Specialist Team News

Performing Arts 

Preps

Term 4 is up and running. Last week we reviewed rhythms, incorporating them into the story, The Mitten. A fun way to review and perform drama at the same time, it was so much fun. All this in readiness for learning the ukulele, being able to identify these rhythms and play as a strumming pattern. Also learning the names of the various parts of a ukulele and how to play the A minor chord. 

Last term we were focussing on drama, using voice to represent different characters in Fairy Tales and Dreamtime stories. The students used puppets and masks to perform these stories in small groups, acting out the stories which required memory and imagination. What does an Ogre, a papa bear, or a little pig sound like? Laughter and fun appreciated by everyone. 

Grade 1/2

Students have been reviewing their knowledge of the ukulele and how to play them. They have tried out some different strumming patterns while playing a C major and A minor chord ensuring they use the correct fingers for a smooth and quick change over. Students have also been learning some body percussion rhythm patterns from Rhythm One and are working through some dances by DJ Raphi.

Grade 3 & 4

Students have been reviewing their knowledge of ukulele and chord playing. They have played songs using C major, A minor and F major with the correct fingers. They are also focusing on the style of music in their warmups and play along songs. So far they have covered pop and reggae music.

Grade 5 & 6

Students have gone straight into playing and listening to well-known songs from movies on percussion and ukulele. The topic for this term is theme songs from movies and TV. So far, they have played Eye of the Tiger, Sunflower and the Imperial March from Star Wars. They will also be looking at reading tablature and playing some movie riffs written in this way.

Music Clubs

Choir - Rehearsals are held on Wednesday lunchtimes.

Marimba Band - The Rhythm Makers rehearse on Monday lunchtimes however, for Week 2 and 3 they will rehearse on Thursday due to many participating in lacrosse training on Monday lunchtimes.

Rock Band - The Tide Breakers rehearse on Friday lunchtimes. 

*Upcoming performances:  Next term each music club will perform at:

The Seaside Fair on Sunday 23rd November (Time TBA)

An after-school concert in December (Date TBA)

The Final school assembly on Friday 19th December

Warm regards,

Faye Ferry & Lynne Georgiadis

Performing Arts Teachers   

Visual Art

Grade Prep’s 

This week, the Grade Preps are working on primary colours. We are paying particular attention to the artwork of Piet Mondrian who explores the use of red, yellow, blue and black colours to create interesting art pieces using shapes and line. 

Grade 1’s & 2’s

The Grade 1/2’s are exploring primary and secondary colours. This week, we had lots of creative fun mixing colours and experimenting with red, yellow and blue paint. The students created some interesting shapes and patterns using the secondary colours they mixed themselves. 

Grade 3/4’s 

The Grade 3/4’s created a colourful and vibrant colour chart using oil pastels and a blending technique. They were given a variety of coloured oil pastels that were blended together to create new colours. We will use this chart in our next lesson to help students choose their colour palette for their next art piece.

Grade 5/6’s 

The Grade 5/6’s are getting very creative designing their concertina 3D landscapes. We are putting on the finishing touches to these art pieces which will be on display at the Seaside Fair Art Exhibition.  I’m very impressed with their designs and can’t wait to see them completed.

Art Supplies

We are already looking ahead to the 2026 Art Show and need some interesting supplies. If you happen to have any used, ready to throw away paint brushes like the ones in the photo, can you please send them along to the Art Room? If we get enough supplies, we will be creating some fun characters with recycled materials.

Art Club

This term Art Club is open to the Grade Preps. We are doing a variety of activities including some Seaside Fair preparations, free drawing and some Christmas art. Six children from each Grade Prep class are given a golden ticket to attend this extra activity during Tuesday lunchtimes for all of term 4.

Art smocks

Just a reminder to bring in your Art smocks. Please hand them into your classroom teacher for storage. I recommend an old, oversized t-shirt or shirt with your child’s name on it. 

Warm regards,

Marcia Evans

Physical Education

Welcome back everyone for the final term of the year! Term 4 is always action-packed, and this year is no exception. We are diving into some exciting and creative units, including Inventive Games and Target Sports.

Our curriculum this fortnight is filled with variety, creativity, and the development of lifelong skills.

• Prep: Our youngest students are exploring Movement. Lessons have been focused on responding to music, creating different body shapes, and exploring different ways to travel around the space, developing their body control and awareness. 
• Grade 1: Students are participating respectfully in Traditional Indigenous Games. They are learning the cultural significance of various games while developing skills in chasing, fleeing, and teamwork.
• Grade 2: We are starting our Striking and Fielding unit on Cricket. This fortnight, students are focusing on learning the basic straight-arm bowling action and the correct stance for batting. 
• Grade 3/4: Our focus is on Net/Wall Games: Badminton. This fortnight, students are learning the correct racquet grip, the underarm serve, and how to sustain a rally over the net. Lessons are focused on hand-eye coordination and moving quickly around the court. 
• Grade 5/6: Our senior students are kicking off the term with Target Sports. They are learning the skills of Disc Golf and modified Golf, focusing on the technique of a backhand throw for a frisbee and a controlled swing for golf. The emphasis is on personal improvement and the etiquette of self-officiated sports. 

Sports Update

A big well done to our Boys/Mixed Basketball and Softball teams, who competed with fantastic effort and sportsmanship at the recent Division finals. You represented Willy Primary with pride, and we are very proud of your achievements. 

Good luck to our Boys/Mixed and Girls Cricket teams who will be competing at the Division level next week. They have been training hard and are ready to showcase their skills. We wish them the very best of luck! Go Willy Primary! 

We also wish the best of luck to those students who are competing at Regional finals in Track & Field next Tuesday!

Warm regards,

Paddy Gallivan