Primary

                                                                   Mrs Leanne Schulz

2022 Primary School Theme

What has been happening in Fairview and Cumberland as the term comes to an end? 

What a busy Term 1 it has been! It is wonderful to see all the new students, teachers and families settle in well to the College. Building positive relationships and ensuring that everyone belongs has been a priority in the Primary School. We have had many fun-filled learning experiences, including: THRASS dress-up day and Tabloid House Sports for Fairview, and Cross Country and 5/6 Sports for Cumberland. All classes enjoyed Harmony Day activities and the incursion ‘Backflips Against Bullying’. Events such as the Welcome to Country and Anzac Day ceremonies have also enabled students to feel a sense of connection to the College community. Teachers and students have been busy with a variety of learning experiences and assessments and are ready for the term break to relax and rejuvenate!

I would like to thank the students for all their hard work this term, whether it be in the classroom or in the playground, as they learn to play together, compromise, negotiate and show respect, care and compassion. I would also like to thank the teachers for their dedication, passion and commitment to providing challenging learning experiences for the students in their care.  Thank you also to our wonderful parents as your continued support of the school and staff is truly appreciated. 

Term 1 Assemblies 

It is a greatfeeling to have assemblies back in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre (CPA) again! When the Preps entered the CPA for their first time, their faces lit up in awe of the theatre as they truly appreciated the magnificence of the CPA. Hopefully, in Term 2 we will be able to welcome parents back to Assemblies and Chapel. We have to wait for Government guidelines that outline updated COVID safe restrictions in regard to student and adult capacity for gatherings in enclosed spaces.

What a great performance by Songsters at the Easter Assembly! It was also very exciting to watch the very talented performances of several Primary students at the Captain’s Concert this week.

The College values of compassion, honesty, respect, integrity, and kindness have been explored throughout Term 1 during Assembly and Chapel. Last week, our College Captains, Aaryan K and Aanya K, spoke about ‘what is bullying?’ and the difference between ‘bullying’ and ‘social conflict’.  

The Victorian Government Education website outlines the nationally agreed definition of bullying which all Australian schools now use:

‘Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. 

Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). 

Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.  

Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.’ 

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/bullystoppers/Pages/what.aspx

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/ 

Backflips Against Bullying Performance 

Aanya K - 6T 

Backflips against the bullies was such a fun experience and I learnt a lot. They did games and plays and everyone laughed so much! They flipped over 15 and maybe more people and talked in such funny voices and we named them with the weirdest names. Overall, we had so much fun, as well as learning a lot about bullying and how much it could hurt people.

Sarah D - 4J

Last Tuesday we went to the CPA to see Backflips Against Bullying. After the performance, my class and I now have a better understanding of what bullying is. When something bad happens once, it is not bullying, that is just conflict between friends, and we can ask for help to sort that out. When something bad happens repeatedly or everyday it is bullying. I also learnt that when someone is being bullied there can be a bystander. The bystander is the most important person in a bullying issue. The bystander is someone who can help, especially if the victim is too scared to speak up. I also learnt that bullies are not strong or really tough.  They can often be someone who is having trouble in their own life and taking out their personal anger on you. Bullying is never okay! My favourite part from the show was when they were acting out the bullying scenes with so many tricks and flips. I liked Sarah the most because she was so flexible in her tricks. Backflips against bullying was a great show to help us understand bullying. 

Anirudh J - 3T 

On Tuesday  29 March we went to the Backflip’s Against Bullying incursion. The people there showed us how people feel when they are bullied and why bullying is bad. When people are bullied, they feel sad, disappointed, and alone. Bullying is when someone repeatedly does something to hurt you.  It can hurt people on their inside, but from the outside they might not look hurt. Some ways to stop people from constantly bullying are to tell them to stop, ignore them or tell a trusted adult. 

Jai C - 1R 

Today we learnt how to stop bullying. If someone is bullying you, you could tell the teacher or you could say 'stop, I do not like it'. But bullying is not good. If someone is bullying someone and you were watching the whole thing, you should go to them and say 'bullying does not make you tough'.

