Classroom News

Foundation Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
Wow! Week 4 already! The last few weeks have been a big one for our Prep kids as they’ve been busy learning new routines, completing assessments, and exploring lots of new learning. There have been some very tired little humans (early nights recommended!), but also so much joy, curiosity, and fun as they continue to settle into school life.
Below are some important dates to keep an eye out for, a few reminders and updates, and of course, some very cute photos of our Preps in their element, learning, playing, and being their wonderful selves.
Date | Event |
| Wednesday, 18th February | Meet and Greets |
| Thursday, 26th February | Sibling Photos |
| Friday, 27th February | Curriculum Day (No School) |
| Monday, 11th March | Team Building Incursion |
| Thursday, 2nd April | Last Day of Term 1 |
Personal Histories Information
Just a reminder to please complete and return the Personal Histories sheet in your child’s homework folder, along with two photos, one of your child as a baby and one of your whole family by Monday 23rd February. Please ensure your child’s name is written on the back of each photo. Photos should be handed directly to your child’s teacher and not shown to other students.
Homework
A reminder that new homework activities are added each Monday, along with a new book featuring the sounds and words your child has been learning throughout the week.
Team Building Incursion
Our Prep students will soon participate in an engaging Team Building incursion designed to develop essential skills for working together. Through a range of fun and interactive activities, students will have the opportunity to:
- Express their reasoning and problem-solving ideas
- Strengthen communication skills
- Practice conflict resolution
- Collaborate effectively with their peers
They will also be introduced to key team-building vocabulary and simple strategies to structure and enhance their thinking. This incursion aims to support our students in becoming confident, thoughtful, and cooperative learners.
Learning in class!
Warmest regards,
Tegan Cochrane, Renee Kociski, Ashleigh Smith and Vanessa Stimar
Foundation Teachers
Year 1 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Year 1 Parents and Caregivers,
Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next few weeks.
Important Dates to Remember:
| Date | Reminder |
| Week 5: | |
| Wednesday 25th February | Grade 1 and 2 Assembly |
| Thursday 26th February | Sibling School Photos |
| Friday 27th February | Curriculum Day |
| Week 6/7: | |
| Monday 9th March | Labour Day Public Holiday |
| Wednesday 11th March | Foundation to Grade 2 Assembly |
Numeracy: Maths Games In Numeracy, students have been learning to add and subtract numbers within 20. They have also been learning to play addition fluency games such as ‘Get out of my House’.
|
Literacy: Expert Answering In Literacy, students are reading the text ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’, and have been learning how to retell a story using Colourful Semantics (who, what, when and where). They also have been learning how to write expert answers to a range of questions based on the text they have read.
|
Wellbeing: Zones of Regulation In Wellbeing, students have been exploring their emotions through the Zones of Regulation. They have been identifying a range of different feelings, and have been creating a toolbox of strategies to help them regulate their feelings at school.
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Kind Regards,
Year 1 Team
Caroline Morrison, Rosie Robinson, Grace Vaelioja and Alison Sparks
Year 2 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Year 2 Parents and Caregivers,
Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks.
Important Dates to Remember:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Friday 20th February | District Swimming Carnival (select entry) |
| Thursday 26th February | Sibling Photos |
Maths: Addition Students learnt the split method to add two numbers together and learnt to play different maths games so we could practice our skills.
|
Writing: Sentence Writing We have been practicing turning fragments into whole sentences by making sure we include a subject, a verb and boundary punctuation. We have added interest to our writing by using descriptive language and conjunctions.
|
Year 2 Sounds Write: We have been practicing reading and writing polysyllabic words. We have also reviewed all the different spellings for ‘ee’, ‘a’ and ‘d’ sounds.
|
Kind regards,
Daniel Lewis, Thilini Marasinghe, Zhuang Bian, Rebeca Gomes
Year 2 Teachers
Year 3 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
Welcome back to Toorak Primary School. It has been really fantastic to see the students settle back into the classroom and take great responsibility and care in their learning so far.
