Term 3

Even though this has been a shorter nine-week term, we have packed in a huge amount of learning, fun, and special experiences! From strengthening core English and Mathematics skills to enjoying a range of specialist programs, our students have been busy building their knowledge, learning confidence and independence.

There is nothing more exciting than to watch students working hard to improve their reading, writing, and number skills and to see the pride on their faces as they share their achievements with staff and each other at assembly. Alongside these programs, students have engaged in Social Competency sessions, Speech and Occupational Therapy programs, the Discovery unit, and a range of special events and incursions, all of which have added to their learning development.

Our students continue to work hard to demonstrate the expectations: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be a Learner, and Be Safe. This term, our focus has been on responsibility and respect. Students have been learning how to use play equipment responsibly, especially in our new cubbies ensuring everything is used safely and for its intended purpose. They have also been working on showing respect, especially during assemblies and circle time by looking at the speaker, listening attentively when others are speaking and contributing when it is their turn. Assemblies remain the opportunity for students to come together to demonstrate these expectations and to review their progress towards them, together.

Our Discovery unit ”How do sea animals grow and survive” is a real favourite with students and staff alike! Exploring animals of sea has sparked curiosity and engagement across all classrooms. Students have been investigating sea animals, discovering what they eat, how they move, and the special body parts that help them survive.

Our teaching focus is to help students develop these key understandings:

The sea is home to many different animals and plants (fish, crabs, seaweed, turtles, dolphins, and more).
Sea animals move in different ways—swimming, floating, crawling—with unique features like fins, shells, or flippers to help them.

Every student has a favourite sea creature, and classrooms walls are being decorated with sea life displays, featuring sharks, jellyfish, shells, seaweed, and more. These creations are being added to these displays as students learn new facts.

From start to finish, this term has been packed with special events and celebrations that have kept the energy and motivation high. These have included:

Book Week with students proudly dressing up as their favourite storybook characters. Students look forward to this event every year, and it always brings plenty of fun and laughter. A very special thank you to Alix and Helen our Performing Arts and Library specialists, who almost stole the show with their “Masters of Ceremonies “role. They are true performers who kept us all laughing. Thank you also to our families who attended and made the event extra special for the children who love to see you at school.

Soccer and AFL Clinics were a wonderful experience, with DOC Football Academy coaches and AFL trainers guiding students through a range of activities that built confidence, teamwork, and plenty of “big kicks”.

Primary Sports Morning at the Watsonia Campus was a celebration of personal best and school community as we joined together with the students and staff from Upper Primary who made the trip down from the Bundoora Campus . Guided by Kaboom Kids Sport, students rotated through stations that focused on movement, dance, and motor skills with lots of enthusiasm. Lower Primary students tried hard to do their personal best at each activity, encouraged their classmates and were great sports. Another big thankyou to Etaoin and Riley our Physical Education specialists from each campus, who organised such a successful day and to our families who joined in with the fun.

Father’s & Special Persons Afternoon was another special event. Students proudly presented their handmade gifts which included toolboxes, wall hangings, chocolate spoons, Rocky Road, and much more to their very special person. They also thoroughly enjoyed sharing a range of games and activities with their loved ones. Lots of dads, grandparents, mothers, and sisters came to join the celebration. There were so many happy faces as families came together. We hope you all enjoyed the activities with you child as much as they did.

Meanwhile, the playground upgrades continue! The “old equipment” area, complete with new bridges, slides, and climbing equipment, will be ready for the start of Term 4. We know this space will once again become a favourite place for adventure, and active play. Students have been fascinated by the building process and often line up chairs to watch the workmen in action giving direction and suggestions! A great playtime activity.

We will celebrate with our always-popular Footy Parade on Thursday 18th September. This colourful and noisy celebration certainly reflects the love of our students and staff for their favourite teams and is sure to be a memorable way to finish the term. As a Cats supporter all I can say is “GO CATS”!!

As always, I am proud of our Lower Primary students and staff for their enthusiasm, effort, and achievements this term. I look forward to more exciting learning opportunities, discoveries, and celebrations in Term 4!

Kath Moore

Watsonia Campus Principal

LPA, LPB, LPC

Throughout our Discovery Unit, 'How do Sea Animals Grow and Survive', students from LPA, B and C explored different ocean environments, including the arctic, rock pools, the deep sea, coral reefs, and the open ocean. As part of their learning, students created a variety of sea creature crafts such as puffer fish, starfish, anglerfish, clownfish and hermit crabs.

