Spotlight on Learning

Auslan Update

Throughout this semester in Auslan classes, students have been growing their signed vocabulary through a range of cooperative and communicative learning activities. 

In Weeks 5 & 6, every student across the entire school (unless absent) gave a signed presentation in their Auslan class. Presenting in front of peers can be nerve-wracking for many students at the best of times, let alone in a language that is not their primary language. How fabulous it was to see that every child rose to the challenge and was able to independently demonstrate their signing skills to an audience. I was rather proud to observe the growth in vocabulary retention, hand-shape accuracy and fluency. 

Our talented Preps introduced themselves to the class, without the use of voice and demonstrated their understanding of signed letters and numbers. The clever Grade 1 students gave a presentation about a family member, showcasing their family, animal and colour vocabulary. The fabulous Year 2 – 6 students presented their perspectives and preferences about school (with increasing difficulty), including appropriate facial expression and at times even audience participation.  Well done to all our happy signers!

Help! Help! Help!

The sustainability and gardening teams are looking for some donations for a few items they need to create exciting things in the garden.

• Gumboots….we still need lots of gumboots please!
• Large pre-loved plastic pots (diameter approx 30cm)

Please bring them to Mr.Flintoff’s room!

Thanks again for your support of the children.

Students of the Week

Congratulations to this week's Students of the Week!

PE and Sports News! 

Division Cross Country

With lockdown restrictions lifted, the Division Cross Country is able to go ahead this Thursday 24th of June at Ruffey Lake Park.  Permission forms have been sent today via Operoo.  If you haven’t already, you will need to upload this app to your phone before you will receive the permission form for your child. Once you have received the permission form, please approve by Wednesday so that your child can attend the event.  

We wish all of the students competing all the very best for Thursday.

PE this Term

Prior to our lockdown, PE and Sport was go, go, go! Prep to 2 have learnt to kick, dribble and pass a soccer ball and handball and punt a football and further develop these skills in various games. Grade 3 to 6 have been focusing on invasion games, particularly netball and soccer to prepare for our Gala Days and have been incredibly focused and positive through these sessions, they have learnt new rules, roles and positions and how to be strategic on the court and field.   Grade 5 and 6 have also been focusing on fitness, another way for students to learn to enjoy being active and for exercise to become a lifelong habit. They have been learning about different types of fitness routines and the different skill and health components of fitness associated when playing various sports and activities. They have also used a variety of equipment to keep them motivated, the power ropes have been quite a hit.

Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions we haven’t been able to conduct the gymnastics program we had in store for grade 1 to grade 4 this term with some professional coaches. Instead we have continued to run some sessions at school for our prep to 2 grades, following on from some of the remote learning they were given.  The students still seemed to love it and were incredibly engaged.  It was great to see the different skills the students brought to the session and fantastic to see the smiles on some of the students' faces when they were able to walk away having achieved skills they may not have been able to do or master previously, particularly the forward roll. 

Our grade 3 & 4 students have been completing circuits that included various gymnastics skills while also incorporating some of the skills they developed during the term.  They all really seemed to enjoy this type of activity and the weather was kind to us this week.

I am looking forward to another jam-packed term 3 with lots more fun games and skills to be developed, along with our Gala Days we missed for years 4 - 6 and hopefully some Division Finals in netball, soccer, teeball or AFL. We also have District Athletics and Hoop Time for years 4-6 in September.

Have a happy and safe holiday everyone.

Catherine Wall

PE Teacher and Sport Coordinator

Lockdown LEGO

Ewan created some wonderful Lego during lockdown