What an extraordinary week we have had with NAIDOC Week and Remembrance Day. Our History included an outdoor lesson with Miss Jackson and 2M. Miss Jackson shared with us her knowledge of Indigenous Languages, customs and a Welcome to Country book (by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy).
We remembered those who had given their lives in wars on 11th November at 11 am. As a whole school we fell silent for one minute.
We engaged in experiments with Mr Sjoquest to discover the science of floating TOYS.
The children completed their advertisement for a toy using their skills to write persuasively, using emotive language and adjectives. They completed a self-assessment using a class created rubric, with criteria chosen by themselves.
Lea-Ann Connell
Teacher
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Category: Latest News from John Colet School Belrose
A recap of the past week in 4th Class
In literacy this week we have begun our analysis of the classic Australian novel “Storm Boy” by Colin Thiele.
In my maths class we have continued to work on measurement but spent a lot of time on multi-step word problems which we all find a little tricky.
In Science we have continued to look at the role of geologists and how they examine rocks to understand what changes the Earth’s surface has gone through over time.
In History we have focused on NAIDOC week by identifying the factors which lead to the first protest in 1939, and how this movement has changed over time into a celebration of art, country and culture.
In Geography we have continued to look at natural resources and begun to investigate the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.
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On Wednesday Mr Wilcock and I had the great pleasure of being the audience for this year’s Lower 1st Shakespeare production. As you are aware, due to unavoidable circumstances, the production was videoed only. In many ways this presented much more of a challenge to the children because there was no audience to help draw out their performance. In addition to this some scenes needed more than one or two takes. It is hard to know where to begin to commend the children for their focus, enthusiasm, co-operation, maturity and self-discipline. Shakespeare provides us with an opportunity to develop these qualities in the children in a unique way which serves everybody.
Di Renshaw
Deputy Headmistress
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6th Class consider ‘Dilemma’ by Richard Aldington
Our poetry theme continued this week with a study on a free-verse poem by Richard Aldington called ‘Dilemma’. I was amazed at the mature responses by the children and their ability to analyse and interpret Aldington’s words. It is a beautiful poem full of clever personification and rich vocabulary and we had a great discussion about the ending – did the poet’s friend end up travelling the world again, or did they opt to stay at home? If you would like to read the poem you can find it here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=20284 Be sure to read on to the second page!
One point we did all agree on was that the poem would make a beautiful painting, with all its characters and imagery included. I love the fact that the children can imagine what this would look like and ‘see’ the poem in their minds.
Allison Tomicki
Teacher
The post 6th Class consider ‘Dilemma’ by
On the vegetarian lunch menu for Week 5
Monday Salad rolls
Tuesday Potato and corn muffins
Wednesday Closed for Lower 1st Shakespeare filming
Thursday Moroccan style curry with rice pilaf
Friday Toasted bean burritos
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Deputy Head of School’s Comment
This week in Upper 1st Philosophy, we were discussing Wisdom and its relationship to the value of Stillness. They raised the idea that stillness allows time to make a correct decision and it is wise to perform a good action that benefits everyone. They also suggested that wisdom comes with experience and learning from mistakes. More importantly, not repeating the same mistake when the outcome will not be helpful to themselves or others. The need to embed this understanding at an early age is a fundamental part of a child’s education. Even though it may be taught directly in our Philosophy classes it can be demonstrated in any of the subjects that the children learn.
Di Renshaw
Deputy Headmistress
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Head of School’s Comment
This Term our Value in focus is Service, and of late we have looked at the benefits of giving full attention to all that we do. There have been many insightful, practical examples given by students from Lower 1st through to 6th Class.
As we move to the end of the year, we begin to determine our 6th Class leadership team for 2021. Interested 5th Class students have already begun thinking about what roles they may like to perform and to develop their speeches with votes being counted from staff, and students from 4th to 6th Class. Apart from the specific roles in 6th Class though, there are plenty of opportunities for all our students to show leadership and service through their actions. It is this (well-timed) aspect of our value of Service that we will concentrate on in the coming weeks.
A leader leads by example, whether he or she intends
3rd Class learning about emotions
In Health 3rd Class have begun to look at Zones of Regulation. The Zones framework provides strategies to teach students to become more aware of and independent in controlling their emotions and impulses, manage their sensory needs, and improve their ability to problem solve conflicts.
The four zones are:
The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, devastation, or terror when in the Red Zone.
The Yellow Zone is also used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions, however one has more control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness, the wiggles, or nervousness when in the Yellow Zone.
The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content, or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the zone where optimal learning occurs.
The Blue
From the Deputy Head of School
The Shakespeare Festival this week has been a triumph for all classes involved. The productions have reflected weeks of effort and co-operation between teachers and students. From 3rd to 6th class a consistent feature of each play was the way in which every child knew exactly what they had to do and when, and if someone forgot something someone else was there immediately to move a prop or ad lib an occasional missed line so that the play carried on seamlessly. The commitment of the all the children to their class productions and to the Festival as a whole was outstanding.
Di Renshaw
Deputy Headmistress
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From the Headmaster
Our Primary Shakespeare Festival performances this week have been a tremendous success. I can honestly say the quality has not dropped from what we would have expected at Glen Street. Each and every play is worthy of note, however, we would like to acknowledge the outstanding performances from 6th Class. Both these performances showed how our unique program goes beyond just academics to empower our students to excel and rise to their very best.
It has been a massive task bringing our plays together this year, and it has only been possible with the dedication of many people. Firstly, thank you to our teachers, (on this National Teachers Day), who have been preparing, practising, and adjusting these plays throughout the year. A special thank you to Ms Emanuel for her direction, and with the help of Mr Rickets, for transforming our hall into a professional environment worthy of the fine performances