We thought it would be beneficial to outline a few of the important dates for this year, and curriculum content for this term. Below is an overview of important dates for Term 1. There will be possible updates or new dates added to Compass as the term progresses:
Date | Event |
| Tuesday, 24th February | Project Rockit (Wellbeing Incursion) |
| Thursday, 26th February | Sibling Photos |
| Friday, 27th February | Curriculum Day |
| Thursday, 5th March | 3-6 Swimming Carnival |
| Monday, 9th March | Labour Day Public Holiday |
| Thursday, 2nd April | Last Day of Term 1 |
Year 3 Timetable- Please note, Year 3-6 Assembly will now be every second Wednesday afternoon.
Our Learning Programme
Numeracy
This term in Mathematics, we will be exploring concepts from the Victorian Curriculum strands: Number and Measurement. In Number, students will focus on whole numbers, which will involve reading and interpreting numbers to 10,000 and beyond, addition and subtraction within 1000, and a recap on multiplication and division before their NAPLAN assessments. In Measurement we will explore length where we will measure and compare lengths in centimeters and metres.
Literacy
In Writing, students will be focussing on narratives. We will explicitly teach the skills of planning a narrative, and the elements that need to be part of a story. Students will learn the difference between simple, compound and complex sentences, as well as how to expand their sentences using adjectives and adverbs. Students will be provided with a clear model text to outline expectations and will be innovating on the model text to write their own.
In Reading, students will be reading the novel The Winds in The Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Students will explore new vocabulary, learn how to comprehend literal, inferential and evaluative information. Lessons will include a range of discussion and written answers to allow the students to gain a deep understanding of characters, setting and themes.
In Spelling, students will be learning about the spelling rules that govern the English Language through Orton-Ghillingham sessions. These sessions include learning spelling rules, word reading and spelling using sound banks, syllabification and dictation. They will also be exploring the morphology of words and will have a weekly focus of morphemes that have a Greek or Latin origin.
Wellbeing
In Wellbeing, students will discuss school rules and expectations based around our School Wide Positive Behaviour Matrix. Expectations and rules will be based around the school values. Cyber safety will be one of the priorities of Term 1 as students are beginning to use their laptops and need to learn how to use these safely. Other areas of focus will include bullying, racism and respecting each other, regardless of differences.
Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS)
In HASS, students will be exploring different habitats and the organisms that live within them. Some of the habitats are a deciduous forest, tropical rainforest and the desert.
We will explore certain traits and adaptations organisms have in order to survive in these conditions. Later in the term students will do a deeper dive into animal and plant life cycles.
Homework Expectations
We understand that everyone has a busy after school schedule with sporting and extra-curricular activities, so we do not aim to set mountains of extra work for the students each night. We will however, have the expectation that students complete small tasks each week to build their time management and organisational skills. Homework will be handed out on a Friday and returned on a Friday.
Homework
Mental Maths: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
These tasks should be able to be completed independently. If your child is unsure of how to answer a question, please ask them to circle it and move on.
5 minutes of Times Table Rockstars/ Numbots to build fluency.
Reading: nightly reading for 20 minutes. The page numbers and time read needs to be
recorded in the back of the student's homework book and signed by a parent/ carer.
Camp
Camp will be in Term 4. Further information about camp will come closer to the date.
Healthy Eating and Allergies
In line with the Toorak Primary School's Healthy Eating Policy, which can be found on the school website, we will be encouraging students to bring healthy snacks for their recess and lunch breaks. At 9.50am everyday, students will have the opportunity to have a fruit snack where they can have a piece of fruit or vegetables. We would greatly appreciate it if you could support us from your end. We also ask that students do not share their lunches or recess snacks.
Phones/Devices
As part of Toorak Primary School’s Mobile Phone Policy, students are required to hand in mobile devices or smart watches that receive messages and calls at the beginning of the school day (including those that can be turned on school mode). Teachers will lock these devices up securely and will return them at the end of the day. Students have been asked not to have their devices out on school grounds, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
Laptops will be required everyday. Please assist your child to ensure that their device is coming to school fully charged each day.
Bell Times
- Start of Day: 8:55am
- End of Day: 3.30pm
At the beginning of each day, we will share information and go through the day's schedule. In order for your child to know what is going on and receive important notices, please ensure that they are at school on time.
School Uniforms
All students are required to wear a hat when participating in outdoor activities in Term 1 and 4. Students will be required to sit in the shade for the duration of lunch if they do not have a hat at school.
