Classroom Reports

Foundation and Year 1

Last week, we were very lucky to have Ziad's mum, Mariam, visit. She made some Lebanese pizza, and showed us the alphabet and what our names look like written in Arabic. This was a great experience and complemented the many picture story books we have been reading about families. In our math's groups, we have been working on solving problems. One of our problems related to packets of Tim Tams and equal shares. We all decided we would prefer there to be 22 Tim Tams in a packet rather than 11!

Mrs Chalmers, Classroom Teacher

Years 1 & 2

It’s the middle of the term and lots of things happening!

Don’t forget:

• Ukraine casual clothes day (blue and yellow) gold coin donation this Friday
• Wedderburn College Aths sports next Monday
• Book Week dress up day next Tuesday
• Pupil free day Friday 26th August
• Calder Sports day still to be advised

We will be looking at toys from the past this week. Can you remember what your favourite toy was?

In Literacy we are learning to find the main idea in a text and summarise what we have read. That would be a good thing to do after you have read at home.

Keep reading.

Mrs McKenzie, Classroom Teacher

Years 5 & 6 A/B

The Grade 5/6 students thoroughly enjoyed their camp experience at Ballarat. The students broadened their understanding of the Gold Rush at Sovereign Hill and the Eureka Centre as well as the medieval times at Kyral Castle. Other highlights of the camp included the Sound and Light Show and night Mini Golf.

Special thank you to Mrs Kylie Cunningham for being our chef and providing us with lovely meals. Thank you to Mrs Jo Winslett, Ms Higgins, Mr Merritt and Miss Campbell for your enthusiastic approach towards camp and our wonderful Wedderburn College students. 

Mrs Turnbull, Classroom Teacher

5/6 Camp Report 

Hi.  It’s Bastian, Flynn and Zavier from 5/6 and we are going to talk

about our camp.

We all got to school and got on the bus. Some people were nervous, but the others weren't on the way there. We all watched a movie, ‘The New Croods’ movie.

Soon after, we got to camp.

Once we got there we raced to our cabins. We all got the top bunk. Then we went to Sovereign Hill. First, we got to see how lollies are made. Next, we played a game about miners. After that we saw how candles are made, then we went gold panning. Last we went into the Red Hill Mine it was dark until they put the lights on.

Once we got back we had dinner, then we went to Gold Rush Glow in the Dark Mini Golf.

It was so much fun.

After that, we got back to camp and we were supposed to go to sleep but we didn't go straight away. 

The next day we went to Kryal Castle. We learnt about medieval times and got to see a jousting. After that, we reenacted the Battle of Hastings but not with real swords, foam swords. It was fun hitting people with them though.

We enjoyed our dinner that Kylie cooked for us. Then we went back to Sovereign Hill for the Sound and Light Show. That was so cool.

The next day we went to the Eureka Centre and saw the real Eureka flag. On the way back some people felt car sick and nearly threw up but they survived. We all enjoyed our Grade 5/6 Camp. 

Science Week

On Monday this week the Prep, Grade 1 and Grade 2 students enjoyed lunchtime activities in the Secondary Science room. Students were able to use the Marble Race construction sets to build structures with connecting bridges and run marbles down them. Activities also included the identification of magnetic metals and common everyday items, interactive magnetic kits and film canister rockets. Further activities this week will include, flying a drone, pump up air rocket, electronic circuits and Mind Storm Leggo. 

Mr Merritt, Science Teacher

Year 7 & 8 Art 

The Yr 8 staff and family portraits are currently on display in the 'Breezway' corridor.

Year 7 Art students are currently working on Acrylic paintings that represent a moment at Camp. They are really working hard and enjoying the time to reflect on the Camp experience. Keep an eye out for the final results. Great work Year 7 Art students 

Yr 7 Textiles students work is also now on display. 

Ms Herrington, Secondary Art Teacher

VCE

VTAC

It’s an important time of the year for our senior students.  They only have six weeks of formal classes left, before swatting for exams begins.  It is amazing how fast this year has gone by and they are now having to decide on ‘where to next’?  Pam and Sue dropped in from the LLEN last week during Huddle to discuss the VTAC process, so most are now looking at courses for 2023 and where they need to put their preferences.  This process allows students to nominate 8 courses they would like to do once they are successful in passing VCE and in most cases have an ATAR score.  It’s beneficial to do it during Term 3 as some courses require further work to apply, such as personal statements, auditions, folios of work etc.  We also had time to go over what is required for a SEAS application and scholarships.

Students need to remember that help is always at hand, so all they have to do is ask their teachers, their family or other contacts such as the LLEN, as to how to negotiate this time in their schooling. 

