Prep

Our integrated unit this term is Our Community, Our World.

Teddy Bear Hospital Incursion

The Prep teachers and students went to a special Teddy Bear Hospital incursion on Tuesday 16 May. This was run by Monash University and Uni students that are studying a medical degree. This program is to help students feel comfortable about hospitals, procedures and people in white coats.

Prep L talked about how we felt before going to the incursion:

“Before we went I felt shy because there will be so many people” Shiu K

“I feel excited and my teddy feels shy because she’s never been to a hospital and also she’s sick” Sage S

“Only feel a bit nervous because I don’t know what is going to happen” Maddox P

“I feel happy” Jasper C

“Excited for today. But I am a bit scared of hospitals” Priscilla Y

“I feel excited and I can’t wait what to do today. My teddy even feels excited.” Emilia H

“I went to the doctor last week and it was good. Not scary” Yuva N

The incursion included lots of different group activities. There was an x ray machine, plaster, an operating table, a skeleton, water to wash our hands properly and more. Here is what some Prep L students thought about after the incursion:

“I feel good. We coloured the ambulance” Tiara P

“I like Big TED the best” Damian Z

“I like when we got the little plaster around our fingers and when we got to colour the ambulance” Penelope C

“Our teddy friends had an X ray. It was not scary” Meysen N

“I wasn’t scared of hospitals. I liked taking the teddy things out of its stomach in surgery and then we had to wake them up” Adrian S

“I still don’t want to go to hospital but today was fun” Tony L

Community Walk

Next Thursday, 25 May, Prep students and their teachers will walk to the post box in Essex Road and post a special letter. When all the letters are posted, they will continue on to Federal Reserve for snack and a play.

Parent volunteers are required for this excursion. If you have a current Working with Children Check and are available to join us, please let your child's classroom teacher know.

Details of this local excursion have been published on Compass. Consent only is due now, and not later than Sunday 21 May.

Other activities in Term 2

We are also looking forward to these activities this term:

Police incursion on Tuesday 30 May
Fire Ed incursions on Tuesday 13 and Tuesday 20 June
Teddy Bear's Picnic on Thursday 15 June

Details will be published on Compass.

Year 1

Teddy Bear Hospital

Year 1 students enjoyed their Teddy Bear Hospital visit on Wednesday.

Monash University Medical Students’ Society (MUMUS) Teddy Bear Hospital incursions are designed to provide children with a unique and interactive way to experience the atmosphere at a hospital or general practice without being patients themselves.

Teddy Bear Hospital is a not-for-profit organisation run by Monash medical students aiming to reduce ‘white coat anxiety’ in Prep and Year 1 students. At these fun school events several stations are set up for volunteers to teach students about healthcare and healthy habits. Volunteers are university students from Monash University’s Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, ranging from medical students on hospital placements to allied health students.

Marvellous Minibeasts!

Year 1 students will participate in the Minibeast Wildlife incursion next Monday, 22 May, as part of our Integrated Unit of study in Term 2. We're looking forward to an amazing experience facilitated by Mini Beast Wildlife that is very hands-on, and the children will be able to get up-close-and-personal with all the animals, including some of Australia's most spectacular minibeasts , including huge stick insects, giant burrowing cockroaches, rainforest snails, giant praying mantids, tarantulas, scorpions, huge centipedes, massive millipedes, beetles, rainforest crickets and more.

Incursion information has been published on Compass. Consent and payment of $16 was due by 15 May. CSEF can be used for this activity; please contact Barb or Cassy in the Office to check your CSEF balance.

Year 2

Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead Excursion

Year 2 visited Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead in Wandin on Wednesday. This excursion was part of the Past to Present integrated unit for this term. We look forward to sharing some reflections and photos from our day in the next issue of Contact.

Year 3

Our integrated unit in Term 2 is Australia - Our Land.

Year 4

Oasis Camp

We are looking forward to our Year 4 Camp at Oasis Camp in Mount Evelyn from Wednesday 31 May to Friday 2 June.

Recyclables Collection

Thank you to those Year 4 families who have collected and delivered recycled items such as juice, milk or soft drink bottle caps (please wash them), cardboard tubes, and small cardboard boxes (no bigger than a biscuit box) this week. We will use them in our integrated science unit on forces this term.

Health & P.E.

Senior School Inter-School Sport

Years 5 and 6 students are participating in the Senior School Inter-School Sport Winter program on Fridays from 9am to 11am. The program is from 28 April to 16 June (not 5 and 12 May).

