Primary  

From the Head of Primary

Whilst there are many exciting opportunities at Moama Anglican Grammar for students, today we would like to put a spotlight on one of the favourite classes of our Year 3/4 students. In Year 3 and Year 4, students participate in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program. Taught at our School by two Secondary Food Technology teachers; Mr Brendan Lethlean and Mrs Annie Pinson. 

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program is specially designed to introduce pleasurable food education to students during their learning years to form positive food habits for life. Often, students can be found in the kitchen over the stove or in front of the oven. If not in the kitchen, you will find them enjoying their delicious meals in the dining area or they can be found getting their hands dirty in the vegetable garden. We are incredibly fortunate to be able to offer this great experience to our students and we thank all the parent volunteers who attend these classes each week. Their help is greatly appreciated. 

Core Value Awards

Core Value Award are awarded to students who consistently display one or more of the school’s core values and motto. The students received their Core Value Award at the final Primary School Assembly on Friday 18 November. Congratulations to the students below. Keep up the great work!

Year 3/4 Maths Explorers Awards

We would like to congratulate the students listed below for their involvement in the 2022 Australian Problem-Solving Olympiad competitions as part of the Stage 2 and 3 co-curricular clubs run by Mrs Day and Mrs Rykers. 

Year 3 and 4 Maths Explorers

Rory Mansfield; Hugh Thomson; Ted Palmer; Oliver Knight; Aiden Thomson; Haruto Koreeda; Ryan Maxwell; James Cox and Oliver Bowles.

Year 5 and 6 Maths Games

Evie Townrow; Emily Law; Parker McKenzie; Charlie Flanigan; Willow Martin; Hugh McDonald and Heidi McIntosh.

In addition, Mrs Rykers and Mrs Day awarded the students below for their extra efforts and resilience as 'Maths Stars'. 

Maths Stars - Explorers

Rory Mansfield, Aiden Thomson, Haruto Koreeda and Hugh Thomson

Maths Stars - Maths Games

Evie Townrow, Willow Martin and Heidi McIntosh

Year 6 Camp

Written by Lexie, Pippa, Kokona, and Jencie

On an exciting and chilly morning, we set off to camp, bags packed and squashed underneath the bus. On the journey to the Kyabram Fauna Park, everyone was very talkative. When we got there, Mr Gibbs chose the bus driver side to get off first. We split into 4 different groups to see our first animal exhibit; the Meerkats. People squealed with delight about how cute they were. As we continued around the park in our small groups, we saw our native animals and two very nosy emus who followed us around but surprisingly didn’t attack us. After around two fun hours of exploring the park, we set off to our next destination, Camp Kookaburra. 

As we drove up the hill, the energy on the bus gained with excitement. Unfortunately, once again Mr Gibbs chose the bus driver side to get off first. After fighting over who gets which bed, we spent the rest of the day doing our first activity in our groups. We had our dinner which was chicken nuggets and overcooked vegetables, and the teachers helped us improve our not so good table manners. Later in the evening, after everyone had got ready for bed, we had a movie night where the boys chose the movie, which was Shrek 2.

As we woke up to hundreds of different scents of perfumes, deodorants, dirty socks and food crumbs, we all dragged ourselves out of bed to get ready for our activities. Canoeing and rafting took place at the dam where poor Lexie got placed in the boy group which lost by at least 10 minutes. Rafting was the most amusing as we saw people coming out of the dam drenched and arguing about who was getting the first shower. Bike riding, archery and the initiative course were our other draining but fun activities for the day. With lots of free time between each activity, people played inside the games room and outside playing Gaga Ball, which ended up with scrapes and bruises on people's legs and being overly competitive. After winning by a mile against the boys in our soccer game, we got ready for our trivia night which had 3 different categories: sport, school and camp. 

