Specialists' News

MUSIC

Wow! What a term we have had in the Music Program! Looking back over the past 10 weeks there is a lot to celebrate.

The Prep students worked on building their practical skills on instruments. The two main instruments were the marimba and bucket drums. Our focus was on using correct technique to produce specific sounds and tones on the instruments, as well as developing a strong sense of beat and timing when playing with others. Throughout the term, we looked at the four instrument families: Percussion, Strings, Woodwind and Brass. The students learnt about the characteristics of various instruments and how their sounds are produced. The preps had a great time participating in lots of singing and dancing activities too.

In our Grade 1 and Grade 2 Music programs, our focus was playing the bucket drums. Students learnt correct stick grip and techniques for producing different tones. We challenged our rhythm skills by learning various exciting patterns and by playing along to backing tracks to a few popular rock songs. Across the term, the students learnt about several composition techniques and created their own pieces of music on the marimba. Students worked individually and in small groups on these tasks.

The Grade 1 students learnt to sing some popular songs, while the Grade 2 students learnt to play a few songs on the 3-string guitar with modified chords.

Grade 3/4/5/6 students focused on developing their guitar playing skills on the 3-string guitar. The students learnt 7 chords, 20 strumming patterns and 3 popular songs this term. We also attempted to create our own song on guitar in small groups utilizing the skills we gained on the instrument.

We learnt the drum parts of some popular songs on the bucket drums and had a great time playing them as a class.

The students composed music on the marimbas and shared their work with the class, while discussing aspects of their work using music specific language.

To tie in with their inquiry unit on Sustainability, the students wrote their own Sustainability Rap Songs and performed them to the class with a microphone and backing track.

The Choir and Guitar Group performed at assembly and the school Open Day and the Marimba Band had their first ever performance at assembly.

We look forward to a fantastic term 3 in the Music Program!

Enjoy the break!

Mr Paul

Staff vs Students Basketball Game

On Monday, the annual battle took place in front of a record crowd. The teachers got off to a fast start, but eventually the students got themselves back into the game with some excellent plays. Entering the final minute of the game, the students were down by 4 points, then along came the school captain, Vaughn, with an amazing 3-pointer from long range! The margin was now only 1 point! The last moments of the game were frantic and the students had some chances to win, but the ball didn't drop into the hoop, meaning that the teachers won. 

So the overall total now reads like this:

STUDENTS 1 (2018)

TEACHERS 1 (2019)

The players and the crowd had lots of fun and the game was played in great spirit. Well done to everyone, and especially Miss Jenny for her commentary and Mr Paul and the Sports Leaders for organizing the game.