Term 2

End of Term 2

We would like to welcome Catelyn, Charlie, Dara, Daniyal, Aaron, Vihoo, Mohamed and Mahad, who have started with us during the term . We look forward to getting to know these little people and wish them every success at Concord School.

What unpredictable times we are experiencing. Everything seemed to be back on track when we were struck by another lockdown. Despite the “Here we go again feeling” everyone once again pulled together to get us through. Even though remote and flexible learning unfortunately is nothing new. the focus was to make remote and flexible learning as easy as possible whilst activities that were engaging and supportive. I hope that this was achieved. 

I would like to thank you, our parents, for the integral role that you played in assisting your child with their learning. Students, parents and teachers were excited to be back onsite at the end of week 8 and despite some minor operational restrictions we quickly resumed where we left off. Lower Primary is looking forward to finishing the term AND the rest of the year onsite!

Community Achievements

Well done to Rin and Levi for great extra-curricular achievements outside of school. Rin has attained her 10th Kyu in Karate. Rin’s passion for Karate came about through remote learning when she participated in Karate classes as a part of the Physical Education program online. She then joined the Japanese Karate association Northern Suburb branch and was graded by the Head of the association on the 17th of May. A very proud moment for her family and her Sensei Mark. 

Levi has also achieved a yellow belt in Taekwondo which he has been working towards for some time. Levi attends the Story Martial Arts club instructed by Sensei Adam. Another proud moment for Levi’s family and club. Levi enjoyed sharing his achievement with LPD.

Our Community

As the unit, ”Our Community” comes to an end I have to say I have been impressed by the interest our students have shown in this topic and the way they have shared their learning with teachers and classmates. There were so many interesting activities to explore and to stimulate students’ curiosity and learning and the photos, project books, movie making, art works and general discussion reflect just how much students have learnt. It is a topic that our students were able to make real life connections to as they particularly related to the work our police, firemen, doctors, nurses and paramedics do. Unfortunately the ability of these first responders to visit the school  as they usually do, was impacted by COVID restrictions so we relied on listening to stories, watching video clips, role play and dress up activities to develop and reinforce understanding of the jobs these people do. 

The Discovery Centre also played a role in supporting this knowledge by providing highly engaging and fun ways to investigate the topic further. Students had so much fun dressing up as a favourite community helper and posing in front of the green screen with workplace backgrounds. The highlight for some was handcuffing their teachers and taking them to jail.

You can watch the Community Helpers movie created by students of LPA, LPB and LPC on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNYxsFFU-hc

Concord Café

To extend and strengthen links within our own school community, the Concord Café service came to Lower Primary.  The Café is run by our Year 11/12 students and selected students brought items that had been made in the Café such as biscuits or muffins to Lower Primary. These students were responsible for setting up the food trolley and selling items to our students for $1. It was great to see these 11/12 students interact with the little ones and to show their developing service skills. On the other hand, Lower Primary students were able to practise asking for items and to exchange money for their choices to further develop their money skills. The special treats were certainly a hit at Lower Primary.

National Reconciliation Week

As part of Reconciliation week, students were involved in activities to foster an early understanding about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and to better understand how we can all build positive relationships together. 

Students watched video clips, listened to stories and completed art and craft works to reflect their understanding of these. Some of our older students used writing to reflect their understanding of what Reconciliation week meant to them. 

https://www.abc.net.au/abckids/shows/play-school/walking-together/13341094

NEWS FROM AROUND THE CLASSROOMS

During National Reconciliation week LPA, LPB and LPC immersed themselves in engaging activities to support their understanding of what 'National Sorry Day' is and the importance of it. Painting was a favourite activity for many of the students where they painted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. They thoroughly enjoyed painting the colours of the flag onto their hands and then creating a handprint on their work. These activities have been used to create wonderful displays throughout their classrooms. 

This semester in Integrated Studies LPD, LPE & LPF focused on ‘Our Community’. Throughout this unit we explored our local and wider communities and looked at the different roles and responsibilities individuals have. 

The students learnt about expected behaviours within the community and practised walking as a group, crossing roads and following teacher instructions in preparation for  our excursion to the Watsonia Library. The students walked to the Watsonia Library where they sang and danced along to different songs and they also listened to animal stories.

After the excursion, the students walked back to school, where we completed a follow up activity. Everyone enjoyed the visit to the library and were able to demonstrate the skills they developed whilst out in the community.

LPG, LPH and LPI have enjoyed descriptive writing this term. We have based our writing around language experiences including making soap, autumn craft, smelly rainbows, fruit animals and textured hot air balloons. We have used Aided Language Displays (ALDs) to help us describe our experiences. We have described by colour, shape, texture, sound and taste. We also created class ALDs to expand on our descriptive language and prompted oral language by having every student contribute. We used our descriptive words within sentences as a class and also on our own. We presented our descriptive drawings and writing to our class friends.

