Around The Rooms

Senior Team

District Athletics

This Tuesday, we took a large group of students from Grades 3-6 to Llanberris Reserve in Ballarat for District Athletics. We had an awesome day, the participation and efforts from each student was fantastic and overall, it was a very successful day, and many ribbons were received across all age groups! Resulting in many of our students making it to Division Athletics in Week 9 of this term.

Another thing to note was the parent/carer turnout. It was so lovely to see the number of parents/carers that could come down, support and cheer on their own child as well as many others.

On behalf of myself and the rest of the staff at Ballan, I would like to thank Mr M for all his efforts in organising the day, as it would not have run so smoothly without him. Thank you also to everyone else who came with us on the day and volunteered their time to be there. Bring on Division Athletics!

Health and Human Relations

Over the past two weeks students from the 5/6 team have participated in Western Health's Health and Human Relations sessions. The sessions cover three weeks in total and cover everything from puberty and growing up to reproduction and the human body. Students have been tasked with chatting to a trusted adult at home to talk further about the journey through puberty and related changes that individuals might experience. We have enjoyed supporting our students during these sessions and thank all parents and carers for the support at home. 

Support for High School Transition

Please see below a flyer for a free online webinar for parents and carers provided by headspace. The session willfocus on mental health and wellbeing for young people in particular during the transition to secondary school. 

Middle Years

District Athletics and Camp

On Tuesday, along with the 34 students from the Senior Team, 25 students from the Middle Years Team descended on Ballarat to compete in the District Athletics. It was a truly fantastic day, the weather was great, and all students showcased the school's talent with both pride and a maturity marked by kindness and independence. Congratulations to Rocco, Sam, Jensen, Blair, Logan, Dimitri, Andie, Josh, Ryder, Gemma, Eleni, Enzo, Izak, Henry, Noah, Hudson, Tom, Mavrik, Summer, Thomas, Reagan, Indy, Jersey, Melanie, and Amelia - some of whom will be going onto Division Athletics on September 12th. 

As some of you will be aware, this date coincides with our second day on school camp, so we will be arranging some transport for students to attend. A note/expression of interest form has gone home regarding camp. We ask that it is filled in and returned no later than Friday, next week.

Check out Camp Sunnystones at https://www.sunnystones.com.au/school-camp-home-page 

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Maths - Time and Mapping

We have completed our unit on Time in which all students showed learning growth to do with reading, measuring and converting time. We are now moving on to a very popular topic of mapping.

Homework 

There has been a notable change in the layout of homework. We are practicing some different Maths skills and using a range of Reading strategies to support note-taking in Reading Diaries. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the changes. Spelling practise remains the same and is an ongoing priority. Please encourage your child/children to complete this component, and all their homework tasks.

Matilda - Novel Study

Three chapters into the book, our three classrooms are captivated by Matilda's story so far, deeply engaged with her tale of resilience, rebelliousness and adventure. Our class novel study, 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl, is the story of a brilliant young student with extraordinary telekinetic & intellectual powers who overcomes adversity with her intelligence and courage. Set in a harsh environment, dominated by her neglectful parents and the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull, Matilda finds her way through a love of books and her kind teacher, Miss Honey.