Students are encouraged to wear their House polo tops on a Friday. They can also wear these polo tops to House Sports days. On whole-school Gala Days, we ask that their Toorak Primary School t-shirt is worn.
For students with hair below the shoulders, it will need to be tied up. Students are not permitted to wear jewellery (only small earrings and watches are allowed).
Please do not hesitate to contact us, should you need any further information or clarification. We are really looking forward to working with you and your children this year, and think it is going to be a fantastic year.
Thank you,
Cassie Wilson, Harrison Yardney, Lauren Ely
Year 4 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Year 4 Parents and Caregivers,
Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks. Please ensure you have completed this Google Form, if you have not already:
Swimming Abilities (Year 4 2026)
| Date | Reminder |
| Week 4: | |
| Friday 20th Feb | District Swimming (select students) |
| Week 5: | |
| Tuesday 24th Feb | Project Rockit Wellbeing Incursion (12.30pm) |
| Thursday 26th Feb | Sibling Photos |
| Friday 27th Feb | Curriculum Day (Pupil Free Day) |
| Week 6: | |
| Thursday 5th March | Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival. If you are available to assist as a parent helper for the day, we would greatly appreciate your support. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher. |
Maths: Maths Games Students are learning to apply their multiplication number fact knowledge to a partner math game called ‘Multiplication Squares’.
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Reading: Novel Study Students have been engaging in their class novel, ‘Nim’s Island’. We are loving the adventures of Nim, Selkie (the sealion) and Fred (the marine iguana)!
|
HASS: Cultures in Our Classrooms Students have been learning about geography during our HASS unit. They have created culture jars showing which cultures they are part of and what things make them who they are.
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Kind Regards,
Year 4 Team
Sam Pallas, Katie Smith, Tim Maclachlan and Jessica De Angelis
Year 5 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
Welcome back to Toorak Primary School for an exciting start to 2026! It has been wonderful to see our students return with such enthusiasm, settling smoothly into their classrooms and demonstrating impressive responsibility and care in their learning already.
As we begin the year, we would like to share some key information with you, including important dates for the year ahead and an overview of the curriculum focus for this term.
Below is a snapshot of important Term 1 dates. Please note that additional events or updates may be added to Compass as the term progresses, so be sure to check regularly for the latest information.
Key Dates |
| Week 4 |
Tuesday, 17th February: School Photos Wednesday, 18th February: Parent teacher conferences Friday 20th February: Division Swimming Carnival (selected students) |
| Week 5 |
Thursday, 26th February: Sibling Photos Friday, 27th February: Curriculum day |
| Week 6 |
| Thursday 5th March: 3-6 House Swimming Carnival |
| Week 7 |
Monday 9th March: Labour Day Public Holiday Wednesday 11th March: 20th March: NAPLAN - Specific testing dates TBA |
| Week 8 |
| Wednesday 11th March: 20th March: NAPLAN - Specific testing dates TBAFriday 20th March- T-Ball gala day |
| Week 9 |
| Tuesday 24th March: Science incursion (Animal Adaptations) |
| Week 10 |
| Friday 2nd April: Last Day of Term 1 2:30pm finish |
Important Days to Remember:
| Monday | 5A: French and Art 5B: French and Music |
| Tuesday | Library |
| Wednesday | 5A: Music 5B: PE Assembly 2:55pm |
| Thursday | 5A: PE 5B: Art |
| Friday | Grade 5 Sport |
We would also like to encourage all students to bring their devices and headphones everyday, fully charged, so that they are prepared for lessons that do require a device.
Our Learning Programme
Numeracy
This term in Mathematics, we will be focussing on Number and Algebra and Measurement and Geometry. In Number and Algebra, students will focus on whole number knowledge. This will include numbers to a million, approximation and estimation, factors and multiples, prime or composite numbers and number patterns. In Measurement, we will focus on length, mass and volume/ capacity. We will embed these concepts within problem solving to deepen the student's understanding.
Literacy
In Writing, students will be exposed to both narrative and persuasive text types in preparation for NAPLAN. Students will gain knowledge through explicitly taught sentence structure. They will consolidate their understanding of sentence types and will understand the difference between simple, compound and complex sentences. Students will learn how to apply their knowledge of complex sentences and how to use commas to enhance their writing.