GAT

The GAT is set to be held on Wednesday 7th September.  It will be held in the KLC foyer.  Students have had a meeting where the changes to the GAT have been discussed and a parent notice has gone home.  Please be aware that if there is any change to this, students will be told as soon as we know.

STUDENT WELLBEING:

Students are reminded to be aware of their own wellbeing and ensure they are taking breaks, eating well and exercising. Stress can affect health-related behaviours like sleep patterns, diet, and exercise as well, taking a larger toll. Common causes of stress for students includes school, homework, online learning, friendships, relationships and work commitments. 

Many students feel a sense of needing to relieve stress, but with all of the activities and responsibilities that fill a student’s schedule, it’s sometimes difficult to find the time to try new stress relievers to help dissipate that stress. These options are relatively easy, quick, and relevant to a student’s life and types of stress.

1. Get enough sleep

Students, with their packed schedules, are notorious for missing sleep. Unfortunately, operating in a sleep-deprived state puts you at a distinct disadvantage. You’re less productive, you may find it more difficult to learn, and you may even be a hazard behind the wheel.

Don't neglect your sleep schedule. Aim to get at least 8 hours a night and take power naps when you need them.

1. Practice Visualization 

Using guided imagery to reduce stress is easy and effective. Visualizations can help you calm down, detach from what’s stressing you, and turn off your body’s stress response. You can also use visualizations to prepare for presentations and score higher on tests by vividly seeing yourself performing just as you’d like to.

1. Exercise Regularly

One of the healthiest ways to blow off steam is to get regular exercise. Students can work exercise into their schedules by doing yoga in the morning, walking or biking riding, or reviewing for tests with a friend (online!) while walking. Starting now and keeping a regular exercise practice throughout your lifetime can help you live longer and enjoy your life more.

1. Take Calming Breaths 

When your body is experiencing a stress response, you’re often not thinking as clearly as you could be. A quick way to calm down is to practice breathing exercises. These can be done virtually anywhere to relieve stress in minutes, and are especially effective for reducing anxiety before or even during tests, as well as during other times when stress feels overwhelming. 

1. Listen to Music

A convenient stress reliever that has also shown many cognitive benefits, music can help you to relieve stress and either calm yourself down or stimulate your mind as your situation warrants. Students can harness the benefits of music by playing classical music while studying, playing upbeat music to "wake up" mentally, or relaxing with the help of their favorite slow melodies.

6) Get OrganisedClutter can cause stress, decrease productivity, and even cost you money. Many students live in a cluttered place, and this can have negative effects on grades. One way to reduce the amount of stress that you experience is to keep a minimalist, soothing study area that’s free of distractions and clutter.

This can help lower stress levels, save time in finding lost items, and keep relationships at home more positive. It can also help students gain a positive feeling about their study area, which helps with test prep and encourages more studying. It’s worth the effort.

1. Eat Healthy

You may not realise it, but your diet can either boost your brainpower or sap you of mental energy. A healthy diet can function as both a stress management technique and a study aid. Improving your diet can keep you from experiencing food-related mood swings, light-headedness, and more.

8) Use Positive thinking and Affirmations 

Did you know that optimists actually experience better circumstances, in part, because their way of thinking helps to create better circumstances in their lives? It’s true! The habit of optimism and positive thinking can bring better health, better relationships, and, yes, better grades.

Learn how to train your brain for more positive self-talk and a brighter future with affirmations and other tools for optimism. You can also learn the limitations to affirmations and the caveats of positive thinking so you aren't working against yourself.

If you would like some support around your wellbeing or school work, please contact us or your home room teacher. 

Mrs Woodman

VCE Corordinator and Homeroom Teacher

Year 12 Food Studies

We should start using more reusable containers and less one-use-plastics!

It’s obvious that one use plastics are one of the main causes of pollution. To cut down on this, it would be a smart idea to introduce “Nude Food”.

Nude Food is where the food packed in your child’s lunch box doesn’t have unnecessary plastics, such as one-use-plastics (eg: Glad Wrap, Ziplock bags etc).

We suggest students to use plastic for their lunches only if they need to. We also encourage children to start using more reusable containers (eg: Tupperware, thermoses etc)

Disclaimer: this idea is not mandatory and is a suggestion only, but a suggestion that can better impact the world we live in.

Josh Lowe Year 12

Compass

Don't wait for the end of semester to view your child's progress. Log in to Compass and view teacher feedback and feed forward at any time by checking out your child's Learning Tasks. Children also receive regular (every 5 weeks) progress reports on their Organisation, Behaviour, Attitude to Learning and Work Completion. Learning Tasks and Reports can be found on you child's profile page.