Primary Newsletter
IN THIS ISSUE:
News from the Classroom
Birthdays
Student Achievements
Dear Parents and Caregivers, It certainly was a full week in the Primary School, with the holidays already a distant memory and much on the calendar to keep the students enthusiastically involved. This enthusiasm was certainly on show earlier today, at the Cross Country Carnival, which saw the students giving their all for their houses, while also getting caught up in the excitement of urging on their friends. While not everyone is built to be a runner, the joy of experiences at school is that there really is something for everyone. Whether on the sports fields, or in the vast number of cultural activities on offer, or in relishing the learning experience, each day brings opportunities for the students to stretch themselves – and perhaps even to be brave enough to try something new. It's probably true that most of us are somewhat risk averse, and we can probably all look back on events in our lives which justify our attitudes towards taking risks and trying something new. However, as a recent interesting article suggests, “kids who have adventurous experiences, where they move beyond their comfort zone, are the ones more likely to excel. And not just physically – the ability to take sensible risks can have an impact on academic and social success.” While we might normally associate risk-taking with physical challenges, it is fascinating to note how this has a knock-on effect into other parts of our lives – and all the more so for children, who are still in their formative years of working out what their strengths, abilities and interests are. The above-mentioned article goes on to mention other research which showed that “children who were open to taking physical risks were more open to taking on challenges in other areas. Little observes that such children are happier, academically, to try the more difficult puzzles and tasks, and are more confident about entering unknown social groups.” It is our great hope that the students in our school make the most of the many opportunities on offer, and especially that they are not afraid of the consequences of slipping up along the way. After all, very few of us can claim to have got something right the first time we attempted it. We hope that they see such opportunities as adventures, instead of retreating into the known. For in taking such risks, they might just be opening the door on an ability which will inspire a life-long passion.
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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In addition to the Cross Country Carnival, this week also saw the balance of the Parent Teacher Meetings taking place, on Tuesday and Wednesday. We trust that these will have positive outcomes as the term progresses, especially as the older students prepare for their mid-year exams. The Year 3 and 5 students wrote their NAPLAN tests from Tuesday to Thursday and the teachers report that they handled these with aplomb. We look forward to receiving their results later in the year – an important part of the benchmarking which we do constantly to ensure that we maintain the highest academic standards. The Year 4 to 6 New Student Exam Workshops also took place this past week, from Monday to Wednesday. We are sure that these will have enormous benefits later in the term and throughout the coming years, as the students were helped with some of the important skills, both in preparing for and in the writing of exams. The workshops will continue next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday. My sincere thanks to Mrs Tessa Dorfan for facilitating these workshops. On the Art front, Lucy Hartmann, in Year 4, was announced the winner in her age category for the Litterarty Art Competition as part of the Bondi Ocean Lovers Festival. Her sculpture is called 'Sea Anemones Enemies'. Lucy's artist statement includes an important message: "Single use plastic should be everyone's enemy and not just the enemy of the ocean. My friend and I will do our best to pick up plastic rubbish whenever we see it". Congratulations, Lucy, on your wonderful achievement. We also extend our congratulations to our Reddam Lakers basketball team, who achieved their first win of the season. Assisted by two amazing girls from the KHY team, they were well deserving of this win. Well done, Lakers!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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IN
