Welcome to Art for 2026

We are excited to begin another inspiring year of creativity and artistic exploration. This year, our Visual Arts program is led by four dedicated Art teachers who support students across a range of year levels. In their first lessons, students met their teachers, were introduced to the Art program, and explored the creative spaces where they will develop and bring their ideas to life. Classes have also focused on expectations, Art room routines, and the IB Learner Profile Attributes, helping students understand how these values connect to their growth as artists.

We are pleased to introduce our four Visual Art teachers for 2026. Miss Crane will be teaching Prep and Year 1 Art.

Ms. Ancona will teach Years 2 and 3 Art

Dear Families,

My name is Ms Ancona, and I’m delighted to introduce myself as the Visual Arts teacher for our Grade 2 and 3 students this year!

In Term 1, we’ll be focusing on building connections—connecting ideas, creativity, and friendships. Visual Arts will be a space where students feel safe to explore, share, experiment, and most importantly, have fun while learning together.

Students will be heading off on an artistic adventure, discovering and recreating the work of different artists while adding their own creative twist. We’ll be learning new techniques, trying new materials, and celebrating that there’s no single “right” way to make art—originality is encouraged!

Along the way, students will also be developing key Learner Profile skills, such as being curious thinkers, confident communicators, and brave risk-takers as they reflect on their artwork and collaborate with classmates.

I’m really looking forward to a colourful, creative, and joyful term of art with your children.

Warm regards,

Ms Ancona

Ms. Mancini will teach Year 4 Art

Ms. Fankhauser will teach Years 5 and 6.

Physical Education

Hello families,

We are the Physical Education teaching team, we teach across all year levels from Foundation to Grade 6.

In Physical Education, students will develop and refine their Fundamental Motor Skills, including throwing, catching, kicking, striking, running, jumping and dodging. These skills will be explicitly taught and practised, then applied through minor games and modified sports to help students build confidence, teamwork, and game understanding.

Lessons will also include opportunities for students to develop cooperation, fair play, resilience, and a positive attitude towards physical activity.

We are looking forward to getting to know all students and supporting their physical development and enjoyment of Physical Education througho

ut the year.

Kind regards, Mr Symmons, Mr Gleeson, Ms Brown, Ms O'Brien, Mr Barnett & Ms Barlee

MEDIA: With Mr. Brendan Howarth

Hello families!

My name is Mr. Howarth and I am teaching Media from Prep to Year Six this year.

In Media, we learn how we can communicate messages and ideas through different media mediums, including photography, sound, filming, advertising, visual narratives, etc. Students also analyse and interpret media texts with cross-curricular connections made with Literacy, Numeracy, Language and the Arts.

Our unit topics include migration, Indigenous history, our emotions, advertising, and Who We Are.

I am looking forward to getting to know all students throughout the year.

Science P-6: With Mrs. Mandeep

Hello Families,

I am Mrs Kaur, and I am excited to be teaching Science to students from Prep to Year 6 this year.

In Science, students will explore the four key areas of the curriculum: Biological Science, Chemical Science, Physical Science, and Earth and Space Science. This learning will be linked to the IB Units of Inquiry, as well as literacy and numeracy. Students will develop their understanding of science as human knowledge and science as a human endeavour, while strengthening their science inquiry skills through hands-on investigations, experiments, observations, and questioning. They will be encouraged to think critically, ask questions, make predictions, and learn through exploration and discovery.

I am looking forward to getting to know all students and supporting them on their exciting science learning journey.

Music with Mr Batters

Dear Saltwater families,

My name is Mr. Batters, I am teaching Music in years Prep to Grade 6 at Saltwater College.

In Music, we focus on developing a strong sense of beat to enable students to play and perform music together. Hands-on lessons include a lot of singing and learning new instruments as quickly as possible to build confidence, coordination and above all, musical aptitude. Students have the opportunity learn to play a range of instruments including ukuleles, xylophones, keyboards, guitars and percussion instruments.

Junior students (Prep–2) will learn to develop a steady beat through practical activities. They develop pitch through singing, movement and instrumental playing of percussion instruments, xylophones and tuned ‘Boomwhacker’ sticks.

Senior students (Years 3–6) will build ensemble skills through singing, ukulele, keyboard, guitar, bass, drums other tuned percussion. Learning how to ‘keep’ the beat and perform in multi-instrumental group settings.

