Junior School
Head of Junior School Update
It’s hard to believe how quickly this term is already racing by! Our students have been busy learning, exploring, and making memories together.
Year 6 enjoyed a wonderful adventure at Phillip Island Camp, filled with fun activities and new challenges. Year 2 stepped back in time on their excursion to Flagstaff Hill. Some Year 5 and Year 6 students went to Deakin University for the Science and Engineering Challenge, while Year 4 had an exciting visit to see Middle Island and learn about the famous Maremma dogs.
There’s still plenty more to look forward to this term, with Book Week just around the corner and our two-week swimming program coming up. We can’t wait to see our students continue to learn, grow, and enjoy all the opportunities on offer.
Alex Burgess
Deputy Principal / Head of Junior School
Prep
The Preps have had a wonderful two weeks! We got to have our first session of gymnastics, we have worked together to make zoos out of the classroom resources and we have celebrated another birthday. We are very excited for book week and our first week of swimming.
Eden Romero
Prep Teacher
Year 1
What a fun way to kick off the term! Our Prep and Year 1 students have been heading off together to gymnastics, and it’s been full of laughs, learning new skills, and lots of adventurous moments.
From bouncy trampolines and balance beams to fun games of hide and seek, there’s been something for everyone to enjoy. The children have shown great courage trying new things and have loved cheering each other on along the way. The bus ride itself was an adventure - full of excitement and chatter.
And for the teachers? Well, let’s just say it felt a bit like Cinderella as we tried to find the right shoes for the right feet at the end of the session! We’re so thankful for these moments where we can learn, grow, and have fun together. God has blessed us with joyful hearts, strong bodies, and friendships that keep growing every day.
Kerry Snook
Year 1 Teacher
Year 2
This week Year 2 had their excursion to Flagstaff Hill! It was a wonderful day, and the Year 2s looked fantastic in their 'olden day' clothes! We learnt so much about different trades and life in the 1800s.
Some highlights of the day were completing the Sea Chest Challenge (whereby students had to race around the village to find and solve clues and riddles), making and eating scones, writing on slate boards in the schoolroom, seeing traditional trades (such as the blacksmiths and wool spinning), and exploring the village.
Thank you to all of my amazing helpers who came along for the day!
Alissa Griffin
Year 2 Teacher
Year 3
Year 3's have started our new science unit, learning about matter and started off our learning by making Oobleck - an interesting type of matter that can be both a solid and a liquid! We made a huge mess, but had a great time doing it!
We continued our learning in science by creating a chemical reaction - adding vinegar to bicarb and watching this reaction inflate a balloon all by itself. I think we are all convinced that science is awesome!
In maths we have been practicing telling the time and enjoyed learning this concept with Skittles and KitKats!
Year 3's have also been learning about how to stay safe online and whilst learning about this, we have improved our Google Doc skills and created some posters to educate others about online safety.
Ang Hales
Year 3 Teacher
Year 4
Middle Island Project Excursion
Year 4 recently enjoyed a trip to the breakwater to learn about the Middle Island Project. They shared the important work they do to protect Fairy Penguins. This tied in perfectly with the conclusion of our class novel, which also featured these delightful Fairy Penguins.
Students learned fascinating facts about Fairy Penguins and even had the chance to meet one of the Maremma Dogs that help guard them on the island. The morning was rounded off with some quality time at Lake Pertobe, where the sunshine and fresh air added to the fun. A highlight was playing hide and seek with staff.
A big thank you to Mrs Aitken, Mrs Schulz, Mrs Obst, Mrs Newton, Mrs Gittins and Mr Haworth for their support in making the morning such an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Humanities
This term in Humanities the Year 4 class are investigating a geography unit looking at climate, weather and physical features of various countries. This week the focus was on climates zones. We focused on the tropical zone, the temperate zone and the polar zone, looking at countries in each zone and the things that live and grow there.
Students worked to research a country of their choice and found out what climate zone it could be found in, what the weather was like there as well as some interesting and fun facts. What a joy it is to see them working together, focussed on their learning and asking thoughtful, inquiring questions. Keep it up Year 4's!
Christie Stephen & Emily Hunter
Year 4 Teachers
Year 4/5
Year 4/5 have had a great few weeks learning and incorporating lots of fun into the classroom. We have been learning all about fractions, decimals and percentages. We’ve also started exploring the concepts around the Victorian Gold Rush in humanities and our solar system in science. The students presented some great persuasive oral presentations in English and we won the FOGO award. It’s been a busy but fun time.
Naomi O'Brien
Year 4/5 Teacher
Year 6
Year 6, along with some Year 5 students, recently competed in the Year 5 & 6 Science & Engineering Challenge at Deakin University. Below is a write up from the students about their experience at this event (click image to enlarge):
Coral Robertson
Year 6 Teacher