Students are competing in AFL, Soccer, Teeball, Netball, Ultimate Frisbee, Bootball and Lawn Bowls in the Winter competition. Students have had the opportunity to select the sport they will play.

Volunteers Needed!

We are in great need of assistance to help with the inter-school sport program. If you have a current Working with Children Check, please email me if you can help – monique.hocking@education.vic.gov.au

SSV U12 AFL Selection

Nathan G participated in School Sport Victoria's selection trial for the U12 AFL team on Wednesday 3 May.

Hi, I'm Nathan and I love playing sport. I was really fortunate to get an opportunity to go to the school state football trials for representing our school and state for AFL.

It was very hard going against 180 other children with only 24-30 places available.

We were divided into four groups and played four games in various positions for around two hours. I felt I played well, and I am really happy with how I went.

It was a great experience, with all the other good players.

I'd like to say to everyone reading that if you have a passion, put your mind and energy into it and give everything a go.

I was unsuccessful gaining a spot on the team this time, but the experience was great.

Go for it!

Nathan

EMR Tennis

Tihana R and Max O represented the Monash Waverley Division at the Eastern Metropolitan Region tennis carnival on Friday 5 May at the North Ringwood Tennis Club.

It has been most enjoyable watching Tihana’s and Max’s matches throughout the district, division, and region events. They displayed amazing sportsmanship and always tried their best. They should be extremely proud of their achievements and the way they represented Essex Heights Primary School.

Monique Hocking

On 5th May I played at region tennis. I played four matches against year 6 children. I won my first three matches, quite easily. The last match was a tough one and I lost two games on a sudden death deuce. I hope I do better next year, but I tried my hardest. Thanks to my parents, Mrs Hocking and Mr Perini for cheering me on during my matches. Max

At region I won three matches really well, but I lost my last one. Only the top person in each pool went onto finals. I came second and was proud of my efforts. Thank you to my parents for supporting me. Also, thanks to Mr Perini & Mrs Hocking for coming to watch my matches. Tihana

House Cross Country

Congratulations to all of the children in Years 3 to 6 who participated in the House Cross Country on Friday 5 May. It was great to watch all students competing so successfully for their House and aiming for their personal best. It was a great team effort.

The individual top 10 results for Year 3 students running 1km were:

Year 3 Girls: Jacqueline L, Anaaya G, Nika D, Grace C, Sienna C, Amali C, Mahta K, Lily J, Mira N, Zoe B.

Year 3 Boys: Ethan T, William L, Reece X, Tejas K, Tanush R, Ben Y, Allen A, Vincent J, Connor A, Toby P.

The following students have qualified to compete at the Mulgrave District Cross Country at Mirrabooka Reserve in Blackburn South on Wednesday 24 May:

Girls 9/10yo age group (2km): Emmeline R, Amiya S, Lauren N, Sophia C, Isla W, Nilani S, Eva P, Keira H, Olivia M, Gianna X, Neave A, Sophie L, Ruby M, Illary S, Isabelle C, Elisa W

Boys 9/10yo age group (2km): Ryan W, Jayan C, Damon H, Mavi A, Ryder S, Marcus O, Kenan J, Deric F, Nick N, Cooper D, Divesh K, Jeremy P, Mason F, Aiden S, Caleb F, Parker S

Girls 11yo age group (3km): Zerrin A, Georgia A, Emily A, Irene G, Chloe C, Kavya J, Eva H, Raelynn C, Ayla J, Isabelle N, Olivia C, Alexandra K, Ayana R, Ruby W, Mila R, Hannah K

Boys 11yo age group (3km): Arnav G, Zach P, Rohan S, Kirin S, Ethan F, Manuka S, Eamon L, Jay C, Yul L, Rami P, Zachary N, Santhosh P, Grithaav G, Shihao H, Max O, James A

Girls 12/13yo age group (3km): Angela C, Ashley D, Aaliyah S, Michelle C, Xiaoao L, Lina S, Daisy D, Lola T, Diya H, Sherry Z, Ruby L, Alejandra G, Ellie F, Gisele A, Liv A, Tihana R

Boys 12/13yo age group (3km): Nathan G, Hardu S, Donnie R, Edrich S, Japun S, Talie G, Lachlan W, Robin K, Jerry Z, Ian G, Joshua W, Kirk A, Jayden T, Lucas C, Rehaan G, Dylan H, Rickson B

Event information for qualifying students has been published on Compass. Consent and payment of $10 is due now and not later than 22 May.