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Over the weekend we kicked off the much-anticipated netball season. Well done to all our Primary players who took to the court for round 1. Our Reddam 14 team were outstanding in what was most of the girls’ first ever netball game. The team was bursting with enthusiasm and played outstandingly. It was wonderful to see their understanding grow throughout the game and to watch them become more and more confident every quarter. We wish the girls all the best for the season and look forward to following their progress. Those who played were: Jamie Betsis, Amy Bond, Carmen Frack, Claudia Green, Shanti Inder, Estelle Lake, Georgia Lim, Emma Radlovacki, Aliya Rodger, Eloise Shields and Vanessa Samuel. Ashley Ma, in Kindergarten, has been chosen as a finalist in the Young Archie 2022 Art competition. As this is the first time that she has taken part in an art competition it is all the more special. The Young Archie finalists will be on display in the Art Gallery of NSW from Saturday 14 May until Sunday 28 August. Well done, Ashley! Next week starts with one of the eagerly anticipated Mufti Days. These are not only an enjoyable occasion to wear casual clothing to school, but they highlight important fundraising ventures. Our outreach programme is an integral part of the school, as personified in our school motto of ‘We Shall Give Back’. Next week we will be raising money for the ‘Will2Live’ charity, an organisation which provides support for marginalised members of society. On Thursday, the Year 1s head off on their first excursion of the term, to the Australian Museum. This world-class museum should be a real eye-opener for the students, and they will no doubt return to school eager to learn even more about the topics they explore at the museum. Have a great weekend! Dee Pitcairn Principal
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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SPORT FIXTURES
I
Sporting Fixtures 14th May 2022
Primary Saturday
Basketball - FINALS
Under 9 Reddam United V Maroubra Terminators 10.00am Coral Sea 1D Under 9 Reddam City V South East Eagles 10.00am Heffron Park Mini Field 1A Under 10 United V Easts Liverpool 11.00am Queens Park 2A Under 10 City V Easts Newcastle 11.00am Queens Park 11A Under 11 Reddam Gunners V Mascot Kings 12.00pm L'estrange Park Field 1 Under 12 Reddam United V Maroubra Raptors 1.00pm Coral Sea Field C Under 12 Reddam City V Easts Stuttgart 1.00pm Queens Park 11A
Perry Park Courts Saturday Fixtures 14th May (Perry Park Courts are located behind the Comets stadium) 53 Maddox Street, Alexandria. Girls Un14s – Reddam Sparks v KHY Astronauts 10.00am Ct 1 Boys Un14s – Reddam Mavericks v Newtowns Sharks 10.00am Ct 4 Un18s – Reddam Grizzlies v CYS 12.00pm Ct 3 Netball Saturday -Heffron Park Netball Courts Reddam 1 v Coogee, Court 26, 3.30pm Reddam 2 v KRB, Court 6, 2.15pm Reddam 3 vRose Bay, Court 27, 3.30pm Reddam 4 v Mascot, Court 32, 1.00pm Reddam 5 v Randwick Rugby, Court 26, 11.45am Reddam 6 v Rosde Bay, Court 20, 11.45am Reddam 7 v Saints, Court 1, 11.45am Reddam 8 v Reddam 9, Court 1, 10.30am Reddam 9 v Reddam 8, Court 1, 10.30am Reddam 10 v Bye Reddam 11 v Saints, Court 13, 10.30am Reddam 12 v Randwick Rugby, Court 21, 9.15am Reddam 13 v Bye Reddam 14 v Double Bay, Court 9, 10.30am
High School Boys Saturday Year 12 v Waverley College, Queens Park No. 2 (Carrington Rd end of QP) 12.00 noon Year 11v Waverley College, Queens Park No. 2 (Carrington Rd end of QP) 11.00am Year 10 v Waverley College, Queens Park No. 8 (Next to the Shed Café on Darley Rd) 12.00 noon Year 9 v Sydney Grammar, Lyne Park Rose Bay 1.00pm Year 8R v Riverview, Riverview 2A, 10.00am The bus will leave Woollahra at 8.00am Year 8E v Newington, Buchanan No.2 (Inside the grounds of Newington College, Stanmore)1.00pm. The bus will leave Woollahra at 11.45am Year 7 v Riverview, Riverview 2A, 9.00am The bus will leave Woollahra at 8.00am
Soccer Girls Sunday Reddam Under 13 vs Queens Park G13 Panthers @ Lyne Park 10:45am Reddam Under 15 vs Maroubra United G15 Hurricanes @ Lyne Park 12:00pm Reddam Under 17 vs Queens Park G17 Fireflies @ Lyne Park 1:30pm
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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SPORT FIXTURES
I
Sporting results 7th May 2022
Soccer
Basketball
Girls Sunday
Girls
Reddam Under 13 V Queens Park 4 - 2
Un16s – Reddam Knicks v All Blacks 9 - 60
Reddam Under 15 V Queens Park 0- 4
Un12s – Reddam Bucks v KHY Astronauts 9 28
Reddam Seniors V Marouba United 8 - 0
Un14s – Reddam Timberwolves v Reddam Sparks 11 - 38
Primary Saturday
Un14s – Reddam Sparks v Reddam Timberwolves 38 - 11
