Keep up-to-date with your child’s learning with these short weekly updates from their teachers. Click on the buttons below to go straight to your child’s class, or find out what others are up to!
Kindergarten/Boronia Room
Kindergarten parents are invited to meet Katherine Turner Class One teacher on Thursday 13th November at 7pm in the Class 1/2 Classroom. Please don’t miss this special opportunity to talk with Kath, learn about this exciting new chapter in your child’s learning journey, and ask your burning questions.
This week the children heard the fairy tale of the “Frog Prince” and in their Italian lesson they acted out the old-time favourite, the “Gingerbread Man”. So they have enjoyed receiving a grounding in the old Classic stories this week.
During Dharug Dhalang with Amy the children learnt about the word “Mann”, which means to meet or gather. They also learnt about the “Gaymiya Lily” (Dharug spelling) and its beautiful flaming red flower. The children drew pictures of the lily, and we all went outside to the area near the library to look at the two Gaymiya Lilies that we have growing in our school. The children were fascinated by their strength and height.
Our Class One seat covers continue to grow and the French Knitting component is almost finished. Well done to the Kindergarten children.
Enjoy a happy, peaceful weekend.
~ Francine
Class 1/2
Each morning, Class 1/2 work with growing skill and determination on their craft projects. Class 1 children have weaving recorder cases and stitching this term. Class 2 children have been finalising their craft bags and learning to knit. What clever hands, growing patience and will each day!
We have begun our new Main Lesson, Stories of the Dreaming. This week we learned about the Rainbow Serpent who created the mountains, valleys and rivers, animals and humans, we discussed stewardship and how to care for country. Next Monday, Class 1/2 will be accompanied by Paul Glass on a bush walk to Hazel and Edith Falls to explore our local flora and fauna. Paul will guide us, giving the children time and skills to connect with their local bush area.
Enjoy the weekend!
Warmly,
~ Kath and Class 1/2 Assistants
In Italian this week, Class 1/2 recreated the story of The Gingerbread Man (L’omino di pane di zenzero). The children recited the repeated chorus as the “omino” encountered many characters who wanted to eat him. The children were able to recognise and use vocabulary learnt over the last year to be part of this fun and interactive lesson, finishing off with some Italian writing, singing, drawing their favourite scene from the story, and creating a cut-out puppet for their book.
Bravissimi bambini!
~ Jess
Class 3/4
This week we have been looking at the history of trading and the fascinating history of the Silk Road. We explored how these trading routes connected cultures, religions, mathematical knowledge, spices, precious gems, clothing and even fast and strong “heavenly horses”.
We also returned to the Norse myths, this time looking at the Sagas. Here we learned about gold guarded by a dragon and how this gold brings a curse of bad luck. Plus, a sword that was stuck in a tree and only a young boy was able to pull it free. This tale is ongoing. These stories have deeply sparked our imaginations this week.
To add to our excitement our beautifully handcrafted Viking Shields and swords arrived in our room ready for us to plan and decorate in our individual styles.
In mathematics we looked at money, times tables and returned to telling the time. We enjoyed play-based learning assisted by Jenn and Minh.
We have also been enjoying singing every day. Meredith has made song booklets with all our favourite songs. The children sing beautifully. I believe daily singing is very important for wellbeing.
Many students have been enjoying story starters for creative writing which we do for 30 minutes daily. Some students choose to write in partners or small groups, reading their stories to the class, with different roles, like an ongoing play at the end of each session.
These students have such passion for writing that they will choose to do this often in the afternoon as well, when offered the choice of creative play.
I am in awe of students who use their learning time to do their best and challenge themselves. The growth these students achieve with consistent effort is remarkable. The pride they also feel, is beautiful to witness.
To motivate the Year 4’s to do their best in tasks in these tired times, I am sharing their work with Julie. This has resulted in a great upsurge in excitement, effort and accountability, and awareness that they will soon be in Year 5!
Our excursion to the Gully was wonderful last week. David King shared cultural knowledge that was a privilege to learn. He explained that his ancestor Billy Lynch made the decision to move to the Gully saving his whole family. He encouraged the children to take their decisions seriously.
Many children were eager to return to the Gully with their families if you are looking for a weekend walk or picnic location.
Kind regards
~ Jeneva and Meredith
Class 5/6
This has been an incredibly busy week, full of exciting activities. Earlier this week, we joined Glenaeon and Kamaroi Steiner schools on the beautiful site of Glenaeon Steiner school, to celebrate the annual Class 5 Greek Olympics.
It was a fabulous day, everyone threw discus and javelins, ran in sprinting, marathon and relay races, wrestled Ancient Greek-style, competed in long jumps and collaborated in the most hilarious chariot races!
All the children were kind, supportive and generous towards one another, whilst competing in these events. For our Class 5 Blue Mountains Steiner students, it was a perfect day to meet new people and to share a beautiful day together. For the teachers it was wonderful to be amongst more of our Steiner colleagues and to feel the effects of camaraderie as a soothing balm to our humanity. Can’t wait until next year!
We have also been drawing the form of the human face by sitting for our classmates.
We’ve been becoming observant of proportions and how what we think we see isn’t always how it is.
Our Class play, ‘The Odyssey, Troy to Ithaca in under one hour’, rolled along without a hitch! Everyone performed brilliantly! I am so deeply proud of them. It was a lovely time of day to perform the work outside where we could all look up towards ‘Delphi’ and the skies above.
The children have worked very very hard, and it’s been a very constructive process. You were a fantastic audience (you got the jokes!).
I would like to thank Lee, Rowena Doig and Cristie for creating such beautiful props and costumes. I also want to thank the families for making some superb costumes too! Lastly, I’d like to thank Leroy for drawing our Weather Reporters’ Map. (More photos and the video will be sent in a link soon)
Thank you to everyone for your support of your children and all the activities we’ve been doing.
Yarramundi next Monday-Wednesday.
Have a lovely weekend,
~ Julie and Lee (she’s back!)
