Spotlight on Learning
Stage 1
KW is excited to be back for the start of Term 3 and looking forward to another fun-filled and engaging term in Kindergarten. With plenty of exciting events, hands-on learning experiences, and new concepts to explore, it’s shaping up to be a busy and rewarding term for our students.
Writing – Wombat Stew
This week in Kindergarten, we’ve been cooking up some fun with the much-loved story Wombat Stew! As part of our literacy learning, students explored the differences between informative and imaginative texts, using the story to spark rich discussions about fact versus fiction. We also dived into sentence building, learning how to join ideas using compound sentences and identifying action-packed verbs to describe the animals’ creative contributions to the bubbling stew. It’s been a wonderful way to mix storytelling with grammar in an engaging, hands-on way.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, KW has been exploring number sentences and deepening their understanding of the concept of equality. Students have been using hands-on materials and visual representations to investigate how different number combinations can create the same total. Building on their knowledge of combining groups and familiar number facts such as friends of 10, students are developing confidence in recognising balanced equations and expressing mathematical thinking in a variety of ways.
Mr Widjaja - KW Classroom Teacher
Stage 2
Stage 2 started back with much enthusiasm last week. We kicked off with presentations for the upcoming Hills Public Speaking Competition. Students have certainly grown in confidence while presenting their ideas. We have seen improved eye contact, gestures to engage the audience, voice projection and interesting content. Year 3 spoke about topics starting with the letter "B." We have listened to speeches about bumblebees, big brother Bill, the beautiful b, beagles, bushrangers, and Bulgaria, to name a few. Year 4 shared what they would be like if they were a teacher for the day, showcasing some creative ideas. The Stage 2 teachers are more than willing to share the job around!
Week 1 also saw us dive right into poetry. "It's the Sound of the Thing" is a collection of 100 poems for young people by Australian author Maxine Beneba Clarke. The book explores various sounds and experiences through different poetic forms. It celebrates language and includes poems about everyday life, such as the sounds of a neighbourhood, school, and family. 3/4J really enjoyed the poem "Onomatopoeia" and experimented with sounds they might hear in the playground. Onomatopoeia is a literary device in which a word imitates the natural sound associated with the object or action it refers to. These words are often used to create a vivid auditory effect and enhance the imagery in writing. Examples of onomatopoeia include words like "buzz" (the sound of a bee), "clang" (the sound of metal striking metal), and "sizzle" (the sound of something frying).
Here are some examples:
Onomatopoeia
It’s the sound of the playground:
chitter, chatter, boom,
pop, crack, cackle.
The bell goes, “Time for class!”
Boom, crack, bang, “Let’s be fast!”
By I.S.
Onomatopoeia
It’s the sound of the playground:
Screech, tap, stomp,
Chitter, stamp, badoom.
The bell goes, “Time for class!”
Thump, jump, let’s be fast!
By J.D.
Onomatopoeia
It’s the sound of the playground:
Caw caw, chit chat, bink bionk bink,
Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding
Bell goes, “Time for class!”
Learning time at last!
By C.B.
Onomatopoeia
It’s the sound of the playground:
Rustle, click, clang,
Giggles, bang, tap.
Bell goes, time for class.
Ding ding, let’s be fast.
By N.Y.
In preparation for Education Week, Stage 2 started to research what life was like back in the 1980s and 1990s. Students found interesting fashion styles like neon colours, leg warmers, and double denim. They discovered popular toys such as Transformers, Cabbage Patch Kids, the Rubik's Cube, and Pound Puppies. The top music icon was Kylie Minogue, and they were fascinated to learn that there was no Netflix and that movies were borrowed from local Video Ezy rental stores.
Students worked in groups, with each having a role: researcher, recorder, editor, and designer. All students worked well in their respective roles.
We look forward to the term ahead and the new learning and progress that will take place. With the enthusiasm and teamwork demonstrated during this project, we are excited to see how our students will continue to grow and explore new topics in the coming weeks.
Mrs Jones - Stage 2 Assistant Principal
Stage 3
Year 6 Leads the Way in Peer Support Program
This year, Year 6 students are proudly taking the lead in our Peer Support Program, embracing the theme "Moving Forward" with a focus on resilience. They've been working hard to prepare for their sessions, honing their leadership skills and creating a welcoming environment for their peers.
In their first session, our Year 6 leaders facilitated engaging getting-to-know-you activities to help everyone connect and communicate openly. They also guided the creation of a group agreement, setting the stage for a respectful and supportive atmosphere throughout the program.
A central part of the session was exploring what resilience means. Students discussed this important concept and examined various scenarios to classify responses as either resilient or non-resilient. These activities sparked meaningful conversations and encouraged everyone to think about how they can face challenges with a positive mindset.
We encourage parents to engage with their children about these sessions each week. By discussing their experiences in Peer Support, parents can help reinforce the lessons learned and deepen their child's understanding of resilience. Ask your children about the activities and insights they've gained to foster an open dialogue that supports their personal growth.
We are incredibly proud of our Year 6 leaders for their dedication and enthusiasm. Their efforts are paving the way for a positive and impactful Peer Support Program this year, and we look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to our school community!
Mr Love - Stage 3 Assistant Principal