Read more to hear about our Primary Music Concert, Stage 3 Distance Education Technologies project, Mathematics in KP, Christmas activities in 3G, and our Year 5 and 6 camps.
Primary Music
Our K - 2 students have been studying Camille Saint Saens 'Carnival of the Animals' and this week we have reached the Finale!
Students have thoroughly enjoyed listening to a new movement each week and have developed a real appreciation for classical music. They love discussing how the music reflects each animals' movement and behaviour and also how it makes them feel.
Students have expanded their music terminology and can discuss elements such as tempo, dynamics and tone colour. To end this unit, students loved making animal masks. (2D photographed) Thank you to Mrs Turner for bringing so much joy to our younger students through her specialised music classes.
Stage 3 Distance Education Technologies Project
Students in Stage Three Distance Education all participated in a Technologies project over the first half of Term 4. They used the digital program, ‘Scratch’ to explore the world of computer programming.
Our Year 5 students developed a fully functional animation story, experimenting with changing backdrops and multiple scenes. Students also learned about the debugging process, investigating and finding solutions to five debugging challenges. At the completion of the project, students reflected on their use of technologies in completing the final assessment task.
To view a project developed by Ethan in Year 5, click here.
Our Year 6 students developed a fully functional game based on, "Pong" and "Flappy Bird", containing at least four extensions. Students created a Scratch game according to the EDP (Engineering Design Process). Students also learned about the debugging process, investigating and finding solutions to five debugging challenges.
To view Sophia’s game, click here.
KP Mathematics with Mrs Pratt
While KP loves learning to read and write, one of our favourite lessons of the day is Mathematics! The students love using their whiteboards to create shapes with different features and draw pictures using position directions (e.g. ‘Draw a box in the middle of the board. Then draw a cat next to the box.’).
We are so blessed to have many hands-on mathematical resources. Every K - 2 class has a fully loaded ‘Maths trolley’ to use each day with blocks, pegs, counters, play money, dice and write and swipe boards to practise their emerging skills.
We are also developing their numeracy vocabulary by using little jingles and sayings to remind us about each topic. We love using songs to commit key concepts to memory. It has been a joy to watch KP develop a love of numeracy this year and learn about God's amazing, orderly, pattern-filled world!
Christmas in 3G with Miss Green
What is 3G’s favourite time of the year? Christmas time!
Over the past few weeks, the class have excitedly been learning about and preparing for the festive season. It has been a joy-filled time of listening to and learning Christmas songs that remind us that God sent His Son, Jesus, into our world.
In History, we have been learning about how Christmas is celebrated across the world with a variety of traditions and celebrations. In English, we have been studying poetry, so we created an acrostic poem about Christmas. It was wonderful to see the students not only describe the excitement of presents and food, but also express their understanding of the Christmas story.
Continuing on from Mrs Booker’s wonderful Chapel talks, we have discussed how even the symbols of Christmas can point us to Jesus. We read the book The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg where we learnt that the colours of a candy cane represent the blood that Jesus shed on the cross and His grace to forgive our sins and make us clean. When we turn the candy cane upside down, it looks like a ‘J’ for Jesus.
The students enjoyed creating candy cane artworks with finger painting and we had a wonderful discussion about how these red and white treats help us share the Good News about Jesus.
Year 5 Camp
Our Year 5 students had a fantastic time away on camp last week at Wedderburn Christian Camp site!
Their days were full of activities, dirt and fun! On day one students got the chance to enjoy a game of laser tag in an idyllic bush setting. Some students put their gaming skills to the test and excelled.
Then, students tested their nerves by being harnessed into a giant swing to witness a beautiful view over the cliff edge. This was followed by using their strength to climb a rock wall. Our dinner of nachos was well-earned after a huge day! We finished the night with a bushwalk and a bonfire where the smell of roasted marshmallows filled the air.
On day two, we woke to the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs. Students clipped into harnesses and challenged themselves to reach the top of a eucalyptus tree! Our campers had the opportunity to become a glider possum and sail through the air while trusting their fellow campmates to support them safely. Harnesses were traded in for bow and arrows as we all had a go at target practice and perfecting our skills as archers.
Our kids had a great time and the joy of spending quality time with their friends was obvious in their energy, enthusiasm and huge smiles through all the experiences. We were so proud to see each and every student challenge and push themselves to new strengths!
Year 6 Camp
Our Year 6 students had a fantastic time away at CRU Lake Macquarie campsite. Students came away with many stories to share of the wonderful activities that they participated in, and how their friendships have deepened. We are so proud of all our Year 6 students for being brave and enthusiastic as they conquered abseiling, paddle boarding, sailing and enjoyed team-building activities. The food was delicious, the campsite was idyllic and both campers and teachers enjoyed every moment!
We are particularly thankful that three of our students asked to know more about Jesus, eight asked for Bibles and one student recommitted their life to Jesus. Thank you to CRU Camps for running such fantastic activities and for sharing the love of Christ with our students through your work.
