Learning and Teaching
Mathematics in LS1 Juniors
In the learning space Clinic 2 and 3 have been learning about shape. Shape falls under the content area of Space in the curriculum.
Clinic 2 have been learning about the properties of 2 dimensional shapes.
To develop their knowledge, they played ‘Guess Who- 2D shapes’. The children described different shapes orally and their partner drew the shape based off the description.
This activity allowed the children to work on their oral language skills as well as help consolidate their learning about the properties of 2 dimensional shapes.
Clinic 3 have been learning about 3 dimensional shapes. This includes properties (e.g. faces, edges and vertices/corners). They used this to help make 3D nets and identify the properties of their shape. Look at these amazing nets!
Imasha Brodie
LS1 Junior Team Teacher
Year 5/6 LS1 Science
This week we have been looking at what is a “Fair Test” when we conduct an experiment.
The aim was to find out whether water temperature affected the dissolving rate of a berocca tablet. We then had to graph the results.
Some variables that we had to control were: the amount of liquid in the container, the size of the container, the height that the tablet was dropped from and the water temperature for both experiments.
We discovered that temperature can have an effect on the result.
Kevin McKee
kmckee@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
LS1 Senior Team Teacher
DT Update
This term in DT we’ve been diving into the world of STEM! Students have been exploring the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and maths—discovering not only the fun and creativity these areas bring, but also the challenges that push us to think critically and problem-solve. We’ve learned that in STEM it’s all about testing ideas, making small changes, and improving our designs to get the best results.
Juniors
Our juniors have been busy with BeeBots, learning the basics of robotics and coding. They’ve been planning step-by-step routes for their BeeBot to follow and then programming it to reach the target location. It’s been a mix of fun, teamwork, and plenty of learning.
They also launched into STEM with balloon rockets! Students chose their own string and balloon types, tested how far their rockets could travel, and then experimented by changing one variable to see if they could improve their results. We discovered that the long, skinny balloons flew the furthest (aerodynamics for the win!) and that smooth string helped the rockets zoom along with less friction.
Seniors
Our seniors have been stepping up to the challenge with mBots. They designed and built their own obstacle courses, then used block coding to program their robots to navigate through. To make things more exciting, they added lights, sounds, and even obstacle sensors so the robots could react and adapt to surprises along the way. Their persistence and problem-solving have been outstanding—it’s proof that determination really pays off!
In STEM, the seniors explored chemical reactions by experimenting with pop rockets, invisible ink, and even dancing rice! Acting like real scientists, they recorded their results, made predictions, and brainstormed ways to improve their experiments. Their curiosity and creativity shone through as they thought about how these reactions could be applied in different situations.
Taryn Bartlett
tbartlett@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Digital Technology Teacher
Online Safety Hacks (for Apple devices)
With school holidays coming up, now is the perfect time to ensure that your child’s account has things in place to ensure that they are as safe as possible when online.
Before getting started
Before diving into these hacks, you’ll need to set up a separate Apple Account for your child. This prevents them from accessing your personal data while giving them their own safe space to explore.
Then you can easily set age-based parental controls, and they can use Family Sharing.
- On your iPhone or iPad
- Go to Settings > Family
- Tap the Add Member button
- Tap Create Child Account, then tap Continue.
EXPERT TIP: never share the ‘Screen Time’ password with your child, this will null and void the safety features as they will be able to override them. This is a parent or carer, ‘family circle only’ level of trust.
- Communication Safety: The nudity blocker
This clever feature protects your children from inappropriate images. If someone tries to send your child content containing nudity, the system automatically blurs the photo or video before your child can view it on their device.
They’re safe-guarded with a three-step verification process which also offers them ways to get help.
If they choose to continue to view the image or the video, they will need to enter the ‘Screen Time Password’. Which, as mentioned above, they should never know, plus you will get an alert if your child attempts to view blocked content, putting you firmly in control.
How to activate Communication Safety settings:
- Open Screen Time settings:
- iPhone, iPad or Apple Vision Pro: Go to Settings > Screen Time
- Mac: Choose the Apple menu > Systems Settings, then click Screen Time
- Select the name of a child in your family group
- Select Communication Safety
Turn Communication Safety on.
- Ask to Buy: Your digital wallet guardian
This setting is to ensure that you are never caught off guard by app or in app purchases. Plus, it helps to ensure all app purchases (even free ones) or anything else that can be purchased through the Apple Store are appropriate for your child.
