Positive Climate for Learning

Years 7 to 9

As part of our Year 7 to 9 curriculum this year, our students are participating in a weekly Outdoor Education program.  Our new leading teacher, Katelyn will be teaching our students different skills and strategies that they can use in the great outdoors.  So far, the students have been learning about Orienteering.  In Term 1 students will be learning how to use a compass and cardinal directions; how to use an aerial map to find a location and how to travel to a location that is marked on a map. The students have enjoyed participating in a treasure hunt and finding specific locations within the school.

 

Throughout the year students will participate in outdoor activities both on school grounds and out in the local community. We are looking forward to seeing students engaged in healthy and active learning!

 

Auslan

 

 

 

 

 

Hello ACS Community,

 

It has been fantastic to see so many students using greetings in Auslan.  While this is impressive, it has also been wonderful to see many students being able to have basic Auslan conversations. This has given me goose bumps and I’m delighted to see growth in students learning Auslan.  Well done ACS community!

 

In 2022, all students will be participating in Auslan for 6 months.  This means if your son / daughter’s home group is participating in Auslan in Term 1 & 2, they will participate in Performing Arts in Terms 3 & 4 and vice versa.  In addition to this, all ACS students, parents and staff have access to Auslan on a fortnightly via Auslan Extra in the newsletter throughout the year.

 

Within learning time the year levels have been focusing on the following:

 

Prep

I have met two prep classes for the first time last week.  It was exciting to see their enthusiasm and willingness to try a new language. Students completed activities that formed an introduction of ‘who am I’ and also enjoyed watched Auslan videos to get a taste of what is Auslan.  The challenge all Prep students were provided was to sign different  colours in Auslan.  Students have demonstrated commitment to this challenge!

 

Years 1 and 2

Students in Years 1 and 2 have been learning about what is appropriate in Deaf culture along with developing their vocabulary. Students have been developing and demonstrating care throughout these activities and also through their willingness to learning and understand others These lessons will carry on and focus on learning to comprehend and produce Auslan signs and signing familiar items. We will continue developing the use and understanding of the importance of facial expressions and correct handshape and location of signs.

 

Years 3 and 4

Students with their peers are developing skills of conversation. Students have participated in activities including practicing social courtesies such as turn taking and asking questions. This aligns well with the ACS values of collaboration and care.  Students have been improving and increasing their vocabulary related to “weekend” themes. 

 

Years 5 and 6

In Years 5 and 6, students have demonstrated commitment to their learning by describing a short story and translating these into Auslan by using correct handshapes, movement, facial expression and use of space.  Students have also been demonstrating care and collaboration by working together as a team, providing feedback and polishing up their Auslan skills. 

 

Secondary 

For many students in Secondary, this has been their first experience of Auslan.  Students have enjoyed the introductory lessons and have also demonstrated commitment by learning to sign the alphabet in Auslan.

 

AuslanExtra

Please do not forget to explore the fortnightly editions of ‘Auslan Extra’. In each newsletter issue you will see that one of the menu items is ‘Auslan Extra’.  Perhaps your family would like to collaborate in some of the activities?! Enjoy. 

 

 

Andrew Welshe – Auslan teacher 

Physical Education

 

The PE team have had an amazing start to the school year!

 

We have had so much fun getting to know each other and working on our team work skills! Thanks everyone for being so welcoming to Rhiarn and Zoe as your PE teachers this year. We are so excited to teach you some fun new games and sports!

 

Throughout the start of the term Zoe and Rhiarn have had a common goal for all of our students - Working together and showing the school values of care, commitment and collaboration.They have used a range of skills such as:

 

Perform movement sequences which link fundamental movement skills

Propose and apply movement concepts and strategies

Practice fundamental movement skills and movement sequences using different body parts

 

CARE- Students have shown care to each other when working together. They have learnt to listen to others ideas, respect each other, wait patiently for their turn, encouraged each other and show resilience and try again at an activity.

 

COMMITMENT- Students have shown commitment by their dedication to participating and following instructions. They have tried their very best in each class and asked questions and for guidance when learning new skills. We are so proud of them!

 

COLLABORTATION- As we have been teaching students how to work together as a team, an important skill when playing sports, they have shown collaboration. This has been a huge focus of ours and how important it is to learn how to work together so early on in the year. We have done activities with the parachute, Human Knots, Blindfolded Maze, Wall Pass using only their feet and more! We hope they have had fun getting to know us one another and learning how to work as a team!

 

As the weather stays warm please remember to have your hat and your drink bottle!

Keep an eye out for some upcoming all ability sport opportunities that happen on the weekends. Rhiarn will be posting them on compass as they come out. Enjoy some of these pictures from the last 2 weeks!