Specialists Programs
Physical Education Term 2 Overview
Prep
During Term 2, Prep students will continue developing their fundamental movement skills through a variety of fun games and activities. Students will begin the term learning AFL skills, with a focus on improving their kicking techniques. They will also practise passing and catching skills through partner and team-based activities. Later in the term, students will participate in the Launchpad Gymnastics program led by a coach from the Nunawading Gymnastics. Throughout all lessons, there will be a strong focus on learning through games, playing safely, following rules, and demonstrating teamwork and positive sportsmanship.
Year 1/2
During Term 2, Grade 1/2 students will continue developing their fundamental movement skills through a range of engaging games and activities. Students will begin the term learning AFL skills, with a focus on improving their kicking techniques, as well as developing passing and catching skills through partner and team activities. Later in the term, students will participate in the Launchpad Gymnastics program led by a coach from the Nunawading Gymnastics. Throughout all lessons, there will be a strong focus on learning through games, playing safely, working cooperatively, and demonstrating positive sportsmanship.
Year 3/4
During Term 2, Grade 3/4 students will develop their skills and gameplay strategies in preparation for the Winter Gala Day on Thursday 28 May. Following the soccer program completed in Term 1, students will focus on learning and improving skills for AFL, netball, and T-ball, while also developing their understanding of the rules and teamwork required for each sport. Students will participate in a range of games and activities designed to build confidence, cooperation, and sportsmanship. Selected students will also have the opportunity to represent the school at the district Cross Country event on Monday 18 May.
Year 5/6
During Term 2, Grade 5/6 students will develop their skills and gameplay strategies in preparation for the Winter Gala Day on Thursday 11 June. Following the soccer program completed in Term 1, students will focus on improving their attacking and defending skills in AFL, netball, and T-ball, while building their understanding of the rules and strategies involved in each sport. Through a variety of games and activities, students will continue developing teamwork, communication, and positive sportsmanship. Selected students will also have the opportunity to represent the school at the district Cross Country event on Monday 18 May.
Michael van Rooy - PE teacher - mvanrooy@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
Visual Arts Term 2 Overview
Prep
During Term 2, the prep students will continue to observe, think and talk about the art of introduced Australian artists. They will begin to notice what they like about the different styles. Students will use these observations to inspire them to be brave and take risks with their own art work. The prep students will finish their hero pose portraits inspired by Kaylene Whiskey. They will learn more about Kaylene Whiskey and hear how much joy her art brings herself and others. These fun, life sized portraits will have the students making lots of decisions including placement of clothes and facial features, along with mixing and applying acrylic paints for skin tones. They will also use paintsticks and their understanding of lines and patterns to complete their clothes. The students will continue to be inspired by our country Australia, through our artists, the colours, landscapes and animals. They will take a closer look at the art work of artists Anna Blatman, Philip Bunting and Bronwyn Bancraft, using their work and stories as inspiration for their own pieces.
Year 1/2
During Term 2, the Year 1/2 students will continue to extend themselves as artists through observing and discussing the work of famous Australia artists Ken Done, Pete Cromer and Bronwyn Bancroft. They will be invited to share their opinions about their artwork and consider elements they like and want to recreate in their own art pieces. Students will continue to experiment with a range of materials and processes to help them be more confident creating pieces that communicate their own ideas. Students will be studying colours and shapes to help make their work impactful and interesting.
Year 3/4
During Term 2, the year 3/4 students will be immersed in colour and creativity. Through online art education they will have the opportunity to observe Ken Done in his own studio and examine the materials and processes he uses to create his iconic pieces. They will learn more about his philosophy, that painting is not a photograph and it is more important to paint what something feels like over a perfect visual representation. This philosophy will allow the students more freedom, confidence and creativity in making their own art pieces. They will be taught specific techniques in modelling to help create shapes, use tools and manipulate air dry modelling clay.
The year 3/4 students will be inspired by our country Australia, by the colours, landscapes, iconic landmarks and artists to create artworks that communicate their ideas and personal perspectives.
Year 5/6
During Term 2, the year 5/6 students will have regular opportunities to grow and share their artistic thinking and become more confident in decision making whilst creating a range of artwork. They will continue to be inspired by a variety of Australian artists while developing and challenging their understanding of what makes ‘good’ art. Students will create their own multimedia art pieces exploring the colours, landscapes, iconic landmarks and animals of Australia. They will challenge themselves with creating art using unconventional materials as they take inspiration from Western Australia sculpture Jordan Sprigg. Students will need to carefully plan and consider their piece and help source recyclable materials to bring their vision to reality.
Beth Neason - bneason@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
Chinese - Term 2 Overview
Prep Chinese – Term 2 Overview
In Term 2, Prep students will explore the topic of family. They will learn simple Chinese words for family members, such as mum, dad and siblings, through fun activities like songs, stories, movement and interactive games.
Students will begin to recognise and use basic Chinese words in speaking and early writing. Through joyful learning experiences, they will also reflect on family as a special part of God’s love and care. By the end of the term, students will be encouraged to share a few simple Chinese words or phrases about their family in class.
