Primary Specialists
DANCE.
These past two weeks have seen everyone step up their preparation and rehearsals for all upcoming events. Christmas carol rehearsals are in full swing with classes coming in to learn their routines, then taking them back to the classrooms to practice and perfect for the big festive event in December! Students have been excited in the studio going through the process, while embracing and enjoying the combination of working with other classes at the same time!
Dance Extension and VSSS dancers are rehearsing twice a week each to prepare their routines and performances for the upcoming Principals conference in two weeks time! As the clock ticks down and the date gets closer, the students have worked harder to make sure they know the choreography and steps provided to ensure we deliver above and beyond, as we represent our school, community, and families. We have been humbled and honoured to have been chosen to perform in front of all the Victorian State Principals, and we aim to leave everyone smiling and inspired by both the performances and the positive messages they leave
Physical Education
In P.E we have been very busy throughout the first 3 weeks. Firstly the P.E team would like to congratulate all students who represented Saltwater at the regional athletics championships. To get to this level is something that you should be very proud of. A special mention goes to James, Iggy, Fainlov and Lorenzo who all placed in their events. James and Lorenzo will be going on to represent the school at the state championships in November.
Our Mini Olympics is well underway with our first group of preps enjoying some fun activities on the Brookdale oval. Thank you to all staff and students who have been helping out on the day. Throughout the term we have been continuing our fitness unit with some great results and some personal best's achieved. We look forward to an exciting remainder of term 4. Just a reminder to all students to please bring their hat and drink bottles to p.e as we are outside for our classes.
Media Art with Mr Howarth
In Media, students are taking skills learned in prior lessons and applying them to new tasks. In particular, we have been focusing on:
Preps: Students have begun exploring how media can be presented as fiction or non-fiction. Using “Ask the Storybots” as a mentor text, the Preps are understanding how media can inform as well as entertain.
Year One: In Year One, we are exploring the different way stories have been told over time. They are analysing this by reading and viewing different Aboriginal Dreamtime stories. Students have seen how stories told thousands of years ago through paintings or dance thrive today via books or videos.
Year Two: The Year Two students have been out in the yard taking photos of tomato cans for the purpose of print advertising. They are taking into consideration focus, positioning, size and frame.
Year Three: Introduction to still-image narratives. Students are exploring how a sequence of pictures can tell a story, despite an absence of text or dialogue.
Year Four: Students have been publishing and sharing their montages within their classes. Our next unit will focus on analysing media texts.
Year Five: The Year Five students have begun filming their short, short films. A focus is put on using multiple shot types, camera movements and perspectives.
Year Six: Having watched "Encanto" and completing a character analysis, students used the TEEL writing structure to demonstrate their understanding of how characters in the film were under pressure.
Visual Art
Our school's art department is buzzing with creativity and sustainability efforts! We're proud to share the latest artistic adventures across all grade levels:
Sustainable Practices in Art
We're nurturing eco-conscious artists who embrace sustainability. Students of all ages are exploring eco-friendly art practices, from repurposing materials to creating environmental art that celebrates our world.
Prep: Our little artists are diving into 3D paper sculpting, folding, and Maîtesse stencilling. They're not just crafting; they're learning to up-cycle and be resourceful.
Grade 1: Inspired by Picasso's Cubism, our young artists are creating their own guitar and still-life masterpieces, challenging the norms of reality.
Grades 2 and 3: These imaginative minds are reusing and up-cycling materials to craft stunning stained-paper flowers, reducing waste, and making art with a conscience.
Grade 5: Symmetry and precision are the focus as students explore paper folding techniques, honing their fine motor skills and patience.
Grade 6: Exploring 3D form and texture, our budding artists are crafting captivating works that engage not just the eye but also the sense of touch.
Spanish
It's great to see that your students are actively engaging with the Spanish language through various fun and educational activities. Learning a new language through dancing, singing, and role-playing can make the process more enjoyable and effective. Here's a summary of what each group of students has been working on:
Prep to Year 2 Students:
Greetings: They've learned how to say "Hola" and "Buenos días" to their teachers and classmates.
Physical Activity: They've incorporated movement into language learning by singing and dancing to "head, shoulders, knees, and toes" in Spanish.
Technology Integration: They've used a school-based app to practice numbers, colours, and directions in Spanish.
Bilingual Songs: They've learned songs in both English and Spanish, which is a great way to reinforce vocabulary.
Years 3 and 4 Students:
Greetings: They've continued practicing common greetings in Spanish, such as "Hola," "Buenos días," and "Adiós."
Basic Conversational Phrases: They've worked on asking and responding to simple questions like "¿Cómo te llamas?" (What is your name?), "¿Cuántos años tienes?" (How old are you?), and "¿Puedo ir al baño?" (Can I go to the toilet?).
Parting Phrases: They've learned to say "Adiós" and wave goodbye.
Years 5 and 6 Students:
Cultural Exploration: Students in these years have delved into the culture and traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. This is an essential aspect of language learning, as it helps students understand the context and usage of the language.
Interactive Learning: They've been using online resources like Rockalingua and Señor Wooly to practice and enhance their Spanish skills. These interactive websites can make learning more engaging and interactive.
By integrating various teaching methods and technology, your students are likely to have a well-rounded understanding of the Spanish language, from basic vocabulary and greetings to cultural knowledge and language practice. It's an effective approach to language learning that keeps students engaged and motivated.
Well done to our Spanish learning community
Señor Pastén
Music
I wanted to share some exciting updates from our music classes. In Grade Prep, the students have been exploring the wonderful sounds of the orchestra by listening to the story of Peter and the Wolf. It's fascinating to see how each character is represented by a different instrument or section. For example, the character of Peter is portrayed by the beautiful sounds of the String section, while a little bird is represented by the flute. This activity really helps the students connect with the different instruments and their unique sounds.
Moving on to Grade One and Two, they have progressed to learning about simple musical notation. They have been practicing rhythmic clapping and using untuned percussion instruments to create sounds based on the notes they read. It's a fantastic way for them to develop their musical skills and understand how the different notes translate into actual sounds.
In Grade Three, the focus is on learning to sing and play the catchy tune "Can you dig it". This allows the students to explore their vocal abilities and also learn how to play a musical instrument. It's a fun and engaging activity that helps them develop their musical talents.
For Grade Four, Five, and Six, the music classes have been filled with the joy of reading musical notation and attempting to play simple songs on the xylophone. The students are currently learning three beautiful pieces: "Ode to Joy", "Sansa Kroma", and "Funga Alafia". Alongside this, they are also practicing sight reading the notes from the staff. It's a wonderful opportunity for them to enhance their musical abilities and become more comfortable with reading and playing music.
I hope these updates bring a smile to your faces. The students are truly embracing the world of music and making great progress. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to ask. Keep up the fantastic work!
Steve Saxton