The ‘Ask to Buy’ feature will send you a request that requires your approval every time your child tries to make a purchase. This means no more unexpected bills and you can ensure the purchases are age-appropriate.
How to activate Ask To Buy function:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Family
- In iOS 16 or above, tap your family member’s name, then tap Ask to Buy
- In iOS 15 or earlier, tap Ask to Buy, then tap your family member’s name.
- Parental controls: content and privacy restrictions
Through ‘Screen Time’, you can set up comprehensive content and privacy restrictions that put you in the driver’s seat. This feature lets you block explicit content, and you can set age-related restrictions for content they can view on websites, for purchases and downloads.
It’s also a tool that allows parents to choose how - and how often kids can use their device.
How to turn on Content and Privacy Restrictions:
- Open the Settings app, then tap Screen Time
- Under Family, choose your child’s name
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If asked, enter your Screen Time passcode, then turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions
After you have turned on Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can set up lots of parental controls. You can find the fill and comprehensive list of parental controls you can activate here.
Remember, the goal isn’t to restrict your child completely, but to create a safe digital environment where they can explore and learn while staying safe and protected from online risks.
Article sourced from Mama Mia and originally published on 14/4/25
Unity Builders Action Team
At the end of Term 3, Sr. Rochelle came and spoke to the school about the work she does with schools in Samoa and the Solomon Islands. Our action team, in the words of St. Mary Mackillop “Saw a need and did something about it.”
We are trying to gather as many school supplies as we can to assist those schools. Suggestions for what can be donated are:
- Pencils
- Rulers
- Rubbers
- Textas
- Coloured pencils
- Pens
- Exercise books
- Coloured beads for making necklaces and bracelets
- Zippers
- Elastic
- Coloured wool
If you can make a small donation for our cause, it would be much appreciated. All donations can be given to Kevin in LS1 or at the office and they will pass them on.
It is hoped to get Sr. Rochelle back out in the middle of Term 4, so that we can give her our donations.
Thank you,
The Unity Builders team.
SENIOR SPORT
GRADE 3/4 SPORT
The students consistently exhibit outstanding listening abilities and a high level of motivation throughout their sports rotations. Their enthusiasm has had a beneficial effect on both their fellow students and us as coaches.
WINTER LIGHTNING PREMIERSHIP – GRADE 5/6’S
On Wednesday, September 9th, our senior students participated in the Winter Lightning Premiership. The sports teams, including Softball, Basketball, Cricket, Handball, and Tennis, engaged in a Round Robin competition against primary schools in the Hampton Park District. This district consists of seven primary schools, encompassing both state and Catholic schools.
The Physical Education teachers in the Hampton Park District develop a balanced round robin schedule. This process consisted of several meetings to reach a consensus that ensures equitable competition among all schools. The collaboration was one of professionalism and mutual respect, aimed at optimising student performance. Additionally, it emphasises the importance of sportsmanship and respect among the teachers involved.
In each sport, teams participated in three or four matches, which included semi-finals, culminating in a Grand Final featuring the two top teams. Our Cricket and Basketball team triumphed in the Grand Final, marking a remarkable achievement. The Basketball Boys and Cricket Team secured first place, demonstrating exceptional performance throughout the day, they will advance to the Divisional competition. The Basketball Girls Team finished in second place after competing in the Round Robin format.
The Cricket Girls Team came in third place and showed improvement throughout the day. Our Softball Team showed significant improvement during the competition and thoroughly enjoyed their experience. Lastly, our Tennis team achieved fourth place overall, which was quite gratifying, as they also demonstrated progress throughout the day.
The performance of our students was outstanding, and they had a wonderful time. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of the coaches for the various sports, as well as our Senior Teachers at St Frances DeSales Primary School: Kevin, Melody, Amy, Sarah, Ashleigh, along with the invaluable support from Learning Support Officers, Anju and Ursula, also the parents Jennifer, Louise and Courtney that assisted the teachers with supervising the students. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for your continued support, which I appreciate endlessly.
Divisional Athletics
The students have been practising for their events and preparing themselves for the next event, goodluck to the ten students that have progressed to Divisional Athletics, we are looking forward to see how they perform. Some students it’s their first time on the big stage, we wish them luck.