Depressingly early the next day, we woke up to missing socks and shoes while the teachers tried to get us to leave the camp on time, ready to go to the Discovery Centre in Bendigo. Mr Gibbs finally let the opposite side of the bus get off first. As we walked to the 7-meter-tall vertical slide where everyone was terrified of sliding down and everyone's hands started to sweat. There was a planetarium with a giant dome roof where we learned more about our solar system. The time flew by, and it was time to go to ‘The Zone’ where we played laser tag and where the green team dominated, but this was only because Mr Gibbs was on that team. Mini golf was also played and by the time we had finished our last activity we were all ready to get back on the bus to go home. We travelled back to MAGs on the bus, and we were all tired from talking and singing. We were so relieved to see that we had finally arrived back at school and were welcomed home by our parents.

Written by Emily

Camp was amazing, when we got on the bus I was very excited and energetic. I immediately started talking and didn’t stop for the next 40 minutes. When we got to the Kyabram Fauna Park it was really windy and cold, we saw a lot of animals, my favourite animals were the meerkats. I really enjoyed the Fauna Park, but some things were closed thanks to the floods. When we got to Camp Kookaburra in Corop, (a town of 33) we went raft building, and I got really wet and I lost my favourite earring. Most people enjoyed rafting, but I lost feeling in my legs and arms so I had a stone-cold shower but it felt like it was burning. 

For dinner we had chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes. I actually hate mash potatoes, but I ate it to be polite. The food on both nights was really nice. We then watched Shrek 2, which was alright (the boys have no taste in movies). I then went back to my cabin, with Ruby, Willow, Sophie and Chloe and we talked for a while. The next day we did team-building, bike-riding, my favourite was canoeing, and archery. I think the activities were really fun and worthwhile. For dinner we had pasta, with Jelly and mousse. We then had a quiz and we got 25/30, and my team was the only team to get the Super Netball question right. 

On the last day, we went to the discovery centre, where we did the vertical slide. I was really excited until I sat on the edge of the slide. The lady asked if I was ready and I said yes, then I looked down and said ‘I can’t do it anymore’ but I eventually went down and I loved it. I also loved Laser Tag and Mini Golf. In Mini Golf I thought I did really bad because I only got one par, and everything else was over par. I loved Laser Tag, I thought it was so fun, but I came last in Laser Tag with the worst percentage. The last day was definitely the best, and I am so grateful for teachers for setting this up. After cancelling Canberra camp, this definitely made up for what we missed out on.

2023 Transition Program

It was great to welcome our 2023 Kindergarten students for their first transition morning. This first morning is such an important milestone in the transition to school program. It gives the children an opportunity to start building connections with their peers which will support them transitioning into school. Students were given ample opportunities to play with their friends and staff were able to connect with each one of the children. Parents enjoyed the Curriculum Workshop which outlined our approach to English, Mathematics, Fine Motor and Pastoral Care.

We look forward to seeing all our 2023 Kindergarten students again for their next transition morning on Wednesday 30 November from 9:00am to 12:30pm.

Orientation Day

All current and new students at Moama Anglican Grammar are involved in an Orientation Day on Tuesday 6 December. On this day, students will step up into their 2023 class with their 2023 peers and classroom teacher. This day is an integral part of the preparation for the 2023 academic year and staff plan for an enjoyable and informative day with lots of ‘getting to know you’ activities. This will allow for new students to build connections with their peers and ease any anxieties they may have about changing year levels or schools.

Students are asked to wear comfortable casual clothes for the day and to start the day in their normal classroom. End of day arrangements remain the same as usual.

For those students identified, additional transition strategies will be implemented prior to this day. 

Carols on the Lawn

We would like to welcome all our Moama Anglican Grammar families to our upcoming Carols on the Lawn concert. This concert provides a great opportunity for our families to connect with each other whilst enjoying performances from all our Primary students and some Co-Curricular groups. 

Presentation Assemblies

The Primary Presentation Assembly has been scheduled for Tuesday 13 December, starting at 1:30pm in the Resource Centre. Parents are invited to attend this important event and in addition, the assembly will be livestreamed for parents to view. These formal assemblies, are a great opportunity to celebrate students’ achievements. 

Kind regards,

Mrs Nici Deller                                                Mrs Mel Scott

Head of Primary                                             Head of Teaching and Learning Primary