This term the students in LPJ and LPK have continued their exploration into “Our Community” and explored the occupations of shop keeper, builder and post office worker.

The calm room once again was transformed into a hands on play space, which allowed students to be exposed to specific vocabulary and develop their language through play.

Nicole the speech therapist, continued to support the students to do this during small group work. Later on in the term, LPJ visited the Discovery Centre where they explored ‘Cardboard City’, and had the opportunity to dress up as their favourite community helpers and have photos taken in the green screen room.

DRUG EDUCATION

Lower Primary students took part in the Drug Education Unit this term as part of their Social Competencies program. 

Different classes looked at….

• What it looks like and feels like to be sick compared to feeling well. Doctor’s kits and dolls were used to reinforce this concept through exploratory play.
• Who you can tell if you are sick at school, at home and in the community.
• Different forms of medicine and where the medicine is administered on the body.
• Where the medicine goes once it enters the body.

 All students worked hard throughout the unit and had a great time using anatomical models of the body, dolls and empty medicine containers to increase their knowledge. 

LIBRARY

Lower Primary students learnt about Australian animals in the library this term. We listened to a variety of non-fiction, fiction, and multimodal texts to find out facts about the unique and interesting animals that live in Australia. We have also enjoyed making some of these animals out of craft and displaying them on the library wall. Students were very excited to have a visit from Wildlife Xposure. The children were mesmerised and interested to see a wide range of animals up close and personal.

Physical Education 

This term during our weekly Physical Education classes we have been busy in the gym working on a range of skills for different year levels. Some of these skills included the fundamental motor skills of catch, kick, ball bounce and forehand strike. The students have enjoyed being immersed in their focussed skills. 

Sessions begin with a skill based warm up, moving onto targeted drills and games to practise and break down components and then a cool down activity. LPJ and LPK have enjoyed ball handling skills with emphasis on rolling and have begun learning how to jump using two feet. A highlight for them has been working cooperatively with the parachute as a group. Lots of musical activities and games have been enjoyed.  Last but not least we end the session with awarding hearts for following rules, remaining active and focussed in class and for displaying good sportsmanship. 

Swimming

With many interruptions to the swimming program in the second half of this term  we have not been able to run the program with any consistency which is a real shame because it is a highly valuable and much loved program.  

LPA and LPD were lucky to attend all six lessons where they have worked on skills of water familiarisation, safety, breathing, kicking and basic stroke development. LPE and LPF have only just begun their swimming block which is to be continued at the beginning of Term 3. 

Bike Education

Several classes have enjoyed participating in the Bike Education program this term where they were given the opportunity to work in small groups. A wide range of bikes catering for all abilities is used and I have recently added two new bikes to our collection.  The main aim is for students to be confident in riding a bike/tricycle, to build independence and safe riding practices. 

Students were assisted at their own level and work on skills such as pedaling, steering, maintaining focus on the road, steering, scanning, manoeuvring, turning and braking.  Some students even had a go at riding over an uneven surface which was thoroughly enjoyed!

Above all Bike Education builds fitness, stamina, resilience, is a way to promote a healthy lifestyle and learn about road safety whilst engaging in physical activity and having some fun. 

Performing Arts Program 

As part of Performing Arts and Education Week, students participated in an African Drumming incursion. Students learnt about West African music, dance, and culture with presenter, Appiah. He shared his musical talents with the students playing the Kora, an African lute instrument, and drumming out beats and rhythms on the Djembe, a West African hand drum. Students danced and sang to songs and played djembes with the instruction of the presenter. 

Visual Arts 

As part of the Process Art unit, students had the opportunity to express themselves through art choices. A favourite lesson of many of the students was designing their own paintbrush using natural and man-made materials. They had to select materials for the handle and bristles and find a solution to attach these two parts together. The students enjoyed exploring the different patterns and effects their paintbrush would make when using acrylic paint. Each paintbrush was unique and they found it interesting comparing the similarities and differences of their paintings. 

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Throughout Semester 1, the Preps and Year 1 students have participated in weekly sessions of the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP). This is a gross motor program where students develop their balance, core strength, hand eye coordination, and motor planning skills. They are encouraged to try their best and we have seen them get stronger and more confident every week. The students have enjoyed exploring different equipment and trying new activities- the scooter board is a favourite for many students!

As you can see, there are so many programs and activities that support, engage and challenge our students learning. They have all worked hard to achieve both academically and socially and this is reflected in the individual student reports I am reading at present. I know that you will see this achievement when you read your child’s report that will come home to you after the holiday break. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

A big pat on the back to all the wonderful Lower Primary students and staff. I am very proud of you all and look forward to a happy and productive, on site term 3.

Happy Holidays and stay safe,

Kath Moore

Campus Principal