I look forward to helping students explore and advance by providing meaningful opportunities to develop confidence, creativity, and musical skills in our new music room for 2026.

Regards,

Mr. Batters

WELLBEING P-6: With Mrs. Eli Qafzezi

Greetings Saltwater P–9 Families,

My name is Mrs Qafzezi, and this year I am teaching Wellbeing across the Primary Years, from Preparatory to Year 6. In our program, we cover Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships as guided by the Department of Education, with a focus on meeting each child’s individual needs. Students explore their identity, build on personal strengths, learn to understand and manage emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and form positive relationships. Our goal is to help every student thrive emotionally, socially, and academically, feeling supported at every step of their learning journey.

I am excited to meet and work with all students this year!

DANCE With Phill Haddad

Welcome to Dance for 2026!! I am the Dance Director Phill Haddad, or as many students know me…Mr H.

In dance classes, we utilise the elements of dance to help build, teach, and understand many different life building skills and tools, that help students in various areas of their journey both here and outside of school. Through the tasks set out we work on teamwork, communication, creativity, being open minded, problem solving, collaboration, positive mindset, body control and awareness, accountability and ownership.

Saltwater is also entering it’s 6th year being a part of the Victorian State School Spectacular (VSSS), which is a massive combined schools showcase spectacular performed at John Cain Arena in August in front of 10,000 people. Auditions are currently being held for dancers to be a part of the Mass Dance cast to represent our school and community.

This year Saltwater will be entering the Wakakirri performance program and nation wide competition for our third year. We have been fortunate enough to reach the top over the last two years being National Award Winners for our story of “Under The Australian Sun” (2024), and “Full Circle” (2025). We will be holding upcoming auditions for this years cast of dancers and performers for Wakakirri, and we look forward to seeing the amazing talent we have here at Saltwater!

¡Hola familias y estudiantes!

My name is Mr Pasten (Señor Pasten), and I am one of the Spanish teachers at our school. I am very excited to be working with your children this year and look forward to a fun, engaging, and positive year of learning together.

In Spanish lessons, students will learn to communicate using simple words, phrases, and sentences while developing confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Classes are designed to be interactive and hands-on, with songs, games, movement, visual supports, and cultural activities that make learning enjoyable and meaningful for all year levels.

Our focus is not only on learning a new language, but also on building curiosity, respect, and an understanding of Spanish-speaking cultures from around the world. Most importantly, students are encouraged to have a go, make mistakes, and enjoy the learning process.

I am really looking forward to the year ahead and sharing this exciting language journey with your children.¡Vamos a aprender y divertirnos juntos!

Chinese - Mandarin

Dear Saltwater P–9 Families,

As we begin the new school year and welcome the Chinese New Year, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all families.

马年吉祥，万事如意。

祝愿孩子们在新的一年里健康成长，学习进步。

Wishing you a happy and prosperous Year of the Horse.

May the year ahead be filled with joy, good health, and success for our students and their families.

My name is Miss Wan Qiao (Michelle), and I will be teaching Chinese Mandarin from Prep to Year 6 students this year. This is my third year teaching Mandarin, and I have a strong interest in helping students explore language and culture. I aim to create a positive and engaging classroom where students feel comfortable using Mandarin and building confidence over time. I look forward to guiding students as they develop communication skills and a curiosity about the world.

My name is Miss Jiaqi Xiong (Isabella), and I will also be teaching Chinese Mandarin from Prep to Year 6 students this year. This is my third year teaching Mandarin, and I enjoy supporting students as they grow in confidence and understanding. I strive to create a welcoming and supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to participate and take risks in their learning. I am excited to work with students as they strengthen their Mandarin skills and cultural awareness.

In Mandarin lessons, students learn to communicate using simple words, phrases, and sentences while building confidence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Lessons are interactive and hands on, using songs, games, movement, visual supports, and cultural activities.

Across the year, students explore topics such as greetings, numbers, weather, body parts, countries, and languages. Learning progresses from basic vocabulary to simple sentence building, supporting real life language use.

Our focus goes beyond language learning to developing curiosity, respect, and an appreciation of Chinese language and cultures. Students are encouraged to participate actively, build confidence, and engage positively in Mandarin lessons. We look forward to sharing this learning journey with our students.

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