Specialist Happenings
Visual Art
The art room has been buzzing in the last few weeks. The year 6s are about to start a portrait unit that will see them learn the basic mathematical shapes and proportions as well as how to shade to create a realistic looking portrait. They have each chosen a celebrity or person they would like to draw in anticipation of the next step.
Foundation 0B, 0C, and 1C students have been experimenting with paint and learning about different techniques and colour mixing. This has proven to be very exciting as they enjoy guessing the colour that will appear upon mixing!
Year 3 are starting to learn about more complex colour theory in preparation for painting their entries in the Ellen Jose Indigenous art prize run by the Bayside council.
Keep living creatively.
Ms Van Etten and Miss Hemmings
Mandarin
Our Foundation students have been learning how to greet each other in Mandarin! They have been practising saying 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – hello and are now challenging themselves to write it in Chinese characters for the first time.
It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and determination as they carefully write 你好. Learning to write Chinese characters is no easy task, but our students have shown great focus and perseverance. Their first attempts at writing were fantastic, and we are so proud of their efforts!
Our Grade 3/4 students have been taking on the challenge of writing more complex Chinese characters, ensuring they follow the correct stroke order with precision. Grade 4 students, in particular, have been learning some tricky words like 舞 (wǔ) – dance and 澳 (ào) – Australia, which require careful attention to detail. These characters are part of their new unit on hobbies, where they are learning to express interests.
You are all amazing!
你们真棒！(Nǐmen zhēn bàng)
Miss. Low
Physical Education
During our Foundation PE lessons, students participate in a modified Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) designed to enhance their balance, coordination, fitness, eye tracking, and locomotion skills. They have engaged in various skill-based stations, including balloon tracking, balance beams, crawling tunnels, and a class favourite—scooter boards! Our Level 5 buddies have also been visiting to support students at each station, ensuring they perform movements correctly and adjust skills as needed.
Our Level 1 & 2 students have been refining their locomotor skills, such as hopping and jumping, using both "kangaroo" and "motorbike" jumping techniques. The focus has been on executing each movement safely and correctly, providing a strong foundation for our upcoming gymnastics unit.
In the upper school (Levels 3-6), students have been developing their net and wall game skills through volleyball and Newcomb. Using balloons, gaga balls, and volleyballs, they have worked on cooperative rallies, forearm strikes (including underarm serves), and anticipating ball movement during gameplay.
Mr Davies and Mrs Foster