Under 9 Reddam City v Easts Torino 9 - 1 Under 10 Reddam United v Maroubra United 0 - 8
Boys Un12s – Reddam Raptors v KHY Orbits 13 - 18 Un14s – Reddam Mavericks v Newtown Nets 46 - 18 Un18s – Reddam Heat v CYS 16 - 25 Un18s – Reddam Grizzlies v Maccabi Heat 36 - 30 Un18s – Reddam 1st V v MVP 30 - 35
Under 9 Reddam United v Easts Milan 3 - 4
Under 10 Reddam City v Easts 7 - 0 Under 11 Reddam Gunners v Easts Valencia 3-7 Under 12 Reddam United v Bye Under 12 Reddam City v Easts Frankfurt 1 - 0 High School Boys Saturday Year 12 v Barker, 1 - 1
Netball
Year 11v Barker, 4 - 0 Year 10 v Barker, 8 - 3
Reddam 1 v Juniors, 6 - 8
Year 9 v Sydney Boys High School, 2 -2
Reddam 2 v Coogee, 12 - 4
Year 8R v SHORE, 0 - 1
Reddam 3 v Coogee, 14 - 7
Year 8E v SHORE, 0 - 5
Reddam 4 v Saints, 10 - 7
Year 7 v SHORE, 9 - 0
Reddam 5 v Randwick Rugby, 7 - 3 Reddam 6 v Kambala, 3 - 6 Reddam 7 v Kambala, 9 - 11 Reddam 8 v Kambala, 10 - 1 Reddam 9 v Mascot, 7 - 5 Reddam 10 v St Catherines, 6 - 5 Reddam 11 v Bondi, 0 - 2 Reddam 12 v Maccabi, 5 - 3 Reddam 13 v The Juniors, 5 - 0 Reddam 14 v Mascot, 12 - 1
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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Reddam House Would like to wish a very happy birthday to Santiago Smart, Fiona Murphy, Jayden Yu, Isabella Chen, Isla Choi, Jesper Karlson, Eason Yuan, Amellia Allen, George Reynaldo, Noa Stein, Elijah Golan-Ende, Sienna Feng and Rafaella Shipman. Who celebrated their special day this week and over the weekend
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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Principal & Principal Honour Awards Reddam House Would like to congratulate the following students on their Principal and Principal Honour Awards.
Principal Awards recipients: Aanya Gray and Ivy Zagora
Principal & Principal Honour Awards
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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KINDERGARTEN We had a busy week in Kindergarten, jumping back into our learning and getting outside in the sunshine when we had the chance. A big congratulations to KR and KE who completed their very first assembly performances this week. It is a big achievement to get up on stage in front of your peers. In English this week, we introduced lined writing books for the first time. Students are graduating from writing on their whiteboards to learning how to form their letters, words and sentences on lined paper. This is a very exciting transition that the students have taken on with pride. We continued our Topic inquiry by delving into the concept of ‘place’. We explored all the different ways that people live, and the dwellings that they call home. We extended these discussions by creating our own suburb maps that reflect the areas where we live. Mathematics was an exciting adventure into the world of teen numbers. Students took all the knowledge they had built in Term 1 and applied it to numbers beyond 10. We have had so much fun learning what we can do with these new skills.
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 1 In English this week we started to explore procedural texts. We looked at recipes, directions and instructions and decided that the words used were very precise and were often placed in steps. The children enjoyed making a paper bag monster by following a procedure. Bossy verbs were used at the start of each step, such as put, get, add, and glue which helped the students understand the action required. The results were impressive! In Mathematics, we continued to deepen our understanding of multiplication and division by grouping and sharing objects equally. The students enjoyed a range of kinaesthetic activities which supported their understanding of the process. Relating multiplication to repeated addition and division to repeated subtraction was a key focus. In Science the students researched features of the day and night sky. We were amazed when learning facts about sun patterns and star constellations. The students are aware that when it is day here in Australia it is night-time in other places like the United Kingdom. In History we observed and discussed photographs of transport from the past including steam trains, horse and carts and the penny farthing. The students enjoyed describing their features and comparing and contrasting them to modern day transportation. Georgia Salib said, “I would not like to go on the penny farthing as it is too big and I would fall off.” and Valentina said, “The steam train would probably have been loud and smelly.” Hugo Bassil said, “I would love a sports car as they go quicker than a horse and cart.”
