Primary School Update

Term 3: The Primary School - Extending Learning

Term 3 has been another rich season of learning, play, and community building. Together we continue to live our School’s purpose by seeking the good in each person, celebrating the diversity of our community, and strengthening our local, national, and global connections. With spring upon us, we look forward to longer days and the warmth that encourages growth and renewal.

Teaching and Learning – Friends’ Early Learning & Outside School Hours Care 

On Tuesday 19 August, Friends’ Early Learning (FEL) hosted a magical Night of Tales to celebrate Book Week, inviting families back to FEL in the twilight hours to share in the joy of stories. The evening was filled with wonder as pop-up storytellers and roving musical tales unfolded alongside impromptu performances. Parents contributed by reading their favourite stories, while others shared tales in their home languages, offering rousing and passionate renditions that captivated the audience. It was a memorable night where families connected through the enchantment of storytelling and a shared love of books.

At Outside School Hours Care, children continue to build strong friendships across year levels, developing a deep sense of belonging and community.

Teaching and Learning - Kindergarten to Year 6 

In Prep, children are delving into the wonders of light—exploring bioluminescence, reflection, refraction, illumination, projection, and the differences between natural and man-made sources. To enrich this inquiry, we were delighted to welcome special guest Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin from the University of Tasmania. Dr Gershwin, who also runs GLOW TOURS in Hobart, will visit again soon to share her expertise on bioluminescence and biofluorescence—two fascinating phenomena that, as she describes, “reciprocally illuminate each other” through chemistry and physics. Children will hear stories, see examples, and spark new questions as they continue their journey into the science and wonder of light.

This term, students across the Primary School have embraced a wide range of rich learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and strengthen connections with the wider world.

• New Metrics – Students have been developing competencies that go beyond traditional academic measures, including collaboration, problem solving, creativity, and adaptability. These capabilities will equip them not only for current learning but also for a rapidly changing world.
• PYP Exhibition – Year 6 students have been immersed in the Exhibition process, a cornerstone of the Primary Years Programme. This year’s theme, Scientific Understandings Prompt and Enable Active Hope, has encouraged students to connect deeply with their community, explore meaningful issues, and consider ways they can contribute to positive change. Their curiosity and sense of responsibility have grown as they translate learning into action.
• Year 3 & 4 Expresstivale – Under the theme How We Express Ourselves, students have prepared creative performances and artworks that explore the many ways ideas, beliefs, and values can be shared through the arts. Expresstivale provides a joyful opportunity to showcase imagination, courage, and self-expression.
• Year 5 – Who We Are – Year 5 students have been exploring identity, perspective, and belonging through the unit Who We Are. They have reflected on the IB Learner Profile, challenged themselves to appreciate different points of view, and strengthened empathy, voice, and community connection.

Excursion and Outdoor Education Program 

Year 5 Camp 

In August, Year 5 students enjoyed an enriching camp at Spring Beach in Orford. Surrounded by stunning coastal bushland, the camp provided opportunities to challenge themselves, connect with nature, and grow both individually and as a group.

Students took part in a variety of activities—including indoor rock climbing, team games, a commando course, flying fox, and low ropes—all designed to encourage resilience, teamwork, and celebration of personal and group achievements. Guided reflection activities helped students develop mindfulness, empathy, and confidence, while exploration of Indigenous perspectives deepened understanding of Country and the importance of respect and care for the land.

Meals, comfortable cabins, and a supportive environment created a strong sense of belonging. A heartfelt thank you to the staff and camp facilitators who made the experience safe, memorable, and meaningful.

Year 2 Outdoor Education

As part of their How the World Works inquiry, Year 2 students visited the Waterworks with Outdoor Education teacher Emily Ardas. They investigated how living things adapt to their environments, using observation skills, prior knowledge, and identification tools like the ‘Poo Flip’ to find evidence of animal life.

Students discovered scat, spiderwebs, feathers, tracks, and tree hollows, each offering clues about survival strategies. A highlight was collaboratively constructing shelters from natural materials, prompting reflection on how both animals and humans use their surroundings for protection. This hands-on experience deepened curiosity and critical thinking about adaptation and survival.

Physical Education and Sport 

In PE, students in Years 2–6 focused on basketball, with three incursions from Swisherr coaches and a final lesson at Swisherr using all courts for games and skill practice. This aligns with our cocurricular program, which includes four girls’ teams and five boys’ teams from Years 3–6 competing in the JSSATIS roster. Additionally, 36 Year 2 students participated in a six-week clinic with Hobart Phoenix in the Revell Centre.

Art

• Year 1 explored balance in visual art, investigating how light/dark, symmetry/asymmetry, and composition create harmony.
• Year 3 designed prints, tote bags, and greeting cards celebrating native endangered species, with proceeds donated to a local animal charity.
• Year 5 studied comics, examining layout and character design to communicate narrative and meaning.
• Year 6 experimented with line weight in drawing and are preparing a collaborative embossed-foil artwork for the Exhibition.

Co-Curricular Clubs

Lunchtime and after-school clubs have been thriving, with popular options including art, technology, basketball, running, dance, and drama. These opportunities allow children to learn new skills, build resilience, and broaden friendships.

Chess has been particularly popular, with 23 students competing in an inter-school tournament at Sacred Heart College. Our team performed exceptionally well, finishing second overall, with eight students qualifying for the State Finals. Congratulations to Jonah Sutton, who received a medal for most improved ranking.

The Maths Olympiad, held weekly, has strengthened problem-solving skills and encouraged reflection through challenging competitions with students across Australia.

Minecraft Club has also provided a safe and creative space for students to collaborate on group challenges, experiment with science concepts, and share projects—building teamwork, imagination, and persistence.

Meeting House Gatherings 

This term’s gatherings invited students to reflect on the testimony of simplicity and consider what truly matters in their lives. They shared gratitude for family, friends, pets, places, and treasured belongings, while reflecting on ways to share with others who may be less fortunate.

As part of the Exhibition process, Year 6 students wrote queries for the community. One thought-provoking query remains with us all: “How can we take action to be the change we want to see in the world?”

As Term 3 draws to a close, we look ahead with excitement to the final months of the year. Together we will celebrate who we are as a community and look with optimism to the future. This is a time of renewal, change, and growth—an opportunity to embrace all that lies ahead with hope, gratitude, and joy.

Mark Febey - Head of Primary School (Early Learning to Year 6)