Reddam House Primary School Newsletter Vol 23 Issue 17

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This shorter week was certainly different for the two halves of the Primary School. While the younger students were giving full sway to their creative abilities during their Creative Arts Week, the Year 3-6 students were hard at work showing how much they had learned this year, as they wrote their mid-year exams. This they did with focus and determination, and it was wonderful to receive feedback from the teachers of how well they had conducted themselves.

The actual writing of the exams is only part of the assessment process, however. Feedback is just as important, and we know that the way it is handled can greatly influence our students’ learning journey and overall academic development. As such, our teachers adopt a supportive approach that focuses on growth and improvement – in so doing they empower students to embrace feedback as a valuable tool for progress.

One very special aspect of the feedback process at Reddam House is how the teachers have been able to encourage an open dialogue over the years, in which students feel comfortable to discuss their strengths and weaknesses. They often speak to students about a growth mindset, and we try to let the students see that exams are opportunities for learning and growth rather than mere

assessments of their abilities. We really do try to foster a classroom culture that values effort, improvement, and resilience.

This helps to promote self-reflection, in which students are encouraged to analyse their performances in all their subjects. It helps them to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, and to think critically about their strategies, study habits, and time management skills, which will help for future assessments. This process helps students to develop a deeper understanding of their performance, thereby fostering a sense of ownership over their learning journey.

At Reddam it is ‘cool to be clever’ and as such our teachers constantly acknowledge and celebrate students' progress to boost their confidence and motivation. We recognise their efforts, even if they haven't achieved the desired outcome yet, which once again encourages a growth mindset, through which students hopefully realise that mistakes are stepping stones to success. By celebrating progress, students develop resilience, embrace challenges, and cultivate a love for learning.

We trust that next week’s handing back of exam papers will be a positive experience for the students, especially for the Year 3s, who sat their very first exams! We also look forward to meeting with parents during the online Parent/Teacher interviews, as we take the time to review the students’ progress thus far.

Congratulations to Ivy Zagora, who did exceptionally well in gymnastics at Tamworth recently, where she placed equal 1st in Vault, equal 2nd in Bars and 3rd overall in Level 3, for which she received the large trophy in the photograph.

Then, Hanna Ching in Year 5, plays representative basketball for the Sydney Comets as part of the 2023 Comets U12 Girls Green Team.

Hanna’s team is leading the rep league for her rep division at the moment, and they will be one of four going to the grand final in July. Over the long weekend both Zoe and Hanna went down with their Comets rep team as part of the Nunawading basketball tournament. They both played five games over two days and Hanna’s team won their pool, so she played in the Grand Final where they won the Runners up trophy. Well done girls!

As mentioned previously, the K-2 students had a very special time of immersing themselves in all things creative this week. Please do read through the reports below, which give a glimpse into the enjoyment of the Creative Arts Week. Next week it is the turn of the Year 3-6 students to put aside their studies and to enjoy some creativity. We trust that they will have just as much fun as the younger students did.

The mathematicians will no doubt be grateful that their brains have been in full think mode, as they stretch themselves even further on Monday during the Maths Games (Year 4) and Maths Olympiad (Year 5 and 6). And on the creative front, our choirs and musicians will be putting all their rehearsing into action, as they perform at the Sydney Eisteddfod. We can’t wait to listen to their beautiful musical renditions.

Have a great weekend!

Dee Pitcairn Principal

1 - Ivy Zagora at the Tamworth Country Capital Club

2 - Reddam House Instrumental Competition

3 - Hanna Ching reaching the Grand final at Nunawading Spectres basketball Tournament on Monday 12 June 2023 in Melbourne

Happy Birthday

Reddam House would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Marlow Keatinge, Max Moffat, Karl Chang, Elliot Lim, Jake Epstein, Gabriel Monteiro, Phoenix Monteiro, Aria Algie, Noah McQuarrie, Tiffany Fan, Miley Yuan, Arthur Nardi, Oliver Roby, Cael Barton, Sabina Anderson, Duke Laurie, Oliver Leis, James Steiner, Hannah Haigh, Frank Chou, Peter Chou, Ella Corry Sanft, Zara Pulley, Asher Edelstein, James Lowenstein

Sport Fixtures

Sports Fixtures 17th June 2023

Basketball

Friday 16 June - Comets | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St

U16s MYSTICS vs Reddam Sparks 4:30pm Ct 2

U16s LIGHTNING vs KHY Lightning 4:30pm Ct 1

U16s SPARKS vs Reddam Mystics 4:30pm Ct 2

U18s SUNS vs SGHS Marshmellow Chameleons 5:15pm Ct 2

U18s DIAMONDS vs BYE (no game)

