Salutations, 

Last fortnight Primary 2 students were treated to a book entitled ‘Growing up at Uluru.’ The book was about the Elders of Uluru, the Pitjantjatjara Anangu people, teaching young indigenous children about traditional culture, finding bush tucker, reading animal prints in the sand and sharing creation stories about Uluru. Our shared reading book coincided with the ban on people climbing Uluru as the Anangu people believe Uluru is of cultural and religious significance and explains stories of Creation.

Last week Primary 2 students were learning everything there is to know about crocodiles as part of their Literacy program. We have been using our voices and PODD to respond to lots of questions about these predatory reptiles. This week we are using our PODDS to learn everything about emus. Do you know why the emu crossed the road?   A.  To prove he wasn’t a chicken.

This week Primary 2 students had their first swimming lesson at the Gympie Pool. There has been a buzz of excitement last week and the week before. Our Morning Message has been dominated with swimming stories accompanied by plenty of arm moving gestures. Miss Suzie is our swim teacher and has been teaching us to use noodles to move forwards and backwards in the water and float on our backs.  I was very pleased how our students behaved safely, listened to instruction and used their good manners at the pool.

In Mathematics Primary 2 students discuss and record familiar events and activities occurring within each calendar month. Students use calendars to indicate daily weather and important school dates. We are becoming familiar with time language of months, weeks and days. We are also using a weekly class calendar to plan our school week by  recording familiar school events that have a very high likability factor. No doubt, you can already guess the most popular event on Monday  …..SWIMMING!!!     

In Science, Primary 2 students continue to identify the impact of weather changes on themselves. Primary 2 students were challenged to make good choices about appropriate clothing for wet weather. We used PODD to locate articles of clothing that would be a sensible choice for wet weather.                              

After that it was time to experience wet weather. Miss Jenny stood on the bridge of the play fort using a watering can to simulate a heavy downpour of rain. There were lots of laughs and guess what?...... We all made sensible choices and stayed dry.

 Last Friday the students came to school wearing red to show their support for ‘Day for Daniel.’ We wached a video, talked about protective strategies, did some role playing and completed class tasks about the 3 R’s. RECOGNISE- Are you safe, REACT- What can you do, Report- Who can you tell? Many thanks to Miss Deb for collegial support in organising the Keeping Safe resources.

This semester for HPE, Primary 1 and 2  students have been engaging in a varietry of social games. Students are learning that social games can be fun and safe when: rules are followed, participants listen and respond to commands,  boundaries are identified and equipment is used appropriately. This week we have been throwing frisbees and playing parachute games.

Until next time. We will continue to have plenty of laughs and fun with learning … Stay safe.

Mr Michael, Miss Jenny, and Primary 2 students.