Specialist Team News
with Faye, Paddy, Marcia, Sara & Kate
Performing Arts
The Curriculum Focus in Performing Arts
All students have been considering what makes a safe, fair and happy performing arts class where everyone can learn. Students in Grade 1 - 6 have also been reviewing how to read rhythms including notes and rests.
Prep: Students have been singing songs about the routines in the classroom e.g. “I can follow the rules” and the “Line Up” song. They have also been learning about keeping a steady best. For lesson 2, students will be focusing on the musical element – dynamics i.e. loud and soft in music and its purpose.
Year 1:
Students have been sharing their knowledge of greetings from different countries and have learnt a welcome song from Ghana called “Funga Alafia”. They have played name games with a focus on the rhythm in their own name. For lesson 2, students will learn the dance that features in Funga Alafia and review how rhythms are written.
Year 2:
Students have used percussion instruments to review how rhythms are written including a play along of Pharrell William’s song “Happy”. In lesson 2, students will consider what makes a great “Willy Kid”, then create an individual rhythmic composition based on these attributes.
Grade 3/4:
Students have played the game ‘Name on a beat’ and have reviewed how rhythms are written. Using body percussion they have listened to and played along to the song “Mas Que Nada” from the movie “Rio”. This also featured playing a call and response section. For lesson 2, students will start learning about rap music and the rhyming structures present in songs. They will create and share an activity called ‘Rap my Name’.
Grade 5/6:
Students have reviewed reading musical symbols in a ‘Music Rules’ rhythm composition. The have been introduced to a listening journey where one student will share a piece of music at the beginning of each class. In lesson 2, they will learn about parodies and compare and contrast a popular song and a parodied version of it.
Music Clubs
A meeting was held on Monday for students interested in auditioning for the school bands. Please see the attached information sheet that was handed out to students.
*NB. I have amended the dates by a week from the original copy as I will absent from school until next Thursday 12th February.
Warm regards,
Faye Ferry
Performing Arts & Band Teacher
Visual Art
Welcome back to the Art Room Everyone!
This is a very exciting year for Visual Arts as we will be showcasing the amazing work of all our ‘Arty’ Willy Kids at the Williamstown Primary School Art Show! We will be working hard all year to create some amazing art pieces that will go on display. This will occur in term 4 and dates and information will be announced throughout the year. To help with the creative process, we are asking for some materials that you may no longer need and would be happy to donate to the art room where we will turn them into magnificent art pieces. Some things we are looking for are wool, old house paint brushes, newspapers and shoe boxes (in good condition). So, if you are doing a clean out and have these items can you please drop them off at the Art Room. Thanks so much for your support!
All grades will experience their first art lessons for 2026 this week. We have been revising old routines in the art room and learning some new ones. All grades have worked on their art book front covers and have had an amazing start to the year. Next week we will work on Valentines Day inspired art pieces using a variety of materials like oil pastels, chalk, textas and paint sticks. These will be displayed in the office foyer.
Art smocks for everyone!
This year, I strongly encourage all classes to bring in an art smock (P-6) In the spirit of reducing waste, I recommend an old, oversized t-shirt or shirt with your child’s name on it. These will be stored in your child’s classroom and will be used when required.
Hobsons Bay 5x7 Art Competition
We have been invited back to create our entry for the Hobsons Bay 5x7 Art Competition. Only a small number of schools are invited to participate in this amazing opportunity, and we have been invited back to showcase the wonderful art our Willy Kids create. At this stage we will be opening entry places to the grade 5/6’s. This is on a volunteer basis, and we will be working on our entries every Monday at lunch time for the next few weeks. I’m so happy to see so many students keen and eager to participate for the 24 spots available!!! If you are in Grade 5/6, please come see me during our lessons if you are interested in helping us put our entry together. Here is a photo of our entry from last year that won second place! This year the theme is ‘NOSTALGIA’
Warm regards,
Marcia Evans
Physical Education
Warm regards,
Paddy Gallivan
LOTE - French
Over the next two weeks, French lessons from Prep to Year 6 will focus on building strong foundations for a positive start to language learning. As a new teacher to Willy Primary, this time will be spent getting to know students as learners, establishing expectations in the French room, and creating a supportive environment where students feel confident to have a go.
Students from Prep to Year 2 will begin at the very basics of learning a new language. Through songs, repetition, games, and simple routines, students will practise greetings, functional classroom phrases, and introductory vocabulary while building confidence and curiosity in French.
Students in Years 3 to 6 will build on these foundations by learning to describe themselves in French. They will practise greetings and personal information, with opportunities to create short self-introductions and present their work to the class, developing confidence in speaking and listening skills.
Across all year levels, students will learn about me and my background growing up in Canada, while also sharing information about themselves. This introductory unit prioritises relationships, confidence, and enjoyment of language learning as students begin their French journey for the year.
Warm regards,
Sara Borrens