Primary Happenings
Prep: Mont De Lancey Excursion
Kellie Westcott, Prep Team Leader
Our Prep students recently headed off on their very first school excursion to the historic Mont De Lancey Homestead. The visit supported our Inquiry learning about how people, places and things change over time, bringing history to life in a memorable and hands-on way.
Throughout the day, students explored a range of fascinating buildings filled with artefacts from the past. One of the highlights was stepping inside the old schoolhouse, where they discovered what a classroom looked like many years ago and compared them with their own learning spaces today. Students also had great fun playing traditional games, including billy carts, hoop rolling and skipping, experiencing the kinds of play children enjoyed before modern technology.
Another favourite experience was watching the blacksmith at work. The students were captivated as they observed how metal was heated, shaped and transformed using traditional tools and techniques.
We are so proud of the way our Prep students represented our school, demonstrating curiosity, respect and enthusiasm throughout the day. It was a wonderful learning experience that deepened their understanding of history while creating lasting memories together.
Year 4: Poetry Incursion and Poetry Slam
Helen Reid, Year 4 Team Leader
Year Four have become poets this term, writing and reading many different forms of poetry. It was our pleasure to have Cameron Semmons return again to inspire the students in the art of poetry. He gave us a helpful definition of poetry from Samuel Coleridge – “Poetry is the best words in the best order”. He reminded the students that poetry can push the boundaries of punctuation and space on the page and that poetry is a fresh way of looking at the world. During the incursion Cameron encouraged students to write about an event they had experienced, using 2 word lines. Students were encouraged to use adjectives and verbs, to write and rewrite, to refine and then read it aloud.
Here is an example:
Head Crack By Libby DeVries
Pouring blood,
Puddling tears.
Huge shock,
Adrenalin racing.
Crowd staring,
Tissues wasted.
Freaking out,
Terrified teacher.
Fear.
The culmination of our Poetry unit was the Poetry Slam. Parents and Year 3 students were invited to come and watch as each student shared one of the poems they had written and published. There were lots of nerves, but with gentle encouragement each student stood to recite their poem, some with generous gestures, others with rhythm and rhyme. Teachers and parents alike were proud of their efforts. A number of students ended the unit by exclaiming that they love poetry now!
Summer at the Beach by Seb Morice
Bubbles whoosh with the sand,
Blue waves crashing and, also splashing,
Friends jumping, laughing and smashing.
Year 3: Zoo Excursion
Harry Foster, Year 3 Team Leader
Despite a very wet day, Year 3 students recently braved the rain for an exciting visit to the zoo as part of our ‘God’s Wild World’ unit.
Throughout the day, students explored a range of habitats and observed how animals are uniquely adapted to survive in their environments. They investigated physical features and behaviours that help animals find food, stay safe and thrive in their habitats, making connections between their classroom learning and the animals they saw in real life.
The rain certainly did not dampen the students’ enthusiasm! Armed with their raincoats and plenty of excitement, students made the most of the opportunity to observe animals and ask questions about their habitats and adaptations.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly watching the lions being fed. Students were fascinated to see these powerful animals up close and observe their feeding behaviours. It was an exciting experience that brought their learning to life and was certainly a moment many students will remember.
It was a wonderful day of learning, discovery and appreciation of the incredible diversity of God’s creation.
