Chatham Happenings
Fire Rescue Victoria
As part of our Geography inquiry, our Foundation students were very excited to welcome some special visitors to our school, local firefighters from Fire Rescue Victoria! The students have been learning about the places in which they live, why they are important to them, the features of places and how places can be looked after.
During their first visit, the firefighters spoke to students about their important role in our community and how they help keep people safe. Students learned what to do in an emergency by calling ‘000’. This also included the safety messages ‘crawl down low and go, go, go!’ in the case of smoke, and ‘stop, drop, cover roll’ in case of flames on you.
On their second visit, the excitement continued as students had the opportunity to see the fire truck up close and even spray the hose, which was a definite highlight for everyone!
The sessions sparked lots of curiosity, with students asking thoughtful questions and making connections to how communities work together to stay safe.
As a reminder to families, this is a great opportunity to check that your smoke detectors are working and to talk with your child about a safe meeting spot in case of an emergency.
We thank our local firefighters for their time and for helping bring our learning to life in such an engaging and memorable way.
Mrs Lucy Bray
Acting Foundation Teacher
German Easter Egg Decorating
Our Foundation students recently enjoyed a wonderful hands-on cultural experience as Dominik’s mother, Reggie, visited the classroom to share a special German Easter tradition. Together, the students created beautifully dyed Easter eggs, known as Ostereier, using hard-boiled eggs – a much-loved custom in Germany.
The students were engaged and excited throughout the activity, taking great care in decorating their eggs. To add to the fun, Dominik took on the role of the Easter Bunny, proudly helping to distribute the eggs into everyone’s Easter bags, much to the delight of his classmates.
We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive and generous school community. Experiences like this enrich our students’ learning and help bring cultural traditions to life in meaningful ways.
A big thank you to Reggie for giving her time and sharing this special tradition with us. We wish all our families a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate!
Mrs Lucy Bray
Acting Foundation Teacher
Year 5/6 Excursion to the Chinese Museum
On Tuesday 31st March, our Year 5/6 students enjoyed an exciting and educational excursion to the Chinese Museum in Melbourne.
Throughout the day, students explored Australia’s historical connection with China and learned about Chinese immigration and its significant impact on our nation’s cultural heritage. A highlight of the excursion was the engaging guided tour of the museum, where students were able to view fascinating artefacts and gain deeper insight into Chinese history and traditions.
Students also made the most of Melbourne’s beautiful outdoor spaces, enjoying recess in the Parliament Gardens and lunch in the Treasury Gardens. These breaks provided a great opportunity for students to relax, socialise and reflect on their learning.
A special mention to our parent helpers Kim, Kylie and Miranda. Thank you for your help on the day.
Overall, the excursion was a valuable and enjoyable experience that enriched students’ understanding of Australia’s diverse history.
Mrs Hannah Scantleton
Year 5/6 Teacher
Story Time
On Tuesday 31st March, I took a group of Year 4 students to visit Canterbury and District Pre-School, where they had the wonderful opportunity to read a selection of picture books to the younger children. The Year 4 students showed great enthusiasm throughout the visit and clearly enjoyed the chance to get to know the kindergarten children. They approached the experience with kindness and positivity, engaging the younger students in stories, conversation and shared laughter.
It was a rewarding experience for our Year 4s, who embraced the opportunity to connect with the kinder students. They are already excited about the possibility of becoming Year 5 buddies for some of these children in 2027. We look forward to creating more opportunities like this to build positive community connections and a strong sense of belonging for all.
Ms Kirstie Briggs
Acting Assistant Principal
