Specialist News
Physical Education
How is it week 6 already?!
In Physical education, the 1 and 2's have been working in stations to build their confidence in catching, throwing and rolling. We've worked on our "are you ready?" cue before we pass the ball to ensure our partner has the best chance of catching it, showing their hands in a cup shape and moving them to meet the ball. The grade twos are working on catching with their hands only instead of bringing it into their bodies. I am very excited to see our preps in the PE space, as they join us on a Wednesday shortly.
The Grade 3 to 6 students have been successfully progressing through an athletics unit completing long jump, discuss and shot put. In the coming weeks we will cover relay, hurdles, triple jump and high jump, leading into a mini-tabloid style event in week 10. The students have also been building their stamina in running as we continue to train for the Cross Country event next term.
Within the PMP sessions, the prep - 2 students have been practising their balancing, rolling down a wedge and many gross motor and fine motor skills. The students have worked well when transitioning through the events and having lots of turns before the timer goes off.
Health has been a lot of fun with Brenda in the garden and kitchen, hosting our first 'imaginary' dinner party and landscaping our school gardens. In our theory lesson we learnt about the various factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. I have also challenged the students to complete 100 jumps a day, so apologies if you have unintentionally joined our challenge too.
The Summer Lightning Premiership sports have been chosen; Hot Shots Tennis and Volleyball/Volleystars . The students have been training consistently, refining their skills and strategies to implement in the games. You will often see our students training at lunchtime and recess too and as a PE teacher, it is a highlight to see the students prioritise sport in their own time and see their motivation, leadership and responsibility.
On February 26th, there were 8 students who proudly represented our school at the District Swimming Carnival. With their impeccable behaviour, enthusiasm and support for one another, these students had success in and out of the pool. Each student successfully placed in their races and were awarded with a ribbon. This was an incredible achievement for our community in the sporting space. A special shout out to Jemina who was essential in organising our students for events, transporting students and the overall supervision of the students on the day.
Please congratulate the following swimmers:
Max
Maya
Alana
Mary
Spencer
Isla
Clara
Elouise
We are also excited to add that two of our students will be competing at the South Peninsula Division Swimming event in March. We wish Maya and Alana all the very best for this event.
Looking forward to sharing our achievements with you all in the next newsletter.
Mrs Berthet
DIGI TECH
Over the past few weeks in Digi Tech, students across the school have been developing their understanding of digital systems, safe practices and responsible technology use in age-appropriate and engaging ways.
In Prep/Year 1, students have been focusing on the responsible handling and care of digital technology. This has included learning how to safely carry devices, log on and off correctly, use equipment gently and store it appropriately. Establishing these habits early helps students build respect for shared resources and understand that technology is a valuable learning tool that requires care and responsibility.
Our Year 2 students have also continued strengthening their understanding of responsible device use. In addition, they have explored the difference between hardware and software. Students learned that hardware refers to the physical parts of a device that we can see and touch (such as screens, keyboards and tablets), while software refers to the programs and applications that run on the device. Developing this foundational knowledge helps students better understand how digital systems function.
Both the Prep/Year 1 and Year 2 classes have been using Khan Academy Kids during Digi Tech sessions. This engaging educational app supports early literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills through interactive activities, stories and games. The program adapts to individual learning levels, providing personalised practice and immediate feedback. Beyond academic skills, it also promotes independence, persistence and confidence as students navigate tasks and celebrate progress. We encourage families to explore the app at home if possible, as it provides an excellent opportunity for meaningful, curriculum-aligned screen time.
In the Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 classes, students have been working with Tello EDU Drone drones as part of their exploration of digital systems. Through hands-on experiences, students have examined how hardware, software and coding interact to control a device. They have practised giving precise instructions, problem-solving when flights do not go as planned and working collaboratively to achieve set challenges. These lessons support computational thinking, logical reasoning and teamwork skills.
Students in Years 3–6 have also participated in lessons focused on accessing their school email accounts. They have learned how to log in securely, navigate their inbox and use basic functions such as composing and replying to messages. Importantly, these sessions have included explicit discussions about responsible email use within the context of cyber safety. Students have explored appropriate communication, protecting personal information and understanding that digital communication leaves a lasting footprint. Building these skills equips students to use digital tools safely, respectfully and effectively.
It has been wonderful to see students across all year levels developing confidence and responsibility in their use of technology. I look forward to continuing to build their digital literacy skills throughout the year.
Mr. D
Auslan (Australian Sign Language)
Our Year 5 and 6 students have been working on a very meaningful project in Auslan this past few weeks. Together, we have been interpreting the Acknowledgement to Country that we use at our school assemblies and translating it into Auslan.
Students have thoughtfully explored the meaning behind the words, discussing how to respectfully represent key ideas such as country, respect, elders, and community through sign. Using Auslan dictionaries and online resources, students worked collaboratively to identify accurate signs and consider how facial expression, body language and movement contribute to meaning in Auslan. This project has not only strengthened students’ signing skills but also deepened their understanding of cultural respect and communication.
Now that this has been translated the students in Foundation to Year Four will be taught this Acknowledgement to Country in preperation for our open night on Wednesday. It is there that these students will teach this to their parents and the wider school community.
We are incredibly proud of the care, collaboration and enthusiasm that our students have shown throughout this process and look forward to sharing their learning with you all.
Miss Bacon
Visual Arts
It has been a vibrant and creative start to the term in the Art Room at Bittern Primary School! Our students have been exploring a range of artists, techniques and ideas. Through making and responding, students build their understanding of the art elements and principles, experiment with materials, and learn how artists communicate ideas and meaning.
Year 1 and 2 students have been inspired by Claude Monet, creating beautiful Water Lilies artworks using oil pastels and watercolours. They explored colour blending, brush techniques and how artists show light and reflection.
Year 3/4 students have been learning about Australian artist Pete Cromer. Using printing and collage techniques, they created bold and colourful animal artworks while exploring shape, texture and composition.
Year 5/6 students have been developing their understanding of contrast and composition through negative space artworks and printed self-portraits. These projects encouraged careful planning, technical skill development and personal expression.
🌿 Wominjeka Festival – Community Connection 🌿
We are excited to be representing Bittern Primary School at the Wominjeka Festival on:
Saturday 14th March 202610:00 AM – 5:00 PM Emu Plains Reserve, Coolart Road, Balnarring
Community Festival • Family Friendly • Entry by donation
Our stall will celebrate the creativity of our students and highlight the important role Visual Arts plays in our school community. The festival is a wonderful opportunity to honour First Nations perspectives and strengthen our connection to community through creativity.
A friendly reminder to please sign up to help man the stall. The sign up sheet will be available at our Open Day this Wednesday in the Art Room. Your support helps us showcase the incredible learning happening in Visual Arts and strengthens our presence within the wider community.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🎨
Mrs Roberts