailed flashlight. Amazing work using shading to make your work look 3-D!
5/6C: Ruben O
For demonstrating creativity and showing pride in your work when completing your patterned geodes. Amazing work!
Performing Arts
FA: Arya L
For bringing a positive attitude and enthusiasm for learning to every Performing Arts session. It is fantastic to see you enjoy your time in our creative space - awesome effort!
3/4J: Tarah S
For enthusiastically taking on a leadership role in your drama group, helping to ensure they reach their shared goal of an engaging dramatic performance. Great stuff!
Chinese
1C: Aroha H
Your consistent, quiet focus on learning is wonderful, Aroha! Thank you for making Huang laoshi a happy teacher. 🤗
5/6C: Anouk D
For your outstanding learning attitude in every lesson. It was impressive to see you recognise and point out a common Chinese phrase spoken on a YouTube clip! Excellent job!
Science
FA: Burhanuddin A
For using curiosity and engagement while exploring forces using magnets in Science this week. Keep up the great work!
3/4G: Kiaan L
For enthusiastically finding and discussing different natural and artificial heat sources around the school. Well done!
Warm regards,
David - Physical Education Sam - Visual Art
Steph and Suzie - Science Kate - Performing Arts / Visual Art (Foundation)
Huang Laoshi - Mandarin