In Reading, students will be learning about the Maya, Inca and Aztec Civilisations, through our Core Knowledge text. Students will explore vocabulary, learn how to comprehend a complex text and will apply their knowledge to questions about the text. Lessons will include a range of discussion and written answers to allow the students a deep understanding of the ancient civilisations.
In Spelling, students will be learning about the spelling rules that govern the English Language through Orton-Ghillingham sessions. These sessions include learning spelling rules, word reading and spelling using sound banks, syllabification and dictation. They will also be exploring the morphology of words and will have a weekly focus of morphemes that have a Greek or Latin origin.
Wellbeing
In Wellbeing, students will be focussing on recognising positive, negative and mixed emotions. They will be exploring intense emotions and character strengths. Students will also be involved in the BounceBack program which is a social emotional program that explores resilience and bullying. We will be looking at the definition of bullying, self-protection and responding to being bullied.
Science
In Science, students are learning about biological sciences. Students will be looking at both plants and animals and the way that they adapt to various environments to ensure survival. They will participate in both theory lessons where they will learn important background information, and will also take part in a range of experiments to gain a deep understanding of concepts.
As part of the student's assessment, they will be required to create a diorama in class. These will be created toward the end of the term. Please bring in a shoe box (or more than one) over the next few weeks, so students can be prepared for the end of term activity.
Homework Expectations
We understand that everyone has a busy after school schedule with sporting and extra-curricular activities, so we do not aim to set mountains of extra work for the students each night. We will however, have the expectation that students complete small tasks each week. This is to build organisational and time management skills which will be vital to students in high school, and later in life.
Mental Maths: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. These tasks should be able
to be completed independently. (They are meant to be easy as this is just practice not learning new concepts)
Reading: nightly reading for 20 minutes. The title of the book needs to be
recorded in the student's homework books and signed by a parent/ carer
Camp
Lord Somers Camp
Camp will be held in Term 4 this year. It will run from the 20th-22nd of October at Lord Somers Camp. Further information will follow.
Healthy Eating/Allergies
In line with the Toorak Primary School's Healthy Eating Policy, which can be found on the school website, we will be encouraging students to bring healthy snacks for their recess and lunch breaks. At 10am everyday, students will have the opportunity to have a fruit snack where they can have a piece of fruit or vegetables. We would greatly appreciate it if you could support us from your end. We also ask that students do not share their lunches or recess snacks.
Within our cohort we have a child who is anaphylactic to nuts, and therefore Year 5 will be a nut free zone. (NO nuts in Y5 2026)
Phones/Devices
As part of Toorak Primary School’s Mobile Phone Policy, students are required to hand in mobile devices or smart watches that receive messages and calls at the beginning of the school day. Teachers will lock these devices up securely and will return them at the end of the day. Students have been asked not to have their devices out on school grounds, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
Bell Times
Start of Day: 8:55am
End of Day: 3.30pm
At the beginning of each day, we will share information and go through the day's schedule. In order for your child to know what is going on and receive important notices, please ensure that they are at school on time. Year 5s will have Specialists on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
School Uniforms
All students are required to wear a hat when participating in outdoor activities in Term 1 and 4. Students will be required to sit in the shade for the duration of lunch if they do not have a hat at school.
Students are encouraged to wear their House Shirts on a Friday. They can also wear these shirts to House Sports days. On whole-school Gala Days, we ask that their Toorak Primary School t-shirt is worn.
Please do not hesitate to contact us, should you need any further information or clarification. We are really looking forward to working with you and your children this year, and think it is going to be a fantastic year.
Warmest regards,
Vanessa Burke and Josh Bretherton,
Year 5 Teachers
Year 6 Newsletter - Termly Overview
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
Welcome back to Toorak Primary School! It has been wonderful to see our students settle smoothly into their classrooms and approach their learning with responsibility and care.
To help families stay informed, we’ve outlined some key dates for this year, along with an overview of the curriculum for this term. Please find below the important Term 1 dates. Additional updates or new events will be shared on Compass as the term progresses.
