Rochester Primary School Newsletter

From the classroom

On Monday 18th of November our Prep and 1 students travelled to Bendigo to watch the Pevan and Sarah Concert. Students have been exposed to Pevan and Sarah during the year. Pevan and Sarah are an educational duo who loves to sing engaging songs about things that may not necessarily be fun, for example syllables! The kids loved it! They spent a lot of the time dancing in their seats. After the show we had some time in Rosalind Park for lunch and a quick play. We were then back on the bus and returned in time for assembly!

 

 

 

People Who Help Us

Term 4 Inquiry unit for P-2 was ‘People Who Help Us’. We have been about community members that help others and also destigmatising professions that may be a little scary.

We would love to thank the following people for generously donating their time and sharing their roles with our students.

  • John and Melissa from Rochester Police Station
  • Jac and Linda who share their Nursing expertise
  • Shelley helped to make the students feel comfortable with visiting the Dentist
  • Nicky, Lindsey and Kate from Rochester Ambulance Station
  • Brett and Luke from Rochester Fire Station

 

This term in our Specialist subjects

PHYSICAL EDUCATION - MRS MANGAN

Prep – 2 students have been learning how to use a 2 handed strike to hit a ball. They have been exploring how to change the way they stand to aim the ball in different directions. Students participated in a variety of stations to practice this skill, and we finished off the unit with a game of Rapid Fire. For the remainder of the year our P-2 students will be applying the skills they have learnt this year in a games unit. A large focus of this unit will be around working with others and cooperating in teams and playing fairly.

 

Grade 3-6 started the term by learning about striking and fielding sports. They looked at the skills and strategies involved and the variety of sports and games they can play. This was a great way for our 5/6 students to prepare for the T20 Cricket Tournament. T-Ball proved to be a favourite in this unit as it was a great sport for students of all abilities to join in and apply their learning. For the remainder of the year our grade 3-6 students will be exploring target sports such as lawn bowls and bocce. Students will learn the importance of lifetime physical activity and how these types of sports can play a part in keeping people active.

VISUAL ARTS - MRS MCPHEE

The lower grades have had lots of fun creating pictures with foam stickers and then printing them in different ways. We made miniature models of coral reefs using clay, pool noodles, plasticine and pipe cleaners. Bugs and insects were sculpted from plasticine and then added to painted backgrounds to make collages.

Grade 3/4 have been making prints with gel plates and then creating pictures with the papers they made. We have been learning about how to make texture patterns and scratch back relief pictures and how to draw spooky eyes.

Grade 5/6 have been learning how to use gel plates to make multi layered prints, Tim Burton style portraits and mixed media pictures.

This week the whole school has been making decorations for our display at the Rochester Christmas Tree Display.

PERFORMING ARTS - MRS COLLINS

In Term 4, we explored a variety of dance genres, including rock, bush dances, modern, Aboriginal, ballroom, folk and free-form styles and movement skills to make and perform dance sequences. We briefly explored how to perform each style, while developing our technical skills and creativity. We invited a guest dance instructor to help coordinate a dance routine for each grade. Thanks to Shelley McFarlane for her help and expertise.  The term culminated in an exciting opportunity to perform in front of an audience where we showcased our growth and skills in front of the P1/2 classes. As an audience, the students were able to observe how other dancers communicate through movement. The experience not only strengthened our dance abilities but also taught us the importance of collaboration, expression and the joy of sharing with others.

SCIENCE - MRS WATSON

This term in Science, Grade 3/4 students have been learning about Earth’s changing surface. We have learned that changes can happen due to movement from deep underground, as well as from forces above ground, such as the sun, wind and rain.

Similarly, Grade 5/6 students have been learning about how sudden geological changes and extreme weather events can change the Earth’s surface, and the way in which humans can respond to better prepare for natural disasters.

LOTE INDONESIAN - BU WHELAN

We have had a great term of learning in the Indonesian room!

 

Grade Prep students enjoyed learning the actions and vocabulary to the song Bayi Hiu (Baby Shark), while learning family vocabulary. The also have begun to learn farm animal words and have enjoyed playing games including Animal Bingo and Memory Match.

 

The Grade 1/2s studied the story Kancil & Buaya (Crocodile & Mousedeer), a traditional tale about a cheeky mousedeer who tricks the crocodiles to cross the river. The students enjoyed acting out the story and all did a brilliant job.

 

We were lucky enough to receive some new resources in the Indonesian room this term, that students in Grades 3-6 were able to explore. We read a big book called 'Ini Fenty', which was accompanied by a DVD of Fenty. Fenty is a 10-year-old Indonesian student who lives on the island of Halmahera. We played a variety of games such a Bingo, Snap and Memory and completed other activities that came with the books. 

 

Students in Grade 3/4 also wrote letters to Balinese students who are learning English. We are hoping to have responses soon but they possibly won't arrive until next year. We will keep you updated!

 

Have a fabulous Christmas. Thanks to all of the wonderful RPS students who have worked so well in Indonesian this year.

 

Selamat Hari Natal! (Merry Christmas)

Bu Whelan

MINI LIT - MISS IETTO

This year was our first year of implementing MiniLit, an evidence-based, structured literacy intervention program. In MiniLit, students participate in fun, hands-on reading and writing activities in small groups. Seeing the students grow in their confidence, literacy levels and joy of reading has been a real highlight for all involved.

 

When asked about MiniLit, the students report:

Indi K – It is really fun and I like doing it because helps you learn. 

Olivia – I love MiniLit. It’s really helping me with reading.

Max M- MiniLit is a place to learn. It makes me feel good. I like that there is all sorts of things like games, writing and reading. 

Remy – MiniLit is for learning about letters and words. We do Word Races which is really fun. When we learn new digraphs and play games after, it makes me feel happy.

Tayo – MiniLit is where you sound out words and digraphs. It is teaching me new things. Hunter – MiniLit is where you go if you need some help. We have been learning about tricky words and sounds. It is really fun.

Lincoln – MiniLit is where you learn stuff. We do fun stuff and it is the best I ever had. 

 

I would like to say a massive thank you to Beck, Mon and Wendy for all your effort and care in being MiniLit tutors, the students loved being part of your groups! Thank you to all involved! We look forward to continuing and growing the program in 2025.