As we head into the term 2 holidays, we reflect on the engaged learning that has happened across all year levels in every classroom. We have now had two full terms onsite at school, and have therefore been able to plan and enact so may learning experiences that involve collaboration and teamwork. This term, our Inquiry focus has been DESIGN. Next term

This term across the school we are exploring the concept of DESIGN

People think creatively and critically to develop products and solve problems to meet the changing needs of our community. Our students work collaboratively through creative process where they visualise, design, produce, test and evaluate products for specific purposes. We seek to stimulate their imagination, creativity, reflectiveness and persistence.

In Prep we have been learning about various digraphs in reading and writing. Over the last few weeks, we focused on the digraph 'sh' and our word of the week was shark. For one of the lessons we were involved in a language experience where we had to fish for the 'sh' words. We had to throw the rod in and fish for the 'sh' words. This was a part of our language experience.

During our inquiry unit, we have been learning all about the six simple machines and how to be little engineers. On Tuesday we were thrilled to have Sidney’s grandfather John McEwen come to talk to the year 1’s and 2’s about engineering.

John used to design the machines for Cadbury and Nestle!

He bought so many cool simple machines with him; pulleys and wheels and axles! He showed us gears and how cars move with round wheels. He even showed us how the machines work to make chocolate! Did you know that the chocolates come out already wrapped in a long sausage like fashion? A big machine is used to cut them into individual chocolate bars!

We learned so many wonderful things!

This term, the Year 2 students learned about being little engineers. They explored a variety of problems, how these are solved and what do engineers do to solve them. The students learned and worked through the stages of creating solutions to a given problem, such as 'Ask, Imagine, Create, Test, Improve'. All students made a backscratcher, a tower and a water raft as part of a posed problem, using a variety of materials to ensure their creation was sustainable and functional. Students reflected on their work and made adjustments where needed to ensure that their solution was successful.

This term in Religion, the grade 3’s have been engaging in the unit “Warm and Fuzzy.” Through this unit we have been learning about human dignity and the worth of every person. The grade 3 children have been learning about the St Vincent de Paul Society and understanding what the organisation does to help those in need.

To take action, the students have been working hard to organise a pyjama day which will be held on Tuesday in week 9. This is being held to support the St Vincent de Paul Society and the grade 3’s have been encouraging the students at STM to bring a donation of warm clothes and blankets that we can donate to those in need in this cold winter season.

The students have been promoting the pyjama day by making posters, going to speak to classes around the school and speaking at assembly. We hope to see everyone dressed in their cosy pyjamas next Tuesday :)

In literacy this term, the Year 4’s have been reading and writing procedural texts. Procedural texts provide a series of precise, sequenced steps or directions that help the reader know how to do something. In reading, students have followed procedures such as directions, recipes and craft instructions written by published authors, friends and teachers. Students tested how effective writing was based on the confidence and clarity in which they could follow the procedure accurately. In writing, students developed well-structured, clear and specific instructions to make fairy bread and paper aeroplanes. These texts were tried and tested, giving the students opportunities to revise, edit and improve their procedural texts.

The Grade 5s have been continuing on with their Inquiry projects using Micro Bits in small groups. We have seen some exciting technology use and coding skills to work together exploring this incredible technology!

The students have been undertaking a Novel Study as they have read Sadako and a Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr. Alongside reading the novel all Grade 5s have been brushing up on their origami skills to collaboratively fold a thousand paper cranes. There has been some fantastic teamwork so far as we grow closer to our goal!

During our writing sessions we have been working extremely hard to complete our narratives. After learning different strategies to help us become better writers such as the 'Show Don't Tell' strategy, we have been using our time wisely in class to complete an interesting narrative that other students would like to read. We have also been conferencing with our teachers so we are able to produce a Grade 6 quality final piece.

We have been training hard for our Interschool Sport Semi-Final that will be played on Friday 10th of June. The Football team have gone the season undefeated and the Soccer team have had an excellent run against the other schools. We are nervous and excited and hope to be in the grand final. Wish us luck!

The Year 1 & 2 children wrote their own sentences in Italian using adjectives to describe their mum for their Mother's day card. Bravo!!!

What an amazing term in ART across all year levels. This term in P- 6 I we have been very busy creating art show pieces for the STM Art Show which is in October. However, in some classes we were also able to squeeze in some fun and creative lessons. In prep, the students learnt about warm/cool colours and coloured in a flower with these specific colours. This lesson was inspired by the artist Georgia O'Keeffe. They also sketched a variety of minibeasts and used a variety of materials to make them

In grades 1/2 , the students learnt about two very famous artists, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. In one activity, students used magazines to replicate some of Pablo Picasso’s masterpieces and learnt about Andy Warhol and the POP Art movement. Students chose their favourite template to create their own pop art by adding a variety of bright and complementary colours. In 2M, students made newspaper bowls. They had a lot of fun using PVA glue to paper mache their balloon and paint their bowl.

In grade 3/4, the students explored pixel art and made their own pixel art portrait. They completed this on a grid template and as a class there was a huge focus on symmetry. We also explored a variety of hairstyles from different times and different cultures and used plasticine to create these looks. Students also had some team building sessions where they looked at famous art pieces with bridges and had to create their own bridge using only matchsticks and blu tac.

In grade 5/6, the students created one point perspective drawings which will be an art show piece. The theme for this drawing is an aquarium. They had to draw the floor where the one point focus is, followed by the windows (corridor) and surrounding sea life animals. They used a variety of mixed media to complete this. Lastly, students compared digital/ traditional art and were given the opportunity to create their own digital art using the program “kleki.” Some classes will end their art classes with me and will resume again next year. Other remaining classes, I look forward to a wonderful semester with you!

Annette Mantello

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR ARTS FESTIVAL!

We hope you enjoyed reading about the amazing learning that has been happening in our classrooms this term!

Kate Korber

Learning & Teaching Leader