As a special experience, students visited the Discovery Centre where they took part in a craft activity in the Science Area, making their own fish. In the TV Studio, students dressed up in “Under the Sea” costumes and had their photos taken in front of the green screen. They also explored the MILE Room, which had been transformed into an underwater wonderland, giving them the chance to imagine what it might be like to step into the ocean. All students were thoroughly engaged and had lots of fun.

LPD, LPE, LPG

This term in Mathematics, students have been actively developing their number skills through a range of hands-on and engaging activities. We’ve explored counting sequences forwards and backwards, recognised and written numerals, and identified numbers that come before and after. Using real-life objects, students have practised making collections with 1:1 correspondence to support accurate counting. Subtraction has been introduced through concrete materials, number lines, and the count back strategy, helping students build confidence with early operations in meaningful ways.

We’ve also explored length measurement using informal units such as hand spans, blocks, and paper clips to measure classroom items and parts of our bodies. Maths games have been a highlight, giving students the chance to practise a variety of skills—from counting and moving counters with 1:1 correspondence to problem-solving and turn-taking. It’s been wonderful to see students so engaged and excited about their mathematical learning this term!

LPH, LPI, LPJ, LPK

This term, we were delighted to welcome dads and special people to our Father’s Day afternoon. The students were so proud to share this time with their families, and the buzz around each of the classrooms was wonderful to see. Together, families jumped into a range of activities, posing for photos in the booth, mixing up their own BBQ rub, decorating cookies, and enjoying tasty popcorn, fruit kebabs, and smoothies.

There was something for everyone to enjoy, from Father’s Day–themed crafts and games to bowling and fishing, sensory play, construction, and even planting seedlings to take home. It was heartwarming to watch the children creating, playing, and laughing alongside the people who mean so much to them. Thank you to all the families who joined us, your presence made the afternoon truly special and a highlight of our term.

Physical Education - AFL Footy Clinic

Lower Primary students took part in an exciting AFL Footy Clinic during their P.E sessions over 4 weeks. The program was designed to develop fundamental footy skills in a fun, inclusive, and energetic environment. Each session began with engaging warm-up games such as Traffic Lights, Octopus Tag, and Footy Freeze, which got everyone moving, laughing, and ready to learn. After warming up, students focused on improving their handpassing and kicking skills through age-appropriate drills and activities. These were followed by small-sided games that encouraged teamwork, coordination, and confidence with the footy.

Whether it was their first time playing or they were already keen footy fans, students showed great enthusiasm and progress. It was a fantastic way to keep active and have fun while learning the fundamentals of Australian Rules Football!

Library - Bookweek

In the Library program, students explored the 2025 CBCA shortlisted books, listening to new stories and engaging with award-winning literature. To bring this focus to life, we celebrated Book Week with a special Dress-Up Day! Students and teachers came together dressed as their favourite book characters, enjoyed section parades, played “Guess Who?” games, and marked the milestone of 80 years of the CBCA Book Awards. It was a joyful celebration of reading, creativity, and the magic of stories

Performing Arts

As part of last week’s Book Week celebrations, Lower Primary had a fantastic visit from Drama Toolbox! Students jumped into costumes, became all sorts of quirky characters, and worked together to help Fairytale Land get out of a big muddle. Laughter, imagination, and lots of creativity filled the room as everyone brought the story to life!

Swimming

During this term, the Prep students in LPI have completed their swimming rotation, whilst LPH and some students from LPJ have begun participating in the swimming and water familiarisation program. This program is designed to develop confidence, safety, and enjoyment in the water. For some students, this was their first formal swimming experience, and they responded with enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see confidence and excitement build as the weeks went on.

The program introduces students to safe entry and exit procedures, ensuring they understand how to enter the pool carefully and with adult support. They practiced floating on their backs in a star shape, learning to relax and trust the water while being supported to assist their bodies to stay afloat.

Safety jumps are practiced each week as well as entering the water in a safe and controlled manner before returning to the edge. Blowing bubbles in the water, an important step in developing breath control and comfort with having their faces near the water is also taught every week and right throughout a lesson.

Students used flotation noodles and kick boards and practiced front and back glides. Kicking skills were introduced in a fun, play-based way.