CASEY SOUTH DIVISION
TRACK AND FIELD
CARNIVAL 2025
Wednesday 8th October 2025
Casey Fields Athletics Centre
Cranbourne
Lulli Barbakos
lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Physical Education Teacher
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
JUNIOR SPORTS
SPORT CLINICS
BASKETBALL CLINICS
A huge thank you to Donte and Florian, Deion’s parents, for coming in to run Junior basketball clinics today. Students had a great time and learnt lots of new skills. We really appreciate Donte and Florian giving up their time to come in and share their skills with the Juniors.
Next Monday we look forward to footy clinics with Jake which will get our Juniors ready for Footy Fun Day on Friday. Parents, Juniors can still wear their pyjamas to school but please ensure they are wearing their runners so they can participate in the footy clinics.
SENIOR SPORTS
GRADE 5/6 RESUSCITATE A MATE PROGRAM
A big thank you to Lifesaving Victoria for coming in and delivering the ‘Resuscitate a Mate Program’ for the Grade 5/6 students. The program reinforced the emergency response management (DRSABCD) that Gr 5/6 learnt in the St John’s First Aid session. They went through the steps to follow in an emergency situation and the skills to potentially save a life.
WHOLE SCHOOL EVENTS
SFS AFTER SCHOOL AUSKICK PROGRAM – LAST SESSION!
A reminder to parents whose child is registered the last afterschool Auskick session will be next Wednesday 17th September. Your child may wear their sports uniform on Wednesday. Parents please remember access to the school oval will be via the pedestrian gate at the front of the school near the rainbow playground once the gates are closed at 3.30pm.
TERM 4 - SFS AFTER SCHOOL WOOLWORTHIS CRICKET BLAST PROGRAM – FREE!!
We have been given an excellent opportunity for Term 4 to have Cricket Clinics run after school (3.30-4.30) on Wednesdays FREE here at SFS. It will be a Woolworths Cricket Blast Program which will only be open to SFS students. This program will be run by Cricket Victoria and sponsored by Woolworths.
The Program will include 4 Cricket Clinics beginning in Week 2. The dates of the clinics are:
Week 2: Wednesday October 15th
Week 3: Wednesday October 22nd
Week 5: Wednesday November 5th
Week 6 Wednesday November12th
Each child, as well as participating in the 4 Cricket Clinics, will also receive a free Cricket Blast shirt and a bucket hat in W/BBL team colours. Students will also be allowed to wear their sports uniform to school on clinic days.
If you would like your child to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity free of charge, please register your child via the QR code on the flyer below. Registration is completed through Cricket Victoria who will also be running the clinics.
Parents are most welcome to attend but will need to be at school to pick up their child by 4.20pm unless your child is going to After School Care. We can organise students to be dropped off there after the clinics. When leaving the cricket program, please walk around the school on the courts area and ensure you use the pedestrian gate at the front of the school near the rainbow playground.
TERM 4 SWIMMING
A reminder to parents that swimming begins the first week back in Term 4. Students will need to wear their bathers under their sports uniform and bring a bag with their towel, undergarments and thongs. Students will put their thongs on before leaving for swimming to make changing easier. They will then put their shoes back on once they return to school.
Parents who have volunteered to assist the juniors, I will be checking that your Working with Children Check is current and registered with the school office. I will then be in contact with you prior to swimming beginning.
Swimming timetables have been uploaded onto the Operoo permission form as an attachment. Please print it off and ensure you have it available at home.
- Monday – LS1 Juniors and Seniors, LS3 Juniors
- Tuesday – LS2 Juniors and Seniors, LS3 Seniors
Please ensure your child is prepared for their swimming lesson so our office staff do not need to use their valuable time ringing parents and asking them to bring swimming gear.
Parents please note you are welcome to attend Casey Leisure to view your child’s lesson but photographs and videos are not allowed and only parents who have been contacted by me, are able to assist in the junior change rooms.
A reminder to parents that swimming is an important part of the PE curriculum and all students are expected to attend. It’s imperative that students know how to keep themselves safe around water. If there is a medical reason your child cannot attend a session, they will then remain at school in another Learning Space.
FOOTY (AFL) FUN DAY
A reminder that the last day of term will be our annual Footy (AFL) Fun Day.
Please see the advertisement included in the newsletter for details. Any parents who would like to join us in a fun footy match against the Grade 6s please email me at gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au or you can respond via Operoo.
Don’t forget school will finish at 1.00pm on the last day of term.
Any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Giuliana
Extra-Curricular Coordinator