From the Classroom
Junior Unit Tells All
It has been a busy and creative fortnight in the Junior Unit!
In Literacy, Junior A students enjoyed reading Chip, a story about a seagull. Students have been building their understanding of nouns and verbs, while practicing how to write complete sentences independently.
Junior B students read the much-loved story Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and used their imaginations to recreate the story with different animals and activities. Some of the fun and creative ideas included “Don’t let the snail go to school!” and “Don’t let the lion play basketball!” The students loved sharing their ideas and exploring persuasive language through storytelling.
In Maths, students have been learning about flips and slides of shapes. Junior B students also created colourful reflection artworks using their names, combining mathematical thinking with creativity. Junior A have been learning about partitioning numbers with different concrete materials, including cute little duckies. They have become ninjas earning their ninja belts and slowly working their way up to partitioning 10! This Thursday and Friday they will complete their own little fish bowl and partition a certain number of fish as a little end of assessment fun!
In Inquiry, students are exploring what it means to be creative citizens. Junior B had a wonderful opportunity to work with Tanya in the garden, learning about teamwork, responsibility, and caring for our environment. Junior A have been learning about special places and how to take care of them. Especially our own school!
In Science, Junior A have been learning about weather and the changing seasons. As part of their learning, students designed and built their very own bug shelters to help protect their bugs from the winter weather! 🐞❄️
Students had four important criteria to follow when creating their shelters:
- it needed to be big enough for their bug,
- include a roof for protection,
- have a place to store food,
- and include a door or entrance for the bug to get in and out safely.
Students absolutely loved this hands-on craft activity, and it was wonderful to see such fantastic teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills on display. We were so impressed with the amazing bug shelters they created!
Middle Unit News
In English, Middle B have begun two new books, Piano Fingers and Sonam and the Silence. Through these texts, students will learn how authors use imagery, symbolism and connotation to create meaning and help readers connect emotionally with characters and events. They will been identify descriptive language, discuss how words and images can represent deeper ideas, and explain how an author’s choices influence the reader’s understanding and feelings.
In Middle A the students have finished off their persuasive text for the book Koala Ark. The class have put together some fantastic posters underlining the importance of why we need to save the Koalas. Week 6 we have made a start of our new text 'Mallee Sky'. The text depicts the emotional and physical impact of drought on a rural community in Victoria’s Mallee region, focusing on themes of resilience, climate change, and the eventual arrival of rain. Over the next two weeks we will be focusing on the authors use of imagery, symbolism and connotation.
In Maths, Students are continuing to focus on Subtraction. Students have been continue to develop their understanding of subtraction through a range of hands-on activities, problem-solving tasks and written strategies. They have been practising efficient subtraction methods, including partitioning numbers, using place value knowledge, and applying formal written algorithms to solve increasingly complex problems. Students have also been encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking and choose strategies that work best for different situations.
In Science last week, students participated in an exciting “Egg Drop Challenge” where they designed and created parachutes to help an egg survive a 2.5 metre drop. Students explored how air resistance, gravity and different materials can affect the speed and safety of a falling object. They worked collaboratively to plan, test and improve their designs while making predictions and recording their observations. Students investigated forces and movement through hands-on experimentation and used critical and creative thinking to solve problems. They also developed skills in designing fair tests, observing results, and reflecting on how scientific ideas can be applied in real-world situations.
Seniors News
This term in English, the Senior School students have been reading the class novel Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, which follows the story of a boy living during World War II. Through the novel, students have been exploring figurative language, modal words, and unpacking new vocabulary. They have also been developing their understanding of the emotions and impacts experienced by people during this significant time in history.
In Mathematics, students are continuing their exciting “Dream Bedroom” project. After carefully calculating measurements, planning layouts, and working out the costs of furniture and decorations, students are now beginning to build 3D models of their dream bedrooms. It has been wonderful to see their creativity, problem-solving, and mathematical skills come together in this hands-on project.
On Tuesday, the Senior School visited the Melbourne Museum to extend their understanding of our Inquiry topic, “Factors That Shape Places.” Students had an amazing time exploring the different exhibits and participating in an engaging learning program focused on habitats, biomes, and how environments shape places around the world.
Physical Education
With the upcoming House Athletics Carnival, students in Physical Education are practising their fundamental motor skills and athletics skills during PE classes.
Gabi from DS Sports is assisting in a 4 week Athletics program by providing invaluable instruction and education on correct techniques. We hope students continue to practise their skills in preparation for the upcoming House Athletics Carnival on Wednesday 22nd July.
The carnival is a whole school event, and excitement is building as students prepare to represent their house with pride and enthusiasm. Which house will take out the winning shield?
Senior and Middle students will attend the carnival from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm and will compete in ten events. Junior students will participate from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm and will compete in five events.
Check out the photos and keep training!
