Learning News
Learning News
Our students are demonstrating a deep engagement with learning across all year levels. Our classrooms are alive with writing and inquiry, as students develop their literacy skills by exploring narrative and persuasive writing through a variety of engaging texts. From our youngest learners focusing on vocabulary and punctuation, to our older students reflecting on their own experiences and fostering empathy for others, our school is a place where students are becoming confident and passionate learners.
Miss Summerell
Leader of Pedagogy / Mathematics Specialist Teacher
K/1
Over the past two weeks, students in our class have been working hard to improve their writing skills by focusing on verbs, descriptive words and correct punctuation. They've been using the book Boy by Phil Cummings to identify verbs and they've even practised acting them out to better understand their meaning. Kindergarten have been learning to use a word mat to expand their vocabulary.
Mrs Crafford
K/1 Teacher
Year 1
In Year 1, our students have been exploring the art of persuasive writing. They've discovered how to use their words to convince others, starting with topics they're passionate about. We've had lively discussions and debates on important subjects like why we should save bees and students have shared compelling arguments for their favourite animals. It's been wonderful to see the children's confidence grow as they learn to express their opinions clearly and persuasively. Their creativity and passion have truly shined through in their writing!
Miss Lyall
Year 1 Teacher
Year 2
Over the past two weeks, Year 2 has been delving into the world of narrative writing. We've used the beautiful picture book "The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles" as our inspiration. This story has allowed us to explore the wonderful idea of character development and how characters change throughout a narrative. We've spent time thinking about the main character, the Uncorker, and how his feelings and actions evolve from the beginning to the end of the story. Using our newly acquired skills in paragraph writing, students have been busy creating their own descriptive paragraphs to retell what happens in the narrative, focusing on key events and the character's journey. It's been a truly creative and enriching learning experience for all!
Miss Rasche
Year 2 Teacher
Year 3
This term, Year 3 has been exploring Eleanor Coerr's novel Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It tells the story of Sadako Sasaki, a real girl who was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Years later, she was diagnosed with leukemia, which was referred to as the "atom bomb disease" due to its connection to radiation exposure. Inspired by a Japanese legend that promises a wish to anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes, Sadako begins her determined effort to fold the cranes, hoping for recovery. We learnt a lot about the impact of the bomb on the Japanese citizens and how lucky we are to live in a peaceful country.
Mrs Davis
Year 3 Teacher
Year 4
This term, our Year 4 students have been captivated by Anh Do's inspiring story in The Little Refugee, using his memoir as a springboard to explore their own personal histories. In a powerful 'Pivotal Moments' writing unit, students were encouraged to reflect on significant turning points in their own lives, much like Anh's journey from Vietnam to Australia. They wrote or drew about events such as moving to a new house, starting a new school, or overcoming a personal challenge. This activity not only strengthened their narrative skills but also fostered a deeper sense of empathy and seeing perspectives change depending on the character that is telling the story.
Miss Martin
Year 4 (Minions) Teacher
Stage 3
Our 5/6 students recently returned from their trip to Sydney with many stories to share. They had the opportunity to explore the city in a variety of ways, including using public transport like trams, trains and ferries to get around. Some of the most memorable experiences included searching for eels at the Botanic Gardens, getting up close with the animals at Taronga Zoo, exploring the ships at the Maritime Museum, and even role-playing the different chambers at Parliament House. Other highlights included the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, where students learned about the bridge's six million rivets, as well as attending a live footy game and exploring the vibrant Paddy's Markets. For many, the trip was also about personal connections, like meeting an idol at a West Tigers training session or simply enjoying time and making jokes with friends. The students' accounts show that the Sydney trip was full of unique and memorable experiences for everyone.
Miss Summerell