Saturday 17 June - Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St

Girls

U10s BOOMERS vs Inner City Cupcakes 8am Ct 3

U14s

PCYC (Marrickville) 531 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

U16s JAZZ vs BYE (no game)

U16s WARRIORS vs Bullets 6:45pm Ct 3

U16s NETS vs White Eagles 6pm Ct 3

U16s THUNDER vs Newtown Bullets 4:30pm Ct 1

U18s GRIZZLIES vs MPB 18 3:45pm Ct 1

U18s MAGIC vs Reggae Rockers 4:30pm Ct 2 Ct 2Soccer

Soccer

High School Girls

Reddam House FC U15 v Pagewood Botany U15, Jellicoe Park Field 3, Pagewood 1:30 pm

High School Boys

Reddam Year 10 v Sydney Boys High School, Mission Field No.10, Parkes Drive Centennial Park 12.00pm

Reddam Year 9R v Sydney Boys High School, Mission Field No.9, Parkes Drive Centennial Park 9.00am

Reddam Year 9E v Sydney Boys High School, Mission Field No.9, Parkes Drive Centennial Park 12.00pm

Reddam Year 8 v SHORE, Northbridge D, SHORE Playing Fields 10.00am

Reddam Year 7R v SHORE, Northbridge D, SHORE Playing Fields 9.00am

Reddam Year 7E v Newington, Parade Ground No.6, Grand Parade Centennial Park 11.00am

Reddam Primary

Reddam 9 United V Maroubra United Maggies 10.00am Coral Sea Field 2D

Reddam 9 City V Maroubra United Jets 10.00am Coral Sea Field 2A

Reddam 10 United BYE

Reddam 10 City V Pagewood Hornets 11.00am Jellicoe Park Half Field 2A

Reddam 11 City V Glebe Wanderers 12.00pm Heffron Park Field 1A

Reddam 12 City V Pagewood Botany Great Whites 1.00pm Jellicoe Park Half Field 2A

Netball

Reddam 1 v BYE, 1:15 PM

Reddam 2 v RRNC, 1:15 PM

Reddam 3 v Maccabi, 12:00 PM

Reddam 4 v Kambala, 12:00 PM

Reddam 5 v Double Bay, 11:00 AM

Reddam 6 v RBSC, 12:00 PM

Reddam 7 v STC, 12:00 PM

Reddam 8 v RRNC, 11:00 AM *

Reddam 9 v RRNC, 11:00 AM

Reddam 10 v Coogee, 10:00am

Reddam 11 v Randwick Rugby, 10:00am

Reddam 12 v Dolphins, 10:00am

Reddam 13 v Bondi Phoenix, 9:00am

Reddam 14 v Mascot, 8:00am

Reddam 15 v Maccabi, 8:00am

Cross Country

Knox Cross Country Carnival Up John Park

Sport Results

Soccer

High School Girls

Reddam House U15 v Queens Park 0 - 3

Reddam Primary

Reddam 9 United 5 Maroubra United Mixed Wolf Hearts 1

Reddam 9 City 2 Mascot Kings Orange Mixed Blazers 1

Reddam 10 United 0 Easts FC City 8

Reddam 10 City 8 Easts FC Leicester 3

Reddam 11 City 1 Easts FC Blue Mixed Valencia 2

Reddam 12 City 5 Easts FC Orange Mixed Mainz 2

Kindergarten

We are feeling well rested after the long weekend and we had a fantastic week in school this week. Although it was a shorter one, it was very busy!

On Tuesday we had a Visual Art incursion. Throughout the day we participated in different workshops. We learned how to paint an A3 self-portrait and also tried to draw a still life drawing. We were taught new techniques such as shading and using perspective. It was so much fun!

In English we were introduced to a new comprehension strategy, namely visualisation. We closed our eyes and listened to stories being read. Instead of using the pictures to help us understand we were creating our own pictures in our heads. We are going to try this out with our new books from the library. It is fun being directors of our own movies!

This week in Maths we moved onto learning about Volume and Capacity. We explored this concept using different sized containers and objects and even took a trip (virtually) to The Monster Milkshake Café. At home it would be a nice idea to let the little hands participate in filling containers and estimating which container would hold more or less. We loved our hands-on experimenting with this new concept.

Our Show and Tell topic remained the same this week and we loved the unique and creative presentations. It was lovely to find out about life in the past from our friends and their families.

