PHYSICAL EDUCATION

It is so wonderful to be back physically active with our students again this term. In our Physical Education classes, students have been learning about Fundamental Motor Skills and then using these important skills in game situations.

Foundation students have been learning new games and discussing why it is important we have specific rules and procedures. They have been learning to work in teams and take turns. Year’s 1 and 2 have been completing tabloid rotations focusing on the different Fundamental Motor Skills at each station whilst learning to work well in groups situations.

Our focus in Years 3-6 has been on Sustained Running as a warm up at the beginning of each lesson. We are amazed and proud of the efforts our Miners Rest students are demonstrating.

Years 3 and 4 started the term with a whole class reflection about being a ‘GREAT SPORT’ when we are competing or playing games. Through playing some minor games for the first four weeks the students were able to apply the skills they need to be a ‘GREAT SPORT’. We have also revised the importance of knowing and being able to use the Fundamental Motor Skills during games and sport. They are the building blocks of physical activity and are essential parts of our every-day life too.

Year’s 5 and 6 are discussing, practising and implementing ‘GAME SENSE’ into their Physical Education sessions. The students are developing strategies and skills that help them understand the sports we play so they can participate in them successfully.

We are excited for later this term, as we have some Aussie Rules Football coaches running clinics with all of our students. This will be a brilliant chance for footy fanatics to show off their skills, both boys and girls alike! With the AFL supporting both men and women playing our Nation’s game we want to see just as many girls out on the footy field as boys.

FAST FACT:

If you don’t know them already, here are the Fundamental Motor Skills we need to be able to use to play sport and exercise.

Kicking	Running	Catching
Throwing	Bouncing	Forehand strike
Two handed side strike	Vertical Jump	Punt
Leaping	Dodging

UPCOMING SPORTING DATES:

Friday May 7th: Greater Western Region Tennis Championships

Good luck to Remmy and Karinda who are competing on Friday in this tournament.

Friday May 14th: Eureka Division Cross Country

Wednesday June 9th: Winter Sports

STEM

STEM (Science, Technologies, Engineering, Mathematics) has officially started! Through this specialist subject, students will engage in the design process to create a range of different products. Students will learn how to investigate, generate ideas and produce those ideas using different materials, before evaluating their finished product. STEM will also look into digital technologies, including coding and general skills to ensure students are ready for future learning. I’m looking forward to an exciting term and the many STEM opportunities!

Joshua Loader

STEM Specialist

VISUAL ARTS

The art room has been a hive of activity this term with our students completing ANZAC DAY projects which were recently exhibited in the school foyer and the corridor next to the Blue Hall. The students have been super proud to hear such positive feedback about their artwork from staff and visitors to our school. Our next display, which has an autumn theme, is beginning to take shape. Don't forget to check it out if you are visiting the office. Thank you to all the students who are organised each week for their art lesson by bringing their own smock. keep it up!

During Term 2, our Foundation students have explored painting with different tools such as dabbers, scrunched paper and match sticks. They have identified signs of autumn in nature and learnt about organic shapes. They have studied various autumn leaves and described their texture, colour and shape. The Foundation students selected autumn leaves to create a laminated ‘leaf person’ or window display, adding extra detail using oil pastels. Some of these are on display in the main corridor. Over the next few weeks our Foundation students will investigate printmaking. They will then begin exploring textiles and learn about the Japanese artist Misaki Kawai, who exhibited at the recent NGV Triennial.

During Term 2, our Year 1/2 students have explored organic and geometric shapes. They investigated how to cut geometric shapes into organic shapes. They have also explored different ways to apply paint when creating Anzac Day poppies. They have explored signs of autumn in our school environment and collected autumn leaves from our school ground to use in their artworks. The Year 1/2 students classified small leaf collections, described the shape, texture and colour of leaves and arranged them into interesting designs. They are currently investigating print making and have made some leaf rubbings. They will be continuing to explore other printmaking techniques before they will learn about textiles and the Japanese artist Misaki Kawai who was an exhibitor at the recent NGV Triennial.

During Term 2, our Year 3/4 students have explored organic and geometric shapes. They have investigated the properties of crepe and tissue paper and used these papers to create ANZAC Day poppy collages. They have also explored different ways to apply paint when creating a background for their Anzac Day poppy artwork. The Year 3/4 students have explored signs of autumn in our school environment and collected autumn leaves from our school ground to use in their artworks. They have used their iPads to photograph (from different angles) trees and leaves. They have classified small leaf collections, described the shape, texture and colour of leaves and arranged them into interesting designs which they also photographed. They are currently investigating printmaking techniques and will be learning to create monoprints. They will be exploring the artworks of Porky Hefer who was recently an exhibitor at the NGV Triennial.

During Term 2, our Year 5/6 students have explored organic and geometric shapes. They have investigated the properties of crepe and tissue paper and used these papers to create ANZAC Day poppies. They also explored different ways to apply paint when creating a background for their Anzac Day poppies artwork. The Year 5/6 are currently working on a major art project to commemorate their recent ANZAC Bike Ride. They will be using water colour painting techniques, observational drawings and wire sculptures to create individual parts of the project that will then be combined to make an artwork that reflects their experience. They will finish the term with an artist study and explore the works of Porky Hefer who was a recent exhibitor at the NGV Triennial.

Check out the following photos to see our artists in action and their amazing work!

Deirdre Bleicher

Visual Arts Specialist

Learning Specialists

Literacy

Numeracy