Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week is being acknowledged at our school from Tuesday May 27th to Tuesday June 3rd. This year’s theme is “Bridging Now to Next”, a call for us all to continue building understanding, respect, and stronger connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Stynes House leaders have organised a number of meaningful learning activities for students to engage with during PEP lessons across the week.

Prep – Year 2

Students completed a colouring activity using this year’s Reconciliation Week logo, created by Bree Buttenshaw, a proud Kalkadoon woman. The artwork features native Australian plants known for their strength and resilience – a perfect symbol of growth and hope. A selection of the coloured artworks will be displayed in our PY Learning Lab.

Years 3 – 6

Classes worked on a collaborative “Bridging” activity, reflecting on what reconciliation means to them, what steps we’ve taken—and can still take—to support it.

Discussions included:

Acknowledgement of Country at school events
Indigenous place names (Kulin Nation, Naarm, Wurundjeri)
Prominent Indigenous Australians in media and public life
Events like National Sorry Day or the Bridge Walk
Reflections on last year’s Sea of Hands commitments

Students participated in writing their class' "Now we / Next we" reconciliation messages on leaf templates containing Indigenous and floral symbols, coloured and then assembled it to create a “bridge” display in the PY Learning Lab.

Lunchtime Activities

On Wednesday at lunchtime, students were invited to work on the Specialist decking area to start creating a special Bunjil the Eagle art piece which will use the paper hands from our 2024 Sea of Hands display. The final artwork will be installed in the Primary Years administration building.

This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect, learn and contribute meaningfully to the journey of reconciliation in our school community. The 2025 Reconciliation Week Song is a remake of Goanna’s “Solid Rock” featuring William Barton. Solid Rock and other songs to acknowledge the week will be played over the PA as bell music throughout the week.

Year 2 Visit to Edendale Farm

On Tuesday 20th May, our Year 2 students had an exciting day at Edendale Farm, exploring how we can care for the Earth’s natural resources. The children took part in four hands-on activities that helped them learn about water, waste, soil, and sustainable energy in fun and interactive ways.

They got to go on an exciting farm tour where they were able to feed and pat the animals. Students participated in the ‘Tale of a Creek’, discovering how important clean water is to all living things and the unfortunate ways that humans pollute the local creek in their daily lives. They tackled the issue of rubbish in the ‘What a Load of Rubbish’ session, learning about waste and how we should rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse and recycle in order to limit the waste that goes into landfill.

They explored the world beneath their feet in ‘Soil Matters’, where they met worms and found out how composting helps the soil stay healthy. It was a wonderful experience for our Year 2 students to connect their classroom learning with the natural world, inspiring them to think about ways we can all help care for our planet.

Year 5 Classroom

Year 5 students had a splash of fun this week as they took their maths learning outdoors to explore the concept of capacity. Using water and a variety of measuring tools, students practised estimating, measuring and recording the capacity of different containers.

This hands-on activity helped students build a practical understanding of volume and measurement in a fun and engaging way.

Sensory Garden

This week, some of our wonderful Year 5 students had the pleasure of enjoying their lunch in the sunshine, in our beautiful new sensory garden. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to relax, connect with nature and enjoy the calming environment the garden provides.

Sensory gardens are designed to engage all the senses; sight, sound, touch, and smell with a variety of plants, textures and features. They offer a peaceful space for students to unwind, recharge and feel more connected to their surroundings.

We’re so proud of this new addition to our school grounds and look forward to many more joyful moments spent in this special space.

District Cross Country

On Wednesday 28th May, Hazel Glen College took our Cross Country Squad of nearly 50 students to the Kilmore Racing Club to compete in the District Cross Country Championships. The weather was overcast and there was a bit of light rain but that didn’t dampen the spirits of our students. Our students gave it their all in the races, competing hard right until the finish line with some even crashing over the line with exhaustion.

What a super performance they put in running either two or three kilometres depending on their age groups and representing Hazel Glen College with pride by displaying the four Rs. Some of our students were very successful with many taking home ribbons and making it through to the next round. We would like to congratulate all our students who competed and wish the best of luck to those continuing onto the next round. Go Hazel Glen College!

Canine Comprehension

During the week, the Year 5 classes were thrilled to welcome Ollie the Therapy Dog and his owner Maddie into our classrooms. This visit was part of our Canine Comprehension Program, which is designed to support emotional regulation, boost confidence, and improve student engagement. The dogs play a vital role in helping young people manage anxiety, strengthen social skills, and enhance their overall well-being.

Visual Arts

Term 2 has been a hive of activity in the Visual Arts room as we dive into getting our hands dirty with print making and sculptural activities. The kiln has been working overtime on these chilly mornings to fire all of the Year 4 Yayoi Kusama pumpkins and the Year 6 coil lanterns they have worked so hard on. The students found it fascinating that the terracotta clay changes from a caramel colour to a peachy rust colour when fired. This week the Year 4 students started to glaze their earthenware pumpkins, paying close attention to the fine details of the many dots they added – something that 96 year old Japanese artist Kusama was well-known for! Quite a few students expressed that they enjoyed her exhibition at the NGV when it was in Melbourne recently.

Year 1 students also learnt about Kusama when they created very dotty flower sculptures. They replicated dot patterns by using buttons, sequins and confetti, as well as learning how to use different sized tools to dot print on paper. All of the elements were assembled into a colourful flower and students were asked to draw a picture of their finished piece.

Prep students have been tirelessly working for a whole term on their “Magic Trash House” sculptures. They demonstrated their skills with drawing, collaging, painting, gluing, print-making, 3D sculpting and decorating all in one project…phew!

Year 2 students have learnt a new wet-on-wet watercolour painting technique, and then used their painted paper as a background to print onto by tracing cartoon characters using black oil pastel. Students said it was like magic!

Year 3 students have learnt that resilience and persistence is key when making paper mâché fish – aka “Le Poisson Steve”. Many popped balloons and soggy, gluey paper tested the patience of some! Even the art teacher had to problem-solve how to construct and add arms and legs to this French fish cartoon!

Year 5 students have just completed a very fun project of string painting with a multitude of colours – even if it meant that the students completely covered their hands with paint! They are now very excited to be working with textiles to sew a felt sweet treat or pizza slice and testing out their stitching skills.

Whilst the Art room is a constant scene of excitement, mess (or disarray!) and experimentation, we all have been enjoying the creations that have been made!

Italian

Year 3 students engaged in playing a reading/memory game that focused on stationery found in the Italian classroom.

Students first need to match the picture of the object to their Italian name, then match the English name to the Italian one. This is the initial step for students to start reading, recognising and using these words in class. A subsequent Seesaw activity is used for students to use the vocab learned and manipulate it to change the words from singular to plural.

Hazel Glen College Primary Years

One College. Everyone Matters.

2025 Term 2, Week 6 · 30 May 2025

In this issue