Specialists

LOTE

What a fantastic term we have had in Indonesian!

Prep students have wrapped up their exploration of jungle animals, using numbers, colours and preference to form short sentences. They’ve delved into traditional and contemporary stories, including the beloved tales of the mouse deer and the tiger, as well as adventures with the green sheep, orangutans, and chimpanzees. 

In Year 1/2, students have been captivated by the book Wombi di Pantai (Wombi at the Beach). They are learning various sentence structures, and it’s incredible to witness their growing understanding of the Indonesian language. We had a great time going on a scavenger hunt for classroom objects this week too.

Year 3/4 have been busy discussing their favorite leisure activities, including sports, reading, art, video games, and time with family and pets. They’ve written about these activities in the engaging style of Di Mana Cicak Hijau (Where is the Green Gecko), inspired by Where is the Green Sheep. Be sure to check out their creative pieces!

Meanwhile, our Year 5/6 students have been sharing their preferences for different school subjects. They are also exploring the contrasts between schools in Indonesia and Australia. To make learning fun, we’ve incorporated games like the popular "note stealing" game, which adds an element of excitement to vocabulary practice!

Selamat Liburan (Happy Holidays), and looking forward to a fantastic Term 4!

Visual Arts

As we wrap up the term, it’s been wonderful to see all the creativity and collaboration in our Visual Arts classes! The 5/6s have completed their vibrant animal collages inspired by Pete Cromer’s work, while the 3/4s worked together to recreate some of Cromer’s iconic bird collages. Our 1/2s showcased their teamwork by creating large, colourful pixel wall hangings, and the Preps explored a range of print techniques to create their own stunning masterpieces. Wishing everyone a fantastic holiday break – we can’t wait to see what next term brings!

Performing Arts

As we conclude this action-packed term, it's the perfect moment to look back on all we’ve achieved. This term has been filled with energy, hard work, and memorable experiences, culminating in our recent production.

The performance was a tremendous success, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone involved. From the initial rehearsals to the final curtain call, the commitment of our cast, crew, and volunteers was truly inspiring. Each show showcased the countless hours of practice and teamwork that brought our vision to life.

A heartfelt thank you to:

• Our incredible cast and crew for your enthusiasm and hard work.
• Our fabulous families and community for your unwavering support and encouragement.
• The dedicated Yarra Road staff for your commitment and dedication.
• Our amazing props team: Doug Amey, Kate Amey, and Jason Ochotnicki.
• Our talented photographer: Jenna Capuano.
• The Mooroolbark Lions Club Op Shop for generously donating 'office worker' costumes.

Special thanks to:

• Judy Haysom, Meriden James, Erica Boxall, Shelley Schafer, Kate Garside, and Holly Young for your continued support throughout the term.
• Our amazing parent helpers and volunteers: Leanne Beeson, Michelle Carmusciano, Jayde Fahie, Leah Bromage, Jade Mofodda, Tim Welten, Dannielle Marriott, Tegan Martin and Gabby Smarrelli.
• Everyone who donated items for this year's production.
• Our year 5 and 6 students who volunteered their time during recess and lunch to help with props, costumes, and dance lessons.

Without your collective efforts, the show wouldn’t have been possible. A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you!

Ordering USBs & MP4 Files

To order USBs or MP4 file downloads of the school production, please use the following link:

USBs are $35 and MP4 downloads are $25. 

Please note that orders will close at midnight on Friday, October 11th. All orders will be distributed the following week. MP4 links will be emailed to the address provided at the time of purchase, and USB copies will be delivered directly to the school.

Physical Education

This term in PE has been full of energy, excitement, and growth, with our focus on basketball, helping students develop a wide range of skills, from teamwork to technique. Here’s a breakdown of what each year level has been working on:

Prep

Our youngest students have been introduced to the fundamentals of basketball, working on basic skills like dribbling, passing, and shooting. Through fun drills and games, they’ve not only improved their coordination,  but also built confidence in their abilities. It’s been great to see their enthusiasm on the court!

Year 1/2 

The Year 1/2 students had an amazing opportunity to participate in special basketball coaching clinics run by professional players from the NBL1 and WNBL. These sessions have been a real highlight of the term, giving students a chance to learn from the best, while also inspiring them to keep improving. They’ve worked hard on their footwork, ball-handling, and defensive skills, and the progress has been fantastic.

Year 3/4

As we geared up for the Hoop Time competition, the Year 3/4 students refined their basketball skills through focused clinics. They learnt advanced techniques, working on team strategies, and gaining a deeper understanding of the game. The Hoop Time day was a big hit! With all students enjoying the competition. Congratulations to all the students who participated on the day! Our All Star Boys team was unlucky in their Grand Final losing on a 3 point buzzer beater! 

Year 5/6

Our senior students have taken their basketball skills to the next level with a series of clinics and mini-games, all leading up to their Hoop Time event. They worked on everything from offensive plays to defensive strategies, honing their shooting accuracy, and learning how to communicate effectively on the court. It’s been fantastic to see their growth. Their Hoop Time day was also an enjoyable day! Our teams performed very well, and showed great sportsmanship throughout. Congratulations to our All Star Girls team who went undefeated on the day and progressed through to the Regional Round later in the year!

District Athletics Success!

Amidst all the basketball excitement, we also participated in the District Athletics competition, where our students showcased their talents across multiple events. We’re incredibly proud of their efforts, with many individual athletes achieving fantastic results and personal bests. Our school finished with an impressive third place overall, demonstrating both individual brilliance and team spirit. A huge congratulations to all our athletes!

STEM

The end of term has been a whirlwind of hands-on exploration and creativity in our STEM classes, with students across all year levels diving into exciting challenges and experiments designed to spark curiosity and develop problem-solving skills. In amongst production rehearsals and performances, here’s a snapshot of what’s been happening:

Prep

Our Preps have been busy conducting experiments all about colours. From mixing primary colours to create new shades to exploring how light affects colour perception, students have had fun discovering the science behind the vibrant world around them. Their excitement during these activities has been wonderful to see, and it’s been a colourful term in more ways than one!

Year 1/2

The Year 1/2 students have risen to the challenge with various STEM building activities, where they’ve been tasked with designing and constructing creative solutions to different problems. From building bridges to testing structures for strength and stability, they’ve been applying their engineering minds to find the best designs. These challenges have encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and perseverance as students tested and refined their ideas.

Year 3-6

Our older students have tackled the Simple Machine STEM Challenge, where they’ve explored how basic machines like levers, pulleys, and inclined planes can make tasks easier. Working in teams, they’ve applied these concepts to real-world scenarios, designing and building contraptions that solve specific problems. It’s been fantastic to see their innovative thinking at work as they combined science, technology, engineering, and maths to bring their ideas to life.

Overall, it’s been a fantastic term full of discovery and learning, with students showing creativity, resilience, and collaboration at every step. We look forward to seeing where their STEM journey takes them next!