Date | Event |
| Friday, 20th February | District Swimming Carnival (selected students) |
| Thursday, 26th February | Sibling Photos |
| Friday, 27th February | Curriculum Day (Pupil-free) |
| Thursday, 5th March | 3-6 Swimming Carnival |
| Monday, 9th March | Labour Day Public Holiday |
| Monday, 16th - 18th March | Year 6 Camp - Sovereign Hill |
| Friday, 20th March | Tee Ball |
| Thursday, 2nd April | Last Day of Term 1 |
Year 6 Timetable
Please note that the Year 3-6 Assembly will now be every second Wednesday afternoon.
Our Learning Programme
Numeracy
This term in Mathematics, students will focus on key learning from the Victorian Curriculum strands of Number and Measurement and Geometry. They will explore numbers and number patterns, develop their understanding of place value and sequences, and apply this knowledge through mixed operations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students will also learn to identify, measure and classify angles, and investigate transformations, describing how shapes can be moved, flipped, turned and slid. Throughout the term, students will be encouraged to explain their thinking and apply their learning to problem-solving tasks.
Literacy
In Writing, students will focus on persuasive texts, learning how to present clear arguments supported with strong reasons and evidence. They will explore structure, language features and strategies to engage their audience. Students will also learn to form arguments around the 7 Big Ideas: Financial, Health, Education, Environment, Technology, Social Issues, and Rights, using these areas to plan and strengthen their persuasive writing.
In Reading, students will learn about Australia’s government and democracy, as well as Australia’s diverse cultures, including a focus on First Nations communities. Lessons will include discussions and activities to develop comprehension and understanding of these topics.
In Spelling, students will explore prefixes, suffixes and word bases, including re-, em-/en-, -dom, contra, and roots such as therm, demo, jur/jud/just and fin. They will use this knowledge to understand word meanings, spelling patterns, and word structure.
Wellbeing
In Wellbeing, students will focus on recognising positive, negative, and mixed emotions. They will be exploring emotions and character strengths. Students will also explore resilience, bullying and what it means to be an upstander. Students will explore themes of friendship: different friendship styles, how friendships change and how to use positive conflict resolution strategies. They will also participate in cyber safety lessons to build their understanding of how to keep themselves safe online.
History
Our History unit for Term 1 explores the colonisation of Australia and the development of early society. Students will learn about Britain’s colonisation, the establishment of the colony, and the experiences of First Nations communities during this time. They will investigate significant events such as the Gold Rush and the Eureka Stockade, as well as the impact of bushrangers, including the Kelly Gang, on Australian history. This unit will help students understand how Australia’s early history shaped the nation we know today.
Homework Expectations
We understand that students have busy after-school schedules with sporting and extra-curricular activities, so we do not aim to set large amounts of homework each night. However, students are expected to complete small tasks each week to help develop their time management and organisational skills. Homework will be handed out on Monday and is expected to be returned by Friday.
Homework
Mental Maths: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.
These tasks should be able to be completed independently. If your child is unsure of how to answer a question, please ask them to circle it and move on.
Reading: nightly reading for 20 minutes. The page numbers and time read need to be recorded in the back of the student's homework book and signed by a parent/ carer.
Camps
Term 1 - Sovereign Hill Camp
Our Sovereign Hill Camp will take place from Monday, 16th to Wednesday, 18th March. During the camp, students will participate in the Gold Fever and Eureka Story learning programs, exploring life during the Gold Rush and the events leading to the Eureka Stockade. Students will experience hands-on activities, such as panning for gold, interacting with historical reenactments, and discovering what daily life was like in the 19th century. The camp provides a unique opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of Australian history while developing independence, teamwork, and resilience in a fun and immersive environment.
Term 3 - Mount Buller Ski Camp
Ski camp will take place from Wednesday, 5th to Friday, 7th August; more information will be provided in Term 2.
Healthy Eating/Allergies
In line with Toorak Primary School’s Healthy Eating Policy (available on the school website), we encourage students to bring healthy snacks for recess and lunch. Each day at 10 am, students will have the opportunity to enjoy a fruit or vegetable snack. We greatly appreciate your support in reinforcing these healthy choices at home. For safety and hygiene, we also ask that students not share their lunches or recess snacks.
We would like to remind all families that there are students in Year 6 who are at risk of anaphylaxis due to exposure to sesame, peanut, macadamia, pistachio, cashew, and shellfish products. For their safety, we kindly ask that you avoid sending any food containing these ingredients in your child’s lunch or snacks.
