Around the classrooms

Grade 3/4

A Great Start to the Year in Grade 3/4

Grade 3/4 students have made a fantastic start to the year, settling into the classroom with enthusiasm and confidence. We have spent time revisiting our school values and discussing how these guide positive behaviour, respectful relationships, and responsible choices. Students have worked hard to learn and practise classroom routines, including organisation, transitions, and developing independence. These routines help create a calm, safe, and supportive learning environment for all. It has been wonderful to see students reconnecting with friends, building new relationships, and showing care for one another. We are proud of the positive attitudes and efforts already on display and look forward to a happy and productive term ahead.

A sample of some alien themed posters promoting Community through respecting personal space and not being a Space Invader!

A Tremendously Positive Start to 2026

What a fantastic start we’ve had to the year in our Prep–Grade 3 team! The energy across our classrooms has been nothing short of outstanding.

It has been wonderful welcoming our new Prep students and meeting the many new families who have joined our school community. Our newest learners have shown incredible courage as they navigate new routines, build friendships, and settle into school life. We are so proud of the way they are embracing each day with enthusiasm and big smiles.

Our Grade 1–3 students have returned ready to learn, demonstrating inspiration and growth as they revisit and refine classroom routines and expectations. It has been impressive to see the maturity and leadership they are already showing, particularly in the way they support one another and model positive learning behaviours.

Across the team, there has been a strong focus on building a positive classroom culture, establishing clear expectations, and setting students up for success. The calm, purposeful learning environments we are already seeing are a credit to our students’ hard work and commitment.

We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to continuing this strong and positive start together.

The Junior team is looking forward for what the rest of the year is to bring. Please say hello if you see us around the school.

French and Art 

Bonjour / Hello,

I’m Ms. Spencer, and I’m lucky to be teaching Art and French to all grades again this year.

So far, we have been getting to know one another, discussing how we learn best, and settling into the new school year. 

In French, we have revisited what we already know about France, the language, and its culture. We've shared what we would like to learn about this year, and trying French foods on French Day seems to up there on the wish list! 

We have been practising songs and greetings and having fun playing games like Guess Who and Memory. 

A big “Bravo!” to all grades for bringing such a positive attitude to French classes. I look forward to hearing the whole school sing at an assembly soon! 

This week, a list of words and phrases we are learning has been sent home so families can practise together.

In Art classes, we have been exploring the different ways to create art and encouraging everyone to “Be smart, use your heart, to make art.” 

We have been getting to know our new classmates, learning about portraits and Artists who use their heart to create art. 

Our junior classes have been inspired by Jim Dine’s confetti heart artworks to create their own colourful heart pieces using warm and cool paint stick colours. Senior classes have been inspired by Romero Britto’s brightly patterned artworks to design their own joyful heart art using bold lines, patterns, and vibrant colours.

I can’t wait to see these finished and proudly displayed around our school!

In lunch time Art club, we have started painting a fabulous rainbow lorikeet for the Ballarat Begonia festival which runs over Labour Day long weekend, Saturday 7th to Monday 9th March.  A big thank you to Mrs Hunter who has arranged this for our students. We love having you back in the Art room and Specialist team! 

Making art can sometimes be messy, and accidents do happen. We have a shared class set of smocks from Officeworks that students wear when we are using potentially messy materials. So far, we've found the Officeworks smocks paint proof and easy to wash and wear. Many a uniform has been saved from some accidental spills. Students are welcome and encouraged to bring their own art smock if they prefer.  

I’m looking forward to another amazing and creative year!  

If you ever have any questions, feel free to drop by the Art room and say hi after school on Monday, Thursday or Friday.  We've meetings till 4:30 Tuesday and Wednesday, so I'm a little rushed then but happy to chat after. 

Warm regards, 

Ms. Spencer

5/6 Team

Welcome to 2026! 

The grade 5/6s have already had an opportunity to flex their adaptability muscle this term with saying goodbye to Mr M and Ms Nicholls being out of the classroom in Term 1. We are, however, very excited to welcome Mr D to Ballan PS and welcome Mrs Walker to the 5/6 team! Ms Walker likes to spend time at her beachhouse with her family. Mr D likes running (his longest run being 100km!) and spending time with his family. 

The 5/6s are getting very excited for their upcoming camp on March 4-6. We have had some camp meetings, answered questions, and looked at some photos of the facilities and activities. Families will need to approve and pay for camp before March 2. If you would like some support with this payment, please contact the Office. 

We are so proud of our 5/6 students settling in well to the school year and showcasing their leadership skills. Well done to students that have secured a School Captain or House Captain position. We are also excited to see who is JSC representatives for each class. 

Happy learning, 

Mr D, Ms Nicholls, Ms Walker, Mr Petersen