Specialist Overview of Learning

Art

Prep: Students will explore drawing and collage as a way to build foundational visual arts skills. Students will experiment with a range of drawing tools to create different types of lines and simple shapes (2D). Through collage activities, they will practise cutting, arranging and layering materials to create images and compositions. These experiences will support fine motor development while introducing students to basic visual conventions and creative decision-making.

Year 1/2: Students will focus on drawing, printmaking and photography during Term One. Drawing activities will develop students’ use of line and observation skills, while introductory printmaking tasks will allow them to explore repetition and simple design. Students will also be introduced to photography, learning how images can be framed and captured to communicate ideas. Throughout the term, students will explore colour and begin to consider how different visual choices affect the final artwork.

Year 3/4: Students will engage in a rich program combining photography, modelling and digital art, including stop motion animation. Students will use photography to explore composition and line, while modelling activities will focus on creating three-dimensional forms and experimenting with materials. Through stop motion, students will plan, sequence and create short animations, developing an understanding of pattern, movement and visual storytelling using digital tools.

Year 5/6: Students will work with drawing and printmaking, with opportunities to incorporate photography as part of their creative process. Drawing will be used to plan, refine and develop ideas, with a focus on line, colour and value (light and dark). Printmaking tasks will encourage students to think carefully about design, precision and repetition. Photography will be used to document and extend ideas, supporting students to make considered artistic choices and reflect on their creative processes.

Lauren Zahra / Evelyn Stavridis

Auslan

In 2026, Auslan lessons will provide a structured and inclusive learning experience for students across all year levels, incorporating the Auslan Education Services (AES) Program. This approach aims to break down barriers and strengthen students’ connections with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through an immersive and authentic learning process. Interactive videos filmed by Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals play a key role in supporting real-life language use and meaningful engagement. These videos, combined with guided classroom activities, allow reinforcement of learning and provide targeted support based on each student’s level of understanding. The program is adapted to suit each year level, ensuring activities are appropriately challenging and aligned with students’ learning progression.

Prep: The topics for Term One cover the introduction of the Auslan alphabet, colours, numbers, family, school, farm animals and some everyday expressions. They will learn to sign numbers using their dominant hand. Students will practise their knowledge through songs, games and stories. Looking forward to a term full of fun and learning!

Antonietta De Melis

Year 1 to 6: Students will revise and consolidate foundational Auslan concepts, including the alphabet, colours, numbers, family, animals, everyday expressions and basic descriptive terms. By activating prior knowledge, students strengthen their understanding of core Auslan skills, providing a strong foundation for learning more complex concepts later in the year.

Evelyn Stavridis

PE (Physical Education) 

Prep: Students will be introduced to Physical Education through a variety of games, dance and team building activities. Later in the term, we will begin implementing rotational activities based around the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP), as well as locomotor skills. This will help ensure all students have had time to develop their gross motor skills before moving into our specific movement skills starting in Term Two. 

Years 1/2: Students will be refining their throwing and catching through a combination of explicit skill practice and minor games. Later in the term, they will work on their bouncing and dribbling by participating in modified games of basketball. Students will also focus on teamwork, fair play and the importance of rules in games and sport.

Years 3/4: Students will focus on the rules and the correct techniques of Track and Field events in the lead up to our House Athletics Day (March 3rd). They will be working together to record, measure and give peer feedback in field events including high jump and shot put. In the second half of the term, students will be focusing on their dribbling and shooting skills through modified games of basketball.

Years 5/6: Students will focus on perfecting their techniques in Track and Field events before our House Athletics Day on March 3rd. They will provide and receive constructive feedback from peers to analyse ways they can improve their performances. In the second half of the term, students will have a focus on invasion game play through games of basketball.

Amber Vincent / Evelyn Stavridis

 

Performing Arts

Prep: Students will begin an exciting journey in Performing Arts as they are introduced to the vibrant world of Drama, Music and Dance. Through hands-on exploration, they will experiment with using their voices, facial expressions, movement and instruments to bring stories to life as they go on a 'Bear Hunt' and respond to other literary texts through performance. Prep students will learn a song and dance performance in preparation for the Term One final assembly.

Years 1/2: Students will be working collaboratively as they experiment with different elements of Drama, Dance and Music. They will explore how we can use our bodies, voices and language to convey a range of roles and stories in improvised and rehearsed drama.  

Years 3/4: Students will explore characterisation and dramatic expression through the use of mime in dramatic play. They will also develop their musical skills by learning about key elements such as beat and rhythm, creating their own rhythmic patterns and performing them for their peers.

Years 5/6: In preparation for our upcoming school production in Term Three, students will be introduced to scripts and their role in drama and performance. They will learn what a script looks like, identify key features such as titles, characters, dialogue and stage directions, and explore how scripts are used in rehearsals and performances. Students will also develop their acting and characterisation skills by rehearsing and performing short scripted scenes with their peers.

Bec Zappia / Alessia Cesario

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)

This term in STEM, Preps will be focusing on biological sciences – the study of living things, and Years 1 to 6 will be focusing on Earth and space sciences - the study of Earth's features, atmosphere and its place in space. All students will participate in ‘hands-on’ investigations and group work to build their inquiry skills.

Prep: How do animals stay alive? Students will identify what animals (including humans) need to stay alive. They will investigate how they can use their senses to gather information to help them survive. Students will distinguish between needs and wants.

Years 1/2: What patterns can we see in the sky? Students will identify celestial objects and describe patterns they see in the sky.

Years 3/4: How is water important to Earth? Students will list sources of water on Earth, identify key processes in the water cycle, and describe how water can cycle through the environment. They will distinguish between weather and climate and explain how human activity can impact climate, and how these impacts may be reduced.

Years 5/6: How does the Earth fit in and interact with the Solar System? Students will model the relationship between the Sun and planets of the solar system and explain how the relative positions of Earth and the Sun relates to the observable phenomena of variable day and night length.

Sandy Brewerton

 

Bands

After a very successful 2025, full of wonderful music , I am looking forward to a very exciting year in 2026! 

This year the band program will run three bands:

Senior Band 

Our Senior band will consist of our 2025 Junior and Intermediate band members. Students will experience being a part of a large diverse band, performing music with individual parts and supporting more complex and engaging repertoire. 

Rehearsals started Tuesday, February 3rd at 7.30am.

Intermediate Band 

Our Intermediate band will focus on developing ensemble skills, learning more complex rhythms and will investigate a larger range of music styles.

Rehearsals started Wednesday, February 4th at 7.30am.

Junior Band (formally the training band)

Our Junior band is our beginner’s band, for students new to the instrumental program. They will begin learning the fundamental skills of being part of a large band, reading music and following a conductor. 

Please note Junior band students will begin instrumental lessons in Term Two (Week 1) and band rehearsals will begin in Term Two (Week 4). An information night on Wednesday, March 4th at 6.30pm will provide an opportunity to see and hear one of our fantastic bands, see all the instruments up close and ask any questions. Hope to see you there.

Please refer to the schedule below for this year’s rehearsal days.

Michael Rochford