Dorian L - 1R

Bullying is not nice. If you see a person who is being a bully, go help and tell a teacher, and do not bully!

Sustainability Message by Akshara A (6T)

Our Sustainability Year 6 Captain, Akshara A, delivered a strong message at the Fairview and Cumberland Assemblies last week about helping to look after our environment. The message was about ‘Doing the Right Thing!’  

• It is everyone’s responsibility to do the right thing by putting your rubbish in the bin to Keep Aitken Beautiful. 
• In fact, today, as populations grow and our convenient lifestyles produce more waste, we all have a responsibility to lead by example and prevent litter pollution. 
• Not only does littered trash make urban and natural places less attractive, but litter has negative impacts for humans, wildlife and the environment. 

How long does it take rubbish to break down:?

 So, do the right thing! 

Augmented Reality Comes to the Prep Classes

Our Prep students experienced the 'magic' of augmented reality last week. After drawing a picture of their favourite word on the THRASS chart and decorating the area around their picture, the students were amazed to see their images shown on the screens in the classroom. Instead of the screen showing their 'flat' drawing', through the wonders of augmented reality, the students' drawings were displayed on a sphere that could spin around, get a bit squashy and duplicate itself! 

Ms Megan Williams

Deputy Head of Primary

Prep News

Mrs Natasha Radley (Prep AHOS)

Congratulations on a smooth and successful beginning to school life for the amazing Prep students. Their teachers have been working very hard to ensure that they have settled in well with their peers. We would like to thank the parent helpers that have begun to assist in the classroom. It has been wonderful having your help! Last week the THRASS dress-up day was well received, and the students (and teachers) enjoyed dressing up as something from the THRASS chart. The students delighted in winding down this week with some fun Easter activities to wrap up the term. The teachers wish all families a wonderful break over Easter and cannot wait to get stuck into some amazing learning in Term 2!

Year 1 and 2 News

Mr Jevon Scandrett (Year 1/2 AHOS)

We have reached the end of an exciting and busy term in Year 1 and Year 2! 

I am so proud of the students for all their hard work. It has been wonderful to be back together for a full term.  

Last week, students participated in the incursion ‘Backflips Against Bullying’. Everyone was very engaged in the presentation as we learnt about the impacts of bullying alongside some incredible acrobatic performances. Year 1 and Year 2 students were also lucky enough to be invited to a special performance from a Year 8 Drama class.

Year 1 students have also participated in special shoe tying sessions with students from the Year 9 service project. The Year 9 students ran engaging sessions for each of the Year 1 classes all about learning how to tie shoelaces. It would be wonderful if Year 1 students could continue to practise their skills at home. 

All Fairview students enjoyed our special THRASS dress-up day; you can see some of the photos below! 

Should you have any questions or concerns, your first point of call should always be your child’s classroom teacher followed by me, as the Assistant Head of School (Years 1 and 2).

I wish all students a safe and enjoyable holiday! 

Year 3 and 4 News

Mrs Anne Adams (Year 3/4 AHOS)

Harmony week was celebrated with many students in Year 3 and Year 4 opting to wear a flash of orange. Year 4 teachers organised some indoor and outdoor children’s games with an international flavour. Indigenous Australian, South African and Japanese games were just a few that were playing.

Cumberland students were treated to the incursion ‘Backflips Against Bullying’. This was a mix of acting and gymnastics showcasing bullying scenarios and the difference between a fight and the ongoing nature of bullying.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Year 3 and Year 4 staff. They are dedicated and driven educators, and we are lucky to have such a force in Cumberland. From the Year 3 and Year 4 staff, we wish you a happy and safe Easter break. We look forward to seeing students return well rested and ready for Term 2. 

Year 4

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program is a wonderful experience and the students are gaining so many practical skills and are learning to work as a team. Pesto pizza was recently on the menu and the students thoroughly enjoyed the cooking and the eating aspect of this experience. 

Year 3 

Students in Year 3 have been studying fractions, by placing counters in equal groups of two and four, making halves and quarters. During their writing sessions they have been writing expositions about topics they can relate to.  Students have also been using the THRASS chart to help them with their reading and spelling. 

