WELC Report
Message from the WELC Coordinator
- Mrs. Carmela Santucci
Westall English Language Centre welcomes its newly enrolled students into our learning community this term. The Language Centre classes have students from different parts of the world - China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Cambodia. Some students have a little knowledge of the English language and others have none.
It is wonderful to see how well our students have settled into their classes and how keen they are to improve their English language skills. As classmates, students work collaboratively learning and practising English. Challenges and expectations in learning are explicitly defined and teacher support and expertise in the area of EAL are paramount in assisting students achieve success in their learning.
This week, students participated in a number of activities based on Science. An incursion on Australian animals was a great success. Our students had the opportunity to see and touch some Australian animals, something that would not be possible in a public zoo. A trivia competition based on this educational incursion followed.
Also during Science week, the Language Centre students worked in teams to build a structure that would hold an egg for 10 seconds. Students were required to work collaboratively in the design and construction of this structure. The strategies team members used in communicating how to complete the challenge were many and varied. It was a great event, successfully completed by all teams.
WELC Art Elective
Students in the art elective demonstrated their scratch back techniques by creating animal scratch drawings. Using scratch paper covered with black ink and wooden scraper tools, they scratched back lines to reveal the striking rainbow colours underneath the black coating.
Some examples of the students’ work is attached, which is also on display in A corridor next to A2.
Ms. Anna Kotsiou
WELC teacher
Wild Action – Australian Animal Incursion
On Tuesday, 13th August, WELC students enjoyed an exciting and informative session learning about Australian animals. The students had great fun patting and holding a variety of animals including lizards, a black-headed python, a koala, a wallaby, an owl, a frog, a crocodile and a turtle.
Group 1 students worked together in groups to summarise their experience as an acrostic poem which you can read below.
WILD ACTION 1
We did something yesterday
I am interested to tell you
Last time I saw the animals was in the zoo
Dangerous animals made me scared
And teachers let us touch them
‘Can I not touch them?’ I asked
The teacher told me, ‘Don’t be afraid!’
I tried to touch and hold them
Oh, the feeling was not bad
Natural world is wonderful
By Group 1 students, Carol and Karin
ANIMALS
Australian wild animals are really interesting
Now some of them are almost extinct
I think they are not scary or dangerous at all
Many of them have beautiful scales and big green eyes
All of them are worth being taken care of instead of hunting
Listening to the speaker from the Wild Action can teach us
Some really useful information
By Group 1 students, Jasmine, Merlea & Abigail
WILD ACTION 2
Wild animals are
In danger because
Lots of people
Don’t care
About them
Caring for animals will
Take some time
It’s important for us to get
Organised and save them
Not kill and hunt them
By Group 1 students, Ahmad and Kieth
WILD ACTION 3
We attended school yesterday.
I was happy because we had people bring some animals to share with us.
Liking animals, I wanted to touch them but they were
Dangerous so I was scared they would be
Angry, but the people said, “Don’t be scared” and they were so
Clever so I
Touched them and the animals weren’t angry so
I was brave
Over time. I will not be
Nervous again.
By Group 1 students, Vivian and Jinying
Ms. Debby Morgan
WELC Teacher