Primary School
From the Head of Primary
Wow, it has been a busy week in Primary School. A very big thank you must go out to our staff who have been going above and beyond to provide dynamic learning opportunities for our students. From excursions to lunchtime activities to invaluable movement programmes, there has been something ‘extra’ on offer for all students. It was wonderful to see the community spirit and engagement on the weekend at our Kingfisher Fair and I look forward to the showcase of musical talent this evening at the Kingfisher Concert. Thank you to our hardworking music department; I am sure it will be a delightful celebration of our collective musical talent.
Last Friday, our hardworking Year Six students ran a Passions and Pursuits afternoon for our Years Three to Six classes, whilst many assisted in the ECC with the KIDDO assessments. It was lovely to see students engaging in pop-up book-making, cooking, pickle ball and scavenger hunts. Next term, our Year Six classes hand over the organisation of our Pastoral Care activities to the Year Five students as part of our House Leader selection process.
KIDDO
Kiddo has begun! Thank you, Mr Steve Berryman, for coordinating and to our ECC teachers for helping to run this valuable programme.
The KIDDO programme is a fun and engaging initiative adopted by our wonderful and enthusiastic Early Childhood team of teachers and education assistants that runs every morning for 20 minutes in the gym. KIDDO focuses on early development of locomotor and fundamental movement skills and engages students in a fun and energetic start to the morning.
With this being our first week of implementing KIDDO, it has been very encouraging to see students engage in all activities with a smile on their faces. I thank all our staff for their organisation and enthusiasm towards the programme.
Mr Stephen Berryman | HPE Teacher and Sports Coordinator
Primary Interhouse Spelling Competition
A big thank you to Mr Geoff Hardey (Year Three Teacher) for running the annual Interhouse Spelling Competition. Congratulations to Nate Hubbard (Year Five) of Wilson for taking out the final round! Well done to Lani Marsh (Year Six) and Amy Lee (Year Five) for making it to the final round. House points will go towards the final tallies for the shield presentation in Term Four.
Year Two Excursion to the Museum and Eyre Park
On Monday, the Year Two class went on an excursion to the Museum of the Great Southern to look at school in the past. Everyone dressed up in olden day clothing and we had a wonderful day learning about how things were very different at school in 1920. A big thank you to Mrs Fergie for attending the day with us and to Mrs Field for joining us at the park. At the museum, the students looked at how school life has changed from the past, before having lunch at Eyre Park and inquiring into the push and pull forces of the playground equipment.
Below is a recount by Annabelle Brennan (Year Two).
Yesterday the Year Two class went on an excursion to Mr Crabapples classroom. In his classroom, we got to pretend to be at school in the ‘Olden Days’. We went because we are learning about school in the past.
First, we went on the bus. I had fun! We had morning tea together.
Next Mr Crabapple rang a bell and we had to go into two lines. One was for the boys and one for the girls. He made sure our hands were clean and if they weren’t you had to wash them. Ms Diletti had to wash hers! The girls walked in first, then the boys.
We stood up behind our desks then sat down and sang a song about a King. Then we had to do spelling and he told us that we couldn’t answer him back. We asked him some questions about what kids wore in the olden days. They didn’t wear shoes to school! Aila’s job was to take care of the horses. I had to hand out the chalk and Max had to refill the fire with coal and wood. Poppy’s job was to ring the bell.
After that we had a play outside with skipping ropes, ball and cup, knuckles, hoops and marbles. The girls could only play with stuff that wasn’t on the dirt. It was so unfair!
Finally Mr Carbapple rang the bell and we went inside to look at some olden day objects. We had to work out what they were and why they would use them. I got a glove and Ellie got a mixer. We went outside and had to write about what we learnt.
Did you know in the olden days you had to make your own butter and ride horses or walk to school?
I enjoyed our excursion because I got to be with my friends for the day.
Pre-Primary and Kindergarten Excursion – Discovery Bay
The Pre-Primary and Kindergarten classes were very excited about their first learning experience away from school.
Once we arrived at Discovery Bay, we enjoyed some recess and the sunshine. Yes, it was sunny!
We then ventured off in our groups to explore the native flora and surroundings.
The weather loomed behind us, and it didn't take long for it to catch us as we bunkered down under cover.
The weather stopped as quickly as it started, and we again ventured off, down to the animal enclosures.
Tahlia introduced us to the resident reptiles: Stimson pythons and blue tongue lizards.
We met Peppe, the sulphur crested cockatoo, who was extremely vocal and entertaining, and different Australian marsupials: kangaroos with leucism (white colouration), wallabies, pademelons, wombats and possums. There were different bird species and a few animals who were not quite too sure of the weather and decided to stay in their cosy homes.
After visiting the animals, we headed back up the hill for some lunch and refreshments, a few races with the Kindergarten students up the amphitheatre hill, then commenced our trek to Whale World.
We climbed on board the Cheynes IV and, with a gusty breeze, it was quite easy to imagine life on the seas. After a short discussion of life on board a whaling ship, we braved a dark entrance to the oil tankers and a brief snippet of the shark movie. (brief!)
We then visited the whale skeletons and to satisfy Mrs Brown's curiosity of the Scrimshaw exhibition, we walked through this on our way back to board the bus. (It was very impressive!)
The bus trip back to school was a little quieter than on the way, with a few students taking the opportunity for a recharge.
Although the weather was not ideal, the students were not discouraged or deterred from the adventures we encountered. It was a great day out enjoyed by everyone.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend the students on the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout the day. Students listened to instructions, were respectful of the environment and embraced the challenges we encountered on the day. Well done Pre-Primary and Kindy!
Mrs Brown and Mrs Craig
Student Recounts
On Wednesday, the Pre-Primary and Kindys went to Discovery Bay for our excursion to learn about living things. The first thing we did was go for a bus ride. The next thing was to split up into groups. I felt happy.
Ava Smart
On Wednesday, our class went to Discovery Bay for an excursion because all of us are learning about living or non-living things. The first thing we did was split into groups. The second thing we did was walking. Everyone loved the excursion. Especially me!
Max Moir
On Wednesday, our class went to Discovery Bay for an excursion because we were learning about living things. First, we ate our fruit snack. The second thing we did was go and see the animals. I felt really happy.
Finn De Snoo
Pre-Primary Discoveries
Our class learnt:
Stimpson pythons aren't venomous - Emily
Blue whales are the biggest living creature on earth - Finn
Pademelon joeys live in their mother's pouch - Ava M
Animal scat helps identify the animals - Benji
There are over 5000 plant species at Discovery Bay - Lucie
School Values
Our school value focus for the past fortnight has been Respect – being considerate and kind. Students can show respect for themselves, others and the environment.
Well done to the following students who have received awards for modelling this value: Molly Stan-Bishop, Lailey Wrobel, Emily Leov, Amaya Sepkus, Beatrix Darling, Jemima Lester, Ayla Wrobel, Joel Castle and Sonny Williamson.
ECC Star Awards
Well done to our ECC Stars of the Week: Harriet Stan-Bishop, Harry Vesey, Ava Murnane and Odin Stephenson.
Upcoming Primary School Events
Week Nine
Year One Assembly – Friday 15 September 2.20pm in the Hall, all welcome.
Week Ten
Children’s University gowning visit – Monday 18 September 12.50pm in the Primary School foyer.
Have a restful weekend and I look forward to seeing many of you at the concert tonight.
Mrs Leah Field | Head of Primary