Primary

                                                                   Mrs Leanne Schulz

Assistant Principal (Primary)

Welcome back to Term 4! I trust that you all had an enjoyable break and were able to spend some quality family time together! It was delightful to see the students in their classrooms and the playground this week full of energy and enthusiasm. 

We wish Mrs Anne Adams an enjoyable Term 4 while she takes Long Service Leave. Mrs Jacqueline Pantelin joins the Primary Staff to replace several of Mrs Adams' classes and teaching support groups in Year 3 and Year 4. Miss Bianca Accurso returns to fulltime teaching, continuing her shared role in Year 6A, and teaching support groups in Year 5 and Year 6. Mr Nigel Keegan will continue as Head of Year for 5 and 6, and will also be the acting Head of Year for 3 and 4 while Mrs Adams is on leave. 

The staff and I look forward to an exciting term ahead! 

Cumberland House Swimming Carnival 

Cumberland students, staff and parents thoroughly enjoyed the House Swimming Carnival at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre last week. For many students, it was their first experience of a swimming carnival. A huge thank you to Mrs Emma Dowling, the PE staff and all Cumberland staff who contributed to making the event successful. Thank you also to the parents who came along to cheer and support the swimmers. Award winners will be presented at Monday’s Assembly on 16 October.  

October is National Multicultural Mental Health Month 

It is important to look after both our physical and mental wellbeing as it contributes to a happy and healthy life. During assemblies this week students were reminded to look out for each other and check in with friends to make sure that they are okay. They were asked to follow 4 steps:

National Mental Health Month is an initiative of the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) to advocate for and raise awareness of Australian mental health. It is an important time where the Australian community comes together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all. Throughout this month, many events have been organised in each State of Australia aiming to attract and unite Australians of all ages and backgrounds to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all.  

The National Mental Health Month 2023 Awareness Campaign theme is: 

‘Celebrating Diversity, Healing Together’. 

Mindful Mondays 

On Mondays, our Youth Worker, Natali, along with members from our Wellbeing Team offer a lunchtime ‘Mindful Monday’ activity for students in Cumberland. This week with guidance from Natalie and our Director of Wellbeing, Natalia Smith, the students created their own fidget toy using beads, silver keyring loops and thread. 

Royal Melbourne Show Poultry Competition 

By, Gunreet K, Mahrukh M and Halina D - 5M 

During our Kitchen Garden lessons, our group had cared for three hy-line chickens at Aitken College. We had recorded data about the chicken weight gain and feed intake. Our group explored what chickens need to survive such as their adaptations. On 13 September (second last day of Term 3) one of the chickens layed their first egg. We cracked the egg and measured the thickness of the shell and the length of it. Our group was chosen to represent Aitken College at the Royal Melbourne Show. We each got two free tickets to the show on Sunday 1 October. This was a very new experience for all of us. We found this extremely exciting and also enjoyable. Our group observed all the different chickens at the show including Aitken College’s chickens. Unfortunately, Aitken College did not win, but we still enjoyed the Show. 

Mrs Natasha Radley (Head of Year Prep)

Welcome to Term 4. I cannot wait for the amazing events happening this term, especially the Fairview Concert in November. A highlight for sure! The students have started rehearsing for this in their Performing Arts classes. Already, it has been a wonderful start for the Prep students. They have transitioned into Term 4 with gusto and have enjoyed the fun, hands-on learning. Last week the students went on a hunt around the school, finding clues which would lead them to letters. The end goal was to find all of the letters. The letters made up the Word of the Week for the following week. The clever students solved the problems and found the letters to make the word “feather”. I look forward to seeing more excitement this term as they continue their learning journey this year.

Mr Jevon Scandrett (Head of Year 1 & 2)

Welcome to Term 4! It is hard to believe we are in the final term of learning for 2023. 

It has been a wonderful first two weeks in Years 1 and 2! 

Year 1 students have been discovering the features of Australian coins. They have also been learning the value of each coin and ordering coins based on their values. Year 1 students are also beginning to learn how to write Information Reports. Writing in Term 4 will be linked with the Integrated Studies topic ‘Flora and Fauna’, and students will soon be completing information reports on Australian animals.  

In Year 2, students took part in an exciting excursion called ‘The History Box’. This was a wonderful way for students to begin their learning in the Integrated Studies Unit ‘How Has Our World Changed?’. The incursion began with a presentation by Barry and Cynda who told stories and showed objects all about schooling in the past. Some lucky students were selected to dress up in olden-day school outfits which was quite funny to compare to our uniforms today! Following this, students took part in hands-on activities where they discovered articles from the past as well as learning games that were played by school children from long ago. The students thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to their learning in Term 4. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns your first point of contact should be your child’s homeroom teacher followed by me as the Head of Years 1 and 2. 

