Specialist News 

ART

Foundation

Our Foundation students have finished their Basquiat-inspired dinosaur artworks! This unit they learnt about the practice of being "messy" in art — discovering that messy isn't rushed or lazy, but a skill that's practiced. Taking inspiration from Jean-Michel Basquiat's Pez Dinosaur work, they created bold mixed media artworks using this expressive approach. 

Years 1/2

Years 1/2 have been creating beautiful texture quilts! They began with oil pastels, making rubbings from texture plates, then added layers of watercolour over the top. Now they're adding the finishing touches with yarn, learning some simple hand-sewing skills along the way.

Years 3/4

Years 3/4 have reached the end of their Ugly Dolls project and will be bringing them home soon for families to see all their hard work and newly learnt sewing skills. They've now begun a new collage project inspired by Picasso's Weeping Woman.

Years 5/6

Years 5/6 have been researching the artist Gustav Klimt, designing gold-embellished bowls with intricate patterns. They are working on bringing their designs to life, creating their bowls using paper mâché.

MUSIC

Foundation

Foundation students are developing their sense of pitch, recognizing the difference between high and low sounds.  They are exploring through colourful boom whackers, xylophones, and through singing, listening and playing. Students are developing their musical ear while building confidence and having fun making music together.

Years 1 & 2

Our Years 1 /2 students have been exploring improvisation and ensemble playing. Students are creating their own musical improvisations while their classmates accompany them with a  12-bar pattern on xylophones, glockenspiels and marimbas. It is wonderful to see their creativity, confidence and listening skills developing as they work together to create music.

Grades 3 & 4

Our Grades 3 & 4 students are making great progress with their recorder playing! They have been developing their technique, reading music and building confidence as they explore a variety of repertoires. Students have enjoyed learning traditional tunes such as “Hot Cross Buns”, as well as contemporary songs including “Lush Life”  

Years 5 & 6

In preparation for our upcoming excursion to experience the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra perform Carnival of the Animals, students have been exploring the string family of the orchestra. They have listened closely to the unique sounds of each string instrument and discovered how they work together to create beautiful music. One highlight  was having the opportunity for students to see and hold a real violin, giving them a hands-on connection to the instrument before experiencing it performed live by the orchestra.

Rippers Choir 

The choir have  begun rehearsals and having a great time on Thursday lunchtime, learning about warm ups and singing many songs on request. Everybody is welcome to come and join in! 

Australian Girls Choir 

We also have the Australian Girls Choir coming to our school on September 1 for an audition. I really encourage anyone that might have any interest to come along for the half hour trial session. It is a great opportunity and should be a lot of fun too.

Looking forward to continuing to make, create and share music together! 🎶Tonia BarolskyPerforming Arts & Music Teacher