Specialists News

Auslan News

In response to the many questions I receive, from students across the year levels, on how people are born or become deaf, I have factored in some tailored study about the human ear including the parts and structure of the ear, how we hear sound and types of hearing loss/impairments. The students are very engaged in the learning about how our ears work!!

Grade Preps are currently learning Colours in Auslan, including: red, yellow, pink, green, purple, orange, blue, white, black, grey, brown, gold and silver. Prep students have been practising these signs through a computer Paint Palette activity, and learning to sign a song: ‘I Can Sign a Rainbow.’ Preps have coloured their own rainbows (see photos below) to sign in class, and students are also enjoying using ribbon wands to create a rainbow effect whilst their peers sign along to the song. 

Grade 1-2s are continuing to practise a simple Auslan conversation where they use signs to introduce themselves, greet someone and respond to greetings. Some students are very eager to practise this at home so an email was sent this week with the script attached if your child/ren are showing interest in practising at home for fun. The Grade 1-2s will sign this conversation for their peers with their partner over the next 2 weeks. 

Grade 1-2s have also been learning what sound is, how we hear sound and the sections of the ear that help us to hear, including: the outer, middle and inner ear.

Grade 3-4s have been presenting their simple conversations to the class with their partners to practise Auslan Greetings and Wh… Qn words. Students are being encouraged to draw upon the signs they have learned as well as new signs, rather than attempting to fingerspell everything. We are developing quite a signbank of signs to use now, so I am really encouraging students to try to recall signs we have previously learned.

Grade 3-4s and 5-6s are learning new signs for use in everyday conversations: live, work, school, busy, help you, help me, mobile, telephone, number, nice/lovely/beautiful, and weekend.

Grade 5-6 students have also been learning about the basic structure of the ear and the different types of hearing loss that people experience when certain parts of the ear are impacted. They are learning how each special part of the ear helps to convert soundwaves in the air to signals that are transmitted through the auditory nerve to the brain, to allow us to hear sounds. Your child/ren might be able to explain how sound travels through the parts of the ear in more detail for you!! It is extremely interesting! 

Here is a link to a short video that explains how we hear sound, if you are interested in watching it:  CLICK HERE: The Journey of Sound to the Brain

Mrs Riordan.

Sports News

Sandhurst Division Swimming Championships

On Monday we had 8 students from grades 3-6 represent the school at the Sandhurst Division Swimming Championships at the Bendigo East Pool. 

The students competed against the best swimmers from across central Victoria. The standard of competition was very high and our team is to be congratulated for both their individual achievements, and for the way they conducted themselves throughout the day.

One of the highlights of the day was the performance of our 2 relay teams, both of which had competitors swimming outside their age group. Our Boys and Girls teams finished 5th overall against quality opposition. We also had some outstanding outstanding individual swims, with a number of our students placing in the top 3 of their respective heats. Bella A (pictured) was the best placed of our swimmers on the day, finishing 2nd overall in the Girls 11 Years Breaststroke.

I would like to thank the parents/carers for their support of the students on the day. I would also especially like to thank SEDA student Tilly Brown for helping as an official timekeeper.

Sandhurst Division Tennis Tournament

Well done to Hannah J and Oliver S for their performance at the Sandhurst Division Tennis Tournament on Wednesday. This tournament featured the best players from all schools across the Bendigo and surrounding district. 

Both students played some amazing tennis throughout the day and finished 3rd in their respective pools. I would like to congratulate both Hannah and Oliver for their skill, enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Awesome effort!

A huge thank you to Jim Widdowson and the Spring Gully Tennis Club for their support with this event. 

National Ride to School Day – FRIDAY 22nd of March.

Friday the 22nd of March is National Ride2School. National Ride2School Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel and one of the best days on the school calendar. It is a day where students, teachers and parents discover the joy of riding and kick-start healthy habits for the future.

Join more than 350,000 students across the nation who will ride, walk, scoot and skate to school.

Part Way is OK.

For those who live a long way from school – riding, walking or scooting part of the way is also ok. We have a number of excellent walking/riding tracks around the school that you can use that lead to our School crossing.

All students who ride/walk/scoot or skate will receive a sticker and there will be prizes for the class with the highest percentage of active travellers.

Due to the number of students riding to school on this day, there will be a space on the BOTTOM OVAL to place all bikes and scooters.

CROSS COUNTRY - MONDAY 25th March

Our School Cross Country will be held on MONDAY 25th of March, at the Spring Gully Recreational Reserve (based at the Soccer Fields).

The following is a timetable of events. Please note that these are APPROXIMATE times only. We will try to stick as closely to these times as we can, however, the program may run behind/ahead of time depending on the circumstances.

• 10:45 – 11.30 – Lunchtime          
• 10:30am– Students assembly and walk down to their starting positions. Grades 2 to 6 walk down to soccer fields. Assembly under Soccer Clubrooms veranda.
• 11:50am – Preps race starts (tennis courts to soccer fields). Approx. 500m
• 12.00pm - Grade 1 starts at Foley Crossing & run to the soccer oval – dirt track tennis court side Approx. 750m.
• 12.15pm – 11/12 years start at soccer oval - run to cricket oval and back to soccer fields (one big lap of the creek) Approx. 3km
• 12.20pm – Grade 2 start at the soccer fields. One lap – cut through, down to Stanley Ave via Retreat Rd side of the track. Approx. 1km
• 12:45pm – 9/10 years (grade 3&4) start at soccer fields and complete a lap of the creek turning at Foley Crossing and finish at soccer oval. Approx. 2km
• All runners finished by 1.15 to 1.30pm. Walk back to school.

All students from Prep to Grade 6 will be competing. Prep to Grade 2 students will compete in their grade level, whilst students from grade 3 to 6 will compete in their age level. Ribbons and House points will be awarded to all students who complete the course. I encourage the children to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. Prep – 2 can run in House Colours. 

Students in 3-6 will be given a coloured vest for their AGE GROUP.

A spectator area near the finish line will be made available for those who wish to attend.

*Please note that permission for this event needs to be done online, via the Compass Parent Portal. This will be opening shortly.