Invictus Games in Room 29

In Room 29, our Big Idea for Term 4 has been 'Change'. Our teacher, Mrs McPhillips, challenged us to 'Help someone else with change'.

Through our learning of the recent Invictus Games, we worked collaboratively in small teams to change or adapt a sport or game for someone who has a disability to allow them to be included. We learnt about the different Nations involved in the Games by locating them on a map and using an Atlas.

We created procedures to write about how to play the changed game and we constructed some models of the equipment needed to be able to play the changed games.

During PE week, we gave up half a lunch play to teach other children how to play the adapted game of 'Sitting Volleyball'.

Finally, we contacted Invictus Games Ambassador and Paralympian Curtis McGrath OAM to interview him about his life and involvement in the Invictus Games, together we shared our ideas with him about our changed sports. These are our interview questions and his responses, together with our changed sport ideas.

Curtis McGrath Interview

1. How does it feel when you win a medal?

Winning a medal is an incredible feeling, very proud and happy when you win. Having won a few medals during my time as an athlete, it is a feeling that helps motivate me to have again.

That is why the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is such a big event for me. Trying to defend a medal, I think, is harder than winning one once. When we stand on the podium with the other athletes, a lot of the time they are our friends. It is nice to share that moment with them and celebrate together.

2. What was it like when you first began training as a canoeist?

Training at first was tough. I had never done sprint canoeing before and the boats are very very unstable which made learning a very wet experience. I fell out of my boat a lot whilst learning.

Once i got used to the balance of the kayak I had to get strong and fast in the boat. A lot of time in the gym and working out to be better at balance and power. As an athlete there is always something we want to improve with our sport and our technique so it is always a battle to find things we can improve on.

3. What is the most important part of your job now?

I don’t really have a job at the moment, I would like to think I am a full-time athlete but I do a lot more than just paddle a kayak. I do public speaking to organisations and sometimes work on TV presenting stories and sport to Australia. I think the most important part of my job at the moment is to make the most of all the opportunities that are in front of me. Looking at all the possibilities that come with hard work that you can be rewarded on and making the most of them.

To learn more about Curtis, please visit his website https://curtismcgrath.com.au

Cath McPhillips - Room 29

Carols on the Oval

On Sunday 9th December, in conjunction with the Charles Sturt Rotary Club, Grange Primary School hosted "Carols on the Oval". There were performances by Foundation, Year 1 and Year 2 classes as well as the Year 5 Choir, accompanied by the Port Adelaide City Band.

A huge thank you to all the staff who came out to support the event.

It was a wonderful night, the students performed beautifully, the weather was gorgeous and everyone had a fantastic time!

A particularly BIG thank you and well done to teachers Diana Busolin and Jonothan Webb.The musical items were very well polished and the choir were fantastic.

Thanks to all who supported this community event.

STEM at Seaton High School

This year, in my role as SHIP Focus Teacher, I worked closely with Seaton High Staff on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Extension Day for all Year 5 students and their teachers.

On Monday 29th October, we travelled to Seaton High and spent the day with Specialist Staff in their new and impressive STEM building. Our workshops matched the curriculum perfectly. The following photos and student comments indicate the learning and fun that was had. It was an incredibly successful day.

Thanks to Seaton High Staff for hosting us and being so wonderful to work with.

Karyl Buggy

“It was the best day of my life, although the squid dissecting was stinky and gross, it was so much fun. We learnt how to code LEGO robots, dissect a squid and do science experiments with chemical reactions.

My favourite would have to be the chemical reaction one, we made elephant toothpaste and experimented with dry ice. It was just so fascinating.

I learnt that dry ice can actually burn your skin but if your hands are wet and then you hold it, it won’t burn. So, if you want to hold dry ice now you know what to do.”

By Tait J

“I really liked how we got to cut the squid’s leg and the science experiment. It was really fun when we got to use the technology. My favourite bit of all was doing a challenge with the Lego robots. We could tell them where to go which made it even more fun.”

By Ghazal A

“At the Seaton High School STEM Day, we did so many things. I particularly liked dissecting the squid and doing the experiments because it was fun pulling out all the parts. It was also good because I was learning. I liked doing the experiments because I learnt about dry ice and how it is dangerous. If you touch it without enough water on your hands because it will burn you badly. I think the best thing I learnt when I was there would have to be how to code with the LEGO robot. When the teacher gave it to us I was so confused but by the end of it my group knew how to do it and we were going through the course quickly.”

By Cleo S

“The (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

or STEM Day at Seaton High was extremely enjoyable. My favourite activity by far was the changing states of matter, with the dry ice activity being my second favourite.

I learned that static electricity can make your hair go weird and that I don’t like cutting open squid.” By Scott L

Royal Adelaide Show Junior Textiles Trophy Room 12

In Terms 1 & 2, Room 15 spent sometime learning how to sew and entered items into the Royal Adelaide Show Junior Textiles. We made our very own cushions and library bags.

In Term 3 we went to the Royal Adelaide Show to see our items on display. We were all very proud of our efforts.

Last Wednesday we were presented with a trophy as we were the winners of the Junior Textiles.

Adelaide Youth Orchestra Visit

Recently, the Adelaide Youth Orchestra visited Grange Primary School for a wonderful concert. Year 5, 6 and 7 students from a variety of Adelaide schools combined together to form the string orchestra. The enthusiastic violin, viola, cello and double bass players performed a variety of music genres. We wish them success with their music development.

Dates to Remember

Term 1 2019