VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
JUNIOR SCHOOL WEEKLY
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Upcoming Events Dental & Optical Check ups Rescheduled to 2022
Last Day of Term 3 Friday 17th September
Assalamu Alaykum Dear parents and carers Despite the conditions of home learning, junior school staff and students continue to amaze me with their outstanding efforts and work! Last week our students participated in some fantastic science experiments for Science Week, and this week learned about some of Australia’s best contemporary literature in honour of Book Week. With the media releasing news today about students in NSW returning to school in Term 4, I would like to assure all parents that the College Leadership team will work collaboratively to devise the best possible plan to support our families with the safe return of their children to campus. The College will communicate further information with our families as it becomes available. For now, we will continue delivering our high quality home learning program and supporting our students and parents as best we can. Have a safe and restful weekend. Warm regards Miss Harold
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
Dear Parents,
MRS STEVENSON DEPUTY HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL
Sending you my remote greetings, and wishing you health, peace and happiness. I miss seeing you all and your lovely children so very much. In many of my previous newsletter articles, I have addressed areas of student and family health, wellbeing and safety. And as we learned of remote learning being extended, these 3 things are more critical than ever. As the term has progressed, it is very normal for students to become less interested and engaged in their schooling. At the start of the term, I imagine many students felt that this would be an extension of their school holidays, but the reality is that they are stuck at home and unable to see their friends and family. You may see more meltdowns, tantrums and oppositional behaviour in the following weeks. This is normal and to be expected under these circumstances. If these moments arise please remember that children may also be displaying signs of anxiety and stress. Time playing together, baking and going on walks have an almost magical healing effect, forget the focus on school work and do something your child enjoys. I understand parents may be worried about children being behind in their learning thanks to missing months of school, however every single child in NSW is in the same situation and they will be okay. Our teachers currently provide an outstanding home learning program, and when we are back at school we will meet the students where they are at and continue to provide specific support where necessary. To quote a school principal from Blacktown, "At the end of all this, your kids' mental health will be more important than their academic skills. And how they felt during this time will stay with them long after the memory of what they did during those weeks is long gone." It is okay to slow down, to let your children take breaks, to have extra cuddles and to spend this time with them that may not have been possible without a lockdown. Below are some contact numbers if you need any further support. Kind regards Mrs Stevenson
1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/ 13 11 14
https://www.lifeline.org.au/
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ACHIEVEMENTS THIS TERM IN YEAR 6 Assalamu Alaykum, Dear Parents, Year 6 are pleased to share some of their achievements this term. Mrs Boussi 6B, Miss Sari 6S and Miss Akram 5/6A work closely together to create rich and engaging programs. In mathematics 6B and 6S have been diving into STEM inspired mathematical investigations. You don’t just find examples of rotation, translation and reflection in mathematical books. They’re all around you, both in nature and in many man-made items. They often appear in company logos too! This term, Year 6 applied their mathematical, digital and creative skills simultaneously to design a new logo for their school, Bellfield College. Students were given a criteria, requiring them to think about what they might include that would make the logo an accurate representation of their school. However, the most important aspect is that it also must incorporate at least two transformation types. Students worked beyond mathematics, by writing a brief to describe how their logo used transformations and how each shape or image represented the school. Below are some of their designs.
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021 In English, 6B and 6S have been analysing the theme of Journeys and Migration. Year 6 have worked hard to create engaging narratives that embed these themes, while also incorporating their knowledge of figurative language. They have used oxymorons, idioms, personification, metaphors and similes. Year 6 have already finished one novel while Remote Learning! We read Onion Tears by Diana Kidd. This book was such an interesting read because students could somewhat relate to the main character, Nam, and learnt about the struggles a newly arrived migrant may face in their new environment. Year 6 is currently in the middle of reading A Ghost In My Suitcase by Gabrielle Wang. This text delves into many themes that connect to our life. The author's use of metaphors have been dissected spectacularly by Year 6, showcasing their knowledge of how metaphors can connect to everyday life. Below are some writing examples from our creative Year 6 students. It is particularly fantastic to see how even through Remote Learning, students are thoroughly engaged and deepening their understanding of all English lessons!