Year 1

This week in Year 1 we were wonderfully busy. In History and Geography we explored what ‘Country’ means to Indigenous People. The term ‘country’ is often used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to explain their family connection with a specific place in Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people use natural resources from their country or place for many things: food, shelter, clothing, medicines, tools, weapons, art, craft and ceremonial objects. Their spiritual connection with the land, sky and sea makes them kind to their environment. These practices and connection to the land are passed on from generation to generation. We related this connection to our own lives.

In English we explored another procedure with a focus on verbs such as cut, fold, bend, wiggle and draw as the starters to the steps we needed to complete to make a paper snake. These adorable creations lived on our desks for the day. In Maths we explored volume which is an interesting Maths topic that is relevant in everyday life. We explored what volume is and looked at the volume of different objects, and we then explored different methods to find the volume of a 3D shape. We also looked at position on maps, and enjoyed learning about coordinates. We talked about directions such as north, south, east and west which linked perfectly with our Science work this week. In Science we made a windvane to measure the direction of the wind. This was a wonderful hands-on activity which took us to the rooftop to test out our creations!

The highlight of our week was definitely the 2D Visual Art workshops we attended as part of the Creative and Cultural Arts Festival. We were lucky enough to participate in two inspiring workshops

featuring Sydney-based artists and art educators. We got to explore a series of atelier drawing techniques and fine art methods, then we combined these new skills to produce a creative 2D portrait. Our second workshop introduced us to a wide variety of 2D materials and techniques associated with producing a creative still life artwork. We were asked to consider scale, perspective, composition, line, form as well as texture in our artmaking, as we developed a series of artworks to respond to our unique environment.

Luella Rosen: 'I thought it was fun and creative.'

Joy Ozorio: 'I thought it was great. I loved it! It was so interesting!'

Marlow Keatinge: 'I love it. I want to take my art work home and sell it!'

It was incredible, collaborative and creative. We felt like true artists.

Year 2

We felt well rested after the long weekend and had a fantastic week in school this week. Although it was a shorter one, it was very busy!

On Tuesday we had a Visual Art incursion. Throughout the day we participated in different workshops. We learned how to paint an A3 self-portrait, and we also tried to draw a still life drawing. We were taught new techniques such as shading and using perspective. It was so much fun!

In English we were introduced to a new comprehension strategy, namely visualisation. We closed our eyes and listened to stories being read. Instead of using the pictures to help us understand we

were able to create our own pictures in our heads. We are going to try this out with our new books from the library. It is fun being directors of our own movies!

This week in Maths we moved onto learning about Volume and Capacity. We explored this concept using different sized containers and objects and even took a trip (virtually) to The Monster Milkshake Café. At home it would be a nice idea to let the little hands participate in filling containers and estimating which container would hold more or less. We loved our hands-on experimenting with this new concept.

Our Show and Tell topic remained the same this week and we loved the unique and creative presentations. It was lovely to find out about life in the past from our friends and their families.

Year 3

This week, the Year 3 students sat their first ever Reddam House Mid-Year Examinations and what a fantastic job they did! Each and every student must be congratulated for his or her mature and

eager attitude, as they completed all of their papers with diligence and care. They read the instructions carefully, used their time wisely and remembered to edit and check their work thoroughly. After weeks of preparation, the Year 3s can finally see that their hard work has paid off and that maybe examinations aren’t actually that scary.

In addition to their exams, the Year 3s were given the opportunity to blow off some steam with a mid-week sports session. There were smiles-a-plenty as the students headed off to the park, on a gloriously sunny day, to play a couple of games of dodge ball. It was so lovely to see the camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship that has blossomed between our students throughout the first semester.

The Year 3 teachers are so proud of their students’ enthusiastic and conscientious efforts this week. Here’s what some of the students had to say about their experiences:

Pippi Pike: ‘Exams are kind of fun. Sometimes I get nervous before I sit them in the morning but afterwards I feel fine.’

James Mawer: ‘I feel really excited about this week because you get to leave school early.’

Ella Corry Sanft: ‘Year 3 is the best. The exams are hard but they’re really fun to do.’

Annelise Sergides: ‘I like exams because they get my adrenaline buzzing. I can’t wait for feedback week next week. I hope that I do well.’

Isaac Mueller: ‘Thinking about exams is quite stressful, but I have done lots of revision and preparation so that I can do my best.’

Lucas Shi: ‘At first, I was really nervous, and then, once I had done the first exam, I realised that they were okay, and I started to get excited about all of my other exams.’

