Specialist News
PE/SPORT
Over the past few weeks in Physical Education, students across all year levels have been kicking goals with a fun and engaging AFL skills program. We’ve been fortunate to welcome an AFL-trained coach who brings professional experience from working with the Carlton Football Club. Students have thoroughly enjoyed learning from someone with real-world expertise.
Throughout the program, students have developed a range of key movement skills including kicking, handballing, marking, and dodging. Younger students have been introduced to the basics through fun games, while older students have been refining their technique and applying their skills in goal kicking competitions.
Across all levels, there’s been a strong focus on teamwork, confidence, and having a go—essential elements of the Health and Physical Education curriculum. It’s been fantastic to see so many students active, enthusiastic, and proud of their progress on the field.
Mrs. Roberts
Auslan (Australian Sign Language)
Over the past few weeks, our Auslan (Australian Sign Language) lessons have included a focus on reviewing and assessing what students have learned so far this year. In preparation for the upcoming school reports, students have been participating in informal testing activities to demonstrate their understanding of key signs, including everyday vocabulary, handshapes, and the importance of facial expression in Auslan.
Assessing Auslan skills can be a little different from other subjects, as much of the testing is done one-on-one. This allows students to sign directly to the teacher and show their skills in a quiet, supportive setting. It also means that the process can take some time, but it ensures that every student has a chance to show their knowledge clearly and confidently.
We’re proud of the progress our students are making and look forward to sharing their achievements in the upcoming school reports.
Visual Arts
It’s been a vibrant and busy time in the Art Room as students across all year levels have been exploring new techniques, developing their creativity, and bringing their ideas to life through a variety of exciting projects.
Foundation and Year 1 students have been learning about form and shape by creating colourful 3D paper mâché hot air balloons. This project allowed students to experiment with construction techniques and layering, while building fine motor skills and understanding how to transform flat materials into 3D artworks. We talked about how artists make decisions about colour and design, and the students really enjoyed adding their personal flair to their creations!
In Year 2 and 3, students have continued their projects inspired by Polish-American artist Barbara Kobylinska, known for her whimsical bird sculptures. Using paper mâché techniques, they designed and built their own expressive birds, exploring texture, pattern, and balance. The project supported students to plan, experiment, and make artistic choices in line with the Visual Arts curriculum’s focus on visual conventions and personal expression.
Our Year 4 and 5 students have been exploring colour theory through beautifully detailed still life jar drawings. They investigated the effects of warm and cool colours, complementary colours, and shading to create depth and dimension in their work. This task helped students develop their understanding of how artists use colour intentionally to convey mood and meaning.
In Year 5 and 6, students have taken on a more complex project—designing and sculpting their own paper mâché dogs. This has been a multi-week process, beginning with form building, followed by careful shaping, painting, and decorating. Each student gave their dog a personality, complete with nameplates and thoughtful details like collars, markings, and expressions. This project encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and persistence, while deepening their understanding of sculpture and how visual artworks can communicate ideas.
Across all levels, students have been working towards key Visual Arts curriculum goals: exploring and using materials and techniques, developing ideas, and reflecting on their artmaking processes. Most importantly, they’ve had fun, expressed themselves, and taken pride in what they’ve created. We can’t wait to share more of their wonderful work with you soon!
Mrs. Roberts
