Newsletter, Week 8, Term 4, No 4
Principal's Report
Dear Parents & Carers,
Time is certainly flying as we head into the final stages of the school year, yet there is still much work to be done and many special events to come.
Coming up in the next few weeks we have Christmas casual dress, unit fun days, our annual staff vs year 8 game, our end of year Mass and awards ceremony, transitions and graduations to name a few!
This week we welcomed back our 2023 Prep students for their second school experience. It was a delight to meet them all as a group last week and watch the soon to be St Mary’s students engage with each other, their new teachers and their year 8 buddies. This week’s visit was just as successful and we are all looking forward to the third transition visit on the 1st December. A friendly reminder that this date includes a parent information meeting where we will discuss the ‘nuts and bolts’ of starting school at St Mary’s and answer any questions parents and carers may have.
In a little under two weeks, on Tuesday 6th December, we will have our whole school transition where all students will spend the day in 2023 classes. As always, please be aware that at this stage, class lists are not final and there may be some changes made between this day and the end of the year. Final class lists will be sent home with Semester Two reports. I place my trust in the professionalism of teachers and their knowledge of how each student in their care functions in the school environment and learns best when it comes to creating class lists. It is my hope that parents feel the same way.
As mentioned in the last newsletter, teachers have been very busy preparing Semester Two student reports. Many, many hours of work goes into writing these so parents and carers have access to a clear, comprehensive and descriptive report about every child’s achievements and areas for future focus. Instead of collecting them from the office, all reports will be mailed to students' postal address on the 15th or 16th December. Please ensure that the office has the correct address on record and contact us asap if this needs updating.
Next Wednesday 30th November we will hold our final School Advisory Council meeting and AGM. The meeting will start at 5pm and be held in Room 4 and everyone is welcome.
Kind Regards,
Andrea Welsh
SWPBS
Primary
Foundation
Well done to all Foundation students for participating in their very first school swimming lessons! It was great to see you all having a go even when the water may have been a tad colder on some days. Please continue to support your child at home with their reading and practising of the tricky words learned. Changing of books (reader and picture storybook) is still every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All students should be reading daily at home and changing their books at school on these days. We cannot believe how quickly this final term is going! Students will begin to bring home completed work, artwork and books so please ensure your checking their library/school bags regularly and keeping their awesome work at home. Also keep your eyes peeled for information coming home soon about our end of year fun day! Thanks, Miss Bock & Miss M
Year 1/2
The Year 1/2 unit have been busy over the last few weeks. We have been lucky enough to have a few warmer days for swimming, and the children have been learning some essential skills. Like the rest of the school, the children had a fantastic time on the colour run day. Lots of mess and laughs meant a very enjoyable time.
In English we have been learning to write persuasive pieces, so your children might be pleading their case for something special at home using our format. They could be giving three reasons for their case, with an opening and closing statement. This style of writing is one that could be used in the NAPLAN English next year for Year 3 children.
The former Room 15 that had 1/2 Brouwers in it has finally bitten the dust, with the room demolished on Wednesday morning as part of the building program. It will be replaced with a nature based adventure playground as part of this building stage.
SAt this time of year our little people are becoming quite tired, so some solid bed time routines will help them through to the end of the year.
Year 3/4
Well done to all who participated in the Colour run last Thursday. There was so much excitement and fabulous colour everywhere. It was an incredibly fun day, thanks Mrs Pike, the year 8’s and all those who helped organise the day. The 3/ 4 students are developing their advertising skills and designing a poster to persuade the audience to buy their product. They are using their imaginations to come up with interesting brand names and exciting statements to hook the reader. Each classroom is busy creating magazine pages and thinking about how fast the end of the year is coming. Just a reminder that reading at home each night for 20 mins should be a regular routine and to complete your maths homework.
Year 5/6
Year 5/6 students have been doing some wonderful planning in preparation for their fantasy writing next week. Students have been focussing on this genre and have been brainstorming the different elements of a fantasy text. They have enjoyed creating fascinating descriptions of their made up worlds and characters. In reading, students have been looking at literal and inferential comprehension skills. They have observed many different reading texts over the last week and have used the skill of inferring to draw conclusions. With the end of the year quickly approaching, the Year 6’s are eager to begin practising for the school graduation.
Art
There has been some really beautiful artworks being made this term.
The Foundation students have looked at the vibrant work of Takashi Murakami and Japanese artist who paints colourful flowers. The students have drawn flowers in the style of Murakami and are now designing their own.
The 1/ 2 students are completing their river landscapes. The effort and care that is going into these artworks is admirable. The students have put a lot of effort into their work.
The 3/ 4 students are completing their Trees of Gratitude and they too have put in much detail and care. The trees are looking amazing! They are full of colour, patterns and symbols that represent their lives.
The 5/6 students are working on a triptych, which is an artwork divided into three. They are showing their understanding of three different colour theories they have worked with over the semester.
All students have an opportunity to be part of an exhibition at the Mildura Arts Centre in December, called the ‘Special Forever Voices.’ Art work will be collected at the end of this week. Ten artworks will be chosen to be displayed in the gallery. All other artwork will be in digital format, as there is limited hanging space. This exhibition opens on the 8th December and runs until the 23rd December.
Secondary
Maths
In year 8 Maths students will have completed their last Maths Mate assessment for the year. There will be a number of positive tokens handed out to those students who will have completed the most modules for Maths Pathway. We have finished the topic of Co-ordinate & Linear Graphs and we will finish with our final topic for the year on Pythagoras’ Theorem. Where did the year go!
Science
Year 7 & 8 Science students have been going out on a learn and walk classroom to see the rising levels of the water and along our way we have had guest speakers from the SES explaining what their role has been with the rising water and also what the divers were doing in the river. We met up with Ms Alison Black who spoke of the history of Robinswood and her connection to the Cuttle Family. Some local trivia was also noted with the Windmill . Just ask the Year 7’s and they will tell you what is so special about the windmill.
Go Swim Program - Robinvale Leisure Centre
Classes will commence Next Monday November 28th and go on Christmas break on December 15th. We will return on January 23rd and finish up March 30th. Classes will run 4 days a week across Monday - Thursday, with mornings and afternoons to attend.
Students are graded based on competency and ability. Book now to secure your spot in our program
To enrol - please provide us with your child’s name, age, previous experience in our program and a contact number.
For any further questions, please contact Kyle on (03) 50264544
