Years 3 - 5

As we wrap up the term, we have finished our class novel The One and Only Ivan. Students were very pleased with the heartwarming ending, celebrating that Ivan’s mission and promise to help Ruby the baby elephant leave the mall and find a better home came true. Following this, we explored the true story of Ivan the gorilla, learning that he spent over 27 years in captivity inside an American Mall before moving to Zoo Atlanta , where he lived for a further 18 years. Students were fascinated to discover that Ivan lived to 50 years old, which is longer than the average gorilla in captivity (32 years).

In the lead up to the Red Gum Festival, students have been working incredibly hard to complete their three-dimensional air-dry clay animals and our class collaborative “Home Among the Gum Trees” scene. I am so excited for you to see all their wonderful artwork on display at the festival later this April.