SCHOOL OF WONDER

Foundation SAM Excursion 

🆃🅷🅴 🅿🅴🆁🅵🅴🅲🆃 🅲🅾🅼🅿🅻🅴🅼🅴🅽🆃 to their inquiry unit, 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈, Foundation children ventured to the inspiring Shepparton Art Museum on Friday, November 24.

Exploring, viewing and reflecting upon a diverse range of art works across multiple exhibitions, the children were introduced to a vibrant selection of pieces all expressing ideas, emotions and messages in unique and engaging ways.

Following a guided tour of the museum, the children were then invited to express their own thoughts and ideas creatively through a workshop. 🎨 👩‍🎨🧑🏾‍🎨

The true meaning of Christmas giving

𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 upon the true meaning of Christmas and how to express care, thought and love 

for someone special during this festive time, Year 1/2 children hand-crafted very special gifts this week.

Inspired by their Religious Education studies as well as applying their learning through the inquiry topic, 𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈, the children wrote stories, wove bracelets, stitched and crafted decorations and much, much more, all in the name of 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠. 

The many ways we, and others, find expression

𝐃𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢 is the Aboriginal practice of deep listening and with deep listening comes connection; connection to self, connection to others and connection to Country.

Complementing the Grade 1/ 2s inquiry into 𝐻𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝓇𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈𝑒𝓁𝓋𝑒𝓈, Koori Education Worker, Tina's introductory Dadirri video was a soothing and perfect way to begin sharing Dreamtime stories with the children this afternoon.

Exploring how 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙨, the Dreamtime stories, ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕚𝕣𝕕𝕤 𝔾𝕠𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕤 and ʜᴏᴡ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴀɴɢᴀʀᴏᴏꜱ ɢᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴛᴀʟᴇꜱ (and more) were enormously enjoyed by the children, generating many eager and considered questions.

Through the connection of story and by discussing how we use creativity and imagination to share tales in different ways, the children will work towards creating their own narratives to express themselves in artistic ways, including through dance, music, song, painting and/or drawing. 

Che bella festa!

School of Wonder (SOW) children were excited to be immersed in the Italian culture at their Italian festa held at the college on Wednesday. Even more exciting was their visit to the pop-up 'gelateria' - ice cream shop - where they used the Italian language skills they have learned in class to order their gelato from a choice of three flavours - fragola (strawberry), cioccolato (chocolate) and limone (lemon) and whether they would like their gelato in un cono (a cone) or una coppetta (a cup). There was even a guest appearance by the college's Year 11 Italian exchange student, Flavio, who helped serve gelato to the children.

Dressed in gelato colours or their favourite soccer team colours, children were treated to a variety of cultural experiences at the festa. Although the weather was wet on Wednesday, the children were still able to enjoy Italy's biggest sport - soccer - with games held outdoors undercover or on the college's soccer pitch when there was a break in the rain. Staff were supported by some of our School of Innovation students to run these sessions, which many children said were their favourite part of the festa. The red carpet was literally rolled out under the roof for the children to try their hand at Italy's centuries-old sport of bocce. The rain came down around them as they played, but the wet weather did not dampen the children's spirits or their enthusiasm for their Italian celebration day.

Children were also immersed in le belle arti - the fine arts - participating in art and dance activities and learning about some of Italy's most famous artists, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and La Befana, an Italian folklore character who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve. Film was also part of the Italian experience on Wednesday with all SOW children gathering to watch Luca, a coming-of-age story about a young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera. Panettone - an Italian sweet bread eaten at Christmas - was offered to the children as part of their 'cinema' experience.

Thanks to the efforts of many people, and their adaptability due to the wet weather, the Italian festa was un enorme successo - a great success!

Assembly

Our final assembly for the year will be on Monday, December 11 in our 1/2 learning space. We welcome all families to come and join us in our final assembly for the year.

Statewide Transition Day:

Tuesday, December 12 is Statewide Transition Day. 

All students at St Anne’s will spend the day in their 2024 learning space. 2024 Foundation students will be attending from 9.15am to 12.45pm. Years 1-4 will spend the day (8.55am to 3.15pm) in their new learning space.

Communication will go to families on Monday, December 11 for 2024 class allocations. 

This is an opportunity for your child to familiarise themself with peers, Learning Mentors and learning spaces. 

SOW end of year activity celebration day

On Thursday, December 14  SOW will be celebrating 2023. 

F-3 students will be involved in water play activities at the College. Students will be required to bring a change of clothes (bathers, shorts and rashie/t shirt and spare shoes). Students will participate in water activities for sessions 3 - 6. A barbeque  lunch will be provided for students.

