Reception class: Jess

Exploring Data Collection in our Classroom

Over the past few weeks, our class has been diving into the world of data collection! Students have been busy gathering information about their peers' eye colors, using tally marks to record their findings, and displaying data in fun, hands-on ways.

This project provides a wonderful opportunity to build foundational maths skills while also encouraging students to think critically about how we gather and analyse information. By collecting data from their classmates, students are learning how to categorize and count, while also practising how to represent their data visually. Through tallying and creating bar graphs, our students are seeing first hand how data can tell a story.

In addition to the maths skills, we are also focusing on the language of data. Students are using terms like "most common," "least common," and "difference" as they analyse the results of their surveys. This helps them develop both their maths and communication skills as they discuss their findings.

We look forward to continuing this journey of data exploration and are excited to see how our young statisticians grow in their understanding of the world of numbers!

Reception class: Kelly

For design and technology we have joined up with Jess's Reception class. We have been looking at playgrounds around the world and discussing what types of materials playgrounds may use. Both classes went out and explored our two playgrounds and talked about the different types of equipment and what the equipment is made from. This week, the children have started planning, designing and drawing their dream playground. Next week we will start to make a list of all the materials we will need to start creating their very own miniature playground.

Year 1 class: Jaya

The Year 1 students have been busily learning and preparing to finish the school year strong! As part of our STEM learning, we began by investigating floating and sinking, exploring different materials and their properties. This helped us understand what makes some objects float while others sink.

With this knowledge, we took on an exciting challenge: designing and building a boat using a few simple items like paper, glue and sticky tape. The goal? To see if our creations could float.

Working collaboratively in groups, students tested their designs, analysed their success, and reflected on how they could improve them if given another chance. This activity encouraged creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, while deepening our understanding of mass, shape, and buoyancy.

It was a rewarding challenge with fantastic outcomes, and the Year 1 students are proud of their efforts!

Year 2 class: Samantha

What a busy and exciting fortnight we’ve had in Year 2!

A major highlight has been designing our very own Bee Gardens. Working with a partner, we interpreted data collected during our bee walk to determine the most and least popular flowers among bees. Using this information, we thoughtfully planned our gardens, creating a unique code to represent different flowers on our maps. This activity encouraged us to use key teamwork skills such as collaboration, active listening, compromise, and problem-solving—we were so impressed with everyone’s efforts!

Another exciting event was preparing and presenting at our class assembly. We showcased our beautiful poppy artwork from Remembrance Day and shared what we’ve learned about the importance of this day with our audience. As a class, we reflected on the sacrifices made by soldiers and those who have worked tirelessly to protect our country. It was a proud moment for everyone, and we hope you enjoyed seeing our work.

Year 3 class: Stephen and Emma

We enjoyed out first STEM task for this term - making a weather vane that really works. These were challenging to make, with lots of aligning of parts here and there. We waited patiently for the wind to pick up when we took them for a test, but we had just a moderate breeze. They worked nevertheless. We also enjoyed our first visit to the Summerhill aged care facility. We performed our two songs for the elderly residents, many of whom enjoyed our visit. We handed some cards that we made to each resident and we're hoping to get some replies back. There is excitement about the upcoming school concert too, with lots of practice with Mrs. Tume to get our dance moves right.

This week during maths we have been calculating change using addition strategies. Utilising the play money and taking part in money exchange games has allowed us to understand how this skill can be applied in real life contexts. Students have been working through problems that allow them to justify the best possible lunch box choices based on financial decisions. Money has been an exciting topic for students, with some sharing money from home that has come from across the globe. This has opened the discussion of foreign exchange!

Year 4/5 class: Alex

This fortnight in mathematics students have been working on their division skills. They have reflected upon what they were currently able to do and set themselves goals. They have been looking at how division can be represented as an array with items shared into rows. We have looked at the definition of a dividend, divisor, and quotient. Students have been working on using the short division algorithm with and without remainders and some have been ready to learn how to use 2-digit divisors and decimal numbers.

Year 5/6 class: Sallie

To help us understand the use of statistics and data we have been watching basketball and netball. What data would a coach need to choose the best team? Some continue to work geometry via maths online and the Year 5s are finishing an investigation into timetables and working with decimals. They are discovering the quickest route to fly around Australia. In English we are doing a unit about Analysing Texts. Looking at illustrations and their impact on picture books, language choices and personification. Jackie French's books Flood, Fire and Drought are our catalyst for this. For HASS, students have nearly finished their presentations on the Australian Government and are working out the best way to quiz their peers. At this time of year, we are also busy fitting in completing props for the End of Year concert.

Indonesian: Ibu Susan

In Indonesian we have continued learning numbers. We have revised them with bingo, math questions, online games, the higher or lower game, colour-by- number pictures, number craft, complete the number pattern activities, dice games, counting stories and songs. We have been super busy!

Science: Philippa

Reception and Year 1 classes

Our latest weather lessons were about windy weather including mention of tornadoes. Students had fun making ‘Wind Catchers’ last week and in Week 6, they explored how ‘Whirlpool Bottles’ work.

Year 2 class

For the 'Our Place in Space' topic this week students enthusiastically made solar system pictures.

Year 3 class

This week we used torches and balls to model how day and night works.

Year 4,5,6 classes

We looked at the results of our Mouldy Bread Investigation, drew diagrams of fungi cells and learnt about how Fleming, Florey and Chain discovered and then developed Penicillin. We are coming to understand that mould has both negative and positive things about it.

Philippa - Science Teacher

PE: Emma

Upper Primary

This fortnight in PE we have incorporated all the tennis skills learnt so far and practised them at the Uraidla tennis courts near the school. We were so thankful to have this opportunity at such a facility close by. Students had four courts to spread out on to fine tune their forehands, backhands, volleys and serving. Having the chance to experience hitting the ball further and over a net meant that students could understand the force and accuracy needed to successfully hit the ball. Persistence was a key attribute that was displayed by all students this fortnight.

Lower Primary

Students in lower primary were excited to use the tennis courts for skill-based activities using the nets and understanding the lines used in tennis. They enjoyed incorporating what they have learnt over the past weeks on a true to size court, focusing on hand-eye coordination, foot work and following through with the ball. Encouragement of others was a key attribute that was demonstrated by all students this fortnight.

Upcoming events
Tue 26/11	Parents and Friends Meeting 7pm
Wed 27/11	2nd Kindy Transition Visit
Fri 29/11	Assembly - Jaya's Class
Mon 2/12	Governing Council Meeting 7pm
Wed 4/12	3rd Kindy Transition Visit and Teacher Meeting
Tue 10/12	End of Year Concert
Wed 11/12	Volunteers Morning Tea
Thur 12/12	Year 6 Graduation
Fri 13/12	End of year Assembly 1:30pm
Fri 13/12	Term 4 Ends 2:10pm

Important dates