What's happening in our learning spaces? 

Foundation

Welcome back to Term 3! 

Whilst we have had an exciting start to the term, unfortunately we find ourselves in yet another lockdown and another round of Remote Learning. We are confident that all the students will be persistent and resilient as they engage in learning online via Google Meets and engage in learning at home. 

This week, as inquirers, we have been exploring how Indigenous Australians lived as the original owners of the land. As researchers, we looked closely at books, photos, videos and artefacts and listened carefully to find out about the Aboriginal Flag, the boomerang, Aboriginal art and symbols and how Aboriginal people got their food and used the land. 

As readers, we are finding out about the Aboriginal culture through different literature. As researchers, we engaged with the text ‘Nyuntu Ninti’ by Bob Randall to explore the Aboriginal people’s connection to the land and how they used the land. As historians, we gathered new information about the things they did to survive and the traditions that were part of their culture. 

Here are some of our discoveries about Indigenous Australians…

• I learnt Aboriginal people didn’t have houses, they lived on the land (Maria)
• They have lived on the land for 40000 years (Priscilla)
• I discovered that before everybody and everything else, they had Mother Earth who gave them water and food (Florence)
• They had to take care of the land because the land was taking care of them (Riley)
• The biggest and oldest rock in Australia is Uluru (Tess)
• They use nature as a bandaid (Eva K)
• The Aboriginal people throw the boomerangs to catch their food and they danced to show they love their land (Orlando)

As mathematicians, we have been exploring the concept of Addition. As thinkers, we have been using concrete materials such as blocks, counters and teddies to add together two groups and count them to find the total.  We have been solving addition problems to 20, and exploring addition through real life worded problems. As communicators, we have made our thinking visible by recording the problems using the addition symbol and equals sign, and representing the problems through illustrations. This week, we will continue to explore Addition online and through different story books. 

As thinkers, we are continuing to apply our skills as good writers, by including full stops at the end of a sentence, sight words, spaces between words and capital letters at the start of a sentence. Some of us are beginning to apply our knowledge of blends, such as /st/ and /pl, and digraphs, such as /sh/, /ch/, /th/ and /ph/.  As writers, we are also focusing on including a beginning, middle and end when sequencing our events. This week, we will continue to explore word parts, letter sounds, sight words and different picture stories online. 

Thank you to all the parents and carers for all of their support and hard work during this time. We know the Foundation students will be amazing self-managers. We hope you have a safe and happy week, and we hope to see you all back at school on Wednesday. 

Foundation Team, Leanne Wekckowski and Alycia Marsico. 

Year 1/2

Welcome back to Term 3 Year 1/2s! We are thrilled to begin another term of learning with you! 

During NAIDOC week we celebrate the history and culture of Indigenous Australians. In our learning spaces, we read ‘Kookoo Kookaburra’, ‘Mad Magpie’ and ‘Silly Birds’ written by Gregg Dreise, an Indigenous Australian. Each story gives a special message about how to treat others with kindness and respect while educating us about the culture of Indigenous Australians. 

In Discovery, we continue to be respectful and responsible collaborators and communicators as we navigate through the different learning stations. This week, we were reflective thinkers as we discussed how we felt during our Discovery session, what we learned and what we hope to find out next time.

In Maths, we are beginning to learn about Addition. We played lots of fun games practicing our doubles and near doubles facts. As risk-takers, we have been confidently giving everything a go and making sure we work on our number facts. We can’t wait to continue to explore this further in the coming weeks! 

We look forward to Week 2 of Term 3!

Year 1/2 Teachers 

Belinda Filippone, Stefanie Carriera & Maria Delaney

Year 3/4

The students returned with enthusiasm and joy this week. It was wonderful to see the excitement on their faces when reconnecting with their friends. Unfortunately COVID is back with us and our first week was shortened. We are all back in lockdown but hopefully it is a short one and we will be back together again on Wednesday.

On our return to school the Year 3 students began their preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Year 4 students also participated in these sessions. As a whole class, we read and began to learn about the messages in the scripture passage taken from Luke 15: 11-32 The Parable of the Lost Son. We also read a story by Lynton Allan which is a modern day version of this parable.The message of forgiveness and asking for forgiveness is such an important message for our children to hear and understand.

In Mathematics, we began to focus on Multiplication. The students completed a unit Pre Test and worked on using arrays and looking at multiplication facts.

In Reading and Writing, the focus has been on reading and comprehending Aboriginal Dreaming stories and short verse. We have been looking at the use of language in these two types of writing.

In Inquiry, the students have begun to explore NAIDOC Week. We have watched a video about NAIDOC Week and what it stands for.This work will continue over the next couple of weeks.

As we enter our next phase of remote learning I ask that you continue to encourage your child to do their best in everything they do. Encourage them to ask questions of their teacher and join all of their Google meets.

We thank you for your continued support.

Year 3 /4 Classroom Teachers.

Mark MacGregor, Katarina Davidson and Graham Troy.

Year 5/6

It has been a productive and eventful first week back for Term 3!

We have had the opportunity to recount our wonderful memories and experiences from ‘Camp Weekaway’ which happened at the end of Term 2. It was agreed that we all had a great time. The good news is that the school community will be able to read all about the Year 5/6 camp as the students are enthusiastically putting together a special edition camp newsletter. Included in the newsletter will be articles about the camp activities, a weather report, food review and special coverage of our fashion show. Stay tuned for the Year 5/6 Camp Newsletter!

In Inquiry, the students have been learning about NAIDOC Week. Our focus in the Year 5/6 level has been investigating the importance of family, community and country to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There has also been reflection on the theme for NAIDOC Week 2021 - ‘Heal Country’.

From the ‘National NAIDOC Week 2021’ Website.

‘Country is inherent to our identity.

It sustains our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.

It is more than a place.

When we talk about Country it is spoken of like a person.

Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions, and language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples it has been this way since the dawn of time.

Through our languages and songs, we speak to Country; through our ceremonies and traditions we sing to - and celebrate Country – and Country speak to us’.

Students have begun to explore the concept of kinship within the indigenous communities. Through picture story books such as ‘Stolen Girl’, the students have also been learning about the stolen generation. This is being explored in a sensitive and age appropriate manner. 

As we begin remote learning this week, please remind your child to check emails and Google Classroom Posts for messages/instructions from their teachers. The Year 5/6 students were responsible self-managers and learners in the last lockdown, and the teachers are confident that the students will rise to the challenge again! Both parents and students are encouraged to contact your teacher/s if you have any questions or concerns.

Looking forward to a great week of learning.

Stay safe and well.

Olivia Sargent, Viv Clarke, Cherrie Arnold, Michelle Casameto