It has been a busy start to the term with the children eager to be back in the Infant Program room. We have been making play dough, lots of gluing and also continuing with our winter focus.  Finnley is proudly showing off his rain cloud which he has made using cotton wool, streamers and glue.

We have started the term feeling incredibly grateful about the development and opening of our new ‘nature play’ playground. The playground blends into our natural environment beautifully while also providing many opportunities for movement and physical activity. Children have enthusiastically worked through a variety of movement challenges which have encouraged them to problem solve and concentrate. We have already noticed a huge shift in children’s abilities and confidence. Thank you to everyone that was involved in making it happen.

I've done it lots of times now! - Piper

This rope is really strong. - Luca

I did it all on my own! - Reggie

I want to stay here forever. It's so fun! - Reggie

It was fun! - Soraya

I like the slide! - Aurora K

Over the next few weeks Cycle 1 students will continue to learn and practice skills to support and develop their friendships. We begin this exploration with self reflections, looking at our own interests and characteristics and drawing portraits of ourselves and the things that represent us. The children continue to develop their sense of self and how they might positively understand and interact with others.

 Amber said, “I like to think of nice things about myself” and Maggie shared, “I like to see how other people draw themselves”.

This term we are studying North America as our continent study, with a focus on the United States of America. The students revisited their knowledge of landforms and then made their own ‘prick map’ of North America. Two of our students had a zoom interview with two children from Nevada, USA. Olivia and Avi prepared their interview questions and found out information about schooling in the US, popular foods, climate and national sports! The children were very surprised to learn that they don’t eat fairy bread in America! This term we are also continuing to focus on growing our understanding and appreciation of Indigenous culture. Some of the children have chosen to enter into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day art competition. The theme is “We are the Elders of tomorrow, hear our voice”. There was much discussion of what the significance of being an Elder is as well as what the class understands about the meaning of the theme. 

Term 3 is off with a Bang! Suzie and Lauren’s class has started a science unit on Chemistry. The class learned about atoms last week; trying to get their heads around how small atoms are. This is a link to the Ted Talk we watched on atoms: Just how small is an atom? 

This week we have used boiled red cabbage juice as an indicator to investigate if mystery solutions are acids or bases, watching for the colour change in each solution. 

What we learn from this unit of work on Chemistry will be needed for the STEM challenge later in the term.

The glorious weather has been such a wonderful addition to the Cycle 4 occupations over the last couple of weeks. The group pictured here has taken up developing the area behind and around the pizza oven. They are currently clearing the area and journaling possibilities, before they begin the design process. With the big goal of ‘greening-up’ our school the Living Sustainably group is looking at ways we can lessen our impact on the environment, be more aware of consumer choices and make positive changes to day to day practices. The Making Theatre crew is researching the roles and responsibilities of different professions to inform the large project of creating a theatre for cabaret. Our performance evenings will look a bit different this year and so this group is tasked with designing, troubleshooting and creating a play performance.  

‘Lompat Tali’ (Jump Rope) is a popular traditional children’s game in Indonesia (I grew up playing this game with my friends throughout my primary years of schooling in Indonesia. Details on how to play ‘Lompat Tali’ can be found by clicking the links below:    http://www.expat.or.id/info/games.html and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUF3woqI7oQ)

Apart from understanding the rules and knowing how to play the game, students from Preschool, Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 classes learn the key words used in the game by listening to, imitating and saying aloud the words/expressions such as ‘Pegang talinya’ (Hold the rope), ‘Kamu mati!’ (You’re out!), Giliranmu sekarang! (Your turn now). The older students practise giving instructions and extending vocabulary related to body parts and animals such as ‘semata kaki’ (ankle high) up to ‘selangit’ (above head high) and ‘gaya kupu-kupu’ (butterfly style).

 

Cycle 2 students described the game as fun, tricky, weird, strange, confusing, boring, interesting, good,  excellent, outstanding, enjoyable, mind twister, cool, happy and a bit hard, it was not too hard and not too easy and it’s the best game ever (yay!).

 

They described the challenging parts of the game as: trying not to get tangled on the rope; remembering the words and how to do it; when you had to twist backwards; the part that the rope starts getting higher then you have to jump higher; when we twisted our arms around the rope; I like doing the butterfly but it is hard.

 

Students also said:  

✔   In the game I am able: to fly, have fun,  jump over all the rope heights, do the kupu-kupu, get some exercise.

✔   I would play this game with my friends because: you have to work together as a team, I think it would be fun to make the rubber chain and I want to see who wins!

Last Sunday both Maddie and Phoebe Ross competed in the Little Athletics Cross Country Championships. Not only was it wonderful being back at an organised sports event but both girls beat their “PB’s” (personal best).

Phoebe ran 750m and improved on her PB by 23 seconds! Maddie ran 1.5km and improved on her PB by 10 seconds! Congratulations girls!

We are proud to launch our new video promoting our school.  It is a beautiful representation of who we are, what we value and what we believe is important when educating children and young people.  

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in producing these videos and capturing the essence of our school on film.  Particular thanks to Anthea Hagar and Tim Standing.

Thanks also to the students who contributed by recording the voice overs.  Thanks to:

Aurora Keast  - Preschool

Aurora Voges-Standing - Cycle 1

Mila Murphy - Cycle 1

Oscar Were - Cycle 2

Isaac Bonilla-Killey - Cycle 3

Harry Hawking - Cycle 4

The video will 'live' on our school website for prospective families to watch and enjoy and gain insight into our school, our programs and the amazing learning environment we offer.

This the first of a series of videos soon to be launched.

Enjoy viewing!

Here is the link to view the video: 

https://youtu.be/Vf4JEm_LjEQ