From the
Assistant Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
As Victoria's COVID-19 pandemic declaration comes to an end, it is a time to move forward and normalise the presence of COVID-19. This doesn’t mean that we are reckless but that we take care to prevent the spread of COVID just like we do with other contagious illnesses. The Victorian Department of Education still requires schools to continue to use air purifiers, maximise external ventilation and encourage good personal hygiene.
I would like to thank our school community for their ongoing support of their child’s learning and wellbeing. The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that mental health and wellbeing influence how an individual “…realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community”.
It is also time to make sure that the face mask is not being used by students as a “safety blanket” or to hide socially from their peers.
Each term, our students across the school undertake an inquiry into some aspect of how the world works. Students are supported to be curious and eager to understand the world around them, to connect their learning in the classroom and make observations of the world through a variety of lenses such as change, impact, connections, relationships and power.
This term, the Foundation students are exploring the question ‘What Lies Beneath?’ in their How the World Works inquiry. To awaken their curiosity, on Monday the students worked as Geologists, Archaeologists and Palaeontologists. They demonstrated persistence, careful observational skills and teamwork when they excavated in the sand pit, hunting for ancient artefacts and precious gemstones and crystals. The students also showed these skills when they were Palaeontologists, carefully chipping away at ‘stone’ blocks to reveal hidden dinosaur ‘fossils.’ The children have asked many wonderful questions after these experiences. We can’t wait to see how they find and share their answers!
This term, the Year Three students will be inquiring into the connection between all living things on Earth and developing their understanding of how things grow and change over time. Students have planted their own seed as an investigation into the life cycle of different plants, learning about the impact of humans on the environment. As part of this unit, students will take part in a real life ‘Reptile Encounter’ Incursion. They will interact with a range of different Australian animals and learn about the different stages of their life. Students will use their knowledge to become curious scientists, explorers and ecowarriors.
This term the Year Five students are exploring Australia’s connection to Asia. They are learning about what items Australia imports and exports from Asian countries and investigating how political relationships with countries impact the cost and availability of importing items. Students have taken on the role of researcher to find out about the climate, food, culture, housing and education of a range of Asian countries and have been shocked to learn how much these aspects vary between countries. They have also enjoyed participating in whole class debates and using information they have found through research to inform their opinion. All of this new knowledge helps students to make connections to the real world and empowers them to have an understanding of the relationship that Australia has with Asian countries. Students have shared what they often hear about China and Australia on the news, but they already have a better understanding of how these two countries are connected.
Kind regards,
Tiffany Bamford
Assistant Principal