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 2 Year 2 have begun to explore the world around them. In Geography, the students are learning about their place in the world. Their street, suburb, city, state, country, planet and universe! This week we learned about the seven continents of our planet, Earth. In English, our young public speakers started to teach the class about ‘Famous Landmarks’ around the world, during their News time. So far, we have seen the Eiffel Tower, Tower Bridge, The Three Sisters, the Tower of Pisa, the Forbidden City, the Taj Mahal and many more! We also read and discussed the book, ‘What is a refugee?’ by Elise Gravel. The discussion following this included many recounts of our own extended families fleeing their countries of origin for safer shores. In PDH this term, we are studying safety. So far, we have learned about what we need to feel safe and cared for. Our homework task was to learn our home address and at least one parent phone number… just in case we ever get lost!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 3 The Year 3s have settled back into school life admirably after the three-week holiday and had another successful week of Term 2. On Tuesday, the Year 3 students sat their first NAPLAN assessment: Writing. Using a writing prompt, the students were asked to plan and compose a narrative text based on the topic, ‘Brave’. It was great to hear all of their fantastic and creative ideas after the session had finished, and the Year 3 teachers know that the NAPLAN markers are in for a real treat whilst reading the students’ essays. After the first session was finished, the Year 3s turned their attention to the school computers, where they completed further NAPLAN assessments in Reading Comprehension, Language Conventions and Mathematics. All of our students are congratulated for their efforts and diligence this week whilst completing their NAPLAN tests. Additionally, at the beginning of the week, the students eagerly received their Revision Booklets in readiness for their upcoming examinations. Already, the students are discussing ways in which they can best manage their time to complete their booklets and learn revision techniques to consolidate the information that they have learnt so far in class. Finally, at the end of the week, the Year 3s competed in the Cross-country Carnival, running their hearts out across the two kilometre course at Centennial Park. All of the students did a superb job, trying their hardest and doing their best. They should feel extremely proud of themselves. Way to go Year 3!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 4 Revision Week is upon us, and the Year 4 students are ready to go! The students of Year 4 were beyond excited to receive their Revision Booklets, knowing that the content would be an invaluable resource leading up to the impending Mid-Year Examinations. Teachers have spent time collating activities that promote a deeper understanding of the topics covered in the first semester, in order to assist the students in their preparation. The Year 4 teachers were absolutely impressed to see how eager the students were to organise their booklets and how proud they were of their Revision Folders. Prior preparation and planning are the key to a successful examination period: remember this, Year 4, and keep up that enthusiasm! The Term 2 task for Public Speaking has had the students preparing a persuasive speech. Students have been researching and developing their arguments over the break so that they can convince their audience to side with their point of view. Ms Broadbent has been overwhelmed by the effort and time that students have invested in this project, and she is anticipating incredible presentations. Thank you for your diligence and excellent effort, Year 4. Keep it up!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 5 & 6 ENGLISH This week, Year 5 students turned their focus to visual literacy, as they studied migration-based stories, such as 'The Little Refugee' by Ahn Do. Year 5 learned to identify and analyse the various techniques artists use to convey meaning. By deconstructing and interpreting the images, Year 5 students are practising how we can derive meaning and narrative by interpreting colour, layout and lighting. Year 5 also sat their NAPLAN test this week and should be commended for the hard work and dedication they have displayed so far this term. Well done, Year 5! Year 6 students were kept busy enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the persuasive techniques used in advertising. The focus this week was on understanding the three modes of persuasion: Ethos, Pathos and Logos. Year 6 showed great engagement with the content, making connections to advertisements they have seen in real life, and understanding how these modes of persuasion have been effectively used.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
This term, Year 5 public speaking students are practising the skills needed to perform poetry aloud. These are the same skills required for any kind of public speaking. However, when we perform poetry aloud, the focus is less on the logical persuasiveness of our words, and more on our expression of feelings and ideas. We have begun our unit by looking at the aural and imaginative techniques of poetry, including rhyme and rhythm, and figurative language. Soon, students will write a poem to perform to their peers!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 5 & 6 SCIENCE In Science this week, Year 6 students studied yeast. Students developed an understanding for the importance of yeast in the bread-making process and can recall the process that happens to make bread rise. Students also investigated the relationship between sugar and yeast by carrying out a practical experiment where they discovered which combination of yeast and sugar produced the most carbon dioxide to inflate a balloon. In Year 5 Science this week students explored plant adaptations. Students developed an understanding of how a cactus, palm tree and water lily are adapted to their environments. Students also highlighted and explained these adaptations in an exam style format. Year 5 students categorised different types of plants this week by the characteristics a plant has. Students can articulate the different categories of plants and how they are suited to their environment.
