Primary Specialists

Prep and Year 1 Visual Art

Welcome back to another fantastic term of learning and growth in Visual Arts! We hope all our Prep and Year 1 students and their families had a relaxing, safe, and refreshing break. It’s been wonderful to see everyone return with such enthusiasm and creativity.

In Week 1, students explored the important question: Why is it important to acknowledge Anzac Day? Through listening to the story Anzac Ted, students developed an understanding of remembrance and reflection. They then followed a guided drawing to create their own version of Anzac Ted, thoughtfully connecting art with meaning and storytelling.

In Week 2, our Visual Arts learning aligned closely with classroom inquiries. Our Prep students explored their central idea: Toys have changed over time. They shared their ideas by drawing their favourite toy, carefully adding colour and details. Students also practised explaining why they like their toy and confidently shared their thinking with others.

Meanwhile, our Year 1 students began exploring their central idea: The Sun and the moon move in the sky causing changes on Earth. In Visual Arts, students expressed their understanding through creative artworks that represented day and night. They experimented with colour, contrast, and composition to show how the sky changes over time.

It has been a joyful and creative start to the term, and we look forward to seeing our young artists continue to grow, explore, and express their ideas through art in the weeks ahead.

A quick note for families: all student portraits from Term 1 are now proudly displayed on the wall in our art room. Parents and carers are warmly invited to come in and take a look at their child’s amazing artwork, I am so proud of their efforts!

Year 2 and 3 Art

Welcome back to Term 2! Our Year 2 and 3 students have jumped straight into a vibrant Visual Arts unit inspired by the beauty, colour, and imagination of flowers 🌸

This term, we’ve been exploring how artists use flowers to express ideas, emotions, and identity. Students looked at the bold, immersive installations of Yayoi Kusama, the striking, close-up floral paintings of Georgia O'Keeffe, and the symbolic, personal use of flowers in the works of Frida Kahlo. Along with other nature-inspired artists, these explorations helped students understand that flowers can represent much more than just their appearance—they can tell stories and express identity.

Our Grade 3 students began the unit with an interactive art exhibition as a provocation. This hands-on experience encouraged them to engage with different artistic styles and sparked ideas about how flowers can be interpreted in creative and unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, our Grade 2 students created their own beautiful “garden” display, showcasing a collection of unique and colourful flowers. Each piece contributed to a collaborative space that celebrated creativity and individuality.

Across both year levels, students explored sculptural techniques by creating realistic flower forms, as well as imaginative, personalised designs that reflect their own ideas and identities.

It’s been fantastic to see students experiment, take creative risks, and express themselves through art. We look forward to continuing to grow this exciting unit throughout the term! 🌼

Year 4 Visual Arts

Welcome back to Term 2 in Visual Art!   We hope all students and their families had a safe and relaxing break. It has been fantastic to welcome everyone back, with students returning full of energy, creativity, and enthusiasm.

We have had a wonderful start to the term, with students engaging thoughtfully and creatively in their learning.

To begin the term, students explored the significance of ANZAC Day. They showed respect and understanding by creating expressive portraits of soldiers and nurses, using oil pastels. These artworks focused on tone, colour, and emotion, allowing students to reflect on the importance of remembrance.

In Week 2, students began learning about portraits. They discussed what a portrait is and explored a variety of different portrait styles. Building on this knowledge, students developed their understanding of facial proportions, using basic guidelines to support the placement of key facial features. They then completed a practice portrait sketch, demonstrating strong effort and an emerging understanding of structure and proportion.

We look forward to continuing to build on these skills throughout the term! 

Grade 5 & 6 Art

Welcome back to Term 2 in Visual Arts! We hope all students and families had a relaxing and enjoyable break, and we are excited to begin another term of creativity and learning.

Last week, students spent time finishing off their painting pieces from Term 1, carefully refining their work and adding final details to bring their artworks to completion. This provided a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their progress and take pride in their finished pieces.

This week, we have launched our new unit on portraiture. Students have begun learning about facial proportions and how artists use guidelines to create more realistic and balanced drawings. They have started practicing how to construct and sketch a face, focusing on the placement of key features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. This unit will continue to build their observational drawing skills and confidence as they work towards creating their own portrait artworks.

Physical Education 

Welcome back to an exciting term of Physical Education! It has been wonderful to see all P–6 students returning with enthusiasm and energy. We are looking forward to a fantastic term ahead, filled with active learning, skill development, and plenty of fun through games and movement.

Fpundation to Year 2 – Ball Bounce 

In Years 1 and 2, students will be developing their ball bouncing skill. Using a range of minor games, students will learn to:

• Bounce a ball using one hand with control

• Maintain control while moving through space

• Keep their eyes up while bouncing

Games such as obstacle courses, relays, and movement challenges will support students in building confidence and coordination, preparing them for invasion-style games in later years.

Years 3–6 – Basketball & Netball

Students in Years 3–6 will be participating in Basketball and Netball units this term. The focus will be on developing:

• Passing and catching skills in game situations

• Footwork, pivoting, and positioning

• Teamwork, communication, and game strategies

Through modified games and small-sided matches, students will build their understanding of rules and apply their skills in a supportive and inclusive setting. Emphasis will also be placed on fair play and positive sportsmanship.

Throughout the term, all students will continue to learn through active participation and game-based learning, helping them develop confidence, coordination, and a love for physical activity. These skills are essential for both sport and everyday movement.