The House results were:

1st – Lindsay – 612
2nd – Boyd – 560
3rd – Nolan – 526
4th – DRYSDALE – 499

CONGRATULATIONS to all students in LINDSAY HOUSE.

Thank you to all the staff who assisted with the House Cross Country. A huge thanks to the following parents who helped marshall on the track: Jayme Smyth, Jenni Dowling, Kaushik Rangparia, Cindy Wood, Kenea Dhillon, Jonna Tse, Brad Aisbett, Tingyu Zhang, Sam Watson, Jack Si, Katherine Pryde, Ivy Le, Michelle Pariat and Karen Granig.

Your support is greatly appreciated as without your assistance we wouldn’t be able to run such events!

Wonder Recycling Rewards

We are currently participating in the Wonder Recycling Rewards program. This fun and easy program was created to collect and recycle bread bags. Our recycling efforts will earn rewards points for our school that can be redeemed for new sports equipment from RH Sports. Bring your clean bread bags (they don't have to be Wonder Brand) to school, and leave them in a collection box by Friday 7 July. There are two collection boxes - one in the Office reception and one in the Stadium.

Years 3 to 6 House Athletics

All Years 3 to 6 students will compete in their House at the House Athletics on Tuesday 6 June at the Bill Sewart Athletics Track in Burwood East. Students are asked to wear their house colours for this event; all clothing items should allow your child to be SunSmart, warm, and to move freely.

Details have been published on Compass. Consent and payment of $10 is due now and not later than 4 June.

Qualifying students will compete at the Mulgrave District Athletics Carnival on Monday 31 July.

Music

At Essex Heights we are very proud of our comprehensive music program which includes exciting concerts and many special events.

Come and join the ‘Friends of Music’ volunteers to support the Music Department with performances, excursions, administration and more. Any amount of support helps. We’d love you to come and join us to make some musical moments for our students.

To express your interest in volunteering, please complete this Google Form.

Students in Year 6 have been learning to play the Liberian song "Banuwa" on xylophones, glockenspiels and marimbas during their classroom music lessons. You can find the song here:

Use the ‘Ask Me’ sheet below to reinforce your child’s musical understanding at home. You can use these questions to prompt your child to show you what they have been learning in their music lessons.

For your diary: our whole school music celebration Showcase will be held on Friday 27 October at Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University.

Jessica Wynne

Indonesian

Sayembara Lisan Indonesian Speaking Competition

On Friday 26 May selected students will participate in the annual Indonesian Speaking Competition, Sayembara Lisan. The competition will be conducted online this year, and is a chance for our students to showcase their Indonesian speaking skills. Students will need to answer questions in Indonesian, and either recite a poem, song or talk about an image, depending on their year level.

Practice sessions for participating students are being held at lunchtime on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Amanda Tait & Grace John

ArtSEL

Prep to Years 2 students are undertaking ArtSEL (Art through Social Emotional Learning) lessons each week in Semester 1. Following are our areas of focus in weeks 2 and 3.

Prep

Week 3: We Feel Feelings in Our Bodies

You can use physical clues in your body to identify your feelings.
All your feelings are natural.
It is important to talk to a grown-up when you feel worried.

Week 4: Managing Frustration

Feelings vary in strength.
Feelings that are strong need to be managed.
Saying “stop” and naming your feelings are ways to begin to calm down.

Year 1

Week 3: Calming Down Anger

Belly breathing calms down strong feelings.
Belly breathing pushes the belly out when you breathe in.
Being mean or hurting others when you are angry is not okay.

Week 4: Managing Worry

Counting is an effective way to calm down.
The ways to calm down can help students manage worry.
Talking to a grown-up helps when you are worried.

Year 2

Week 3: Managing Anxious Feelings

Negative self-talk can make strong feelings even stronger.
When you feel really worried and anxious about something, calming down helps.
Using positive self-talk can help you calm down.

Week 4: Managing Anger

Everyone feels angry sometimes, but hurting other people’s feelings or bodies is not okay.
It’s important to calm down angry feelings so you don’t do something hurtful.
Being assertive is a respectful way to get what you want or need.

Nikki Olsen

ArtSEL Coordinator

Junior School Council

JSC Incursion