Specialist News
Physical Education
Just a reminder that Bike Education for grades 4/5 and 5/6 started this week.
Students are expected to bring their bike and helmet for use in sessions. The Year 4/5's will have their Bike Ed session on Tuesday, and the Year 5/6 students will have their session on Wednesday. Bikes can be stored at school if transport is a problem. There are also school bikes if your child cannot bring their own.
Please do a mechanical check of bikes before they are bought to school to ensure they are safe. A checklist has been sent home.
Digi Tech
Students across all year levels have been engaging enthusiastically with multimedia and technology, developing a wide range of digital skills that support creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Here’s a closer look at what each cohort has been exploring:
Prep and Year One
Our youngest learners have been exploring digital photography and audio recording using iPads. They have been learning to capture images of people, objects, plants, and animals, and then record their own voices describing their photos. Through these activities, students are developing basic digital literacy, gaining confidence with technology, and practicing oral communication and observation skills. They are also beginning to understand the importance of using technology safely and appropriately.
Year Two and Year Three
Students in Years Two and Three have been experimenting with creating simple animations using apps such as ChatterPix Kids and Puppet Pals. They have been learning to plan short animated sequences, record dialogue, and combine images with sound to tell a story. These activities help students develop skills in sequencing, storytelling, and digital creativity, while also introducing the concept of using digital tools to express ideas.
Year Four and Year Five
The focus for Year Four and Year Five students has shifted to stop-motion animation projects. Students are learning to plan and storyboard their ideas, manipulate objects frame by frame, and use digital tools to capture sequences that create the illusion of movement. This process develops attention to detail, problem-solving, and perseverance, as well as enhancing collaboration and time management skills when working in groups.
Year Five and Year Six
Our senior students have been working in small teams to create podcasts. They are developing skills in planning content, scripting, recording audio, and editing. In addition, students are learning about audience engagement, clear communication, and the technical aspects of producing digital media. These projects encourage collaborative problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking, while giving students a practical understanding of how multimedia tools can be used to share ideas effectively.
Across all year levels, students have shown increasing confidence in using technology to explore ideas, express creativity, and communicate effectively, demonstrating the exciting potential of digital tools in their learning journey.
Mr. Durrington
Visual Arts
🎨 Visual Arts News – Term 4 Update 🎨
It’s been a wonderfully creative term so far in the Visual Arts room. Students across all year levels have been exploring different materials, techniques, and artistic elements to bring their ideas to life.
Our Prep and Year 1 artists have been busy creating beautiful Clay Relief Flowers. They explored texture by pressing and imprinting patterns into clay, and learned about form and shape while designing their floral artworks. Each flower is unique and full of personality—just like its maker!
The Year 2 and 3 students have been working on their Magic Model Mini Food creations. Using clay and modelling tools, they learned how to construct and decorate small 3D artworks inspired by their favourite foods. This project encouraged them to think about colour, proportion, and detail—and to have fun making their “tasty” art look good enough to eat.
Our Year 4 and 5 students have delved into the world of fantasy with their Magic Model Dragon Eyes. This project focused on form and texture, using sculpting techniques to make realistic, eye-catching designs. Students discussed how contrast and line can help make their artwork appear more dramatic and lifelike.
Meanwhile, the Year 5 and 6 students have been exploring the process of kiln-fired clay while designing and creating decorative mugs. They have learned about the stages of clay—from soft and mouldable to hardened and painted—and how pattern and design choices can express personality and creativity.
It’s been inspiring to see students take creative risks, develop new skills, and express themselves through their artwork. We can’t wait to see what amazing pieces they produce next!
🖌️ Mrs Roberts
Auslan
Junior School
Over the past two weeks our junior school students have been learning to bring familiar stories to life through sign. One of their favourites has been There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, which they have enjoyed signing along to with lots of expression and laughter! By learning to retell familiar storybooks in Auslan, students are developing their confidence, memory, and understanding of how language and storytelling can be expressed visually.
Over the next few weeks students will be expanding their vocabulary by learning family signs, such as mum, dad, brother, sister, grandma, and grandpa. These lessons are aimed at helping them connect signing to real-life contexts, encouraging them to communicate about the people who are most important to them.
Middle School
Over the last couple of weeks the middle school students have been refreshing their memory on signs for emotions in order for them to be able to use them in context when communicating their feelings with one another. We have been doing this through the use of picture story books and games within the classroom. These students have been outstanding in placing a major emphasis on communicating these emotions through their use of facial expressions.
Senior School
Our senior students have been expanding both their communication skills and their global knowledge by learning the signs for various European countries. This learning connects beautifully with their current Geography studies, where they have been exploring countries and cultures from around the world. Students have enjoyed practising the signs for places such as France, Netherlands, Germany, and Russia, while learning about the unique languages, landmarks, and traditions that make each place special.
Through these lessons, students are developing a deeper appreciation for language diversity and global connections. By combining Auslan with Geography, they are seeing how communication can bridge cultures and bring people together.
Miss Bacon