Year 4’s are going to have a special occasion as it is the students’ last year in the School of Wonder. As our inaugural Year 5 cohort in 2024, the students will move into the School of Innovation, ready to enjoy a new and exciting step (and learning space), as part of their ongoing educational journey. To celebrate, the students are going to walk from the college to Riverside Gardens for a friendly competition of mini golf and a picnic. The students will wear their school uniform with comfortable walking shoes and hats. They’ll need a drink bottle, fruit snack, recess and light lunch. The students will return to the college by 3:00pm, in time for those who travel on the bus. The school will provide hot chips, a juice box and an icy pole for each student.

Foundation Christmas Play:

On Friday, December 8, the Foundation students will be presenting a Christmas play to celebrate their inquiry into how they and others, express themselves in different ways. They will be sharing the traditional Nativity play as well as other Christmas songs. This will begin at 2pm and all Foundation families are encouraged to come along and watch the show. All Foundation students are asked to wear full school uniform on the day, as well as  bring a Christmas themed t-shirt to change into later for the play. The Children may also bring a Santa hat or reindeer ears if they wish. 

Library: 

Library borrowing for 2023 has now ceased. Please ensure that all library books are returned promptly.

Italian Celebration Day:

Our Italian Celebration Day was an amazing experience and special thanks goes to Deb Mori for organising such an amazing day for our learners. 

St Anne’s Christmas Concert and Community Picnic 

On Wednesday, December 6, come along and enjoy the SOW students performing a selection of Christmas carols in the east yard. An hour in duration, the concert will begin at 5.30pm and is the perfect occasion to BYO a picnic, blanket and/or chairs.

Having learnt and rehearsed their performance items in Performing Arts with Alexa, as well as with their learning mentors this term, the children are super excited to share their carols with families and the college community.

This is an occasion to celebrate the students and the end of another busy and successful year and as we come together to enjoy the evening, we kindly remind one and all that this is an alcohol-free event and photos /videos SHOULD NOT be taken of any of the performances due to student media restrictions. Staff members will take photos and video on the night, and approved photos will later be shared with the community. Please also be reminded that the college is a smoke, vape (as well as alcohol) free zone.

Prior to the Christmas Concert and Community Market, the Christmas Stall will again be taking place.

Students have worked creatively in Visual Arts and in learning paces to produce some beautiful and one-of-a-kind pieces. There will be framed prints, Christmas decorations and living art from the SOW children.

Items have also been generously created and donated by staff as well as those who are a part of the lunchtime Christmas Makers sessions.

The stall will be open from 5:00pm-5:25pm SHARP in Project 002/North in the undercover area.

It is a CASH only stall. Small denominations are appreciated.

We are so thrilled to celebrate the festive season with you and hope to see you all there!

Hats and Sunscreen

In Term 4, it is a school expectation that we are all wearing hats when we are outside. If a student does not have a hat, they are required to stay under the covered areas provided. Please ensure that hats are clearly labelled with your child’s name. 

All students are reminded and encouraged to bring their own SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to school. Staff will oversee the safe use of sunscreen.

We are committed & dedicated educators

Teaching and Learning:

Our aim as Educators is always to improve student learning outcomes for all our learners. We continue to strive to improve our professional practice to ensure that our learners get the very best learning opportunities and outcomes. Our SOW team works collaboratively to provide thought provoking learning experiences to our learners. Our learner assets (collaboration, communication, self-management, thinking and researching) are life long skills that set our young people up to life long learners and to continually question, explore and challenge their thinking. Please direct any teaching and learning inquiries to Megan Shiner. mshiner@sackialla.catholic.edu.au

Wellbeing:

Wellbeing is a holistic term that encompasses all aspects of a student's life, including their physical, social, mental and emotional state. It is often defined as a sustainable state of positive mood and attitude, resilience, and satisfaction with self, relationships and experiences at school.

Wellbeing at St Anne’s is driven by the themes of doing our best, allowing everyone to succeed.

Upcoming events:

St Anne’s Christmas Concert 

& Community Picnic - Wednesday, December 6

Foundation Christmas Play-  Friday, December 8

Next Assembly- Monday, December 11

SOW end of year activities day- Thursday, December 14

Last day for SOW students - Friday, December 15

SOW leaders email contact:

mshiner@sackialla.catholic.edu.au

eokeeffe@sackialla.catholic.edu.au

Megan Shiner & Emma O’Keeffe- School of Wonder Leaders