Specialists Updates and Celebrations

Mandarin

Prep

This term, Prep students will learn Mandarin words for family members and practise introducing their family using a simple sentence. They will build their listening and speaking skills through songs, games, stories and hands-on activities.

Year 1 and 2

This term, Year 1 and 2 students will learn to name and introduce family members in Mandarin. They will also explore connections between family, community and Australia, including learning a short Acknowledgement of Country in Mandarin.

Year 3 and 4

This term, Year 3 and 4 students will explore ancient Chinese civilisation, including dynasties, farming, food, inventions, games and everyday life. They will develop relevant Mandarin vocabulary and complete a short research task.

Year 5 and 6

This term, Year 5 and 6 students will compare ancient and modern China. They will explore changes in areas such as food, clothing, technology, education and daily life, using research and Mandarin vocabulary to present their learning.

Visual Art

I can’t believe we’re already halfway through the year, time really does fly when you’re having fun!

Prep – Year 2

During Semester 2, our Prep to Year 2 students will begin by developing their fine motor skills using a variety of materials, including playdough, plasticine and clay. They will also work collaboratively on group art projects, giving them the opportunity to create some wonderful shared artworks with their classmates.

We also have Book Week coming up this term! Students will design their own Book Week posters and contribute small artworks that will become part of our library display.

Year 3 – Year 6

Semester 2 will have a strong focus on clay sculpture. Students will spend several weeks carefully planning, designing and constructing their own clay sculptures, developing their ideas and refining their work over time.

Later in the semester, students will begin their Personal Project, an artwork entirely of their own choosing. They will plan, create and present their finished piece to the class, encouraging creativity, independence and personal expression.

Like the younger students, our Year 3–6 students will also create Book Week posters and contribute artworks to our special library display.

Physical Education 

Prep

Students will develop their fundamental movement skills through kicking and passing, batting and aiming, team games, and Sports Day activities.

Years 1–2

Students will participate in hockey, rugby, frisbee, soccer, basketball, and Sports Day activities, developing skills, teamwork, and game strategies through a variety of sports.

Years 3–6

Students will participate in hockey, rugby, frisbee, soccer, basketball, volleyball and Sports Day activities, developing skills, teamwork, and game strategies through a variety of sports.

Sport Events

• Years 3–4: Frisbee and Soccer Gala Days
• Years 5–6: Frisbee and Beach Volleyball Gala Days
• Years 4–6: Athletics Day
• Prep–Year 6: Sports Day

Throughout the semester, students will build confidence, teamwork, sportspersonship, and fundamental movement skills through active participation in a range of physical activities.

Music

Music 

Prep

TERM 3

Dynamics - building a foundational understanding of what dynamics is. Practical skill development for djembe, marimba, body percussion, rhythm sticks and voice. to perform a repertoire of pre-scribed material.

Timbre- building a foundational understanding of what timbre is. Practical skill development for untuned auxiliary percussion to perform a repertoire of pre-scribed material.

TERM 4

Form - building a foundational understanding of what form is. Practical skill development for voice and tuned percussion to perform a repertoire of pre-scribed material.

Expression - building a foundational understanding of what expression is. Practical skill development for voice, tuned and untuned percussion to perform a repertoire of pre-scribed material.

Year 1 and 2

TERM 3

Dynamics - contextual knowledge of what dynamics is. Practical skill development for voice, tuned and untuned tuned percussion. Perform prescribed pieces of music, as well as create and make original music. A focus is placed on group work.

Timbre - contextual knowledge of what timbre is. Practical skill development for tuned and untuned percussion, as well as create and make original music. A focus is placed on group work.

TERM 4

Form - contextual knowledge of what form is. Practical skill development for voice, djembe and tuned percussion. Perform prescribed pieces of music, as well as create and make original music individually and in small groups.

Expression - contextual knowledge of what expression is. Practical skill development for voice, tuned and untuned percussion, as well as create and make original music.

Year 3 and 4

TERM 3

Electronic Music - building an understanding of the genre. Identifying key characteristics and features of the music.  Skill development with music making software. An understanding of compositional techniques used in the genre.

TERM 4

Ukulele, Kalimba, Marimba and Tongue Drum – Foundational practical skills on instruments through learning year level appropriate skill level based pre-scribed pieces of music. Utilising practice skills by creating and making original music on these instruments.

Year 5 and 6

TERM 3

Film and Video Game Music! – contextual understanding of the role of music in film and video games. Practical skills using a variety of music making software programs. Composing music for film and video games using specific composition techniques to create desired soundscapes and moods.

TERM 4 

Ukulele, Kalimba, Marimba and Tongue Drum - Ukulele, Kalimba, Marimba and Tongue Drum – embedded practical skills on instruments through learning year level appropriate skill level based pre-scribed pieces of music. Utilising practice skills by creating and making original music on these instruments with specific desired outcomes.

Library

The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Award winners will be announced in time for Book Week (August 24th-28th).

At SMPS, we have all the shortlisted books in the categories of Younger Readers, Picture Book, Early Childhood, New Illustrator and the Eve Pownall Award (non-fiction). 

In the lead up to Book Week, teachers have been reading the shortlisted books to the students during library sessions. Last term, we read books from the Early Childhood category and students voted ‘Derek’ as the SMPS winner.