Specialists Chatter
News from the Art Room
HI. My name is Ann-Maree Bosomworth and I am the Visual Art teacher at GRPS. I began teaching art in 1993 and during my career have taught all levels of primary and secondary students in a variety of schools. 2017 is my seventh year teaching at Great Ryrie, although I have been associated with the school since 2010 when my twin boys began as students. Last year my youngest son proudly graduated from Great Ryrie to formally end my family’s very rewarding relationship with the school.
I am looking forward to a great year in the Art Room. As always, we are beginning with student self-portraits and each year will focus on a different style of presentation for these pieces. Foundation students will concentrate on the basics of the Elements of Art throughout the year and this is an ongoing theme across all levels. During the year classes will explore the arts through a range of materials and techniques and will interpret and respond to a variety of styles.
I am excited to begin working with our Art Captains to get their ideas for new initiatives across the school and can’t wait to start displaying some of the amazing work that our students produce this year. My door is always open to students and parents so feel free to drop by!
Heathmont Bollards Update & Invitation
At the end of last year some of our students’ works were erected on the bollards at the Heathmont Shopping Strip. Ellie Westerveld, Eden Wilson, Sasha Isbester and Rosie Bluck were there to help put their work on display – a very proud moment for them and their families. This project was sponsored by the Heathmont History Group and Bendigo Bank.
The community response has been so favourable that the History Group is now inviting the involvement of everybody. You could design your own bollard (it could be a family creation) OR sponsor a bollard for $50 per bollard. If you are keen to be involved in this local community project, please contact History group convener Gerry Robinson on 0418 867 255 grobinson@dodo.com.au
2020 GRPS ART SHOW – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
I’ve really enjoyed welcoming students back into the art room and hearing about their summer exploits. It has been particularly great to have some of them bring in artworks that they created over the holidays to share me.
I’m excited to share with you that this year we will be having a stand-alone art show. In the past it has been held in conjunction with the Fete although it’s an important enough event to have its own spotlight!
During the year students will be creating a range of artworks and every student will have at least one piece of artwork on display at the exhibition. Also, each year level will create some collaborative works, with everyone contributing and these pieces will be available for auction.
For an event like this to be successful I will need some assistance and am looking for a team of helpers to assist with ideas and various aspects of developing an exhibition. If this is something that interests you and you would like to find out more, keep an eye out in future newsletters for more information.
Looking forward to a creative year in the Art Room,
Ann-Maree Bosomworth
Visual Art Teacher
News from LOTE
My name is Chris Breen. I am the Indonesian teacher at Great Ryrie Primary School. The students call me Ibu Breen which means Mrs Breen.
The curriculum is designed to teach listening, speaking, reading and writing Indonesian. It is also equally important to teach cultural aspects which students find interesting.
We welcome guests as part of the program. We have a connection with Heathmont Secondary College who bring students over and invite us to their Asian Cultural Day in August. Parents and Grandparents who lived in Indonesia have visited us. Last year we had a Language Assistant for the whole of term 2.
Most years students enter the Victoria Competition called Sayembara which is held in term 2.
The topic for term 1 is ‘Badan’ (The Body). Younger students learn the basic vocabulary while older students learn short sentences and grammar. I prefer to teach through games, songs, role-plays, stories and culture.
Terima kasih (Thank you).
News from the Performing Arts Room
Congratulations to the following students for successfully completing and achieving the next belt in their recorder levels:
YELLOW BELT: Liam H
BLACK BELT: Rosie J
Rosie completed her black belt test on the last day of 2019. Rosie completed this level when she was in grade 2. This makes her the youngest ever Great Ryrie Student to successfully complete all recorder levels. Congratulations Rosie! What an achievement!
LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES AND EXTENSION GROUPS
This year, we will offer a variety of lunchtime activities and extension groups.
Junior Choir: Wednesday, recess, in the Performing Arts room.
Intermediate Choir: Wednesday, lunchtime, in the Performing Arts room.
Senior Vocal Group: Tuesday, lunchtime, in the Performing Arts room.
Senior Dance Group: Friday, lunchtime, in the Performing Arts room.
All choirs and dance groups are free of charge. Just come along and join in the fun.
Junior Orchestra: Wednesday, 2.15pm – 3 pm, in the Performing Arts room. $2 a week and a prerequisite of having had at least one term’s tuition in your chosen instrument.
Senior Orchestra: Wednesday, 3pm - 4 pm, in the Performing Arts room. This is a select entry ensemble for our more accomplished musicians. $5 a week.
We also have some very brave and entertaining students, who hold a weekly comedy session on the decking outside the Performing Arts room, each Wednesday at lunchtime. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the entertainment.
INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM
If you have completed an ‘Expression of Interest’ form for Instrumental Music Lessons and have not yet heard from one of our Instrumental Music staff, to confirm your child’s place in the program, please contact Peta Murray ASAP on murray.peta.e@edumail.vic.gov.au or on 9870 6098.
Unfortunately our woodwind teacher, Meri, has had some significant health battles over the holiday period and has decided to step back from teaching to concentrate on her health and recovery. I am pleased to be able to announce that Brendan Toohey will be taking on this position, as Woodwind teacher, Brendan teaches at several schools and has a wealth of knowledge and performance experience. Feel free to check out his accomplishments here:
https://www.brendantooheymusic.com/bio
Meet our Instrumental Staff:
This week, we meet Tyler, our Drum/Percussion Teacher:
“Hi, I’m Tyler. I teach drums at GRPS! I’ve been drumming since 2007 and teaching since 2012.
I love teaching the drums and I enjoy helping students discover their own voice on the instrument.
I have a Bachelor of Applied Music [2014] specialising in Drums and private studio teaching.
In the past 5 years, I’ve played over 250 shows all over Victoria, I’ve also toured Australia twice and toured Europe. If you’re interested in taking drum lessons, contact the school for more info!”
Peta Murray & Jessica Syme
Performing Arts Teachers
News from Sport
District Swimming
On Monday February 17 some of our Great Ryrie students represented our school in The District Swimming Competition at Tintern Grammar.
Congratulations to all our swimmers on a great effort in the pool.
Zara H 1st in Breaststroke, 1st in Freestyle
Tayah M 4th in Freestyle, 4th in Backstroke, 3rd Breaststroke and 5th in Medley relay
Olivia P 4th in Freestyle, 4th in Breaststroke, 3rd in Butterfly
Rylan J 7th in Freestyle and 6th in Backstroke
Josef S 2nd in Breaststroke
Sophie L 2nd in Freestyle and 4th in Backstroke
Interschool Sport - Helpers Needed!
If there are any parent helpers who would like to assist with Years 5&6 Interschool Sport please see your classroom teacher or Miss Beddome.
For interschool sport to work successfully we need to have at least one parent helper per team.
You do not need to know the rules of the sport or how scoring works, of course if you do that is great.
We just need to have a parent helper present with each team for supervision. Interschool sport takes place on a Friday morning during term 1 between 9am and 10:30am.
Miss Beddome
PE Teacher