From Marie

Friday 28 June - End of term, finish at 2:30pm with an assembly at 2:20p

Monday 15 July - Commencement of Term 3

The end of Term 2 is nearly here.  We want to thank all of the families that came in this week to meet with their child, and their child's teacher, to celebrate academic achievements so far this year and to look ahead to the next six months of learning. This is always a great way to finish the term. 

We want to wish our families a happy (and healthy) break and look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 15 July. 

Grade 2 Mathematics

In a recent maths activity, Grade 2 students explored the concept of 'making a half' using various materials. This activity was part of our curriculum goal to recognize and describe one-half as one, of two equal parts of a whole. Students used books, MAB blocks, unifix cubes, kinder squares, and whiteboards to demonstrate their understanding. Here’s how they used each material:

• Books: Folding paper over books to show halves.
• MAB Blocks: Creating and splitting structures into two equal parts.
• Unifix Cubes: Connecting and separating cubes to see and feel halves.
• Kinder Squares: Making patterns and dividing them into halves, quarters, and eighths.
• Whiteboards: Drawing and erasing different representations of halves.

Through this hands-on activity, students not only learned to identify halves but also connected these concepts to quarters and eighths. They enjoyed using different materials to see how halves become quarters and eighths. The activity was a fun and effective way for students to understand ‘parts of a whole’ better with visual or physical representation. We’re excited to continue using hands-on learning to make maths enjoyable and engaging. Stay tuned for more updates on our learning adventures!

Report on Grade 5/6 Camp

Last month, the Grade 5/6s went on their annual year level camp to Lady Northcote Recreation Camp in Glenmore, near Bacchus Marsh. The camp went for the span of 3 days, from the 27-30 of May. The 5/6s participated in a wide variety of activities, as well as going on a day trip to Sovereign Hill after spending the previous months learning about the Victorian Gold Rush that occurred throughout the 1850s in Ballarat. They took part in exploring ancient gold mines, and trying out gold panning. They visited the lolly shop, and even watched the process of gold pouring as well as the making of the confectionery that was sold. They returned to Mullum to be picked up by their carers at 6:00 pm.

The 5/6s departed from Mullum Mullum Road at 9:00 and drove for roughly one and a half hours by bus, reaching the camp at approximately 10:30, where they were sorted to cabins, which either accommodate 3 to 4 students at a time, and activity groups, who they would participate in daily activities with. Between two cabins, a bathroom was shared, and those cabins were separated into two different hallways: boys and girls. Teachers slept in the rooms at the start of the hallway, next to the cafeteria, which was between the two hallways, in the middle.

All meals are eaten in the cafeteria, with three main meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Breakfast was eaten at 8:00 in the morning, an hour after students woke up. Each activity group would be assigned jobs after breakfast and dinner. Either prepping for the meal, or cleaning up after the meal. Activities went for one and a half hours, with a break and a snack or meal in between each one. 

All the activities participated in were: Giant Swing, Bikes, Frisbee Golf, Survivor, Low Ropes and Initiatives and Orienteering. As well as the two night activities: watching a movie (The Lorax), and going on a night walk (where they spotted a fox!). Activities would start an hour after breakfast, at 9:00. Activity 1 would continue through to 10:30, when the students would take a break and have morning tea. Each activity repeated the same way, until all activities ended at 5:00pm. Students would have an hour and a half to play outside in the gaga pit, shower or play with the sports equipment. Dinner would be at 6:00, along with dessert and end at roughly 7:00 pm. After dinner, the cleaning group would have 30 minutes to clean up and get ready for the night activities, which finish at approximately 8:30 pm. After that, students had time to shower if they need to, and get ready for bed. Lights were turned off at 9:30 pm.

On the last day of camp, students woke up and packed up their cabins completely, taking their baggage outside and eating breakfast. There was a final check of all cabins to ensure that they were left neat and tidy for the next school. Students boarded the bus to Sovereign Hill at 9:00 am, and arrived at roughly 10:00 am. They were, again, split into their activity groups, but mainly participated in two groups merged together. They were taken on a tour through a real gold mine that operated during the Gold Rush and learnt about the various devices and tools used in the gold mines, even riding into the mine via tram.  They visited an old bowling alley, trying out bowling to explore the differences between bowling in the 1850s compared to now. Afterwards, they tried out gold panning in a river, and visited the confectionery shop. They were invited to make their own candles by dipping them in coloured wax and experimenting with colours. 

Many students were left with positive opinions on camp, such as their love for playing gaga in their spare time, the trip to Sovereign Hill or spending time with friends and making good memories. All activities were enjoyed thoroughly and participated in with eagerness. A large proportion of students said that camp left a lasting mark on their school experience.

Article written by Elaina Cherry, 5/6B

Bush Talk

This week in Bush Talk we started making possum homes to hang up near the garden. For some of us it was the first time we used a hammer and a saw. We look forward to finishing them next week.

Paint and Sip

What a wonderful evening of art, fun, and food! This was our first foray into Paint and Sips here at Mullum, and the response was immediately positive, with tickets selling out within the first few days. After seeing all the beautiful artwork Mullum students get to make in the newsletters, we were all keen to don our smocks and get painting ourselves. The vibrant art room was the perfect place to feel inspired and be expertly guided by Deanne Lawn, and it was a great chance to make some new connections within the Mullum community. For many of us it was our first-time painting, and we were very proud of our end results! We would like to send a huge thank you to Deanne, for making it such a fun evening and sharing her expertise, and to Bek Mitchell for her help making the evening run smoothly. We are already planning a follow up event next term, and Deanne is promising another delicious scene for us – maybe a main meal next time? We hope to see you there! 

Erin and Annie on behalf of the Mullum Parents’ Association

Community Downball Club

Open to all students in Grade 2-6 the Community Downball Club is taking bookings for Term 3.  Check out the link below if you are interested in signing up:

https://www.downballaustralia.com.au/maroondah

Keep Reading

The Premiers Reading Challenge continues throughout the upcoming holidays and we hope you are able to find time to read, visit the local library and log the books your child has been reading.  

Are you cleaning out during the holidays?

Starting at the beginning of next term we will be collecting donations for the Festival of Hidden Treasure (Saturday 23 November).  If you are clearing out any of the following items, please set  them aside and bring them in at the beginning of next term:

• Books
• Board games
• Toys
• Jigsaw puzzles 
• Things with wheels - bikes, scooters, toy prams, roller blades
• Small items for Lucky Jars or Lucky dips

Work Experience Students

It has been lovely welcoming back three ex-Mullum Primary Students, Isabelle, Marissa and Sophia (and one additional student, April) who are completing their week of Year 10 Work Experience.  This also involved getting dressed up for the Foundation Fairytale Ball today.  Thank you all for your support this week.

Smile Squad

Over the last two weeks we have had Smile Squad, and third year students from Melbourne University, onsite examining and treating many students from across the school.  I popped in today and snapped a few photos of the action.  

Dance Class

Karen from Studi-o Dance School will be back in Term 3 offering dance class with a lunch time session.