Specialists Updates and Celebrations

P.E.

Grade 5/6 PE: 

We have started Term 2 off with Australian Rules Football in Grade 5 and 6. We have started off with handballing and drop punting. We are lucky enough to have some AFL coaches working with us until the end of the term. With lots of practice we will be ready to compete at the AFL Gala day against other schools in the district on Friday 11th June.

Cross Country (Grade 3-6):

Over the last 2 weeks we held try outs for Grade 3-6 students to take part in the Southport District competition for Cross Country. So many students wanted to take part and it was fantastic to see everyone pushing themselves to their limits and not giving up. 

Unfortunately we can't take everyone to the competition. Students will be told if they will be progressing to the competition or not and parents of those who are will be emailed details. 

Athletics/Sports Day (Term 3 - Friday 13th August):

Thank you to all of the parents who have offered to volunteer their time on excursions. If any parents have a WWCC and would like to volunteer their time to help out with this years Athletics Day please email callum.freel@southmelbourneps.vic.edu.au

Information will be sent out to all parent volunteers soon regarding Athletics Day. 

STEAM

The Preps have completed the first of many designs that they will do in STEAM.  They were given a problem and they had to solve it with a design. The problem was that the Teddy Bear Family were on a hike but a storm was approaching. What could the Preps design to keep the Teddy Bears safe and warm? A shelter! The next step was to collaborate within a team of 3 to build the shelter out of cardboard, tape, straws and icypole sticks. They had previously been introduced to collaborating (working together) to build a class pyramid made out of cups and a bridge for a group of 20 mini Teddy Bears. The Preps also learned about "balance". Well done to Vicky in Prep A who balanced herself on the wobble board for almost 2 minutes - amazing!

Mandarin

In Grade 1 & 2, we have been learning about the common fruits in Mandarin class. This week we are focusing on saying each fruit in Mandarin and writing them in Pinyin. Next week, we will learn a new topic about the pets. We will explore different pets and learn to say them in Mandarin.

Music

Grade 3/4 have been working on developing their marimba playing skills. During the first 3 weeks of the term we learnt a class piece, “The White Flower”. It has a challenging 8 bar melody and a strong bass line to complement it. We have just started working on our second class marimba song, “Bogalot Road”. Students have been creating their own pieces of marimba music too. The focus has been on applying knowledge of the elements of music to manipulate sound. This means experimenting with things such as harmony and rhythm.