Lower Primary

Term 3

 It is always busy in Lower Primary but this week and next is extra busy We are looking forward to Literacy, Numeracy and Book Week activities, the Book Fair, Dress Up Day, Father’s Day breakfast, the whole school assembly and the Lady Northcote camp.

Integrated Unit

There has been great interest in the integrated unit “What’s It Made Of”. With a range of hands on activities including sorting and classifying tasks students are building their understanding of the properties of natural and manufactured materials.  As part of their exploration students are being encouraged to use every day language to describe the shape, colour, feel and function of these materials. Students learn so much by handling and exploring objects and discussing their exploration. To further reinforce the concepts introduced Hands On Science came to school. Our students worked with the Hands On Science teacher to explore what materials everyday objects were made from. They sorted objects according to their properties and used descriptive language for example, smooth, rough, crunchy, hard, cold, soft to describe them. Students combined two substances together such as water and gelatine and observed the change that occurred. They also used paper to develop imaginative and practical solutions to a design task. Students made paper planes, hats, telescopes along with a range of other objects. Everyone was totally involved in these experiments and were encouraged to explore and to make observations about how materials could be sorted and what they could be used for.

National Literacy & Numeracy Week

National Literacy and Numeracy Week is being celebrated this week at Concord and focuses on the importance of literacy and numeracy which are the foundations of learning. Students at Concord will review the book “Two Blankets”. This book gives an insight into the life-changing processes of leaving behind a homeland and embracing one a new one. Lower Primary have also created a “Catch a Reader” display in the corridor. Polaroid photos have been taken of the students reading and enjoying the books on display. The students loved the books but were totally fascinated by the polaroid photo and watching themselves magically appear. They also like seeing themselves on the “Catch a Reader” easel as they go past each day. The focus for numeracy is spatial activities focusing on directional language. Students will be encouraged to think logically, utilising a variety of tools to find their way and to guide others around the classroom and the playground. I am sure these activities will certainly add extra interest and fun to this special week.

Blackwood Camp

Blackwood camp was a highlight. Everyone was kept busy with a range of exciting and challenging activities. There was the Imagination Trail, Ballarat Wildlife Park, bowling, a night walk and of course the traditional dinner out. This was the first camp for many of our students and it was wonderful to see them take on all the challenges that camp had to offer. Students participated in a range of team activities where they worked together to solve problems efficiently and also challenged themselves individually as they took on the obstacle course. To see some of our students negotiate this course a second time blindfolded was amazing. The look on the students face as they completed the obstacle course blindfolded or not, said it all. They were so proud of themselves. It was good to watch friendships strengthen and to see students put the school values of happiness, cooperation, personal best, respect and honesty in action ! As you can see, the camp itinerary was full and the students were always busy with some new activity.  The staff would like to congratulate the students of PAL & PKV on their camp behaviour, and for the way they participated enthusiastically in all activities. A great time was had by all!

Planning Day

Specialist teachers from across the school came to Lower Primary to support a planning day for the teachers.  A range of fun activities related to the circus which included a walkathon, a session with Drama Toolbox and cooking and craft activities were planned. Students made clown biscuits, clown masks, collages and a trapeze artist. The Drama Toolbox is always a favourite and this time the Circus came to Lower Primary. Students worked together to create the “Big Top” with tight rope walkers, lions, tigers, clowns, ponies and elephants. They used a range of costumes and props and were able to leap like the trapeze artist, roar and move like a lion, do ticks like a clown and sway like an elephant. The students always love the opportunity to dress up and respond imaginatively and creatively to a specific drama scenario and the accompanying music. Great fun was had by all. 

New Play Equipment 

We have a new piece of playground equipment in the playground, a MACK truck. The truck was built by two retired gentlemen, and the children are thrilled with the result. The truck is one of their preferred play options and it creates lots of fun and laughter. We have even had to supervise the numbers as everyone wants to use it. They absolutely love it!

'One Spooky Night' Concert

We are working very hard on the items for our performance of ‘One Spooky Night” which will be held in the Performing Arts Centre/Gym at the Bundoora Campus, on Friday 4th of November at 7pm. This is a great opportunity for the students to showcase how they are developing as performers, share their school work with friends and family, as well as providing the occasion for them to perform in front of a large audience with confidence. The students are looking forward to performing for you. This is an event not to be missed!

Kath Moore

Assistant Principal