Specialists Programs

Physical Education Term 1 Overview

Prep

In Term 1, Prep students will be introduced to a variety of games that will help them learn how to move safely while playing, follow directions and understand the rules for successful participation and enjoyment. Through these games, students will also develop cooperation skills and learn how to work effectively as part of a team. During Term 1, there will be a focus on practising athletic's skills, that will be used at the Twilight Sports Evening, including running, jumping, hurdles, bean bag throwing and vortex throwing. To conclude the term, students will practise their kicking skills through soccer activities.

Year 1/2

Year 1/2 students will begin the year by developing a range of fundamental movement and athletic's skills, that will be used at the Twilight Sports Evening, including running, jumping, hurdles, bean bag throwing and using a vortex. These activities will help build students’ confidence, coordination and enjoyment of physical activity. To conclude the term, students will enjoy participating in soccer lessons led by experienced coaches from Football Victoria, providing a fun and engaging way to further develop their teamwork and ball skills.

Year 3/4

Students in Year 3/4 will focus on developing athletic skills and fundamental movement skills such as jumping, throwing, running, hurdles and baton relays, while also improving their overall fitness in preparation for the Twilight Sports event. In the lead-up to the Summer Sports Gala Day, students will participate in a variety of sports including ultimate frisbee, newcombe and cricket. Throughout these lessons, students will learn the rules and structure of each game while practising the key skills needed to participate successfully. To conclude the term, students will enjoy taking part in soccer lessons delivered by experienced coaches from Football Victoria, providing an engaging and enjoyable end to the term while further developing teamwork and ball skills.

Year 5/6

Students in Year 5/6 will continue to build on their fundamental movement skills, including jumping, throwing, running, hurdles and baton relays. Using their prior experience from Twilight Sports events, students will refine their techniques and work towards improving their performance, confidence, and fitness.

In the lead-up to the Summer Sports Gala Day, students will take part in a range of sports such as ultimate frisbee, newcombe, and cricket. During these lessons, students will learn the rules and structure of each game while developing and practising the specific skills required for successful participation. To conclude the term, students will enjoy participating in soccer lessons led by experienced coaches from Football Victoria, providing an engaging and enjoyable end to the term while further strengthening teamwork and ball skills.

Michael van Rooy - PE teacher - mvanrooy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Performing Arts Term 1 Overview, 2026

Welcome to a new and exciting year in Performing Arts at St John’s! This year, I look forward to nurturing each student as an individual and creating opportunities for everyone to grow, gain confidence, and truly shine in their own special way. Through the expressive and creative arts of drama, dance, and music, students will be encouraged to explore their talents, take creative risks, and celebrate what makes them unique.

Prep

This term, students will learn what it is to be part of an audience and begin to create simple performances independently and collaboratively. They will explore using their imaginations, bodies and movement to roleplay living and non-living things and simple scenarios. Students will develop their ability to work with others and grow in confidence to participate and have a go. They will be introduced to new and familiar songs, adding simple movements and actions as we learn to perform them.

Year 1/2

Students will work together to create a supportive environment where they feel comfortable and willing to take part in activities and experiences. By participating in games, listening to stories and singing songs, students will recognise that emotions can be shown through movement, facial expressions and body language. They will practise using their own bodies and facial expressions to portray different feelings in real life scenarios and imaginary characters.

Year 3/4

Students will develop their ability to work collaboratively with peers, sharing and listening to ideas, negotiating roles and performing in front of an audience. There will be a particular focus on learning to change their voices by altering the pitch, volume and expression to make them sound interesting and different. They will work to create characters, adjusting body language and facial expressions to suit their roles.

Year 5/6

This term, students will explore the importance of working collaboratively and identify key skills needed for members to successfully participate in group situations. They will explore and compare diverse dramatic styles, using aspects of them to create, rehearse and present their own performances for an audience. Students will reflect and provide feedback on the main elements of Drama such as voice, movement, tension, mood and sounds, describing how they have been used to successfully engage the audience.

Amanda Hill ahill@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Visual Arts Term 1 Overview

Prep

During Term 1, the prep students will be warmly welcomed into the visual arts room. They will learn how to safely engage with the space and learn routines and rules to keep them safe and able to learn in a new environment. The focus will be on ‘identity’ through creative exploration of skills and mediums. Students will learn about lines and shapes and how these are the building blocks to confidently create amazing artworks. Students will work on self portraits, both in their own style and being inspired by award winning illustrator Sally Soweol Han. Sally Soweol Han’s style will encourage them to look further at lines and shapes when creating portraits, as well as inspire them to include whimsy, colour and fun in their work. Students will also be inspired by the work of renowned Australian artist Ken Done and implement his style and fair for dramatic colours in their own work.

