Specialists

ps  workPerforming Arts

We have had a fantastic term of instrumental learning across all year levels, with students embracing new challenges and developing their musical skills with enthusiasm.

I am incredibly proud of our students for their commitment, perseverance and willingness to step outside their comfort zones. It has been wonderful to see them bring together everything they have learned - from reading music and understanding rhythm to applying instrumental techniques - as they confidently played their instruments.

Thank you to our students for their hard work and positive attitude throughout the term. I look forward to seeing their performing arts journeys continue next term!

Physical Education

The grade 4-6 Athletics Day was last Thursday and it was an amazing day for all the students as they participated in friendly competition across many different athletic events. Here are a few snap shots of the day!

The Western Bulldogs in conjunction with AFL Victoria will once again be running two July School Holiday Clinics in Melbourne these school holidays and we'd love your support in promoting these opportunities to your families and communities.

Clinic Details:🏉 Wednesday 1 July | 9:00am – 3:00pm📍 Kindersmith Reserve, Braybrook

🏉 Monday 6 July | 9:00am – 3:00pm📍 McIvor Reserve, Yarraville

The clinics are open to boys and girls aged 4-12 years and provide a fun day of AFL skills, games and activities led by experienced coaches.

Spanish

The Preps have successfully completed a whole semester of language-learning in their first year of primary school! How amazing and how proud I am of these language-learners and their massive achievements throughout terms 1 and 2.

In only their first half of their first year of schooling, the Prep language-learners have learnt to follow directions in the classroom including:

-sentados en el piso (sitting on the floor)

-por favor cierra la puerta (please close the door)

-cuaderno de español (Spanish

-escribir (write)

-cortar (cut)

-pegar (paste/glue/stick)

-los colores (the coloured pe

-arriba (up)

-en un circulo (in a circle)

Beyond these already impressive achievements, the Preps finished their unit on Las Partes dek Cuerpo

Years 1 and 2 have continued learning new vocabulary through our unit: "El Tiempo y La Ropa". Students have started making sentences using the work created so far this term in their cuaderno de español: 

"Cuando hace____ me pongo______" (When it is _____ I put on ______).

Students also moved on to practise a sentence to introduce using an umbrella using the weather song learned in Term 1. 

"Cuando está lloviendo, uso paraguas." (When it is raining, I use an umbrella.)

Then it started lloviendo in the Spanish Casita! 

Years 3 and 4 have continued learning new vocabulary through our "tema" (unit): "El Calendario". Students practised making sentences using the months of the year and the seasons. They worked in pairs practising conversations using the question prompt: "Cuando es _____" to ask when a season is, and answering using the correct names of the months in Spanish. Students this week started making a class calendar. In pairs, students worked together to work on a month, finding out which "día de la semana" (day of the week) the first of their month landed on.

Students worked on labelling the calendario with the season in Spanish and adding the dates to the correct days. 

They will look beautiful in the classrooms when they are finished!

Years 5 and 6 have begun working towards making their Term 2 "proyecto" project. Students randomly selected a Spanish-speaking country and begun finding information about their allocated country, preparing vocabulary that will be used to create their assessment task for Semester 1.

Vocabulary included:

País

Capital

Continente

Bandera

Población

Comidas tipicas

STEM

Visual Arts End of Term 2

And just like that, Term 2 has come to an end! What a fantastic term it has been, filled with creativity, curiosity and wonderful artistic achievements in the Art Room.

I have been incredibly proud of the effort, enthusiasm and positive attitude shown by all of our students this term. They have embraced new ideas, explored different cultures and artists, and worked diligently on a range of exciting projects. Many classes are in the middle of creating some truly amazing artworks, and we look forward to continuing these projects when we return in Term 3.

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support. 

Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing and well-deserved holiday break!

PREPS: Rocking Diwali Lamps

Our Foundation students explored the vibrant celebration of Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, celebrated in India and by many communities around the world. As part of our learning about the diverse cultures of Asia, students discovered that diyas (traditional oil lamps) are lit during Diwali to symbolise hope, light, kindness and new beginnings.

Inspired by these beautiful lamps, students designed and created their own rocking Diwali lamps using bright colours, repeating patterns and decorative lines. Along the way, they explored the visual art elements of line, shape, pattern and colour while creating unique artworks that balance and gently rock from side to side.

This engaging lesson encouraged creativity while helping students develop an appreciation of cultural traditions from around the world. 

Grade 1/2: Asian Lanterns

This term, our Grade 1 and 2 students explored the beautiful tradition of Asian lanterns. Students learned that lanterns are an important part of celebrations in countries such as China, Japan and Vietnam, particularly during the Lantern Festival, where they symbolise good luck, light, hope and celebration.

Using collage techniques, students carefully layered colourful tissue paper to transform paper lanterns into vibrant works of art. They then added pipe cleaner handles, beads and flowing ribbons to complete their creations.

Throughout the unit, students developed their understanding of colour, texture and construction while practising safe use of art materials. They also explored how art reflects the traditions and celebrations of different cultures around the world. I am incredibly proud of the creativity, patience and care our young artists demonstrated.

Grade 3/4 : Embossed Fish 

This term, our Grade 3 and 4 students explored pattern, colour and texture through vibrant fish artworks inspired by Canadian artist Sandra Silberzweig.

Students investigated how artists use bold colours, repeated patterns and symbolism to communicate ideas and create expressive artworks. They experimented with embossing techniques by pressing designs into foil to create texture before enhancing their work with bright colours and strong outlines inspired by Silberzweig's distinctive style.

Throughout the unit, students strengthened their understanding of the visual art elements of line, shape, colour and pattern while confidently experimenting with new materials and techniques. Their finished artworks are a wonderful celebration of creativity, texture and cultural exploration.

Grade 5/6: African-Inspired Scratch Art

Our Grade 5 and 6 students explored pattern, symbolism and cultural storytelling through striking African-inspired scratch art designs.

Students investigated artistic traditions including colourful Kente cloth and Adinkra symbols, learning that patterns and symbols can communicate important ideas, identity and cultural values. Using scratch art paper, they carefully etched intricate circular designs filled with repeated patterns and motifs, creating vibrant artworks with strong contrast and detail.

Throughout the lessons, students thoughtfully considered how artists use visual symbols to tell stories and represent ideas such as community, strength and connection. Their finished artworks showcase outstanding creativity, precision and thoughtful design.

We encourage families to ask their child about the patterns they created and the meaning behind their artwork.

Thank you for another wonderful term of creativity in Visual Arts. We look forward to another exciting term of artistic exploration in Term 3!

Do you want to come in and be a classroom helper?

Are you able to do some framing of work for the art show? 

If it’s a yes please come and have a chat with me at school pick up, I am always out on yard duty at this time. 

Also I am looking for artists, performers and musicians within the school community please, please reach out if you are one as I really want to involve you in this year's artshow. 

Thank you very much 

Lauren Jamieson

Visual Arts Teacher