MUSIC in preparation for the Opera Australia incursion in Week 4, the K-2 students continued to explore the operatic version of 'Cinderella' by Rossini in their lessons this week. They recapped the setting of this new version of 'Cinderella' at the start of their lesson. They warmed up their voices through a few tongue twisters, learning to say them first, and then trying to say them faster and faster! They also recapped how to sing the song 'Scrappy Little Thing', and their 8 beat movement warm up. In this week's lesson, they were introduced to the characters Tisbe (the stepsister), and Ramiro (the prince). Students enjoyed listening to Tisbe's song, and they discussed her character based on the lyrics of her song. They finished the lesson with learning the song 'Freedom Train' - a round that represents the prince’s longing for freedom from his duties. Years 3 - 5 continued their pop song units this week and they practised hard to prepare for their performance assessments in Week 3 and Week 4, whilst Year 6 developed their skills in composition through the 'Soundtrap' composition software. They created their own drum rhythms using a 'beatmaker' and then were able to explore bass loops that fit well with their drum rhythms. All in all, a great week of music-making in the classrooms – well done K-6 Music students!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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YEAR 5 & 6 MATHEMATICS Year 5 applied BIDMAS to calculations involving more than one operation. They understood and used the term ‘operations’ to describe collectively the process of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Mathematicians investigated and established this concept by writing number sentences in real-life contexts. They recognised that grouping symbols are used in number sentences to indicate operations that must be performed first. Year 6 reviewed the very important everyday life skill of adding and subtracting time in mixed units. Students also solved related time problems involving local and international time zones. Mathematicians compared times and calculated time difference between major cities and areas of the world. We considered the ability to understand time zones as being of fundamental importance in international travel and in everyday and work situations, such as communicating with people in other countries, watching overseas sporting events live on television, and conducting international business. Furthermore, Australia’s three time zones in non-daylight saving and its five time zones occurring during daylight saving periods were investigated, the latter creating additional complexity when solving problems.
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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MUSIC PERFORMANCE Congratulations to the 250+ students who entered this year's Instrumental Competition – an absolutely amazing result! Our adjudicators are working through the performances, and we look forward to being able to share results in our upcoming newsletters and assemblies. Next week, entries close for the Vocal Competition on Friday at 3pm. Please visit this link for conditions and submission information:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSdjRh6rFPm4E41xldLJOSnf18PKcbUeCGnt_vzQ1thttnPBzA/viewform?usp=sf_link Year 5-6 Concert Band Term 2 is off to a flying start and it’s the first time we’ve had the full complement in the band room in quite a while. We’re working through ‘Volcano’ by Adrian Hallam while warming up on tuning and counting drills. The students are all very excited about the possibility of performing for their peers and families this term! Year 2 Orff Percussion Ensemble The Year 2 Orff Percussion Ensemble students have had an excellent start to Term 2. The students are really enjoying getting used to the feel of different rhythmic subdivisions in our warmup song ‘Clocks’. They have also really loved using classroom percussion instruments such as djembes, jingle bells and claves to complete our arrangement of ‘There’s a hole in my bucket’. Looking forward, we will be working hard on the song ‘Button you must wonder’, which we have been singing but have not yet had a chance to learn using the xylophones. Congratulations on a great start to Term 2, Year 2!
The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
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The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter
Volume 22 Issue 2 Friday 13 May 2022
Page 17