Specialist

Science

Our Year 5  and 6 have been looking at chemistry through the lens of physical and chemical changes this semester. As part of their learning this week, the students consolidated their knowledge by attempting to identify two mystery materials that they were given. Students ran them through a variety of tests aimed at identifying different reactions and changes in matter including effects of temperature, testing for starch compounds and allowing substances to mix in stable and unstable liquid solutions. By comparing to previous experiments, students were able to identify key factors that helped in identifying the mystery substances.

German

Students across Year 3 and 4 are exploring the influence of Germany on our everyday life-words this term. During Education Week, they pursued their own investigations into the impact of German science, technology, engineering and innovation on our everyday worlds. The students began researching all manner of German products and advancements from cars to contact lenses, printed books to painkillers, X-ray technology to televisions, and a few gummy bears and pretzels along the way too! As well as extending their knowledge and cultural understanding, the project provides an opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking skills. Later in the term, they will use their chosen form of technology and communication to share their research and knowledge with peers, and hopefully with you at home also. Vorsprung durch Technik! 

Physical Education 

Students in Year 1 and 2 have been refining their bat tennis skills, working through a range of striking skills individually and in pairs. We have linked this to the mathematics focus for Education Week by incorporating 'Time' into our skills. Students have practiced completing their skills within a set time frame. For example, how many times can you hit the ball up in the air within 1 minute. Setting a benchmark, and then working to beat that score. 

Students have also played small games of bat tennis in pairs, learning the rules of the game, keeping score and umpiring their own matches. Students have shown wonderful improvement in their skills and teamwork over the two week unit.

Performing Arts

Foundation students have been continuing to build their emotional literacy skills in Performing Arts through Drama. During Education Week we combined the skills we have been practising over the previous weeks, using our facial expressions, body language, and voice to convey emotions. The students participated in a role play exploring different how different emotions would look, sound, and feel in the playground. We discussed how showing emotion in different ways is an important part of Drama as storytelling, because it helps the audience to quickly understand how the characters are feeling.