Please also take a moment to remind your child of the importance of not sharing food with classmates. While sharing is a kind gesture, it can pose a serious and potentially life-threatening risk to students with anaphylaxis. We greatly appreciate your support in helping keep all students safe.
Phones/Devices
As part of Toorak Primary School’s Mobile Phone Policy, students are required to hand in mobile devices or smart watches that receive messages and calls at the beginning of the school day (including those that can be turned on school mode). Teachers will lock these devices up securely and will return them at the end of the day. Students have been asked not to have their devices out on school grounds, both in the morning and in the afternoon.
Laptops will be required every day. Please assist your child to ensure that their device is coming to school fully charged each day.
Bell Times
- Start of Day: 8:55 am
- End of Day: 3.30 pm
At the start of each day, we will share important information and outline the day’s schedule. To ensure your child is informed and receives all notices, please make sure they arrive at school on time. Year 6 students have Specialist classes on Monday and Thursday mornings, so punctuality for these sessions is especially important.
School Uniforms
All students are required to wear a hat when participating in outdoor activities during SunSmart months (1 September to 30 April). If a student does not have a hat at school, they will be required to sit in the shade for the duration of their break time.
Students are encouraged to wear their House polo top on Friday and on House Sports days. On whole-school Gala Days, students are asked to wear their Toorak Primary School polo top.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like further information. We are very much looking forward to working with you and your children this year and are excited for what promises to be a wonderful year.
Warm regards,
Emma Heron, James Thomas and Natasha Williams
Year 6 Teachers
Specialist Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1 , 2026
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
Below is an outline of our specialist curriculum program for Term 1.
Performing Arts
Music
Choir: This is held each Thursday during lunch in the Music room. The Choir is open to all students in Year 2 and above.
Foundation students will be exploring the concept of beat through a variety of percussion instruments. They will engage in singing, dancing, and body percussion activities to develop their sense of rhythm in an interactive and enjoyable way.
Year 1 students will be introduced to a range of musical instruments while learning to recognize and play different rhythmic patterns. They will develop their pitch through singing and performing a selection of songs.
Year 2 students will focus on recognizing musical notes and rhythms. Through the use of musical instruments, body percussion, and movement, they will enhance their understanding of rhythm and beat. Additionally, they will be introduced to the recorder and learn to play a variety of songs.
Year 3 students will begin learning the ukulele, glockenspiel, drums, and other percussion instruments. They will develop their pitch through singing and will start reading and writing musical notation. As the term progresses, students will be introduced to string instruments, expanding their instrumental skills.
Year 4 students will continue developing their musical abilities through singing, body percussion, and ukulele practice, focusing on learning new chords. Their string instrument studies will also continue, allowing them to refine their technique and musicianship.
Year 5 students will expand their knowledge of ukulele chords while being introduced to the guitar and other tuned and untuned percussion instruments. They will further develop their ability to read and write musical notation, create their own rhythms and melodies, and perform a diverse repertoire of songs.
Year 6 students will focus on ensemble performance, playing a variety of instruments while learning to read, write, and interpret musical scores. They will be preparing for the highly anticipated Battle of the Bands competition, which will take place in March.
We look forward to a fantastic term of music-making and creativity!
Visual Arts
This year the students will spend their time in the art room preparing works for our magnificent biannual art show. They will showcase their impressive talents and we hope to raise funds for a new kiln to benefit the creativity for all students. Please read the newsletter each week to see how your family can contribute!
Foundation students will experiment with different materials and techniques to make artwork. They will explore how to use a paint brush and watercolour paint and construct a line poster. They will experience blending paint to form the colours of the rainbow. The students will learn about scissor safety and create a self portrait. Inspired by Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky and American painter and sculptor Georgia O’Keeffe, they will create abstract artworks. To complete their floral artwork, the students will combine plasticine, chenille stems and tule to construct a 3D insect.
Year 1 students will study organic shapes, combining wax resist and printed paper to construct a Henri Matisse inspired artwork. They will take inspiration from Melbourne contemporary street artist and sculptor Daniel Lynch and experiment with using a gel plate and recyclable materials to create a print. The students will explore combining a combination of various types and qualities of paper to create a hamburger collage.
