Teaching and Learning
Japanese
こんにちはKonnichiwa,
Peace Day commemorates 6 August 1945, the day when an atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed a few days later by another dropped on the city of Nagasaki. Peace Day is now a focus for anti-war and anti-nuclear discussions and demonstrations.
Last week we talked about this, focussing on peace and the story of Sadako Sasaki, a 12 year old girl who died of leukaemia some years after the bombing. Sadako’s story became so well known when she decided to fold 1000 paper cranes. It is believed that if you fold 1000 cranes you are granted a wish and her wish was to get well again.
To this day there is a monument of Sadako in the Peace Park in Hiroshima and children from all around the world send cranes to show their wishes for peace. They are then placed in glass cabinets underneath Sadako’s statue for display and are viewed hundreds of visitors daily.
Students in Years 3-7 have been folding origami paper cranes……and they are most impressive! It is a very tricky origami and the students have shown great persistence and team work to get them made. We are working with some other primary schools and together we aim to fold 1000 of these cranes to send to Hiroshima and dedicate to the Children’s Peace Monument with our wishes for peace.
If you are able, we would appreciate your help in this mammoth task! If you could fold a paper crane or two at home that would help us reach our goal so much quicker. Here is a link that shows just how to do it, including animation to help! All donations will be gratefully accepted J
https://en.origami-mobile.com/traditional/index.html
さようならSayōnara,
Natasha Gilbert
Science News
Science Week 2019
The Science Fair began with a BANG and a POP as students across the school joined in with the exciting science experiments run by the Year 6/7 students of Room 11 and Room 14. So much fun was had by all as the senior students had the rest of the school captivated by the interesting experimental stations they had prepared. Well done to Room 11 and 14 for being great leaders and facilitating such an engaging and interactive event for the school!
Room 5
“Today at the Science Fair I really liked the Plastic Bag Parachute because when you threw it, it came back very, very slowly”.
(Mariam Year 2)
“At the Science Fair today I liked the Paper Helicopter because I had fun making it and playing with it. My second favourite was the Dancing Ghost because it was cool when it danced by itself”.
(Nash Year 2)
“My partner was Lexi. I enjoyed the Paper Towel Colour Mixing. I liked it because I put the paper towel in the food dye and it looked cool! I also liked the Dancing Ghost because I rubbed a balloon on my head and my hair went everywhere! I loved the Science fair. The year 6/7s did a great job!”
(Zara Year 2)
“Today at the Science Fair I really enjoyed the Plastic Bag Parachute because it flew down. I also enjoyed the Paper Towel Colour Mixing because the colours spread together”.
(Alex Year 1)
Sport News
We are delighted to announce that Tikhon was awarded the West Beach Primary Kelly Sports Star of the Term by our Kelly Sports coach for Term 2.
The reasons for Tikhon's nomination were:
- always being open to trying new sports
- always willing to help others learn new skills too
Wellbeing - Kimochis
What are Kimochis?
KEY.MO.CHEE means “feeling” in Japanese
Kimochis look like toys, but they are actually communication tools that help students manage feelings in positive ways to promote well-being and success in school and life.
Our Junior Primary teachers are using Kimochis – lots of different plush characters and the Kimochi curriculum in their classrooms to help students become more resilient and get through difficult circumstances.
Using the Kimochis program in classrooms, allows children to have a voice and to talk about specific behaviours and feelings. We also hope that children will become more empowered to solve their own problems and this confidence spills over into all areas of our curriculum.
Room 14
Room 14 has been investigating issues surrounding mental health. Students were asked to research a contemporary issue that is currently affecting mental health, such as body image, sleep, nutrition, bullying, and stress. Students conducted a study on one of these issues by formulating an inquiry question, undertaking research, creating surveys, collating data, and presenting findings via a written report.
This investigation has covered a number of learning areas, including mathematics, health, English, and art. We will present our official findings to the school in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
