Specialists

Performing Arts

It's been a very busy and productive time in Performing Arts. 

Prep students have been continuing to learn the expectations of the Performing Arts room. They have enjoyed singing nursery rhymes with actions accompanied by the ukulele and experimenting with a variety of classroom instruments. Preps have also begun learning about rhythm, exploring ta, ti-ti and za through a call-and-response activity using claves.

Grade 1–6 students have been building on their understanding of rhythm through a range of hands-on learning experiences. They have participated in call-and-response activities using claves, worked collaboratively in small groups to create and perform rhythms, and worked through interactive rhythm games and puzzles in small group rotation stations to reinforce their learning.

Rotation activities students have been engaging with:

• Music bingo 
• Rhythm rocks game
• Rhythm flip book & play
• Rhythm ping pong & write
• Rhythm puzzle cards
• Rhythm matching cards
• Rhythm sand dig (Grade 1)
• Rhythm play dough (Grade 1)
• Rhythm building blocks (Grade 1)

In addition to their work with rhythm, all students have been putting great energy and effort into learning and practicing the songs and dances for our upcoming Harmony Day performance.

Physical Education

Our Prep students have been enthusiastically learning the expectations of P.E. through a variety of fun and engaging collaborative games. As they participate in team-based activities, students are developing their understanding of important routines such as listening carefully to instructions, responding to start and stop signals, using equipment safely, and moving respectfully within shared spaces.

Grade 1–6 students have been developing their skills and understanding through our Hockey unit. Across all year levels, students are learning the fundamental skills of hockey, including safe stick handling, controlled dribbling, accurate passing, receiving, and goal shooting, while also building their overall coordination, agility, and spatial awareness. A strong focus has been placed on safety, particularly how to correctly hold and carry a stick, maintain a safe distance from others, and remain aware of their surroundings during play.

Spanish

This past fortnight, students in Junior School have been learning class routines for Spanish sessions including greetings songs and class directions.

We have been using: 

“Una fila” - One line

“Sentados en el piso” - Sitting on the floor

“Cuaderno de español” - Spanish book 

“Buenos dias” or “Buenas tardes” - Good morning or good afternoon

“Chao” - Bye

Preps have begun their Spanish acquisition using colours and numbers to set them up for learning content in a new language. We have learnt a greetings song and started learning a colours song with coloured flags to consolidate their understanding. Preps received their cuaderno de español and followed instructions to complete and stick their work in the right spot. So much language-acquisition in such little time! I am so proud of them all!

Students in Years 1 and 2 have learnt a greetings song and begun their unit on the weather: “¿Cómo está el día hoy?” (How is the weather today?) using a song and actions to learn new vocabulary. Years 1 and 2 received their cuaderno de español and followed instructions to record new vocabulary using modelled drawings on a “doble pagina” (double page). 

Students in years 3 - 6 have been using prior knowledge of Spanish to introduce and talk about themselves. Students began the topic “Todo Sobre Mi” (All About Me), using their new cuaderno de español. Students have used visual aids to name activities they like doing and activities they dislike doing using the vocabulary “Me gusta” and “No me gusta”. Students have followed classroom directions in Spanish, following actions to make meaning of new vocabulary to complete work in their workbook. Very impressive learning and work thus far!

STEM

This week in STEM we've begun our Physics science block across all year levels. 

The Preps and Grade 1s were introduced to the what a 'force' is and did some scientific observations and tests to use push and pull forces to move different objects!

The Grade 2s learnt about sound energy and observed a demonstration of sound waves in action! We had a bowl covered with glad wrap and coffee granules and when we made a big sounds with a drum, we watched as the vibrations from the sound cause the coffee to jump up into the air! 

In Grade 3, we looked at heat energy! We discussed how we can uses our sense of touch to detect heat and explored how different heat sources (like the Sun), can transfer energy to objects. We made some predictions and tested some different objects and surfaces to see how much heat we could detect. 

The Grade 4s have also been looking at forces! We began with a lesson on defining contact force and non-contact forces. We tested and observed 3 different contact forces in action, friction, air resistance and water resistance!

In Grade 5, we looked at light energy! We learnt about how light travels in a straight line and observed this in action with a laser pointer. We also observed how shadows are cast when objects block the path of light. We then did some research into the history of our understanding of light by looking at discoveries by Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Isaac Newton. 

The Grade 6s this week looked at electrical energy. We leant about how electrical energy is energy produced from the movement of tiny particles called electrons. We then explored some key historical events that contributed to our understanding of electricity. Did you know that the Ancient Greeks discovered static electricity in 600BC?! The first battery was built in 1800, and by 1881 the first town was lit with electricity!

Visual Arts

What an amazing start to the year it has been in Visual Arts! All students have returned with enthusiasm and creativity, ready to explore and create wonderful artworks. With our BIG IDEA set for this year’s Art Show, we have begun our exciting artistic journey around the world, exploring identity, home, and culture through art.

Prep

Our Prep students have settled beautifully into their Art sessions. They have been learning about having a growth mindset and understanding that there is no right or wrong in art , there is simply creativity, effort, and personal expression. We read the beautiful story The Dot, which teaches us that even a small mark can be the beginning of something amazing. Inspired by this message, students created their own special mark and transformed it into a unique self-portrait. They showed wonderful confidence and creativity. What a fantastic start for our youngest artists!

Grade 1/2

Grade 1/2 students have begun exploring the theme of “Home.” They discovered that homes around the world can look very different and reflect unique cultures and environments. Using watercolours, students painted imaginative backgrounds and then used collage techniques to design their dream homes. Their artworks are colourful, creative, and full of personality.

Grade 3/4

Grade 3/4 students began their journey around the world by first exploring themselves and their own identity. Using a range of materials and techniques, they created vibrant and expressive self-portraits with a creative twist. They also started their next project by closely examining globes and continents. Using coffee filters, drawing, texture, and water techniques, students created beautiful globe artworks that represent our diverse and connected world.

Grade 5/6

Grade 5/6 students have been working on their Self-Identity Jars, filling them with symbols, colours, and images that represent who they are and what is important to them. This week, 6's havebegan developing ideas for our exciting library mural project. Students explored themes inspired by Australian flora, fauna, and identity, and were encouraged to express their ideas creatively. Their designs are now being compiled and will help inspire the final mural, which will be unveiled at our Harmony Block Party. We cannot wait to see their ideas come to life!

It has been a fantastic start to the year, and I am so proud of the creativity, effort, and enthusiasm shown by all of our students. I look forward to sharing more of their incredible artistic journey as the year continues.

Lauren Jamieson

Visual Arts Teacher