Student News

Prep

Our Mother’s Day Breakfast for Prep students and significant women in their lives was a wonderful celebration and a warm and engaging time spent together last Friday morning. Thank you to all who were able to make it. The students will surely remember it for years to come!

In Literacy, we are learning how to retell a narrative using symbols for - setting, characters, problem and solution. We love The Very Cranky Bear, he lives in the jingle, jangle, jungle!

Grades 1& 2

We have been busy bees in Grades 1 and 2 this term!

• As part of our Inquiry unit, we have been sketching some famous Australian landmarks. We then read some informative texts during our Literacy sessions and wrote our own information reports. 
• We learnt about the significance of ANZAC Day and made poppies and soldier silhouettes.
• In Maths, we have been learning about place value and made place value pizzas.

Have you checked out our amazing work? It can be found in the corridor near the library.

Grades 3&4

This week in Mathematics, students have been developing their skills in measuring and comparing objects using familiar metric units of length and labelled scales. As part of their learning, students created their own 30 cm rulers and used them to measure a variety of objects around the classroom. They also investigated their height and arm span by measuring with string, and then calculating the length in centimetres using metre rulers.

Students have also continued to practice what they’ve learned in previous lessons about fractions.

Grades 5 & 6

The Grade 5/6 students recently enjoyed an exciting and memorable camp experience at Creswick Log Cabin Camp in Ballarat, filled with hands-on learning, adventure, and plenty of fun.

A highlight of the camp was our visit to Sovereign Hill, where students stepped back in time to experience life during the Gold Rush. They tried their luck at gold panning, with many thrilled to find small flecks of gold. The mine tour was a standout experience, giving students a glimpse into the conditions miners once worked in, while the gold pouring demonstration captured everyone’s attention as they watched molten gold transform into a solid bar. Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at the famous lolly shop, where many students eagerly stocked up on sweet treats.

Back at camp, students challenged themselves through a range of outdoor activities designed to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Orienteering encouraged problem-solving and navigation skills, while archery tested focus and precision. The obstacle course brought out determination and teamwork, and the giant swing and zip line pushed many students (and teachers, ES staff, and helpers!) out of their comfort zones in the best possible way. Crack stacking was amazing, with students working together to carefully balance and build as high as they could. Canoeing proved to be a favourite as the weather was beautiful and all groups had the opportunity to jump into the chilly, but refreshing water!

Throughout the camp, students demonstrated excellent behaviour, supported one another, and embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see them grow in independence and strengthen their friendships!

Performing Arts 

The Preps have been learning about the instruments of the orchestra and listening to The Carnival of the Animals by composer Camilla Saint-Saën and Sounds Like Australia by composer Jessica Wells. Here you can see the Preps acting out the different animals they can hear in the music. Can you see them being ferocious lions, slow tortoises, graceful swans, beautiful birds, and agile fish? 

In Performing Arts, the Grades 1 and 2 have been exploring pitch. They have been using their bodies to conduct what pitch their partner should play on their instruments. 

JAPANESE

To celebrate Mother’s and Carer’s Day, the children wrote heartfelt “thank you” (ありがとうございます) messages. They challenged themselves to write the messages on origami cups that became smaller and smaller — or bigger and bigger — before hiding green tea inside, hoping to make the perfect cuppa.

Kind regards,

Hiromi Sensai