Specialist Centre
SPECIALIST FEATURE NEWS
你好 nǐ hǎo to our wonderful community!
The Performing Arts classroom has been filled with the sights and sounds of music experimentation over the last few weeks. From high-energy warm-up activities to hands-on beat and rhythm challenges with percussion instruments, the room has been abuzz with excited students ready to immerse and explore in our creative space.
Across the school, students are learning how to represent music and read both formal and informal music notation. We are practising our note syllables of ta, ti-ti, tiri-tiri, ti and za, whilst exploring different tuned and untuned percussion. This is all in preparation for our focused instrument term coming up:
Foundation will be learning songs on the BoomWhackers and chime bars, focusing on timing, reading basic music symbols and synchronised music playing.
Grade 1 and Grade 2 are on xylophones with a focus on note patterns, playing in unison and complementary music making.
Grade 3 and 4 will be drumming up a storm using different types of drums and buckets. Their focus will be on composition and informal music notation. Thanks to Bunnings Nunawading for providing us with some gift vouchers to purchase new drums and materials to make mallets!
Grade 5 and 6 will be trying their hand at the ukulele, working on technique, note and chord recognition, collaborative music making for performance.
🎵Music in Schools Program🎶
This year our school was selected for the Music in Schools program, aimed at building the capacity of music teachers and their programs in Victorian Government Schools. Included in the program was a significant grant to purchase new instruments for the school, along with some valuable professional learning. This has allowed us to create more class sets of instruments such as ukuleles, xylophones and hand drums. We have a new gathering drum, which students have loved testing out! Across Semester Two, we will be constructing another two gathering drums from recycled materials as part of our I.C.E. program - these are wonderful resources that bring our mini-musicians together to create and play powerful rhythms together. The Performing Arts room also has a new digital piano, which is a welcome addition to be used across classroom learning, choir and student performance opportunities. We feel very privileged to be a part of such an impactful program!
🎭Drama Snapshot📸
Enjoy a few pics of our students taking to the 'stage' in Performing Arts, with Grade 2 students recreating popular fairytales and our Grade 3/4 superstars writing and starring in their own 'crisis scenes'. Great to see our students utilising our new 'costume corner' to really bring their characters to life! If you have any old clothing you feel appropriate, costumes that are no longer needed or items that could be used as props, we are grateful for any donations😊
In other Specialist news...
Our 3/4 students enjoyed a fantastic Science incursion all about water last week. They came away from the experience with some new learning and a greater appreciation for this essential resource. Some pics of our enthusiastic senior school students below 💦💧
The Grade 5/6 Gala Day was a raging success, with students competing with enthusiasm and respect for their opponents. What wonderful representatives of MPRPS! Thank you to David for organising the event and to all of the teachers and staff who attended, coached, umpired, scored and did all the things that allow these events to run smoothly. You can check out our netball stars in action below... GO MPRPS! 🧡💙
Monday 13th - Friday 17th July (Week 1) - NAIDOC Week @ MPRPS
Friday 24th July (Week 2) - MPRPS House Athletics
Wednesday 5th August (Week 4) - Specialists Open Afternoon for Kinders
Physical Education
2E: Maahir M
For showing a positive attitude to engaging in P.E. lessons and a Growth Mindset approach. Superstar Maahir!
5/6R: Mary G
For a brilliant attitude to helping her team at Gala Day. You tried your best and happily missed games when asked by your coach. Marvellous Mary!
Performing Arts
2G: Mivaan U
For demonstrating fantastic dramatic skills when portraying the ‘old woman’ in your fairytale Stone Soup. You used expression to perform beautifully - well done, Mivaan!
3/4M: Joey X
For being an outstanding audience member who supports and uplifts the actors on stage. You show respect at all times and are a wonderful role model to your classmates. Well done!
Visual Arts
2E: Maahir M
For demonstrating perseverance and creativity when starting your animal collage artwork. Keep up the great work!
3/4N: Emma V
For demonstrating creativity when completing your Bug Book. You have shown a great use of colour and detail in your work!
Chinese
1C: Allanah T
Your outstanding classroom behaviour and positive learning attitude are commendable. You consistently remain focused, work quietly and independently, and complete all tasks to a high standard!
5/6R: Amelia D
For your ongoing enthusiasm and dedication to learning Chinese. You actively participate in class and consistently complete all tasks to a high standard. Well done!
Science
FE: Alexandra D
For your hard work and persistence in Science this week while looking at the way objects move depending on their size and shape. Well done!
3/4N: Emma V
For demonstrating a love of learning and enthusiasm in Science this week. Keep up the great work, Emma!
Warm regards,
⚽ David - Physical Education
🎵 Kate - Performing Arts / Visual Art (Foundation)
🎨 Sam - Visual Art
🐼 Huang Laoshi - Mandarin
🔬 Steph and Suzie - Science