Year 1/2 Chinese – Term 2 Overview
In Term 2, students will learn about the topic of family, including both immediate and extended family members. They will build their Chinese vocabulary through engaging activities such as reading, writing, singing, dancing, worship and interactive ICT tasks.
Students will begin forming simple sentences in Chinese, using a subject–verb–object structure to talk about their family (e.g. “This is my mum”). They will practise introducing their family members using complete sentences. Assessment will include class activities, online tasks, and a short presentation where students introduce their family in Chinese, demonstrating their growing confidence and understanding.
Year 3/4 Chinese – Term 2 Overview
During Term 2, students will explore the topic of the Great Wall of China, learning about where it is and why it is important. They will discover interesting facts about its history and how it was built, helping them appreciate this amazing landmark and God’s creation in the world.
Students will learn and practise simple Chinese (Hanzi), focusing on basic character structure and stroke order. They will also practise speaking short sentences, such as describing the Great Wall and sharing simple ideas. At the end of the term, students will complete a small project or presentation to demonstrate their learning.
Year 5/6 Chinese – Term 2 Overview
In Term 2, students will investigate the Great Wall of China, examining its geographical location, historical background and architectural features. Through this inquiry, students will deepen their understanding of Chinese culture and recognise the significance of this world-famous structure as part of God’s diverse and remarkable creation.
Students will expand their knowledge of Chinese language by learning selected Hanzi characters, with a focus on character components, structure, and correct stroke order. They will also develop their speaking skills by forming and practising more detailed conversational sentences. Towards the end of the term, students will apply their learning through projects and presentations, allowing them to demonstrate their language skills with increasing confidence.
Mandy Jin - mjin@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au - Chinese Teacher
Performing Arts Term 2 Overview, 2026
Prep
In Term 2, Prep students will continue their Performing Arts learning in the curriculum areas of Drama and Music.
Students will explore how and why music is important to people and communities. They will share observations about music they hear and perform, asking questions such as where music comes from and why it is created. Through singing songs used in celebrations and everyday life, students will connect music to their own experiences. They will explore how sound qualities (loud/soft, high/low, long/short) can represent ideas, and use movement, facial expressions, and voice to communicate feelings.
In Drama, students will continue to use play and imagination to explore characters and situations through dramatic play. They will create and share simple drama stories, using voice, movement, and expression to communicate ideas and emotions. Students will respond to stories by asking questions and predicting what might happen next, and explore how storytelling communicates characters, settings, and mood. They will also learn about the importance of storytelling in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, building an understanding of connection to people, culture, and place.
Year 1/2
In Performing Arts this term, students will continue participating in small-group improvisations, storytelling, and whole-class role-play. They will explore characters, relationships, and settings to create moments of tension and emotion, while learning how drama can express feelings such as joy, fear, and excitement. Students will develop performance skills using voice, facial expressions, and movement, and begin to use drama-specific language to describe their work. They will also respond to drama they create and view by discussing meaning and sharing their ideas. Learning will include exploring how different communities and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, create and use drama.
We will also explore how music is experienced across cultures and communities. Students will develop listening skills and practise singing and playing simple instruments, building confidence and enjoyment in making music together.
Year 3/4
In Term 2, Year 3/4 students will continue exploring the curriculum areas of Drama and Music in their Performing Arts lessons.
Students will explore where, when, why and how music is composed and performed across different cultures, times and places. They will listen to and discuss a range of music, considering its purpose and meaning in different contexts. Students will also explore how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use music to express connection to and responsibility for Country and Place. Through singing and playing instruments, they will practise and present music they have learnt or created, building confidence performing in both informal and more formal settings.
In Drama, students will explore how stories and narrative structures are created and performed across cultures, using myths, legends and familiar stories as inspiration. They will develop their expressive and performance skills by experimenting with elements of drama such as character, setting, mood, tension and conflict. Students will continue to explore how voice, movement and space can communicate meaning, and begin to refine their ideas through rehearsal and improvisation. They will also learn how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use drama and storytelling to communicate connection to Country and Place, deepening their understanding of diverse perspectives and storytelling traditions.
Year 5/6
This term in Performing Arts, Year 5/6 students will continue to develop their skills in the curriculum areas of Drama and Music.
Students will explore how the elements of music—such as rhythm, pitch, dynamics and structure—are combined to communicate meaning across different cultures, times and contexts. They will listen to and analyse a range of music, identifying features such as instrumentation, form and the roles of melody and accompaniment. Students will discuss their musical preferences using appropriate terminology and consider how music is used in celebrations and community events. They will also investigate how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use music to share knowledge, maintain and revitalise culture. Through singing, playing instruments and composing, students will refine their technical and expressive skills in both solo and group settings.
In Drama, students will explore how performance communicates ideas, perspectives and meaning. They will develop characters and relationships using expressive skills such as voice, movement and gesture, and experiment with elements of drama including tension, mood and space. Students will create, rehearse and reflect on their work, using viewpoint questions to evaluate and refine their ideas. They will also examine how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use storytelling and performance to sustain culture and communicate connection to Country and Place.
Amanda Hill ahill@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au