What a fantastic week of learning we've had here at Newlands! This may be one of the few weeks free from major events or celebrations, giving us a great opportunity to focus on the great learning that takes place in our classrooms.

Foundation

I sat down with Miles and Shep, who eagerly shared all the maths learning they've been doing. When they mentioned they knew how to count money, I expected to see coins, but they surprised me by pulling out a stack of notes and confidently counting them out on the table. They excitedly discussed how they would spend their hypothetical $75, and it’s clear that Lego and Pokémon are still big hits that can really put a dent in family budgets each year!

1/2

At recess, I chatted with Quinn, Isabel, Zoe, Ramona, Favela and Valerie, who shared the latest on their specialist classes this week. In Physical Education, everyone practiced their soccer skills and played a game, where Apollo scored a hat trick! In Visual Arts, they created collages of tigers, which sounded like a lot of fun. Ramona explained that a collage is made up of little bits of paper combined to form a new picture, and she insisted that even I could give it a try! In Community Inquiry, they focused on designing new habitats for the birds at Newlands, while in STEAM, they explored water using all five senses. Lastly, in Music, they learned about rhythm and beats. It’s clear that the specialists program is a favourite among this group!

3/4

Ramona stopped me to share her thoughts on what her class has been exploring in Inquiry. They’ve been studying various aspects of geography through the lens of Costa Rica, their Cultural Country of the term. Ramona thoughtfully explained the positives and negatives of tourism. On one hand, she noted that tourism brings money into the country, allowing for improved services and support for ecosystems. On the other hand, she recognised that some tourists might be disrespectful to local traditions and customs, which can offend the people of Costa Rica. We also talked about how most tourists are there to admire the stunning landscapes, monuments, history, and culture. It was wonderful to have such an engaging discussion with Ramona!

5/6

I sat with Murray while Lisa taught the 5/6s how to use a semicolon instead of a coordinating conjunction; this has not been a strength in my writing. Lisa insisted that my references to semicolons aren’t funny; I think she’s mistaken. The students did an amazing job identifying and using semicolons in their work; it was fantastic to see everyone get up and share their exit slips. A big congratulations to the 5/6 team for the fantastic work they're doing with the students!

World Teacher’s Day

Next Friday is World Teacher’s Day, a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the amazing staff at Newlands and thank them for their tireless efforts in creating a safe educational environment for our community. Be sure to say happy WTD on Friday, as all the teachers will appreciate the recognition and the use of acronyms—teachers love an acronym!

Grandparents Day

While I’m sure all the grandparents would love to be showered with free dinners and treats, coming into the classroom for a variety of activities would definitely be a close second on their list. We’re inviting all grandparents, friends, and families to join us at Newlands next Friday. The fun starts at 3:00 PM!

Working Bee – Next Sunday!

There’s a lot to prepare for the upcoming school fete and for 2025, and we need your help at the Working Bee next Sunday! If you have hands, a pulse, and a can-do attitude, you’re exactly who we need. Please join us to not only help keep our school clean for your child but also support the Fete Sub Committee, who have dedicated countless hours to organizing this fantastic event for the community.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Luke