We look forward to a fantastic term in PE!

SCIENCE Prep - 6

Welcome to Term 2 in Science! This term, students will engage with the four key areas of the curriculum: Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Earth and Space Sciences. Learning will be closely connected to the IB Units of Inquiry, as well as integrated with literacy and numeracy to support deeper understanding across all learning areas.

Students will explore scientific concepts through hands-on investigations, experiments, and real-world applications. They will develop important inquiry skills by observing, questioning, predicting, and recording their findings. There will be a strong focus on developing scientific thinking, encouraging students to be curious, reflective, and critical learners.

Throughout the term, students will also learn about science as a human endeavour—understanding how scientific knowledge evolves and how it impacts our everyday lives and the world around us. They will be encouraged to work collaboratively, communicate their ideas clearly, and use appropriate scientific language.

Mandarin with Miss Xiong and Miss Qiao

For Mandarin, each year level is exploring different topics while using the Accelerative Integrated Methodology (AIM) to support language learning through gestures, songs, and interactive activities. Students are developing their confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing Mandarin in engaging and meaningful ways.

Prep students are currently learning about family members. They are developing their ability to distinguish and say different family member terms by using gestures to support understanding and memory. Students have completed a range of activities, including tracing worksheets, drawing and labelling family members, and other hands-on tasks. They have also actively participated in learning through a family members song, which helps reinforce vocabulary in a fun and memorable way.

Students in Years 1–2 are learning about colours. They are building their ability to recognise and pronounce colour vocabulary using pinyin. Through engaging activities such as video matching tasks, “colour by code” worksheets, and word searches, students are strengthening their understanding of pinyin structure and improving their reading skills while consolidating vocabulary.

Students in Years 3–4 are exploring body parts. They are learning vocabulary through songs and interactive games such as “Simon Says” and other movement-based activities (e.g. grab-the-tissue games), which help build engagement and reinforce learning. These activities support students in developing both their listening skills and their confidence in using Mandarin in a dynamic classroom environment.

Students in Years 5–6 are learning about pets, with a stronger focus on Chinese character writing. They are exploring the “犬” radical and how it appears in different characters related to animals. Students have been practising their writing through tracing worksheets to build accuracy and confidence. Additionally, they have been using digital tools such as Blooket to strengthen their reading and vocabulary recognition skills in an interactive way.

Considering the different language levels within each class, learning is differentiated to meet students’ needs. First language learners are encouraged to extend their writing skills and deepen their understanding of Chinese characters, while second language learners focus more on speaking and pinyin development. 

We are very proud of the students’ enthusiasm and participation in Mandarin learning so far.

WELLBEING with  Mrs. Qafzezi

Dear Families,

My name is Mrs. Qafzezi, and I am excited to be teaching Wellbeing across the Primary Years, from Preparatory to Year Six, this year. Within our program, we deliver the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum as guided by the Department of Education. Alongside this, we place a strong focus on supporting each student as an individual, recognising and responding to their unique needs, strengths, and experiences.

Throughout our lessons, students explore their sense of identity by reflecting on their personal strengths, emotions, and values. They learn practical strategies to understand and manage their feelings, develop problem-solving skills, and build positive, respectful relationships with others. We also encourage students to develop their voice, confidence, and ability to make thoughtful choices in different situations.

Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student feels valued and empowered. By nurturing their emotional and social development alongside their learning, we aim to help each child thrive—both in the classroom and beyond.

MEDIA: With Mr. Brendan Howarth

Hello families!

My name is Mr. Howarth and I am teaching Media from Prep to Year Six this year. As we begin Term Two, a whole new cohort of classes are now having Media each week. Classes that previously had Wellbeing will now have Media.

In Media, we learn how we can communicate messages and ideas through different media mediums, including photography, sound, filming, advertising, visual narratives, etc. Students also analyse and interpret media texts with cross-curricular connections made with Literacy, Numeracy, Language and the Arts. 

Our unit topics include migration, Indigenous history, our emotions, advertising, and Who We Are. 

I am looking forward to getting to know all students throughout the year.

DANCE

Dance classes are back in full swing with the Year 4 classes finishing off an amazing run, as we begin working with the Year 5 classes in week 3. This will be a busy term for the Year 5’s, with various classes covering some important and insightful life lessons and elements that have been implemented within the dance program. 

VSSS…..(Dance)

The Victorian State School Spectacular rehearsals are off to a great start with the students coming in eager and excited to rehearse and learn every week. The teamwork and support of everyone within the group has been outstanding and this is yet again proving to be a strong team representing Saltwater for VSSS 2026. 

At the end of last term we unfortunately had to say goodbye to one of our amazing students Ekamjot Kaur Sran as she has recently moved to another area and school. Ekamjot has been with us through for our first Wakakirri 2024 national award winning performance, and again with our VSSS 2025 team also! She is such a valued and respected student who will be missed in our upcoming show and here at Saltwater. We wish her all the best at her new school and always. 

Wakakirri…..(Dance)

Our Wakakirri rehearsals are back into full swing already as we get closer to the big show early next term. Students are eager and ready to learn more as we create and put this in-depth story and performance together for Wakakirri 2026. Extra weekly rehearsals have been added starting in week 3 to help cover all areas and ensure we are 100% ready to go once the performance comes around.