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
- Kindergarten excursion to Charles Darwin Walk with Class 1/2 is rescheduled for Thursday, 21 May, Week 9.
- Parent/Teacher Interviews Tuesday, 16 & Wednesday, 17 June, Week 9
This week the children heard the story of “How a Turtle Carried the World”, a folk tale from the Seneca Tribe of North America. The children made beautiful beeswax images from the story on Wednesday.
For the last few weeks, the children have been working with retelling the tale of the “Three Little Pigs”, during their morning circle time. This has been great fun and the children really enjoyed working with the language, rhythm and gestures of this circle.
Please sign up and join in the community effort in supporting our Autumn Harvest Fair on Saturday 23 May. It’s a fun day and a great way to get involved with our school.
Warm wishes,
Francine and Isabella
Class 1/2
Class 1/2 have been learning about direction, making and following maps in Main Lesson this week. We’ve welcomed the rain, splashing in puddles and making mud pies; we even did a treasure hunt using our own maps. Unfortunately, our Charles Darwin bush walk had to be postponed to next Thursday 21st May. We are so looking forward to spending the day with Kindy and Francine!
The children are strengthening their will and focus daily through craft. Our craft projects are coming along beautifully; weaving recorder cases, long stitch initials, pencil cases and craft bags are all taking shape.
On Wednesday, we used pumpkins harvested from the school garden to make spiced pumpkin muffins with Annie. We grated pumpkins, measured flour and sugar and cracked eggs. The result was as delicious as you can imagine, and I was so proud of the way the children are working together as a group.
Enjoy a restful weekend,
Kath
Class 3/4
Many of our “lessons” in the past week have been about emotional regulation and kindness. I know I have a high standard for human interaction. I believe in breaking down the nuance of our response and interactions to provide an honest and mindful approach. In practical terms we talked about tone of voice, and how it changes what our words say. We used the anagram THINK before you speak. Things need to be True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind. It isn’t enough to say “well it’s true” so I have a right to say it. We looked at how we respond when people share incidental information. We can smile, nod, say something positive or something that asks more information. We looked at how acting bored, disinterested or saying something that shows you don’t care, hurts feelings and becomes a habit.
There are so many chats like this, between the learning about academics. Sometimes it feels endless and I wonder if I can dig deep for the words to break things down into such deliberate and explicit terms. I know it is the same as a parent. Teaching is just a version of parenting a large group with extra skills thrown in. It isn’t easy or perfect, that isn’t authentic or useful. However clear, calm, consistent, direct, upfront discussion when you can manage it, results in better days and pays off. I encourage you to discuss things that are not working, with the kids, with me, with yourself.
Nothing more practical to say, really. We have been looking at birds, addition, independent writing and noticing autumn slip into winter before our cold noses.
Warm regards,
Jeneva
Class 5/6
We had a lovely time at the FUTSAL Gala Day. Everyone played well and tried their hardest to stop our opponents’ goals and to get our goals in! I am always so impressed by how kind, generous and supportive our children are in this competition. A handshake and a smile with opponents at the end of each game was great to see. We didn’t come out on top of the ladder but by golly, they tried!
Thank you to the parents who came and supported the class. We even got to go and play in the Gully grassy area during a couple of breaks. Lovely!
On another note: Food! The children are hungrier as their bodies are getting ready for the winter months. Please pack a little more in their lunchboxes. Warming, nourishing foods to keep them energised and settled are best!
Gymnastics classes are on Fridays for the next 5 weeks. Children need to wear comfy practical clothes for this class.
Not long to go until our Autumn Fair! Sat May 23rd! Students to be there at 11 am for performances. If you can’t attend, please let me know asap.
Much appreciated!
Warmly,
Julie
