Primary Specialists
Prep Art
Over the past two weeks in Art, our talented Prep students have been busy creating their journey masterpieces using their newly learned 3D paper sculpture techniques. This work aligns with the Preps’ fourth Unit of Inquiry, with the central idea being 'Journeys inspire our imagination'. I have been absolutely amazed by their creativity, imagination, and developing skills. To celebrate their hard work, students
also had the opportunity to share their wonderful creations with the class. I am so proud of each one of our young artists! Their work is currently on display in our Prep Art space, please feel free to pop by before or after school to admire their incredible creations.
Grade 3 & 4 ART
In Week 5, students explored The Day of the Dead—or in Spanish, Día de los Muertos—a vibrant Mexican tradition where families come together to honour and remember loved ones who have passed away. Students enjoyed experimenting with pattern and colour as they created their own sugar skull artworks. Many chose to design unique skulls using decorative features and patterns inspired by traditional Mexican art, while others took great care shading and colouring intricate sugar skull designs.
Grade4
Grade4
d picture-based learning. They enjoyed discovering how Chinese families celebrate with dragon boats, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), fireworks, red envelopes and mooncakes. Prep students also completed festival-themed colouring tasks to reinforce key cultural symbols and ideas.
Mandarin - Chinese Traditional Festivals
This term, all Mandarin students from Prep to Year 6 have been on a cultural learning journey, exploring five of China’s most important traditional festivals. So far, students have studied Chinese New Year (春节 Chūnjié), Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔ Jié) and Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋节 Zhōngqiū Jié). Through these festivals, students are developing a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural traditions, values, and how these celebrations continue to shape family life and community connections today.
Our Prep students were introduced to festivals through colourful storytelling and picture-based learning. They enjoyed discovering how Chinese families celebrate with dragon boats, zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), fireworks, red envelopes and mooncakes. Prep students also completed festival-themed colouring tasks to reinforce key cultural symbols and ideas.
In Years 1 and 2, students began recognising important festival symbols and linking them to
meaning. Using checklists, vocabulary cards and simple sentence structures, they explored icons such as lanterns, mooncakes, fireworks, kites and family reunions.
Students in Years 3 and 4 investigated the historical background of each festival in more depth. They explored why these festivals have been celebrated for thousands of years and how they reflect Chinese cultural beliefs about family, gratitude, remembrance and seasonal change. To support literacy, students also completed Chinese character colouring tasks using key festival words.
Students in Years 5 and 6 worked with festival timelines, legends and traditional customs. They learned about important historical figures and famous stories, such as Qu Yuan during the Dragon Boat Festival and the moon goddess Chang’e during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Students also practised writing key characters and completed reflection tasks to express what the festivals mean within Chinese culture.
We look forward to continuing this cultural journey as we explore the remaining traditional festivals in the coming term!
Wellbeing
Grades 1 + 2
This week in Grades 1 and 2, students have been learning about fairness, kindness, and respect in games and everyday life. Through class discussions and fun activities, students explored how the rules of games help everyone play fairly and enjoy themselves. They talked about what happens when rules aren’t followed and how being unfair can make others feel hurt or upset.
Another important focus has been learning not to label people. Students discovered that everyone is unique and that using kind, respectful words helps create a welcoming environment for everyone.
We’re so proud of how thoughtfully the students have been sharing their ideas and practicing fairness both in the classroom and on the playground!
Grades 3 + 4
This week, Grades 3 and 4 students have been exploring important topics about respect, fairness and understanding others. In our lessons, students discussed gender pressures. Together, we talked about how everyone should feel free to be themselves and how showing respect for others’ choices and differences helps create a kind and inclusive classroom community.
Students also learned about their rights and responsibilities. They learnt about everyone has a right to be treated fairly and with respect, and they have a responsibility to treat others the same way. Through stories, group discussions, and reflection, students are building a deeper understanding of what it means to be respectful, fair, and caring members of our school.
