News from around the school 

Foundation ~ Prep News 

Term 3 has seen the Preps learning about addition and how we can use money.

We have learnt to partition numbers into two or more parts, and then learnt how to put two or more groups together to find a total. The preps were excited to learn how to use the plus and equal symbols.

We are now using our new found skills in addition to buy and sell items from our very own shops we have made. We are using $1 and $2 coins to add up to price amounts in our cafe, jewellery shop, ice-cream shop, pizza shop, Veterinary clinic and much more!

Early Years ~ 1/2 News

In maths this term the 1/2s have been delving into multiplication and division. The terms we use to introduce this are 'groups of' and 'shared between' to gain deeper understanding of the concepts.

Part of this unit has involved exploring arrays. Arrays are useful to represent multiplication concepts when counting a large number. There are arrays in everyday life, like egg cartons and window panes. The students were able to count their arrays in 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s. 

The students loved creating their Array Cities, noting the rows and columns and the total number they had created. They represented this in various ways, such as repeated addition and number sentences.

Middle Years ~ 3/4 News

Uppers Years ~ 5/6 News 

Specialist News

Japanese Students visit St Mel’s for a Cultural Exchange

On Thursday 1st August and Friday 2nd August, seven Japanese students, aged 6 to 14, visited our school to experience Australian school life.  They came from Morioka, the capital city of Iwate Prefecture located in the Tohoku region of northern Japan.

On Thursday, the Japanese students participated in the 3/4 Japanese classes competing in various Japanese/English games, races and activities. St Mel’s students sang the song ‘I Am Australian’ for them and in return, the Japanese students performed for us the traditional ‘Sansa Dance’.  

On Friday, the Japanese students joined the 5/6 classes. Although persuasive writing appeared a little too difficult for them, they did enjoy reading the story ‘The Day the Crayons Quit’ in English. St Mel’s students were given an origami tutorial for folding a tulip (easy), a box (medium level) and a rose (difficult).

St Mel’s students did a fantastic job welcoming the Japanese students.  They were a little shy and hesitant at the start but by Friday afternoon, they found it difficult to say ‘goodbye’.

Demi Wood (Specialist – Japanese)

St. Mel's School Disco

Our annual school disco was a huge success. We danced up a storm. There was a great atmosphere and some amazing tunes by DJ Steve!!! 

Thank you to our parent volunteers who gave their time to ensure this fun-filled event could go ahead. Thank you, especially to the following volunteers ~ Leah, Tammy, Belinda, Nicole, Chris, Jobelle, Deb, Linda, Rachael & Danae.

Thank you to the Gill family who once again provided us with the use of their DJ equipment for the night. 

Principal's Reading Challenge & Book Week ~

Principal's Reading Challenge:

This annual period of reading focus is on again in the lead up to our Book Parade to be held on Friday 23 August from 9:15am. Students are encouraged to read as many books as they can between now and the Book Parade with prizes on offer! I am looking forward hearing the grand total of books read across this couple of weeks' intensive focus on reading for enjoyment! 

Book Week ~ 

We are eagerly getting reading for Book Week. Come & visit our library where 'Reading is Magic .....'

Piano/Keyboard lessons:

Mrs Sandra Davidson has been teaching piano for over forty years.

She has a Bachelor & Diploma of music from the Victorian College of Arts. Sandra has completed all levels in the AMEB exams, achieving an A+ for her 8th grade when she was 12, and Associate & Licentiate Diplomas in the following two years.

Sandra teaches all styles and enters some students in exams.

Lessons are held every Monday at school.

Parents can contact Sandra on 0412 767 205 to make arrangements.

St Mel's Breaky Club ~

Come for breaky, second or third breakfast! All welcome!

Thank you to SPC who sponsors our St. Mel's Breakfast Club!

Our School Production ~ The Hit List! See the Production Page in our Newsletter ...

Lunch Orders ~ Current Menu as seen on PAM

Did you know? ~