Specialist News
LOTE - ITALIAN
Foundation - It’s been wonderful getting to know our Foundation students. We have begun learning some introductions in Italian- ciao, buongiorno, come ti chiami and numbers 1-10. Students will be launching into the unit of ‘Ecco Pinocchio’ where they will learn about greetings, family members and parts of the body.
Year 1/2 - The classic tale, “La Gallinella Rossa” (The Little Red Hen) is our point of focus where students will examine some of the key vocabulary presented from the story. Specific games, singing exercises, oral activities and relevant written tasks and visual displays will help to reinforce the new language.
Year 3/4 -The story ‘La Macchinetta Rossa’ will enable students to identify some famous icons, places and practices of Italian culture whilst participating in shared reading of short texts and language associated with greeting people, describing things and recounting experiences.
Year 5/6- The students are learning about vocabulary and phrases related to the theme of travel and tourism. They will focus on reading and translating dialogues, texts, roleplay and locating regions, cities and landmarks in Italy.
PERFORMING ARTS
Welcome to Performing Arts 2023. This is a big year for us as we will be preparing our incredible School Production “Let’s Go To The Movies” in Term 2. The production is held in early third term. The buzz has already begun with students asking questions and enquiring about roles and special parts.
But this is Term 1 and we have a lot to do. We will continue to shine the spotlight on music icons, having already had lessons on Elvis Presley, David Bowie, The Beach Boys and the Beatles with many more to come. The students always have questions/information to share and many times they can recognise songs that have been played at home.
Each lesson begins with singing and we try to tie in songs from the artists we have covered that week. So we have started to learn “Hound Dog” (Elvis) and “Space Oddity” (Bowie) and revisited songs such as “Yellow Submarine” (Beatles) and “Barbara Anne” (Beach Boys)
Speaking of singing, a reminder that every Thursday we have Choir at lunchtime.
We spend time each lesson moving and learning new dances from oldies but goodies such as YMCA to more modern dance moves.
Each term we have a focus lesson. This term we are practising our drumming skills. Students will begin by learning basic drum skills. Reading and writing simple notation and identifying the significance of rhythm in music. Each of these lessons are modified to the particular set of skills that the students bring to performing arts, usually defined by their year level.
VISUAL ARTS
Visual Arts has no right answers, this gives students the freedom to create art that they enjoy, without worrying about whether it is right or wrong. In class, we focus on our skills and experimentation to be as creative as possible rather than focusing on the product at the end. Students use the art elements and principles, the fundamentals of all art, to express a range of themes, ideas and emotions.
In Term 1, the focus is drawing and painting, using a wide range of materials such as oil pastels, acrylic paint, watercolours and more. I also believe that art is a great way to practise mindfulness and encourage all students to use their time in art to relax and focus on creativity.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education focuses on the fundamental movement skills, concepts and strategies that enable students to confidently, competently and creatively participate in a range of physical activities. Learning through movement provides students with opportunities to acquire, practise and refine personal, behavioural, social and cognitive skills that contribute to personal health and well-being.
During Term 1, all students begin by learning/revising expectations and routines.
The Foundation students also focus on positive play and engage in mini-games and hand-eye coordination using balloons. Throwing and catching will be a focus in the second half of the term.
Year 1/2 students participate in positive play, mini-games, playground games, some Cricket Blast activities and progress their throwing and catching skills.
Years 3-6 students have played minor games, playground games and some Cricket Blast activities. They will then focus on game concepts followed by invasion game sense in the second half of the term.
Students in Years 3-6 have already done an amazing job participating in our House Swimming carnival and some will compete in District Swimming against other schools.
In Year 5/6 Sport on Fridays, students are currently training for their District Round Robin in hockey, basketball, volley stars and softball. The round-robin will be on Wednesday 22nd March.
