ECOLINC EXCURSION
Last Wednesday and Thursday our 3/4 students attended Ecolinc. We are very fortunate that Ecolinc is a free excursion, with the costs of the buses also covered for our students. Students spent their time conducting experiments and working in cooperative groups. Highlights of the days included students using their problem-solving skills to design a filtration system to clean water and look closely at worms under a microscope. All of our students represented our school with pride, and we received a lot of positive feedback from the staff at Ecolinc. Later this year other year levels will have an opportunity to attend and complete different hands-on challenges with their peers.
THE SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT
We’re thrilled to kick off the new term and look forward to all the exciting learning experiences planned across our specialist curriculum areas.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Our Cross-Country Event will be happening on Friday during House Meetings. The Senior students have been learning how to pace themselves by jogging, not running fast, keeping their bodies upright and relaxed, and walking when they need to. Those students in the top 8 of the age groups 9, 10, 11/12 will be asked to represent MPS next Friday at the DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY. We are also focussing on the skills in Netball, Soccer and AFL for interschool sport this term.
The junior students will be cheering for the seniors in Friday’s event. In PE, they are learning to tie shoelaces! Please help work with your child in this as this is a crucial skill to learn. If not shoelaces, children will need to tie up trackies this term to keep them up; perhaps ribbons for Mother’s Day gifts; or knots to hold things together in ART, STEM, PE and LIFE – tying things together is an essential skill. During our sessions, we also watched this little video: Shoelaces for Kids
This term we are also focusing on teamwork. From building shoe towers, to riding noodle ponies. Learning to kick soccer balls to playing Fruit Salad safely. We discussed what to say to our team-mates to be positive and encouraging to each other. We experience losing and winning and we learn how to be sportsmanlike either way.
VISUAL ART
This term in the Visual Art Studio grade prep will be learning about a couple of famous artists, Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian and creating artworks inspired by them. This will involve students learning about, and practicing some of the elements of art, especially line, shape and colour. Activities will be designed to give students the opportunity to practice their fine motor skills, especially the use of scissors.
The grade 1/2 students would like to share their mixed media self-portraits from last term. They worked on their drawing, painting and collage skills to create a self-portrait that not only showed what they look like but included a collage of images to represent their personality. Can you find your picture?
We would like to share the grade 3/4 artwork from last term. Students created a portrait using fruit and vegetables that was inspired by the work of Giuseppe Arcimboldo, a Renaissance artist. As you can see from the attached photograph the art studio has been transformed into a bright, bold gallery space. This term grade 3/4 will be creating a landscape using paint. Watch this space for their artistic outcomes!
In the Art Studio this term, the grade 5/6 students will be working on an artwork inspired by Bernadette Twomey, an Australian artist, who specialises in abstract botanical art. They will be learning about, and using their knowledge of, the elements of art; line, colour, space, texture and form in the creation of this work.
To all of our students, let your imaginations run wild and be CREATIVE!
STEM
In STEM this term, students will be learning about how to stay safe online and what it means to be a digital citizen in our ever-changing world. Students in Grades 1 and 2 will explore a range of picture storybooks to help them understand how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, and find a trusted adult if something worries them. Students in Grades 3 to 6 will build their understanding of the important role they play online and how their actions create a digital footprint in cyberspace.
How Can You Help at Home?
One of the best ways to support your child’s safe use of digital technology is by having regular conversations about your family’s rules and expectations. Setting clear, positive guidelines together can make a big difference.
For helpful tips and resources, the eSafety website offers fantastic advice for parents. You can explore it here: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