Yvaine Chen: ‘The exams have been good because they help you to work hard and become more knowledgeable. I know that they will help me in the future.’

Archie Rouse: ‘I really enjoy exams because they make your brain grow. I was terrified at first but now I know that there is nothing to be afraid of.’

Way to go, Year 3!

Year 4

As examination week draws to a close, we are delighted to commend our incredible Year 4 students for their unwavering commitment and dedication during their recent examinations. These young scholars have truly demonstrated the power of hard work and determination, and their teachers are thrilled to witness the growth and development they have achieved throughout this testing period.

Examinations can be a challenging time for students, as they are required to consolidate their knowledge, apply critical thinking skills, and showcase their understanding of various subjects.

However, beyond the accumulation of information, the examination process also provides a valuable opportunity for students to acquire essential soft skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

One of the most significant soft skills cultivated during the examination period is time management. Year 4 students have mastered the art of juggling multiple subjects, allocating study time effectively, and meeting deadlines. By learning to prioritise tasks and allocate their time wisely, they are laying the foundation for a skill that will prove invaluable in their future endeavours.

During feedback week, we will celebrate the accomplishments of our Year 4 students. While academic achievements are undoubtedly important, the acquisition of soft skills and the cultivation of a growth mindset are equally significant. Their teachers are confident that these skills and traits will continue to shape their students’ future success, both academically and personally.

Year 5 & 6 English

This week, Year 5 and Year 6 English students demonstrated all their learning as they sat their examinations. Extra lesson times and tutorials were dedicated towards revision and consolidation of

reading, writing and language skills. The revision books and tasks were completed to a high standard. Additionally, supporting materials and in-class discussions strengthened students' understanding of difficult concepts and conventions. Well done to all our hard-working students. The English department is proud of your efforts and gains over this busy term.

Year 5 & 6 Science

This week, all Year 5 and 6 students sat their mid-year Science exam. This exam included content from the whole semester. The Year 5 exam included topics such as adaptation, evolution, natural selection, separation techniques and properties of matter. The Year 6 exam contained material such as the periodic table, bohr models, microbes and white blood cells. Students in both year groups have been revising very hard over the past few weeks to perform as well as they can in the exam, and we are sure that their efforts will pay off with amazing results. Students will receive their exam paper and marks back next week during feedback week. Feedback week provides students with the opportunity to highlight where their knowledge was strong and where it needs to be developed in the future.

Unfortunately, due to exams, there was no Science Club this week. However, it will be back with a bang next week!

Year 5 & 6 Maths

This week, it was truly fulfilling to witness the Year 5 and 6 students confidently completing their Mathematics exams in the school hall. The excitement, mixed with a hint of nerves, was palpable, reflecting the culmination of their hard work and preparation. These exams went beyond regular class assessments and cycle tests, providing a significant platform for our young mathematicians to showcase their knowledge and skills and deepen their understanding of the subject.

An important aspect of these exams was the integration of working mathematically into the content of both papers. Students were encouraged to think critically and creatively, employing various representations to formulate and express their mathematical ideas. The time-limited nature of the exams further sharpened their decision-making abilities, as they learned to prioritise information and provide coherent responses under pressure.

The exam hall environment, with its formal setting, brought unique benefits for the students. It fostered a sense of focus, concentration, discipline, and dedication among the participants. Sitting in this environment under exam conditions allowed them to fully immerse themselves in their work, fully harnessing their abilities.

Moreover, the collective experience of taking exams in a formal setting fostered a sense of shared responsibility and camaraderie among the students. They knew they were all in this together, supporting and encouraging one another throughout the process. This camaraderie added an extra layer of enrichment to the overall learning experience.

At Reddam House, we recognise the importance of examinations and the role they play in nurturing well-rounded individuals who are equipped to thrive in the real world. Early exposure to exams helps to alleviate anxiety and builds resilience, enabling students to approach future assessments with confidence and preparedness.

Looking ahead, we eagerly anticipate feedback week, where teachers and learners collaborate to identify areas that require further instruction, fostering ongoing educational growth. Through this collaborative process, we ensure that every student receives the support they need to continue their journey towards academic excellence.

As we conclude this week of exams, we commend our Year 5 and 6 students for their hard work, dedication, and determination. Their accomplishments are a testament to their growth and progress, and we are excited to witness their continued success in mathematics and beyond.

Music Performance

As we gear up for a big week ahead at the Sydney Eisteddfod, there's a buzz of excitement among our performers. On Monday, our hardworking Piccolo String Quartet will take the stage. They've put in many hours of practice, and we're eager to see their efforts come to fruition.