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021 In Visual Arts this term we have been focusing on the Migrant experience and exploring the use of the different elements of Art to produce artworks that reflect this. We have been busy learning about the elements of Art and how they are utilised by Artists to portray their perspectives on migration. Students have developed their appreciation skills in analysing various artworks and explaining how Art can portray the harrowing experiences migrants and refugees face in their journeys. Students have been working hard at home to produce a range of fantastic artworks despite it being remote learning. We have quickly realised that we can use everyday household items to create our artworks which has given students a different sense of appreciation and respect as to how the asylum seekers continue to stay resilient in detention centres when they produce Art. We have applied our artistic skills to create two artworks in this short time. Students have created coffee artworks and drawings of traditional huts. Kind Regards Year 6 Teachers Mrs Marina Boussi Miss Dahlia Sari Miss Momena Akram Stay Safe
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Science Day! Thank you everyone for joining your marvellous teachers on Science Day. I heard that all classes only had skilled scientists join them. Those skilled Scientist (students) had the opportunity to investigate, process, analyse, evaluate and reflect. In the process they also got to try some delicious ice cream, yum! We had the opportunity to also reflect on the entire process from farm to fork, with the way dairy farming works. Below are some images from our special science day! Warmest Regards, Masooda Akram
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
4N WORK SAMPLES
4N has been learning about Informative Texts and have composed an informative text about volcanoes. In science they have carried out experiments on tectonic plate movement using chocolate bars and have created a water cycle at home. In PDH they have created posters on the benefits of physical activity.
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
SCIENCE WEEK IN 4A
Ali Abbas Syed
Abbas Youssef
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
SCIENCE WEEK AND MUHARRAM IN KINDY
Salamu Alaykum Who said we can’t get scientific in Kindergarten Quran to celebrate science week! In the last two weeks Kindergarten dug deep into their kitchen pantries and got their hands dirty, making Arabic letters and numbers from dry food. Some were made from corn and nuts, some were made from red beans, lima beans, lentils pasta, coloured rice, puffed rice and last but not least our old time favourite playdough. Well done Kindergarten for a tremendous effort.
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
SCIENCE WEEK AND MUHARRAM IN KINDY
Kindergarten have been commemorating the martyrdom of our beloved Imam Hussein (a.s) this week and would like to show a sneak peak of their Muharram work. More Muharram work next week. Reciting Tribute Ziyara to Imam Hussein and his family. “Salam Oh! Hussein” Mrs Bahsoun
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
CRAFT IN 1C
This week, Year 1 were learning to measure and compare lengths using informal units in mathematics. On Thursday, 1C completed a craft activity where they measured, cut, and ordered the lengths of rainbow stripes. Here are some of their wonderful creations:
Well done to all the boys and girls who participated and created amazing rainbow clouds; and thank to all the families for all your hard work and efforts, as we continue to navigate remote learning together. Peace be upon you all, Miss R. Chokr
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ART & WRITING COMPETITION
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ART & WRITING COMPETITION To find out more about this competition, or for a full list of animals and plants that are classed as threatened species in the Macarthur region, please contact your local Council. campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/TSAC or phone 4645 4601 camden.nsw.gov.au or phone 4654 7777 wollondilly.nsw.gov.au or phone 4677 1100 2020 Artworks on front (top to bottom) Abigail, 7-9 years, 1st Place Black Chinned Honeyeater Keilana, 7-9 years, highly commended Gang Gang Cockatoo The Macarthur region, our backyard, is home to a wide diversity of native plants and animals that are at risk of disappearing forever. To raise awareness and to celebrate National Threatened Species Day on 7 September, kids across the Macarthur region are invited to learn more about local threatened species and create artworks and creative writing pieces that will help teach the wider community about how, together, we can help to protect these species.
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ART & WRITING COMPETITION
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ART & WRITING COMPETITION
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ART & WRITING COMPETITION
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
ART & WRITING COMPETITION
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
NSW PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE Dear Parents and carers, What is the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge? The NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The PRC is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools. The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. Students must read a certain number of books to complete the Challenge. Upon successful completion of the Challenge, students will be eligible for a PRC certificate in Term 4. When is the challenge? The 2021 Challenge opened to students on Monday March 1, 2021. The closing date has been extended and will now close on Friday September 3, 2021. How does my child sign up? Students will receive their login shortly from their class teacher. Students will use their login to access their online profile and log the books they read online. What should my child read? Please encourage your children to read the books that have been shortlisted on the website prc@det.nsw.edu.au . Students can borrow books from the College library. Also, a trip to your local library is always a nice way to ensure you have the correct books, as they are easy to find. By encouraging and engaging all our students to partake in this initiative we hope to develop a greater love for reading and to further improve their literacy and vocabulary skills. If you need help using the website and the answer cannot be found on the PRC Support site, please contact us at the College on 9606 2666. Warm Regards Miss Balloot K-6 Literacy and Numeracy Instructional Leader
VOLUME 26 • AUGUST 27 2021
NSW PREMIER'S READING CHALLENGE