Mr Nigel Keegan (Head of Year 5 & 6 and Acting Head of Year 3 & 4)

Year 3 - Mrs Rachel Touma 

Year 3 has been off to an exciting start this term! The highlight has undoubtedly been our first swimming carnival, where students splashed into the pool and had an absolute blast, showcasing their swimming skills and competitive spirit. In the classroom, the term commenced with the beginning of our chemical science Inquiry unit. Our young scientists have begun the fascinating process of making predictions and then putting those predictions to the test.  As the Term progresses, students will not only engage in a range of investigations but also learn how to transform their findings into a science report. Here’s what some of our Year 3 students have loved so far: 

Taj F - 3T:I loved the swimming carnival because of the water park and the big slides. It was our first carnival and lots of fun! 

Manishi R - 3T: I liked the swimming carnival; the races were really fun. The sportsmanship was amazing, everyone cheering for their friends even if they weren’t winning.  

Myron D - 3T: Last week we did an experiment with a balloon. You needed baking soda and vinegar, when we poured the vinegar into the bottle the balloon went on top and inflated. The balloon was filled with gas. 

Emily F - 3T: We have been doing Science experiments in class, they are a lot of fun. We did a balloon experiment, the balloon inflated when we added the ingredients together. I was surprised, that is not what I predicted.

Year 4 - Mrs Jane Steenkamp

We're thrilled to share some of our students' highlights from our fantastic Year 4 Camp at Lady Northcote Camp in Bacchus Marsh, which took place at the end of Term 3. Our young adventurers enjoyed a memorable couple of days filled with exciting activities, delicious food and beautiful weather. From thrilling bike rides to exploring the kitchen garden, conquering the giant swing, and paddling in canoes, every moment was an adventure. Problem-solving activities, a movie night and a captivating night walk under the stars added to the fun. Plus, the gaga pit games brought out our competitive spirit! The students made this trip unforgettable. 

At camp, Year 4 tried the giant swing, archery, canoeing, initiative problem-solving, pizza making and a treasure hunt. We had 6 meals provided by the camp organisation. My favourite meal was the first dinner. We had pasta with a choice of bolognaise sauce, carbonara sauce, or Napoli sauce with vegetables. I chose bolognaise sauce twice. I loved camp because of three main things: First, the giant swing. I have a big fear of heights, but I overcame it. I went to the very top and it was worth it. Second, canoeing. I loved the experience because I had lots of fun playing the game. Lastly, the treasure hunt at the end of camp on the last day. I had lots of fun doing the Rapunzel climb and my group evened out the record of 12 crates high. My group won the canoeing race against group 3. My team didn’t win overall but Jimmy (one of the staff members) told us to assume we came fourth which I think we did. In general, camp at Lady Northcote adventure camp was undoubtedly a terrific experience and the Year 3 students have something to look forward to in 2024.   Ming Sze L - 4S 

I loved camp, it was the best. My favourite thing was archery - I hit two bullseyes. The giant swing was amazing, your teammates pulled you up and then you fell. Also Gaga ball was a great hit every one at camp loved it if I could go back I would. I love camp. The food at camp was so good, my favourite was the chocolate mousse, but the other food was amazing too. Also, the pizza took one minute to cook, and it was the best pizza I have ever had.   Lucy D - 4S

My name is Rohan. My three favourite things about camp are firstly the giant swing. I loved the giant swing because I overcame my fear and went to the top (18) metres. Although it was scary it was soooo fun! Secondly, I loved the food. I tried new things, but my favourite was the second night. We had roast chicken and wombat ice-cream (don’t worry it’s made of wombat milk or so Mrs Riscica told us). Lastly, I loved the cabins they were so clean, looked wonderful and I got to be with my friends! I really wish I could do it again! I’m sooo excited for the next camp.   Rohan A - 4S

Latitude Food Drive 

Year 6 Community Service Captains  

Harper G and Uvinyaa W

How many of us go straight to the pantry to find snacks when we get home from school? There’s always something to eat when we get home! And then later at night we sit down to eat dinner together with our family. Sadly, not everyone is so lucky. There are families struggling every day just to find their next meal. Thankfully there is help and support out there. 

Over the past year, Latitude has helped over 200 young people and their families with food and shelter. Latitude is an organisation who helps support homeless people between the ages of 16-25 years old and gives them hope for a better future.  

How can we help? 

Over the next 4 weeks there will be boxes in front of every year level where you will have an opportunity to donate food to those less fortunate. 

You can choose as many items as you like each week from the list provided and you can donate as little or as much as you like, every little bit counts!  

Please show your support and help those in need. 

Thank you for supporting this initiative!

Uniform Reminders 

Thank you for ensuring that students abide by the College uniform requirements. Some reminders are:

• HATS are needed for Term 4 (or no play) 
• Parkas are only to be worn with the Sport uniform 
• Students must wear their blazers to and from school, unless it's 25 degrees or over 
• Hair must be tied back (not half up/half down) 
• No jewellery allowed, except for a plain stud or sleeper and a watch

Assembly Roster 

Important Dates