Infants and Primary

Primary Learning

Year 5/6

Biodiversity Excursion

On Friday 14 June, our Year 5/6 participated in a trip to a farm between Frogmore and Wyangala Dam for a biodiversity field study, along with other students from local schools. The trip was arranged by Pretaurus Education, and completed our unit of work on biodiversity, conservation and living things in science and geography. We explored the land, collected specimens from the land to study, learnt about Indigenous Australians connection to the land, studied animals traits, habits and habitats, and classified living and non-living things and their place in the food-web. It was a fantastic experience working with scientists and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust in hands-on activities.

History with Mrs Hoy

During this term 5/6 have been learning about Aboriginal History from ancient times to the present day. The children have looked at the treatment of Aboriginal people by the early settlers, the push for Aboriginal rights last century which included the "The Freedom Riders' and the cultural and social contributions made by Aboriginal people. To complete this unit they will be researching and then reporting back to the class on one Aboriginal person in Week 10.

Athletics Carnival

The infants and primary students had a fanatstic time at the Athletics Carnival. We were very pleased to be a part of the whole school carnival, and enjoyed being cheered on by the secondary school students. Mrs Proudford and Miss Morris had the younger children busily running, jumping and throwing, all with plenty of smiles and laughter. The older children completed all of their events with great effort and a fantastic attitude. All of the hard work they had put in through their weekly PDHPE lessons really helped out, as there were a few records broken too, some even dating back to 1988!

We would like to thanks all of the staff and parents for their help, support and assistance in running the full school carnival. We look forward to next year already!

Jason Stuart l Relieving Assistant Principal (Primary)

Year 3/4

Anthropomorphism in action

Year 3/4 are learning how fairy tale writers often give animals human characteristics. Think about the three Little Pigs, the Wolf in Red Riding Hood and the cat in Puss in Boots, all very cunning animals that plot and plan like people to get what they want sometimes out of human characters or out of other animals.

It is a writing technique that has continued through the ages and will be well known by the student’s grandparents and parents. In class students learn about the best words to describe the character’s and attitudes of these animals and also learn how to act out stereotypical actions of these characters.

Art

Students have attempted water colour drawings of a teacup, trying for accuracy in line shape and detail.

In another task, students made choices about shape and colour to produce painted imaginary creatures. The backgrounds were sponged in contrasting colours to make the creatures stand out.

Maths

Students have looked at their times tables and the language of multiplication including factors, multiples and square numbers.

They have worked on various mental strategies to multiply 2 digit x 1 digit numbers. They are now moving on to division.

English

In our fairytale English unit, students have worked on several written tasks including a description of the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and a sequel to Jack and the Beanstalk which involved climbing the beanstalk again.

The class has looked at plot character and setting.

Science with Mrs Hoy

This term 3/4 have been learning about Living Things. They have been working on a unit called 'Feathers, Fur and Leaves'. The children have investigated the characteristics of living and non-living things, the distinguishing features of animals and plants and how to classify animals and plants into groups. They have engaged in animal and plant research and enjoyed playing 'Living Things Who Am I?' games.

Mrs Harpley/Year 3/4 Teacher

Infants Learning

Uniform

We encourage all students to wear their full school uniform to school everyday. We have included an outline of our uniform policy in this newsletter please encourage you children to be in uniform. If there is a valid reason for your child to be out of uniform please send a note explaining this.

Infants' Excursion

This year Infants classes will be going to see a performance of 'Possum Magic' at the Canberra Theatre. The excursion is not until the 6th September (late next term) and notes will not be coming home until next term. The cost will be $42 per student. We are informing families at this early stage to help with budgeting for next term. We like to see all students participate as it is a wonderful opportunity to see a live performance and teachers focus teaching in the lead up to the excursion around the story and follow up learning is done after the performance.

Reports

Reports will go home next week and parent/teacher interviews will be held in the final week of term. This year we will move to an online booking process for interviews. A note will come home explaining the process shortly. We hope to see as many parents as possible meeting with teachers.

Mrs Peta Proudford l Assistant Principal (Infants)

Year 1

We have been having an exciting term focusing on Choosing Learning. Trying to complete our work on time and letting our friends finish theirs.

In Literacy, after reading about a tree house full of tricks, traps and toys, Year 1 has been thinking and writing about what they would include in their ideal house. They have been doing a wonderful job starting to use dictionaries and word walls to help them spell new words.

In Maths, students have been using lots of hands on activities to explore the division of objects into equal groups and into fractions. Some experiences have been hands on and messy such as creating fractions using play dough, which left a smile on many a face and glitter in many a child’s hands. But we have also been using counters and numbers to equally share and record divisions into 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 groups.

Year 1 had some seedlings in our classroom that we were watching grow in science. The plants got so tall, that in gardening last week, we needed to plant them in the Agriculture plot! Year 1 is now excited to keep monitoring their growth and see if they are going to grow any beans for us.

Year 1 had a marvellous time at the Athletics carnival with their friends. Every child participated in their races and other events including hurdles, shot put, discus and bean bag throws. The highlight was definitely the dress up relays.

We are all looking forward to our next fortnight of working towards our learning goals.

Miss Sarah Morris | Year 1 Teacher

Library at Lunchtimes

As the days become colder students may come to the Library at lunchtimes and join in with board games or take advantage of the reading and learning spaces. We have many new student recommended books and are continually updating resources for your enjoyment.

All students are welcome.

Mrs Eustace l Teacher Librarian