Year 1/2

During Term 1, the Year 1/2 students will be warmly welcomed back into the visual arts room. They will reestablish the expectations of the space and how best to treat equipment and resources with respect and care. Students will take courageous steps towards embracing their creativity through fun exploration of skills and mediums. Students will look at the concept of ‘identity’ by creating pieces inspired by patterns and colours they love. Students will work on self portraits, both in their own style and being inspired by Western Australian artist Rebecca Cool. Students will notice how Rebecca Cool uses simple shapes with bold lines and vibrant colours to create unique and fun characters. They will take inspiration from her ‘In Between Swims’ series to create 2D and 3D artworks. Students will also be inspired by the work and style of renowned Australian artist Ken Done and implement his style and approach to create their own unique art works.

Year 3/4

During Term 1, the 3/4 students will be able to share their creativity and love for embracing artistic challenges in the visual arts room. They will reestablish the expectations of the space and how best to show care and respect for the equipment, resources and each other. Students will have opportunities to work with a range of mediums through exploration and play. Students will look at the concept of ‘identity’ by creating pieces inspired by people and places they love. Students will work on self portraits, both in their own style and being inspired by preeminent 20th-century Australian artist John Brack. Students will notice how Brack makes use of sharp lines and drab colours to create iconic and easily recognisable art works. In contrast to the work of Brack, students will also study the art work and style of renowned Australian artist Ken Done. Students will have opportunities to implement his style and approach to create their own unique art works.

Year 5/6

During Term 1, the 5/6 students will have an opportunity to unlock their creativity and present and extend their artistic skills. They will set themselves goals for the skills they would like to improve on and the attitude and outlook they will approach their sessions with. Students will explore the concept of ‘identity’ by creating pieces inspired by people and places they love. Students will work on self portraits, both in their own style and being inspired by Archibald prize winning Australian artist Del Kathryn Barton. Students will study how Del Kathryn Barton’s work is highly detailed with lines, colours and patterns, yet also has a surreal and dream-like quality. Students will be encouraged to bring that level of creativity, colour and detail into their own pieces. In contrast to the work of Barton, students will also study the art work and style of renowned Australian artist Ken Done. Students will have opportunities to implement his style and approach to create their own unique art works. Students will be asked to reflect on the difference between the artist's style and explore which style felt more comfortable/challenging to their own approach to art.

Beth Neason - bneason@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Chinese - Term 1 Overview

Prep Overview:

Prep students will embark on their Chinese language learning journey in Term One, with a focus on oral language. Throughout the term, students will develop and use language and cultural practices during the Chinese New Year festival season, learning about various forms of New Year tradition and decorations such as paper cutting and couplets.

Students will be learning how to introduce themselves, covering aspects such as their name, age, year level, and basic greetings, including “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “zài jiàn” (goodbye). They reflect on how elements of personal identity are expressed in both Australian and Chinese contexts. In addition, students will learn to recognise the distinctive systems of Chinese writing and speaking, and to differentiate between Pinyin and Chinese characters associated with familiar objects in their immediate environment.

Year 1/2 Overview:

Junior students will begin their Chinese language learning journey in Term One, with a strong focus on developing speaking and listening skills. Throughout the term, students will explore language use and cultural practices associated with the Chinese New Year festival season, learning about a range of traditional celebrations and decorations, including paper cutting and couplets.

Students will also learn how to introduce themselves in Chinese, sharing information such as their name, age, year level, and using basic greetings including “nǐ hǎo” (hello) and “zài jiàn” (goodbye). They will reflect on how aspects of personal identity are expressed in both Australian and Chinese cultural contexts. In addition, students will develop an understanding of the distinctive features of Chinese language systems, recognising differences between spoken and written Chinese, and will learn to differentiate between Pinyin and Chinese characters related to familiar objects in their immediate environment.

Year 3/4 Overview:

In Term One, Year 3/4 students will extend their Chinese language learning through both oral and written communication, with a focus on everyday contexts. Students will explore Chinese New Year traditions and celebrations, comparing these with their own cultural practices at the beginning of the year. During the term, the class focus will be on the storybook “Sān Zhī Xiǎo Zhū” (Three Little Pigs). Students will learn high-frequency words and sentence structures from the text, and they will be introduced to the idea that Chinese uses different word orders and ways of expression compared to English.

At the end of the unit, students will perform a play in Mandarin based on the story. Throughout this unit, students will reflect on the importance of building a solid foundation “on the rock” (Matthew 7:24–25), emphasising the value of applying their knowledge and principles, much like the wise builder in the parable.

Year 5/6 Overview:

In Term One, senior students will extend their Chinese language learning through both oral and written communication, with a focus on everyday contexts. Students will explore Chinese New Year traditions and celebrations, comparing these with their own cultural practices at the beginning of the year. During the term, the class will focus on the storybook “Sān Zhī Xiǎo Zhū” (Three Little Pigs). Students will learn high-frequency words and sentence structures from the text, and they will also be introduced to the idea that Chinese uses different word orders and ways of expression compared to English.

Mandy Jin - mjin@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au - Chinese Teacher