Year 2 students will take inspiration from French fauvist painter Raoul Dufy and experiment with watercolour paints and oil pastels to create a seascape. They will experience the technique of straw blowing watercolour paint to make a parrot artwork. The students will take inspiration from American painter Wayne Tiebaud to construct a cake and dessert creation.
Year 3 students will take inspiration from illustrator David Catrow to create a colourful plant artwork. They will demonstrate their understanding of how to use Lego, acrylic paint and watercolour paint to print an architectural design. The students will experiment with the technique of painting with plasticine to create a bird artwork.
Year 4 students will create a textile and mixed media artwork. They will experiment with dying calico, using ink and experience using embroidery yarn to add stitch detail to their work titled ‘Animal in its environment.’ The students will take inspiration from John Behnke to create a cityscape. They will explore their ability to blend watercolour, combine cut paper and coloured markers.
Year 5 students will continue to explore the technique of adding value to their still life picture using watercolour paint. They will experiment with printing foam and using acrylic paint to construct a three colour animal print.
Year 6 students will continue to take inspiration from famous fashion illustrators and brainstorm ideas for a fashion range. They will experiment with different drawing mediums to present their finished designs and fashion illustration on a croquis. They students will experience using watercolour paper and blending watercolour paint to create an underwater sea creatures artwork.
Physical Education
Foundation students will be introduced to basic movement skills through participating in gymnastics stations. Throughout the term, students will learn to work collaboratively with their peers through participating in partner activities. Students will focus on following rules and being inclusive when learning whole class games. Students will develop their fundamental movement skills of a run and jump through a variety of games and activities.
Year 1 and 2 students will engage in gymnastics activities to improve their balance, coordination and fundamental movement skills. They will develop their striking when participating in a downball and playground games unit. Students will explore strategies to work successfully with their peers in a variety of cooperative games and challenges.
Year 3 and 4 students will participate in downball lessons which they can put into practice during lunch and recess. They will have the opportunity to participate in a hockey skills clinic with coaches from TEM Hockey Club. Students will be engaging in fitness activities, as well as enjoying a range of minor games. They will participate in tennis focused activities and modified matches.
Year 5 and 6 students will be developing their teamwork and movement strategies when participating in a variety of minor games. They will also be busy practising and preparing their striking and fielding skills for the upcoming Tee-Ball Gala Day. Students will engage in fitness activities and measure their response to varying activities.
This term, the Year 3 to 6 students will also be preparing and participating in the House Swimming Carnival and House Cross Country Carnival.
French
This year, students in Grades 3–6 are invited to participate in the Berthe Mouchette Poetry Competition. Students will learn and recite a short French poem appropriate to their year level and present it to an online judge. We were incredibly proud of last year’s two winners, Juliet and Penelope. If your child would like to participate, please let Madame Li know. Preliminaries will be held between 5–22 May, with the finals on 14 June. The deadline to register is 23 March.
We will also be celebrating French Day on 14 July, with a range of fun and engaging activities planned for students. We are currently seeking sponsors or donations for a French Day hamper. Contributions of any size would be greatly appreciated.
Our students are continuing their exciting French learning journey this term! Here’s what each year level will be exploring in class:
This term, Foundation students will learn how to greet one another and respond to “Ça va ?”(How are you?) by saying bien, comme ci, comme ça or mal (good, so-so or not good). Through songs, games and role-play, they will begin building confidence using simple conversational French.
Grades 1–2 will explore animal vocabulary and the question “Où est l’animal ?” (Where is the animal?) Students will create a collage showing an animal in a chosen location and use simple positional language such as dans, sur and sous to describe where it is.
Grades 3–5 will extend their learning by writing short descriptive sentences about animals, including where they are and simple physical descriptions. They will create a scene and write a short paragraph using full sentences in French.
Grade 6 will plan and organise activities for French Day, working collaboratively to design engaging experiences for younger students and apply their language skills in an authentic context.
Our term song is “Où est le chat?” by Alain Le Lait, which supports our focus on animals and positional language.
Regards
The Specialist Team
Ms Exintaris, Miss Webb, Ms Reynolds and Madame Li Mow Chee






































