School Closure Day

Firstly, we would like to thank parents for supporting our work, in class and outside of the classroom. Even though today, being a Curriculum Day, a day the Department of Education provides and School Council enables/approves; we do not take it for granted. I believe it is important to let you know how much we appreciate spending this time, learning together.

The focus of today was to review and learn more about ‘differentiation’, particularly with Maths but we expanded our understanding and learning to other areas. Specialist teachers were able to share their practice too.

We counted, measured, manipulated shapes and discussed strategies. The participation was genuine and authentic, which made the day very enjoyable.

The last part of our day was around wellbeing and spending time together in a very different way. Staff went in teams of two people, around Heyfield, looking for clues as part of our ‘Amazing Race’. They had to go in various places to find the clues and had to complete some challenges too: one being to take a photo kissing the wooden kangaroo, another one to ask for the bank manager “Show me the money!” (Fake money of course!). Thank you to Maddie Briggs, Ingrid Komen and Cafe 3858 for their help today. I truly appreciated it.

Winners were Emily Johnstone and Brittany Booker: Team Bemily Jooker! Well done.

After a short lunch, it took them all less than an hour to complete the whole race. Impressive!

First Aid Course

A St John’s first aid instructor spent a whole day with us on Tuesday, teaching basic skills for First Aid to all students. The learning was catered for each level and abilities, meaning that grade 5/6 students learn in more depth about CPR for example than a Foundation student. However, I hope they can all tell you now what they can do in the scenario of an emergency.

Using cooking to learn to write!

Rooms 1 and 2 cooked together to learn about procedural writing. Procedural writing is about writing in steps and making sure that others can read and follow instructions. A recipe is perfect to practise communicating clearly ideas and instructions. Imagine a recipe you cannot understand or unclear about steps! The food may not taste like it should!

What can we see around the school, this week?

At the moment, you are able to see various projects completed by Junior and Senior students. I hear that Senior students have been shown the standard of work their younger school mates are doing, in order to lift the expectations for their own work.

Overall, we are learning about coordinates in Maths, writing information projects in Literacy, using Humanities too.

Even Art is doing Maths if you think about it! Look at these shapes creating patterns for beehives. Don’t tell Mrs Merlo though! She doesn’t think she teaches Maths! She thinks she only teaches Art in the Art room!

Athletics - Wellington District Carnival

24 of our Senior students took part in the Athletics Carnival, in Sale, on Monday. They all competed showing great sportsmanship, cheering for other athletes of other schools and for their teammates.

We had students competing in 1500m, 800m, Hurdles, 100m, shot put and discuss as well as long jumps, high jumps and triple jumps. The relay teams did well too.

Next stage is Regional Carnival in Sale, where 9 of these students are going to participate. Good luck to all.

100 Days of School!

This week, Room 4 celebrated 100 days at school. They counted, created and discuss the number 100 in many ways to celebrate. Well done for achieving this milestone!

We need your help!

• Letters have gone home with some students, whose families have been selected randomly to give us feedback via a survey. However, everyyone is welcome to complete this survey. This will enable us to see where we need to improve. The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open from Monday 7 August to Friday 8 September 2023. Use this link and PIN: https://www.orima.com.au/parent            Our school's generic PIN is: 575201

  The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time within the survey period on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages. If you require to use a computer from school, please do not hesitate to ask Ann, at the office and we will organise for you to complete the survey at school.

• The other feedback we require from you, by Friday 25th August, is regarding our Matrix, to teach expected behaviours at school. We can print a copy for you if need be, so you can write your feedback all over it and return it to us.