Specialists Updates and Celebrations

Music

This week our amazing Prep students had their first visit to the Music Room. Our focus at the beginning of Term 1 in the Prep Music Program is to encourage participation in whole class songs, which often includes singing, actions and body percussion patterns.

To build a strong foundation early on, a large focus is put on learning about “beat” and “rhythm”. The students experience a range of songs that help to develop an inner sense of timing and pulse in music.

We are very excited for an awesome year in the Prep Music Program.

Physical Education

This week our Grade 1 and 2 students had their first session in the gym for Physical Education (P.E.)

Looking the part in their PE uniforms, the Grade 1 and 2 students have been participating in various activities that focused on teamwork and following rules. This term we will continue to focus our games and activities on teamwork, following rules, taking turns, communicating to each other and of course having fun! Take a look at some action shots from 2B playing Octopus and Seaweed!

We will soon start some sprinting and dodging games to develop these fundamental motor skills. I cannot wait have both the Grade 1’s and 2’s back in the gym next week. The students and I are very excited for an amazing Term 1.

Visual Arts

The Grade 3 and 4’s have just completed their ‘Learning to Learn’ phase of the year. This is a time where we set up the Art Room expectations. Its important for the students to be involved with setting the expectations for the Art Room, so that throughout the year, we can do our best learning and be accountable for our actions. I was so proud of their thoughts and ideas on how a PERFECT Art Room should look! They have already shown me that we have a fantastic year ahead of us!

Digital Technologies

This week in Grades 5 and 6, we investigated the meaning of digital technology and produced many exciting examples of technology in the community. Students shared their favourite technology in the form of a poster highlighting the various functions of these apps, games, and hardware. It was a great chance to share interests and get to know their hobbies. 

Students had the opportunity to have their voices heard and brainstorm ideas and concepts they wanted to cover in Term 1, with coding being the most popular.

If any families have old technology such as rotary phones, PC cases, laptops that they would like to donate to the Digital Technology program please email Miss Hope – Hope.Underwood@smps.vic.gov.au

Library

This week and next week the Grade 1 to 6 classes will be attending the library for their first session. This session covers library expectations, how to take care of the books, the library layout and borrowing rules. The Non-Fiction and Graphic Novel sections have been updated and expanded and I’m sure the students will be looking forward to exploring these sections. 

Borrowing

Each student is allowed to borrow two books from the library to take home. Students may keep the books for up to two weeks. Students must have a book bag in order to keep their books safe. Students are welcome to return their books at any time to the library.

Overdue Books

After two weeks, if a student has not returned their books, teachers will remind students to return their overdue books. If another two weeks pass and the books are still not returned, parents will receive a reminder email asking for the books to be returned. Students will not be able to borrow new books until the overdue books are returned.

Lost or Damaged Books

If a book is lost or damaged then parents will be asked to pay a $10 fee to cover the cost of replacing the book. 

If there are any questions or enquiries, please contact Ms Zoe on Zoe.Danaher@smps.vic.edu.au