Specialist Subjects 

Science 

Prep

The first two weeks of term focused on trees and the importance of caring for our environment. Students proudly planted trees and shrubs outside the junior classrooms, helping to create a greener, more inviting space for our school community.

This term, our inquiry topic is "What's It Made Of?" Students explored the school grounds, identifying a variety of natural and manufactured materials. They then created a map of the school, sorting items into categories such as wood, metal, glass, concrete, plastic, plants, rocks and grass. This hands-on investigation has helped students develop their observation skills while learning about the materials that make up the world around them.

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This term, our focus is Earth's Resources. Students began by exploring what a tree is and identifying the different parts and features of trees. They then planted trees, shrubs and bushes in the front garden, contributing to the school's growing green spaces and learning about the importance of caring for our environment.

As part of their investigations, students tested soil from different areas around the school and compared its properties. They also explored renewable and non-renewable energy sources, developing an understanding of how Earth's resources can be used sustainably and why it is important to protect them for the future.

As a class, students buried a items in the garden to investigate decomposition. In a few weeks, they will dig them up and observe what has changed, comparing which materials have broken down and discussing why some items decompose while others remain largely unchanged.

ART

The Art room has been transformed into a potter's workshop with students in Year 3-6 exploring the properties of clay and various techniques to hand build models.

Inspired by the excursion to the zoo, students have created animals... Y3/4 students using a pinch pot as the basis of their animal and joining clay pieces using the 4 Ss - score, slop on slip, stick and smooth; while Y5/6 students have used an alternative method of joining clay to create their animals known as the Patz technique. It will be interesting to see which technique creates a stronger join when the clay pieces dry. 

The Y1/2 students have been exploring threads and textiles and have practised the art of weaving, first with paper and now with threads. Scottish tartan patterns were our inspiration. They look fabulous!

Prep students have been exploring the element of art - texture... whether real or implied. They had fun making rubbings of lots of different textured objects, even the soles of their shoes! We then explored the different textures and feels of various objects and textiles. They have also explored weaving paper strips on a paper loom... over, under, over, under -it can be tricky!!