Specialists

Performing Arts

We’ve jumped straight into an exciting start to the term, beginning with our instrumental learning across all year levels.

Grade Prep students have been introduced to the keyboard, where they’ve been learning to identify black and white keys, recognise patterns of the black keys, and locate the note D. A highlight has been their first visit to the “secret” keyboard room, where they enjoyed time to explore and play.

Students in Grades 1–5 have been revisiting the keyboard, strengthening their understanding of how to identify white keys. Some classes have begun labelling their sheet music and practising on paper keyboards to build confidence before playing.

Grade 6 students have been participating in instrument masterclasses as they prepare for their upcoming choice unit. They have been revising the foundational skills of both keyboard and ukulele to support their learning and help inform their instrument selection.

I'm looking forward to seeing all students continue to grow in confidence and musical skills throughout the term.

Physical Education

Over the past two weeks the students have been actively engaged in a range of exciting and rewarding experiences. A major highlight was our Cross Country event held on the 24th of April. It was fantastic to see so many students participating with enthusiasm and determination. Throughout the event, students not only challenged themselves physically but also demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and excellent sportsmanship. Most importantly, they had fun while learning about pacing, endurance, and the importance of setting personal goals.

Another exciting event was the Bike Education Day on the 28th of April for our Year 3 and 4 students. This was a valuable opportunity for students to develop their bike handling skills and learn about road safety in a practical and engaging way. Students practised key skills such as balance, control, signalling, and safe riding techniques, all while building their confidence on two wheels. It was wonderful to see their enthusiasm and improvement throughout the day, as well as their ability to apply important safety knowledge in a hands-on environment.

🏉 Term 2 AFL Auskick & Superkick at Sunshine Heights PS — Registrations Open!

We’re excited to bring the fun of footy back to Sunshine Heights Primary School for Term 2 with our Auskick & Superkick Centre!

These programs are a fantastic way for kids to get active, learn new skills and build confidence through fun, game-based footy sessions held right at school.

Auskick (Ages 4–7)

A fun introduction to footy focused on play, movement and basic skills.

👉 Register here: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/78d950

Superkick (Ages 7–12)

Perfect for kids who want to build skills and play more game-style footy with friends.

👉 Register here: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/860651

🎁 All participants receive an official Auskick or Superkick pack full of great AFL footy goodies.

All skill levels welcome — come along, have fun and give footy a go! 🏉

Contact the office if you have any questions.

Spanish

Students in Prep started our new unit "Las Partes del Cuerpo" (The Parts of the Body). They began by singing cabeza (head), hombros (shoulders), piernas (legs), pies (feet) and practising "manos en..." (hands on). Students learned how to draw a self-portrait, being sure to include a neck and facial features. 

In Week 1, students in Grades 1-6 started new vocabulary to learn how to talk about their school holidays. Using a teacher-modelled sentence starter and visual aids, students independently wrote sentences about a place/places they visited over the school holidays.

In Week 2, students started their new units.

Grades 1 & 2: El Tiempo y La Ropa

Grades 3 & 4: El Calendario

Grades 5 & 6: Paises de Habla Hispana

See the Specialists Newsletter to read all about what the students will be learning this term. 

Grades 3 & 4 have already done an amazing job at challenging each other with the days of the week in Spanish, while the grade 5s and 6s have had competitions to name all the Spanish-speaking countries of the world.

DID YOU KNOW..? 

In Spanish, the days of the week and the months of the year are not written with a beginning uppercase letter when used within a sentence?

There are 21 Spanish-speaking countries around the world?

Your kids do!

What a fantastic, impressive start to Term 2! ¡INCREIBLE!

See below some ¡TRABAJO SUPERESTRELLA! (Superstar Work) from 1B.

See below some ¡TRABAJO SUPERESTRELLA! (Superstar Work) by Iris & Tracey from 6B.

STEM

The first weeks back of Term 2 have been very busy in the STEM room. All year levels have been designing and building as a part of their allocated engineering challenge. 