Year 5 and 6 News

Mr Nigel Keegan (Year 5/6 AHOS)

Our Year 5 students recently experienced a glimpse of early Colonial life during the Gold Rush era, as they took in the sights, sounds, and smells of Sovereign Hill! The experiences were vast, including a tour of an underground mine, an informative education session, witnessing gold being heated to liquid form and then returning to a solid (approximately a quarter of a million dollars-worth).  There was also candle making, hardboiled lollies, and even panning for gold. Unfortunately, there were no significant gold finds to report! It was a fantastic excursion and a great day out for both students and staff. 

Well done to all our Year 5 and Year 6 students on completing a fantastic first term. Have a lovely Easter and enjoy a well-earned break with your families. 

Year 5/6 Sport

• Well done to the students who played in the Term 1 summer sport competition. When ladders have been received from the district coordinator, they will be posted on the noticeboard in the Year 5/6 area. If you still have not returned your uniform, you must do so. It needs to be washed, in a plastic bag with your name on it and given to Mr Keegan.
• Next term we will have another round of trials for the winter sport competition in week 1. Good luck to everyone!
• Also, congratulations to everyone who participated in the District Cross Country. More information will be given to the students who will be progressing to the Woodlands Division next term. 

Primary SSV District Cross Country

Congratulations and well done to everyone who represented Aitken at the Broadmeadows District Cross Country Carnival on Thursday 31 March at Westmeadows Reserve. The students had a great day, and all are to be commended on their efforts. Good luck to those students who will progress through to the next round of competition, the Woodlands Division Carnival which will be held at Bundoora Park on Wednesday 1 June. Results from the District Carnival are below:

Ms Brigitte Seivers & Miss Gemma Crole

Primary SSV Sport Coordinators

Fairview House Tabloid Sports Morning

On Wednesday 6 April, the students in Fairview participated in a House tabloid sports morning. They participated in their House teams and played a variety of games. They worked together as teams to complete their activity and achieve a common purpose. The students showed sportsmanship and cheered for their team and their friends in other teams. It was a fun morning filled with smiles and laughter.

Mrs Jamie Mariner

Primary House Coordinator

Cumberland District Cross Country 

Congratulations to all the Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students who competed in the District Cross Country at Westmeadows Reserve last week. What an achievement to complete the 2-3km distance. It was an exciting atmosphere as each Aitken student crossed the finish line being cheered on by their peers. A huge thank you to the PE faculty for organising everything and for all the parents for supporting the event!

Jasmina M - 5J 

Hello Aitken College! During 31 March, we had some outstanding athletes perform at the District Cross Country! It was a day where all the Aitken students came together and had a great time. Students aged under 9 to 10 ran 2k and the rest of the age groups ran 3k. Most kids were cheering for other athletes as they crossed the line. It was amazing to watch!  

Farewell and thank you!

A huge thank you and farewell to Ms Angie Thomas, homeroom teacher of 6T. Angie is embarking on a new chapter in her life as she heads interstate. Thank you for your passion and dedication towards teaching and challenging our Year 6 students this year and in 2021. We wish you every success in your future endeavours. 

We give a warm welcome to Ms Jaimee Pezzutti who will be replacing Angie at the beginning of Term 2. 

Thank you also to Ms Erin Ranieri  who stepped in seamlessly for the last few weeks of the term in Year 5A with Mrs Sheridyn Weaver to replace Miss Bianca Accurso who is on Parental Leave awaiting the birth of her first child. 5A has been lucky to have wonderful teachers working collaborative to cater for their learning needs. Thank you, Bianca and Erin!  

Good Friday Fundraising Appeal 

Our Primary School Community Service Captains, Eva J and Roman P, organised a fundraiser for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal. Roman’s family supplied the lollipops to sell to Primary students. Eva and Roman have visited classrooms for the last two weeks of the term and raised a total of $300. Thank you to all families who have supported the cause. A special thank you to Roman and Eva for their effort, time and organisation. 

Happy Easter 

The Primary staff and I wish Fairview and Cumberland families a happy, healthy and safe Easter.