Around The Rooms

weSenior Team

Grade 5 and 6 Time

As we work to develop our next batch of school leaders and our Grade 6 students prepare for their graduation we continue to enjoy our Grade 5 and Grade 6 time each week. Grade 5's enjoyed their 'Save Fred' lolly challenge this week as they worked in teams to rescue a lolly worm using nothing but paperclips and teamwork! Grade 6's meanwhile began creating their artistic masterpieces for graduation as they design and decorate their skateboard decks. 

World of Maths Incursion

Students loved the opportunity to get hands on with their learning during our incursion last week.  Using their teamwork, critical thinking and problem solving skills, our 5/6's attempted challenging tasks involving symmetry, balance, tessellation, shape, pattern and loads more!  We were also really proud to see some of our students show their amazing leadership skills supporting our younger students in their activities. 

School Concert

A quick thank you to all the families for supporting your amazing children at their school concert. From sourcing costume items, arranging travel or simply just showing up and cheering them on we appreciate you making the event so worthwhile. The three of us were incredibly proud of the efforts across the board and loved the opportunity to enjoy the event with so many of you this week. 

Enjoy the weekend!

Miss Leehane, Miss Muir and Mr Petersen

Middle Years 

Wow, what a fun and busy time we have been having in the Middle Years these last few weeks! It was fabulous to see our families enjoying the concert last Thursday night and to see our classes perform their routines with such confidence and enjoyment! We were very proud of how our students worked together and the show they put on! 

Last Friday students really enjoyed the World of Maths Incursion! Working in small groups, they problem solved their way around 17+ activities that required them to use their mathematical thinking & problem-solving skills, as well as their personal & social capabilities, e.g., reading and understanding questions/task requirements, applying logic/spatial awareness/number sense, teamwork, communication... It was lots of fun as well, and feedback from everyone was very positive! Some of our Grade 4 students were helpers in the 1/2s session as well - stepping up as role-models and future buddies!  

Middle Years students are currently immersed in learning how to create and put together all the elements required for their stop motion animations for our MAPPEN unit; 'Frame by Frame'. This week, we are finalising set designs and encouraging students to make their materials list so they can start bringing items in. Next week we will embark on set construction! We need to keep the momentum going on this project, if we are going to successfully achieve making (and editing) the movies by the end of term, and we encourage parents to discuss their children's ideas and plans with them. Teachers can supply some bits and pieces if needed, and construction will be mostly happening at school. However, a productive play date with your child's partner on this project, could be a good idea, to conduct more research or to get the set and prop construction underway.  

Junior Years  

Last Friday, the Preps, Ones and Twos participated in a 'World of Maths' incursion. 

The students engaged in a wide range of hands on and interactive activities, that at times required some outside of the box thinking. Their problem solving skills were put to the test and it was wonderful to see students working together to reach successful outcomes, as well as, seeing them being supportive and encouraging of each other.

The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive and there were lots that didn't want to finish up.

We think it's safe to say, that 'World of Maths' will be back at Ballan Primary School in the future.