Primary Update – Term 2 Week 4

Dear Parents,

Hopefully most routines are returning to “normal” for your children. Face-to-face teaching is in full swing and our playgrounds open again (albeit only during school hours and with hygiene protocols in place). Playtimes have also returned to pre-COVID times, and it is great to see the boys out in the yard enjoying our beatiful grounds with that little bit more freedom.

Some reminders

We would hate for complacency to set in, so please continue to follow the signs around the school. Playgrounds are not to be used outside of school hours, and siblings or other family or friends should not be using these facilities just yet. We respectfully ask that parents, siblings and caregivers do not enter classrooms, and instead drop the children off in the quadrangle or kiss-and-drop areas. It is amazing that the children have adapted so well to this and are showing great independence in unpacking their own bags and setting themselves up for their day.

Classroom news

There has been a lot of real-world learning happening across our classrooms! As we recently shared on Facebook, our Year 3s have been busy learning about our solar system and concepts of proportion and perspective:

Nadia Morris (STEM Teacher) recently applied for a School Environment Grant to undertake a project entitled “Kitchen Garden (wicking beds) and Waste Management” and was successful in attracting the sum of $1321. Work is now being undertaken on both fronts:

• Our Year 5 class is busy designing a self-watering system for the vegetable gardens. Each boy has to research, design, put a budget together and write a proposal letter convincing their teacher why their design is the best. It’s a great opportunity for students to integrate skills from a range of curriculum areas, and the boys are excited to see their learning “come to life” in the garden.

• Meanwhile, the SAC and Primary Monitors, along with some Year 12 Prefects, are planning a Recycling Bins Project (which also contributes to a larger Waste Management Project prompted by Steph La Forgia). We will be starting with a focus on paper recycling, then expanding to incorporate other types of recycling to build school-wide habits that help sustain our environment.

Community news

We have started our annual Can Drive for the Vinnies Winter Appeal and are asking for cans and other non-perishable food items. Of course we understand that many of our families will find it harder than usual to contribute this year, but if you are able to donate we are sure it will be very much appreciated by Vinnies.

In other exciting news, Mrs La Forgia is pregnant with her third child! She will continue to work for at least this term and next. Congratulations to the La Forgia family.

Coming soon…

Coming up From 27 may to 3 June, we’ll be marking National Reconciliation Week. Classes will be doing a range of activities to learn about our country’s Indigenous histories, cultures, and achievements, and exploring how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Again, we thank you for your cooperation in these unusual times. Stay healthy and warm!

Frank Ali
Head of Primary