The Preps and Grade 1s have been applying their knowledge of push and pull forces and have been busy constructing ramps that we'll test to see how far the toy cars can roll in the coming weeks. 

The Grade 2s have designed their very own instruments and have been building them out of cardboard and using rubber bands, tape and fabric to assemble their inventions!

In Grade 3, the students have been super excited to build their Solar ovens. They've been using boxes and aluminium foil and I've been very impressed with the creativity of their designs! We look forward to testing their functionality next week when we attempt to use them to bake some cookies! 

The Grade 4s were asked to use their knowledge about contact and non-contact forces and have been designing a variety of models that can demonstrate these forces. We've seen some magnetic mazes, some racetracks and even a homemade pinball machine! 

In Grade 5, students have begun constructed the light mazes that they designed. Using cardboard, mirrors and torches, the students are demonstrating how light travels in a straight line and can be reflect to shine around corners.

The Grade 6s have been using Tinkercad to build some electrical circuits. They all did a few tutorials to get a feel for the program, then began building the alarm circuits that they designed. Next week, we'll be distributing the parts that they ordered for their circuits and they'll be able to build and test to see if their designs work! 

Visual Arts

Welcome to Term 2! We are excited to continue our creative journey in Visual Arts. This term, students will further develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding through engaging, hands-on experiences. Across all year levels, students will explore a variety of artists, techniques, and creative processes while building confidence, curiosity, and imagination through art-making, viewing, discussion, and reflection.

Alongside learning aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, students have begun creating special artworks for our upcoming Art Show, an exciting opportunity to celebrate and showcase their creativity.

It’s hard to believe we are already in Term 2! Term 1 was a fantastic start, with students settling beautifully into the Art room and embracing their learning with enthusiasm. Our Art Show “Big Idea” has now been selected: “The Continents Around the World.” Students contributed to brainstorming ideas, sharing stories about their own cultures, and discussing artworks they are familiar with. These rich conversations have helped inspire many of our lessons and creative directions.

Prep

Over the past two weeks, students have been creating vibrant lanterns while practising their colouring and collage skills. Their work looks fantastic! We also explored what lanterns are and why they have been used in different cultures around the world. Students engaged in thoughtful discussions, particularly when learning that lanterns were once an important source of light at night.

 Grade 1/2

Over the past two weeks, our Grade 1 and 2 students began an exciting visual arts journey exploring how artists use shape, colour, and texture to express emotion. As part of our unit on sculpture and mixed-media construction, students “travelled” to Africa as our first cultural focus.

Students were introduced to a variety of African masks and learned that they are created by different cultural groups for ceremonies, storytelling, celebrations, and performances. We discussed how these artworks represent identity, emotion, and tradition.

Students then designed and constructed their own 3D masks using cardboard and recycled materials. Each student selected an emotion, such as happiness, excitement, calm, or surprise and explored how facial features, shapes, and textures can communicate that feeling to an audience.

Grade 3/4

Students have been continuing their 3D plane sculptures, representing the beginning of our journey around the world. This has been an involved process of designing, constructing, and refining their work while applying a range of artistic skills and techniques.

Students have demonstrated great persistence, creativity, and pride in their work, and we are excited to see their final pieces on display.

 Grade 5/6

Over the past few weeks, Grade 5 and 6 students have been working on their impressive 3D hot air balloon sculptures. They have constructed detailed balloon forms and baskets, followed by painting and adding their own unique designs.

It has been wonderful to see how students have embraced the project and made it their own. We can’t wait for you to see these colourful creations “floating” high at the Art Show!

Helpers Needed

We would love your support as we prepare for the Art Show!

• Are you available to help in the classroom?
• Are you able to assist with framing artworks?

If you can help in any way, please come and have a chat with me at school pick-up time I am usually on yard duty and would love to connect.

We are also looking for artists, performers, and musicians within our school community. If this is you, please reach out, I would love to involve you in this year’s Art Show!

Thank you for your continued support we are looking forward to a creative and exciting term ahead! 

Lauren Jamieson

Visual Arts Teacher