Grades 5 + 6
This week, Grades 5 and 6 students have been engaging in thoughtful conversations about gender stereotypes and gender policing. Through class discussions and activities, they explored how gender stereotypes can limit people’s choices and affect the way we see ourselves and others.
Students also learned about gender policing, which happens when someone is teased or judged for not fitting traditional gender expectations. They discussed how these actions can be hurtful and how we can all play a role in challenging unfair attitudes and encouraging respect for everyone's individuality.
As part of their learning, students conducted research into how the media represents gender, looking closely at television shows, advertisements, and social media. They identified examples of stereotypes and shared ideas about how media can be more inclusive and positive in its portrayals.
We are proud of how thoughtfully students have approached these important topics, showing empathy, curiosity, and a strong commitment to fairness and equality.
Spanish Newsletter – Week 5
Prep -Year 1- How is the weather?
Our Prep and Year 1 students are learning the weather in Spanish and how to describe the time. They will be creating their own coloring sheets to practise the question ¿Qué tiempo hace hoy? (How is the weather?).
🕒 Activities include:
- Matching the days of the week in Spanish.
- Building and decorating their own mini season mandala.
- Practising telling the weather using colourful templates.
Year 2, 3 & 4 – Numbers, Days and Months
Students will continue practising numbers, and start learning the days of the week and months in Spanish. We’ll play games like Bingo de los días and complete a word search to remember new vocabulary.
🗓️ Example activities:
- Singing the Días de la semana song.
- Saying their birthday in Spanish: Mi cumpleaños es en abril.
- Matching dates and months through classroom games.
Year 5 & 6 – Time, Routines and Daily Life
Our senior students will review numbers and time, and expand their learning by talking about their daily routines using simple Spanish sentences. They’ll practise the question ¿Qué haces cada día? (What do you do every day?) and expressions such as:
- Me levanto a las siete.
- Voy a la escuela.
- Ceno con mi familia.
DANCE.
In dance we have begun rehearsals for our end of year Grade 6 Graduation performance, which is to be held on Wednesday 10th December. This year has seen a huge influx of students eager to participate and perform at their graduation, with 70 students registering their names for the performance and walking into rehearsals. This is the biggest group we have had to perform at graduation, and while this can make the rehearsals and creative process a little challenging at times, it also creates an amazing atmosphere in the studio amongst everyone.
We are still in the early rehearsal stages at the moment, but this promises to be another great finale to the amazing journey these students have traveled throughout their primary years at Saltwater.
Our VSSS and Wakakirri students are also in the thick of rehearsals with their Christmas Carol rehearsals. They have been working so hard on their routines and performances, and it’s been great to see the amazing teamwork and enthusiasm shown by both groups throughout so far. Students have become more involved in the creative process with their Christmas Carols, suggesting and showing their ideas of what to add into their routines. This has been such a great reflection on how far the groups have come since the beginning of the year, and so refreshing to see how everyone supports each others ideas and works well together. Their energy and excitement towards what we’ve been creating has been great to say the least, and we can’t wait to show everyone the finished and polished routines on stage soon! :)
P.E. News
Prep to Year 2
Prep–year 2 students have been developing their throwing and catching skills through a range of fun and engaging games and activities, helping them build confidence, coordination, and control.
Year 3-6
Students have continued to build their cricket skills this term, focusing on developing an effective two-handed strike. After completing our cricket unit, we have now moved into tee-ball, where students are applying their striking skills in a new context.
Zoey competed at the State Championship, delivering an outstanding performance and securing second place in her event. This is an impressive achievement and a testament to her dedication and hard work. The school community is incredibly proud of her efforts and the way she represented our school at such a high level.
We recently held our swimming trials at Saltwater Swimming, with 66 students participating and giving their very best. Congratulations to all students who took part and thank you to everyone who attended and supported the event.
Just a reminder for students to bring a hat and a drink bottle to PE classes, especially now that we’re in Term 4 and the weather is warming up.