We focus on one school value per term, but our value of Stillness is addressed every day through our action of pausing regularly with both children and staff. It sets the tone of active attention and presence. I was struck today at our Infants assembly at how quickly and deeply our students are able to come together and fall still. Their steadiness and focus was felt throughout our discussions.
When bringing oneself to a point of stillness there is a letting go of thoughts of the past or future and often a release of the connection to ongoing thoughts that may cloud our judgement. Being mindful enables our students to begin afresh, operate with greater clarity, and act in a way that is beneficial to all.
Julian Wilcock
Head of School
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6T studying the most amazing graphic novel…
This week, after much anticipation and work on prediction, we launched into ‘reading’ our new text – ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan. For those of you who are not familiar with the book, please take a look here: https://readingaustralia.com.au/essays/the-arrival/
It is, by far, the most amazing graphic novel I have ever studied with Stage 3 children and due to its depth and symbolism it is right to work on it at this point in the children’s education. We have already spent several lessons discussing the images and their meaning, the use of colour (or not!), the way Tan positions characters on the page and the general layout of his sketches. The children are excited to study the text and the standard of their written imaginative responses so far, are true testament to how much this book has truly inspired them.
Allison Tomicki
Teacher
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Half way through the Term already!
We can’t believe that we are already halfway through Term 3! The children have been working so hard and are making fabulous progress.
English – This week we have been researching the life and accomplishments of William Shakespeare. We will use this information to write our own biography next week.
Maths – We have continued with our unit of work on Multiplication and Division. We finished off the week putting our skills into real life situations in problem solving activities.
Science- This week in Science we looked at how shadows work. The students used a torch and a solid object to demonstrate their understanding of how shadows move in relation to the position of the sun.
Geography – This week we learned all about the natural and human features of Australia.
Drama – We have now staged the first three scenes of our Shakespeare Festival play, Midsummer Night’s Dream. They are sounding wonderful!
Sara Bell
Teacher
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This week the children finished covering their Free Writing Books and began using them. The idea is that they may write any genre they choose and find support materials in the class ‘Free Writing Area’ to do this. Their work will not be marked. The children will not be bound by concerns about spelling and punctuation. The work may be viewed and shared if they choose. There has been much enthusiasm and excitement. Some children have written many pages already.
In the classroom this week we completed measurement tasks involving length and converted units of measure into millimetres, centimetres and metres. In English we familiarised ourselves with ‘persuasive text’ structure and language. An Exposition, ‘persuasive text’ is used to persuade someone of our opinion, supported by valid arguments and reasons. In Geography we explored the purpose and use of spaces. We considered the layout of our classroom and changed it to
Sports reports
This week at PISA soccer…
Senior Girls won 13 – against Galstaun College. Women of the Match were Hanako and Isla for their great playing tactics and playing their positions. Also Susannah for scoring 4 goals and great determination.
Senior Boys won 7 – 1 against Galstaun College. The Men of the Match were Dominic for great shooting and Patrick and James for great sportsmanship by helping out the other team.
Junior Girls lost 3 – against Northern Beaches Christian School.
Junior Boys lost 3 – 2 against Northern Beaches Christian School.
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On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 5, Term 3
Monday Minestrone soup
Tuesday Vegetable risotto
Wednesday Salad wraps
Thursday Potato cakes
Friday Vegetarian sausage rolls
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Head of School’s Comment
While the form of our Primary Shakespeare Festival is yet to be determined, preparations are well underway. The enthusiasm and confidence with which our Primary students are approaching their new plays is so impressive. The embodiment of the roles being played, together with the children’s articulation and passion in speech is regularly commented on by our teachers and those that are visiting as casual staff. The students’ years of practice since Lower 1st are obvious, and the skills and confidence that this experience brings has had an impact on all areas of learning.
Julian Wilcock
Head of School
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Deputy Head of School Comment
We have been talking about manners and respect in Assembly with both the Infants and the Primary children. At school we ask that children stand when an adult enters the room. It is a small thing and in some ways could be considered old fashioned, however the effect of this small gesture is far reaching. It helps the children to become aware of the presence of others and to have the discipline to stop what they are doing and acknowledge someone who has entered the room. In the same way we have been making efforts to greet teachers and visitors using their name and looking them in the eye. These two small gestures make a world of difference both to the giver and the receiver.
Di Renshaw
Deputy Headmistress
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Increasing maturity as readers
In English, this past week, 6N looked at how the title and cover of our class text, and our predictions about it, relate and connect to other books, to our personal lives and to society at large. The children offered insightful comments about familiar and memorable stories, experiences they have lived and ‘big ideas’ or concepts with similar themes. This demonstrates the increasing maturity the children are showing towards the content they are exploring in class. I have noticed this in Shakespeare lessons also, with the children showing great interest in exploring the themes and characters of the play Romeo and Juliet. On the subject of Shakespeare, this week we had our first dance lesson with choreographer, Miss Bianca.
Congratulations to our debaters, as they once again defeated Ravenswood this week!
Mrs Nadjarian
Teacher
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Year 3 write their own biographies
We have been busy learning here in 3rd Class. The children are focused and learning well. They are all making excellent progress.
What have we been up to this week?
English – This week the children read a biography of choice from the Big Dreams Little People series. They used the information from these to write a mini biography of their own.
Maths – This week we have focused on formal written methods for subtraction as well as calculating change.
Science – The children demonstrated their knowledge of how night and day occurs. I have attached some videos of their explanations.
Geography – This week we have been learning how to use an atlas and read maps using coordinates.
Shakespeare – We worked on Act 2 this week with Miss Emanuel, again I was so impressed with the children knowing their lines. This makes things so easy as we can move straight to the stage directions. Please keep practising these with