Specialist Happenings
Visual Arts
The last weeks of Term 2 in the Art room are full of fun. We have been making tiny worlds and mini monster creations and designing our very own 13 Story Tree House to create next term.
We have many exciting things coming in Term 3 including sustainable and re-purposed fashion activities for year 6 and hopefully, skate deck design.
To that end I would greatly appreciate if any families have old damaged and unwanted skate decks I would appreciate them in the art room.
Have a wonderful and well-deserved break everyone.
Miss H
Year 3 tiny world creations.
Mandarin
Our Our Grade 1/2 students have been continuing their Mandarin learning journey with the topic of fruits. Last week, they explored how to express likes and dislikes as well as describing food as yummy (好吃) or horrible (不好吃).
This week, students took it a step further by learning how to use the word “because” (因为 yīnwèi) to give reasons. They practised forming simple sentences to explain their choices using familiar vocabulary.
For example: “妈妈要一个苹果，因为她喜欢吃苹果。”(Māmā yào yí gè píngguǒ, yīnwèi tā xǐhuān chī píngguǒ.)– "Mum wants an apple because she likes to eat apples."
Students have done a fantastic job putting their sentences together and are becoming more confident in expressing their thoughts in Mandarin!
Well done, Grade 1/2!
Our Grade 3/4 students have been continuing to build on their topic of house rooms and hobbies by creating their very own Mandarin comic strips! Using their growing vocabulary, they wrote fun and expressive sentences to show who is doing what in which room, and how they feel about it.
This week’s focus was on using emotions like happy (高兴) and angry (生气), and learning how to use “because” (因为) to explain why. For example: “妈妈很生气，因为弟弟在房间里踢足球。”(Māma hěn shēngqì, yīnwèi dìdi zài fángjiān lǐ tī zúqiú.)– "Mum is very angry because little brother is playing soccer in the room."
Their comics were full of creativity, expression, and humour—such a great way to apply their language learning in a meaningful and fun way!
Fantastic work, Grade 3/4!
You are all amazing!
你们真棒！(Nǐmen zhēn bàng)
Miss. Low
Physical Education
Foundation to Year 2 students have been working on their soccer kicking skills. They’ve been learning to step with their non-kicking foot (ask them which one has the sticker!) and to follow through with their kick to help with accuracy. During game-style activities, we’ve also been practising dribbling, trapping the ball, and of course, everyone’s favourite, kicking goals!
Our Year 3–6 students have been sharpening their athletics skills in the lead-up to our Athletics Carnival on 31st July. They’ve been working hard on High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump (which can be a bit tricky for some!), as well as the throwing events of Shot Put and Discus.
Keep an eye out over the coming days for the House Athletics Carnival Compass permission forms (for Years 4–6). To help the day run smoothly, we’ll need plenty of parent helpers. If you're available, please let us know via email or when you give permission via Compass.
Mr Davies and Mrs Foster
Science
Foundation
Our youngest scientists have continued learning about space. We looked at shadows and how they can be created by the sun.
Level 1 & 2s
Level 1s and 2s really enjoyed learning about how craters are formed on Earth and on the Moon. We looked at the splash created by water balloons, which look similar to the rays created by meteorites. We then looked at items dropping into flour and cocoa, thinking about the crater, the walls and rim.
Level 3 & 4s
Level 3 and 4 have studied 'where the water goes' from our homes. They studied the guttering and pipes and that this water, plus our street gutters, go straight to Port Phillip Bay. They also studied the problems created when litter gets into our oceans.
Level 5 & 6s
Our Level 5s and 6s have learnt about the natural disasters caused by the movement of the tectonic plates. We focussed on earthquakes and the damage they cause. We are very excited to be starting our earthquake challenge, where the students are aiming to build an earthquake proof tower.
Wilko, Safety Sue and Ms Cullen