Tuesday is set to be a major day of choirs. Our K-1 Gumnuts Choir, Year 2 Bunyips Choir, Year 3-4 Sculthorpe Choir, along with Year 5-6 A Cappella and Year 5-6 Singers, are all ready to compete. These groups have been working tirelessly, and their recent performances at school assemblies have set high expectations for the Eisteddfod. The chance to perform at the professional venue, Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood, is a unique experience for our students. It's not only a wonderful opportunity for their personal growth, but it also allows them to witness the performances of students from other schools, offering a chance to appreciate various styles and techniques.

On Wednesday, our String Orchestra students are set to compete, and we wish them the best of luck. Their dedicated practice sessions and team efforts have been commendable and they're looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Composition Competition

We are delighted to announce that Reddam House is now accepting entries for the 2023 Composition Competition. This prestigious contest celebrates the musical creativity of our students across all genres, styles, and mediums of composition. Entries will be evaluated by a distinguished Australian composer who will provide each participant with individual feedback and Music RHAP points. We will acknowledge winners in each age category, and select compositions will be showcased at our school assemblies. Students are welcome to submit multiple entries by August 7th at 5pm. For more information or assistance with entries, please contact Mr. Bortolotti at marcus.bortolotti@reddamhouse.com.au. Please visit the following link for the entry submission form. We look forward to hearing your music!

● https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzGIa8zNWd01brXcfLpnS9iEFJdU6myFpbdExKNHL6zgjqA/viewform

Reddam House String Orchestra

Our String Orchestra students are enjoying a very successful year. The Orchestra has recently delivered a fine performance of George Frideric Handel's 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba' at the Instrumental Competition Finals, a testament to their talent and the hard work they've put into their playing year. We're excited to share that the Orchestra will be performing this piece, along with Handel's famous 'La Réjouissance' at the Sydney Eisteddfod on June 21st. These performances will showcase the breadth and depth of their musical understanding and prowess, and we are looking forward to this event very much.

Diversifying their musical repertoire, the Orchestra has also delved into the romantic era with movements from the acclaimed 'Peer Gynt Suite' by Edward Grieg. As they navigate these different styles of music, they've honed their intonation, enhanced their bow technique, experimented with ensemble colour, and delved into historically informed phrasing.

And their musical journey doesn't end there. They're about to start rehearsals for 'St Paul's Suite', a popular work by the distinguished English composer Gustav Holst. This suite is sure to offer new challenges and learning opportunities, further enhancing the students' musical expertise.

Our String Orchestra's musical journey this year is shaping up to be nothing short of remarkable. We commend their hard work, dedication and their passionate approach to music-making, and eagerly look forward to their forthcoming performances.

Primary School Jazz Band

The Primary Jazz Band will be performing ‘Bags Groove’ written by Milt Jackson and famously recorded by trumpeter Miles Davis in 1954. It is a 12 bar blues that uses a repeated melody followed by improvised solos. The band comprises brass, woodwind, strings and rhythm section. This term we have been working on the blues form and learning how to improvise using the melody and chords as a guide. The students have a lot of fun every Friday afternoon as they learn about jazz music, its stylistic features, improvisation, and ensemble techniques. They cannot wait to perform for their family and friends later this year.

Year 2 learned all about the ostinato (a short repeated musical phrase) in Music this week. First, the students listened to two contrasting pieces of music which both used ostinati as a compositional technique. Then, the students moved onto the xylophones to create their own ostinato patterns. Once each student had created their own ostinato, they then worked together in groups to create a composition using each of their patterns. By layering in each ostinato pattern one at a time and then slowly layering each out to finish the piece, the students were able to create some very interesting musical textures.

Art Club

Year 3 and 4 Art Club

In an impressive artistic endeavour, the After School Art Club, comprising Year 3 and 4 students, merged their individual drawings to create a captivating artwork. Drawing inspiration from renowned artist Chuck Close, the students skilfully combined their work, showcasing their talent and embracing Close's artistic style. Following Close's meticulous grid technique approach, the students

created their drawings while considering tone, line, and blending techniques. Collaboratively, they merged their individual pieces, resulting in a harmonious composition that reflects their growth as artists.

The After School Art workshop demonstrated the power of inspiration and collaboration, uniting the students' individual talents in a stunning artwork that pays homage to the influence of Chuck Close and the Reddam House Elk.

Important Dates

Year 3-6 Creative arts week - Week 7

Year 3 - 6 - Examination Feedback Week