Around The Rooms

Senior Team 

The senior team have had a busy start to the term which is only set to get more action packed! Students have quickly settled back in to school routines with many of our senior students leading the way around our school and setting a great example. 

In addition to all the fantastic learning taking place in the classrooms we are also rapidly approaching our swimming sessions which commence in Week 4 before heading off to Campaspe Downs in Kyneton for our camp in Week 6! Please keep an eye out for more information about camp including packing lists which will be sent home in the coming week or so. 

A highlight of our year so far has been the fantastic job our 5's and 6's have done looking after their little buddies during buddies sessions which we enjoy every second Thursday. Our first session with the new prep students was lots of fun as you can see from the photos below. 

A quick reminder that students have received their homework folder and need to complete the set task ready to correct on Friday each week. As always, reading diaries need to be completed each night and we appreciate the support already shown by families with these tasks. 

If you need to speak with any of the senior team staff please contact us via Xuno or make an appointment to speak with us outside of teaching hours. 

Thanks, 

Kellie Leehane, Taylor Muir and Liam Petersen

Middle Years

Hello, everyone! 😊 Welcome to 2024 in the Middle Years Team! 

Please take a moment to read all about us (see attachments below). We are looking forward to getting to know you all better at upcoming Parent/Teacher interviews and throughout the year! 

Our Grade 3/4s have made an awesome start to the year by settling into new routines and classroom expectations. We know, for some, it is a big jump moving up to the senior building and that it will take a little time for everything to feel friendly and familiar. We are here to support our students and families with this transition and welcome communication to help us know how to do this best. Our focus for Term 1 is all about building a great learning community through teaching our values, setting behaviour expectations, and exploring social/emotional well-being, while getting to know each other, and making important goals for our work together during the year.

Thank you for reading!

Kind regards

Paul Heeps, Jo Adcock and Madison Nicholls

Junior years 

Wow…the first three weeks of the year have flown, and we are so proud of all of our Junior students. We welcomed 43 new Preps to the school this year and it has been wonderful to see how well they are settling into the routines of school. Down in the BER, our 1/2 students have come back ready to learn and have shown independence and enthusiasm as they begin each day. 

The beginning of the year is always a great opportunity to set our class routines and expectations. Getting this right from the start means that we're able to maximise our teaching and learning time. Across the team, there has been a lot of learning taking place inside and outside the classroom. Sounds are being unlocked, new words are being taught and our mini whiteboards are getting a lot of use. Students are enjoying practising counting and they have loved the chance to use chalk or play dough to show numbers in different ways. 

The Prep students have had the opportunity to meet and spend time with their Grade 5 Buddy, and we look forward to watching their relationships with their buddies grow over the next year. 

This year, our 1/2 students will begin participating in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program. The students will be working out in the garden on a fortnightly basis, and they're all looking forward to this hands-on learning experience.

Kindest, 

Roisin Mauriks (Prep M), Liam Ross (Prep R), Melanie Griffith (1/2 G), Greer Harney (1/2 H) and Leigh Moneghetti (1/2 M)

Specialist Classes

Physical Education

The year has started well with a focus on learning routines and expectations whilst also participating in cooperative games, including Robbers Nest, Kickball and Ultimate Frisbee. We now move towards a focus on our School Sports which will be held at school on Friday 22nd March commencing at 9am. Students over the next few weeks will learn and practise the various events in which they will participate. We do need volunteers to assist students and teachers on the day, see please contact either your child’s teacher or myself, if you can help.

Mr Murrell

                                 Art and Japanese

I am so impressed with how settled all the classes have been for most of our lessons so far. I have enjoyed the enthusiasm and the wonderful work we have already begun to create.

AUTUMN FESTIVAL- this is coming up on March 17, we are going to parade as Ballan’s rich history, showcasing our First Nations people, the gold rush and our farming backgrounds.

Students are encouraged to dress up as gold miners or farmers and there will be many who will join us in our sheep herd, being mustered down the main street by cattle dogs and a stockwoman on horseback. Sheep costumes (cardboard cut outs) will be made in the art room by students, so all you will have to do is turn up, pop one on and join us. Whole families are welcome to participate.

Large props will be constructed in the art room over the next few weeks, such as a cobb and co-coach and an eagle. Any parents who would like to help with these, please drop into the art room and see me.

BEGONIA FESTIVAL- Some of our grade 6 students are painting a wonderful canvas for the Central Highlands Water stall at the Begonia Festival on the Labour Day weekend. If you are attending, be sure to drop in and check out their beautiful creation. Their animal is the platypus.

Thank you,

Deb Hunter