THE SIGNAL

Specialist News 

WHERE CHILDREN LOVE TO BE

WELCOME FROM THE SPECIALIST TEAM!

We are looking forward to an exciting year, and take this opportunity to introduce our great team of specialist teachers. 

PERFORMING ARTS

Hello everyone!

To new friends, welcome! To familiar faces, welcome back!

I'm Lisa Paech (rhymes with 'cake') and I teach Performing Arts. We have a great year ahead of us! We'll start with music this semester and then move on to drama and dance later in the year. I'm looking forward to running choir this year, which will be open to grades 1 to 6.

 

I love singing, dancing and acting. I spent ten years in Japan teaching English to children, doing camps and pop-up shows all around the country (think of it as a cross between Play School and the Wiggles). While I lived in Tokyo I also performed and directed community musical theatre. At my first Melbourne school I taught in the classroom for four years and ran the musical productions. I realised I just had to become a Performing Arts specialist and so here I am in our third year at SMPPS. I love reading, crochet (it's a bit like knitting) and for fitness I do aerial silks and hoop, and love jogging along the foreshore.

 

In Performing Arts we will learn to act, react and interact with each other. It's okay if you're shy! We'll make music together and play plenty of games. We will explore our ideas and express ourselves in a variety of ways. We'll remain open to continuous learning and play as a team.

I'm looking forward to having fun with you!

 

Contact: lisa.paech@education.vic.gov.auTuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION 

Hello Parents, Caregivers and Friends of SMPPS,

I am Mrs Jarn (Can) Osman and firstly I would like to send a warm welcome to our new prep families, I cannot wait to be part of the primary years journey you are about to embark on. Welcome back to the year 1 to 6 students, 2021 is going to be full of fun packed, active, energy boosting experiences.

 

In Physical Education lessons at SMPPS we endeavour to develop not just skills but the whole self, including our attitudes, knowledge, motivation and teamwork skills required to lead active lives.

 

Some things to look forward to in term 1 are:

  • Active clubs: Tuesday Active clubs will be held at lunch time. During term one, I will be running 2 - 20minute sessions. 1st session involving  cooperative tag and team building games, followed by a calming yoga session. Students can attend either session as they please. Active club will also be available on Friday at lunch time by Mr. Huyhn with some more fun  physical activity.
  • The 5/6 Soccer gala day will be held on the 28th March. Further details will be available closer to the date.

Fun facts  about me:

  • My hobbies are paddle boarding and after many slippery attempts over the summer holidays, I managed to stand on my two feet and paddle across the peninsula.
  • I have 3 children, 2 daughters aged 15 and 13 and my son is 5 years old.
  • I have been a classroom teacher for many years and taught all year levels. I have been a PE teacher for the last 4 years.
  • I love playing team sports. As a child, I loved playing backyard cricket and later played competitive soccer and netball.
  • I have coached junior girls netball and football teams and am passionate about children having positive team sport experiences from a young age.
  • I am available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) 

Dear South Melbourne Park Primary School’s STEMgineers! 

2021, is another exciting and creative year of us in STEM together! This year will be slightly different, STEM will now be brought into your classrooms, which means that I will be travelling to you. Although the class is brought to you the learning will be brought out in true STEM fashion. The most exciting thing about STEM is that it gives us the ability to work, learn and study from anywhere. We will also be using SeeSaw again this year, so be sure to ask if you don’t remember how to use it. Another thrilling thing to let you know is that Code Club is during lunchtime on Wednesday so I hope to see you all there! 

 

Interesting Facts about Miss Vu:

I am a Pharmacist (which you have to learn about Science to become) and a Teacher.

My passion is in STEM and teaching it! 

I love paragliding, cycling, kayaking, hiking and learning new things.  

I am currently doing a mathematics course (learning never stops).

I play the piano and the violin.

I have worked overseas.

 

Information for STEMgineers: 

What do you need to do to be ready for our STEM lesson? 

You will need: 

  • To check SeeSaw for our STEM Pre-activity and complete it
  • Look at the STEM wall once a week
  • Your STEM exercise book
  • Pencil case
  • And a most importantly a Positive Attitude to learn in STEM.

Information for Parents: 

What is STEM? 

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates these four areas.

What do students develop by doing STEM?

Students learn to develop key skills like, problem solving, creativity, critical analysis, teamwork, initiative, communication and digital learning. (just to name a few).

 

Why is STEM important? 

Our global economy is changing. Current jobs are disappearing due to automation and new jobs are emerging every day as a result of technological advances. 

Just last year we saw the importance of digital learning and understanding how to use technology to learn, study and work when we were all forced to work and learn from home. 

Currently, 75% of jobs require people with STEM skills. For us to be competitive, the Australian workforce needs to be able to adapt to the changing workplace. STEM empowers individuals to succeed at school, find their passion and adapt to the changing world.  

How to get in touch?

Please Email*: vy.vu@education.vic.gov.au *Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

¡Bienvenidos a Español! (Welcome to Spanish!)      

¡Hola a todos! (Hello to everyone!)

I hope you are as excited as I am to be starting Spanish this year. Knowing another language is like having a whole new world to explore – so let’s explore it together! Please call me Maestra (teacher) – this is how many students in Spanish-speaking countries address their teacher in Primary School.  But my name is actually Señora MacKelvie (Mrs MacKelvie). 

I have lived and worked in Spain and Chile. 

I travelled through Mexico and Guatamala. 

I have been a classroom teacher as well as an EAL, Indonesian and Spanish teacher. 

I love ballroom dancing (standard, new vogue and latin)!

I am crazy about my miniature schnauzer Kasper. 

I am married and have two sons Tom and Sam (they are 18 and 17)

 

What do you need for our Spanish lesson? 

You will need: 

  • Your red Spanish display folder
  • Your ears ready to listen!
  • A mind that is ready to learn new things!
  • Pencil case

Remember – if you can speak English, your brain is capable of learning Spanish!

 

Information for Parents: 

I will be teaching your child/children by providing them with lots of compelling, comprehensible and contextualised input! In the beginning this will be oral and as we progress we will also use written input. All your child needs to do is listen with the intent to learn, participate and enjoy! Students will show their understanding by drawing, gesturing, laughing and acting. 

 

If you wish to support your child at home and give them some extra input, I would recommend subscribing to my youtube channel, Spanish Fun for Juniors. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW4bMmnj6cH6_2dZX4WdPHQ

 

As we create stories in class, they will be uploaded to this channel so if you subscribe you will be informed of updates. 

A good little language app for kids is DuoLingo Kids (don’t use the adult version!) 

 

 

How to get in touch?

Please *email: anne.mackelvie@education.vic.gov.au *Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday