Reddam House Primary School Newsletter Vol 23 Issue 2

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

It was a busy and productive week in the Primary School, with all the classes already fully energised and focused on their learning – and on the myriad other activities which started up this week. It was a reminder of just how multifaceted our school is and how many fantastic opportunities the students have to stretch themselves and to enjoy interacting with their peers.

As I listened to the various stories which emerged after the recent camps, I was reminded of just how valuable time away as a year group is, both on an individual and group level. While the students were exposed to challenges that they had to overcome as individuals, there was so much benefit for the cohesion of the group, in particular for our leadership group of Year 6 students.

As with life in general, every new year throws up its challenges – and this is no less so in a

Upcoming Events

school environment. The students have to learn how to apply themselves to their studies and to tackle their various projects, essays, tests and exams along the way. They develop social skills through the oftencomplex interac-tions which they have with their peers, some-times having to overcome the inevitable dis-appointments and hurtful moments which re-lationships bring in their wake.

All of these moments offer alternative reactions – either to grow through the challenges or to allow them to dominate the individual. For some time now, the terms ‘growth mindset’ versus ‘fixed mindset’ have been become well known, and it is our hope that by walking alongside our students we can help them to develop a growth mindset, in which challenges can be seen as opportunities to develop determination and grit, rather than simply folding every time a difficult moment arises.

For this reason, a recent article caught my eye. Entitled ‘Grit or Quit: How to help your child develop resilience’, it mentions one definition of grit as “perseverance and passion for long-term goal”. We can probably all agree that we hope our children will display these traits. The article goes on to suggest that grit involves “working strenuously towards challenges, maintaining effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress.”

We look forward to walking alongside the students this year, as they navigate their way through the challenges which arise. We know that their brains are still in the formative stages and that they will face complex situations which are not always easy to understand or to respond to. However, developing grit, determination and resilience is a critical life skill, which will stand our students in good stead for the future, and it is a privilege to walk alongside them as they mature in the way they face – and overcome – challenges.

Congratulations to Lucia Zagora who walked away with the gold medal in the Under 12 shot put at the Little Athletics Regionals over the weekend. Ivy Zagora also did excellently to win the Under 8 discus. Both of them did so well that they broke their club records in the process. Lucia will now progress to the State Championships next month. Well done girls!

As mentioned previously, the week was packed with many different activities. In addition to the academic programme now in full swing, we were pleased to welcome Kindergarten and Years 1 and 2 parents to the Parent Information/Cocktail Evenings. Both were well attended, and a lovely atmosphere permeated the evenings. Next week, on Monday, we look forward to welcoming the Year 3 and 4 parents to their Parent Information/Cocktail Evening.

Wednesday next week is a very special occasion on the school’s calendar, namely the Year 6 Leadership Induction. We are excited about the enthusiasm which our Year 6s have already shown, which will no doubt have an impact on the rest of the school. Wednesday’s event will hopefully be a reminder to them of the important role they will play in inspiring the rest of the school.

This week was also a full one on the sports fields. In addition to those practices which are in the process of starting up, Monday saw ASSISA Basketball happening, while this afternoon will have students taking part in ASSISA Tennis. Then, next week on Thursday is the ASSISA Swimming Carnival. Over the years, our students have excelled in these events, and we trust that they will continue to do so, while having an enjoyable time doing so.

The Year 2s have their first excursion of the year to look forward to, on Wednesday, as they travel to the NSW Schoolhouse Museum. This is always an eye-opener for our students, as they delve into what school (and life) was like for their contemporaries many years ago. Hopefully they all return to school with a new-found appreciation for many of the things which they have taken for granted – and grateful that corporal punishment is a thing of the past!

Enjoy your weekend!

Dee Pitcairn

Reddam House

Would like to wish a very

Happy Birthday

To

Anthony Li, Jarvis Burnham, Lorenzo Leyzerovich, Hugo Brady, Ren Cook, Rafaela Levitt, Camille Yuan, Harriet Bakes, Ethan Haurdic, Brenton ma, Ariella Shelly, Sophie Corbett, Margarita Lyaschenko, Wesley Zhao

Who celebrated their special day this week and over the weekend

Principal Honour Awards

Jesper Karlsson

Sport Fixtures

11th February2023

Basketball

Friday - Comets 10th Feb - Comets | Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St

Girls

U16s SPARKS vs BYE

U16s MYSTICS vs BYE

U18s SUNS vs SGHS Scholar Sportswomen 4:30pm Ct 2

U18s DIAMONDS vs Inner City Ravens 4:30pm Ct 1

Saturday 11th - Comets | Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St

Girls

U12s STORM vs Inner City Stars 9:40am Perry Ct 2

U14s TIMBERWOLVES vs Sydney Hoopstars Panthers 10:30am Perry Ct 2

Boys

U10s LAKERS vs Newtown Wizards 8am Perry Ct 3

U12s BUCKS vs Inner City Hurricanes 10:30am Perry Ct 3

U12s RAPTORS vs Newtown Thunder 10:30am Perry Ct 4 U12s CAVALIERS vs Inner City Clippers 12:10pm Perry Ct 2

U12s HORNETS vs St Spyridon College 9:40am Perry Ct 4

U14s BULLS vs Botany Warriors 12:10pm Perry Ct 3 U14s MAVERICKS vs Road Runner 2:40pm Comets Ct 2

PACERS vs Big Dream 1:50pm Perry Ct 1

U14s NUGGETS vs Newtown Eagles 1pm Perry Ct 4 U16s NETS vs KHY 5:10pm Perry Ct 3 U16s THUNDER vs Sydney Hoopstars Desperados 2:40pm Perry Ct 2

U18s HEAT vs Newtown Bullets 3:30pm Comets Ct 2

PCYC (Marrickville) 11th Feb

U16s ROCKETS vs Newtown Blazers 5:15pm PCYC Ct 3

U16s JAZZ vs Newtown Tigers 6:45pm PCYC Ct 3

U16s WARRIORS vs BYE

U18s GRIZZLIES vs Inner City Rockets 2:15pm PCYC Ct2

U18s MAGIC vs Inner City Magpies 6:45pm PCYC Ct 2

Boys

Opens v Kings, Riverview Pool 9:20am

16s v Trinity, Trinity Pool 12:00pm

13s v Trinity, Trinity Pool 12:40pm

Primary v Scots, Scots Pool 9:00am

Girls

Opens v TBA

Reddam 1 v KRB, UNSW Pool 8:30am

Reddam 2 v SACS, UNSW Pool 10:00am

Reddam 3 v KRB, UNSW Pool 10:45am

Water Polo

Sport Fixtures

11th February2023

Netball

Reddam v The Cyclones Multi Court No.3, 5.15pm

Reddam Rabbits BYE

Reddam Roos V RJCC Sixers 8.00am Lower Cooper Park 2 Reddam Rhinos V East

Boys:

Reddam 1 (Year 10/11) v Trinity 2, Queens Park No. 8 (adjacent to the Shed Café, Darley Rd), 8:00 am

Reddam 2 (Year 10/11) v Waverley 1, Queens Park No. 7 (adjacent to the Shed Café, Darley Rd), 8:50 am

Reddam 3 (Year 9) v Waverley 1, Queens Park No. 6, adjacent to the Shed Café, Darley Rd), 10:30 am

Reddam 4 (Year 9) v Trinity 1, Queens Park No. 9, adjacent to the Shed Café, Darley Rd), 10:30 am

Reddam 5 (Year 8) v Waverley 3, Trinity, 8:50 am. The bus will leave at 7:50 am.

Reddam 6 (Year 7) v Waverley 3, Riverview 1B, 10:20 am. The bus will leave at 9:10am

Girls:

Reddam 1 v SVC 2, Queens Park No. 4 (Baronga Avenue), 10:20 am

Reddam 2 v SVC 4, Queens Park No. 4 (Baronga Avenue), 12:10 pm

Reddam 3 v Kambala 9, Queens Park No. 1 (Baronga Avenue), 10:20 am

Reddam 4 v Sceggs 12, Queens Park No. 13 (Darley Road near playground), 11:35 am

Reddam 5 v Kambala 12, Reservoir Field No. 2 (Oxford St), 8:35am s Beasts 3.00pm Lough Park North

Cricket

Touch Football

Sport results

4th February 2023

Basketball

Girls

Un 12 Storm vs Syd Hoop Jags 32 – 2

Un 14 Timberwolves vs Inner City Magic 30 – 8

Un 16 Sparks vs Inner city falcons 0 – 20

Un 16 Mystics vs Newtown Storm 8 – 50

Un 18s Suns vs SGHS Beef Pride 18 – 9

Un 18 Diamonds vs Inner City Fire 24 – 19

Boys

Un 10 Lakers vs Syd Hoopstars Boas 9 – 5

Un 12 Bucks vs Syd Hoopstars Adders 8 – 12

Un 12 Raptors vs Newtown Power 2 – 19

Un 12 Cavaliers vs Newtown Bears 15 – 6

Un 12 Hornets vs Newtown Thunder 20 – 8

Un 14 Bulls vs Newtown Rams 10 – 17

Un 14 Mavericks vs Balling Seagulls 37 – 22

Un 14 Pacers vs Newtonw Bunyips 12 – 46

Un 14 Nuggets vs Hoop there it is 13 – 9

Un 14 Rockets vs Reddam Jazz 21 – 19

Un 16 Warriors vs MPB 39 – 12

Un 16 Nets vs Newtown Rhinos 39 – 12

Un 16 Thunder vs Newtown Blazer 25 – 13

Un 18 Heat – BYE

Un 18 Grizzlies vs White Eagles A 27 – 27

Un 18 Magic vs Netown Kraken s 43 – 51

Water Polo

BOYS

Opens v Scots, 3 - 3 16s v Scots, 6 - 13 13s v Bye

Wat

Cricket

er PolReddam Rabbits 9/104 Sydney Coastal 10/48

Reddam Roos 7/142 RJCC Crushers 7/128

Reddam Rhinos 6/149 RJCC Daredevils 10/111

Kindergarten

Week Two was jam-packed full of fun as we introduced the Kindergarten students to their specialist teachers all around the school. We had our first trip to the music terrace, the art room, the drama studio and even caught a bus to PE or joined Ms. Delia in the ballet studio!

During Mathematics we continued to explore our knowledge of numbers in the 1-10 range with a focus on how we write numerals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. We played lots of fun and interactive games to help us understand the different ways that numbers can be represented and to practise our counting skills.

English was full of excitement as we introduced two new sounds and revised our first sound from last week to bring our collection so far to ‘s, a, t’. These three letter sounds are integral to our learning and unlock a whole host of exciting words that we are learning to read and write. We explored the sounds these letters make, the way we write them and how to recognise them in texts. We brainstormed lots

of different words that start and finish with these sounds and can’t wait to see what sounds are coming up next week.

PDH lessons this week focussed on the importance of hygiene all throughout the day. We completed a glitter experiment to help us visually and kinaesthetically understand how germs are transferred, along with the way that soap and water are used to combat germs.

Year 1

Year 1 have settled so marvellously into our new classrooms and class groups. We are remembering to wear our hats, take responsibility for our belongings and our classroom, and to do our best work in our beautiful new work books. In class we have been establishing expectations, and forming good work habits such as independently putting the date and title on our work, forming our letters carefully, and beginning to edit/review our own work.

the concepts of ‘past, present and future’, and talked in depth about our families and ourselves from these three perspectives.

The highlight of our week was knowing that our parents were coming in to see our classroom on Thursday for the Years 1-2 Parent Evening. It was marvellous to be able to share our learning space with our families.

This week we began exploring our Science topic, which is “Light and Sound”. We explored the properties of light with some practical hands-on equipment. We investigated the hypothesis that light travels in a straight line until something stops it. We tested different materials to find out whether they stop light, and compared our observations to our predictions which we recorded in our Science books. We discovered that some materials surprised us!

In English, we were introduced to the author on whom we will be focusing this term: Anthony Browne. The children delighted in reading ‘The Piggybook’ this week, and discussing roles in the family. The students were tasked with writing a persuasive letter from the perspective of Mum, to ask her family to be tidier and more considerate. This was followed by some pig craft, which produced some adorable piglets.

Well done to all Year 1 children (and their families!) who have settled so beautifully into 2023!

Mathematics saw us focusing on place value again this week with some online games on the interactive whiteboard, and some practical games in small groups with hands-on materials. In History and Geography we explored

Year 2

This week, the K-2 had their first assembly performance of the year. 2E taught us about being a bucket filler. That means someone who helps others to feel full and happy. They performed beautifully.

Our Year 2 historians stepped back in time to discuss artefacts and where these can be located. This is in preparation for our New South Wales Old Schoolhouse Museum excursion next Wednesday.

In Science this week we observed different materials in our environment and their properties.

In English, we set up our homework routines and learned our spelling rule of the week. The language focus this week was nouns, which name people, places and things. We also started our News presentations. The preparation and confidence shown is pleasing to see. The children shared information about themselves with the class. We enjoyed learning about people’s home lives and holidays.

Our mathematicians learned about friendly numbers. This is essential learning for mental computation. A friendly number ends with a zero and is much easier to add and subtract from. We can even make friendly numbers from numbers that are near to a multiple of ten.

Year 3

Imagine sailing across the ocean and plotting important points along the continent of Australia, to put together all this information, which later results in an amazingly accurate map. Matthew Flinders did this hundreds of years ago. What a talented cartographer he was! To make it even more astonishing, this was done without the help of fancy technology like satellites, drones, or cameras. His amazing journey took him around Australia with his cat, Trim, which resulted in an astonishingly precise map of Australia. Trim was a different type of cat; he loved to swim and spent many hours in the dark searching for pesky mice and rats. He also spent some time with his master in jail. Now, what cat do you know that has carried out a jail sentence? What an amazing journey of exploration it must have been – the two friends sailing the oceans.

Flinders was not the only one on a journey of exploration. As Year 3s, we too are on a different journey of exploration. As a class, we looked at different types of evidence and brainstormed what that evidence may tell us about the lives of people and how they lived in the past. We looked at sketches, maps, and pendants to find out more about the times of Matthew Flinders and Captain James Cook. We tried to make a copy of the captain’s hat that James Cook possibly wore, by looking at a

sketch. We will continue to read descriptions written by people from the past and look at artefacts to try and understand what they may tell us. Our journey will culminate in the exploration of how the indigenous people lived before the arrival of the Europeans. We can’t wait to learn about the lives of Indigenous Australians.

Year 4

What a week! The second week of term was equally exciting as the first, with the Year 4 students demonstrating what eager learners they are. They were bursting with excitement to begin each subject and all the new topics; of particular note was Public Speaking.

This term, the focus for Public Speaking is impromptu. Due to this emphasis, the students were asked to work on their skills of spontaneity and improve on their ability to speak in an informal setting.

Shenanigans were afoot, as a collection of Year 4 students spoke on the spot, telling the class a tale, which was either the truth or a lie! Year 4, well done! We look forward to you becoming masterful speakers in this challenging domain of Public Speaking.

In another area of learning, students dived deeply into the magical world of Mathematics. The intrinsic study of number and place value were the essential focus this week, preparing the Year 4 students for another fun-filled year of reasoning and creative calculating in the realm of Mathematics.

Thank you for all of your efforts this week Year 4

keep it up!

Year 5 and 6 Science

This week in Science, Year 5 students discovered the steps required to carry out a scientific investigation. This included learning about variables and how to identify the independent, dependent and control variables in a scientific investigation. Students also learnt how to draw pieces of scientific equipment correctly. Students are now able to accurately replicate an experiment as a drawing.

This week in Science, Year 6 students revised the steps to a scientific investigation, identifying variables and how to draw scientific equipment. After a long break, this revision will help ensure that students do not make mistakes when carrying out experiments throughout the year. Year 6 students were also introduced to new material – they learnt about hazard symbols. Students identified a variety of hazard symbols and explained why symbols are used as opposed to writing.

Year 5 and 6 English

This week in Year 5, students continued to explore the topic of persuasive writing, focusing on specific aspects of structure. Students began to practise composing the introductory paragraphs of their persuasive essays, experimenting with various persuasive devices and cohesive ties to strengthen their writing. The following example was composed by Hanna Ching in class and uses a variety of persuasive techniques to engage the audience.

"Would you really want strangers walking all over your family's spiritual sites in their crusty, musty shoes, littering everywhere? I think not! Therefore, we have no right to walk on Uluru, the sacred site for Indigenous Australians. Climbing Uluru should be banned because firstly, people are oblivious to impacts climbing Uluru has on the environment. Following this, Uluru is one steep and dangerous climb. Last of all, it is massively disrespectful to the Indigenous Australians. Therefore, it is imperative that no one climbs Uluru."

Year 5 students have done a fantastic job adjusting to the rigours that Year 5 has to offer. The Stage 3 English Department looks forward to seeing them grow in both knowledge, and confidence, as the year continues. Meanwhile, Year 6 has been delving into their poetry study, focusing on Indigenous connections to the land. Year 6 students are doing an exceptional job identifying the literary and structural techniques poets use to convey meaning. This week we read, 'Baladjarang', by Adrian Webster, and listened to his reading in both his native Gumea Dharawal and English translations. While it is still early in the term, students did an exceptional job zooming in on the smaller details of the poem to find the bigger picture or message. As a result, they are developing a greater appreciation for Indigenous Peoples' relationship with nature, life ex-

periences, and their traditions. Year 6 students are making insightful and meaningful contributions to class discussions, demonstrating great empathy and appreciation for cultures that are different to their own. We are looking forward to more rich interpretations and deeper understandings of Indigenous poetry and culture as the term continues.

Well done Year 6 for a great start to the year!

Year 5 and 6 Mathematics

This week Year 5 wrote big numbers in both digit and word form. They used hyphens and commas correctly, and expanded their understanding of periods to say numbers beyond quintillions. Students understood that each digit’s place or position determines its value, and building on this, they wrote numbers as the sum of their place values which they referred to as expanded notation. Mathematicians discussed the base ten number system used in most countries around the world, which involves using ten symbols, 0 to 9, to represent numbers. To top off the week, students learned about indices, powers and exponents, which was exciting as it facilitates the progression to exponential notation in Year Six.

The Year 6s spent this week refreshing their memories on how to write large numbers in both digit and word form. They explored patterns and made connections between the index form of a number and how many zeroes it contains. They reviewed expanded forms and progressed to exponential form as another means to write a numeral. They understood that this involves using a base number and an exponent to represent the value of a number. Exponential notation facilitates the progression to scientific notation, a helpful skill in later years when required to write very large and small numbers. It is often seen on a scientific calculator.

During our lessons, students are encouraged to analyse patterns and form connections to build their understanding of mathematical concepts. This develops their confidence in solving problems and working mathematically, which is incorporated throughout the mathematical curriculum.

Music Performance

Most of our individual music lessons are now underway, and this week saw many of our young Kindergarten students go to their music lessons for the very first time, which certainly made for a very special atmosphere in the Music Terrace.

Ensembles

Next week, Week 3, all ensembles begin, and we are so excited. This includes the compulsory mornings (Mondays for Year 5-6, Mondays and Wednesday for Year 3-4, Tuesdays and Fridays for Year 2), as well as all of our voluntary groups. If you require any further information, please contact the Music Department.

Performance Opportunities: Welcome Recital & Assemblies

Please submit your videos via the following link to be considered for performances at our Welcome Recital or weekly assemblies – a reminder that this form closes next Monday, February 13, at 5pm: https://forms.gle/qUdZ7p5xcCNNcVnm6

Music

Year 5 students worked on their ensemble performance skills in the Music classroom this week, learning to perform a percussion piece called ‘One to Four’. This piece uses quavers, crotchets and crotchet rests in a clever pattern in each phrase. There are four contrasting parts in the piece and students must be aware of every other part in order to perform the piece correctly! Year 5 pupils had fun learning the parts through clapping the rhythms, and then thoroughly enjoyed performing the piece on different percussion instruments, including the maracas, the hand drums, the bells and the djembe drums. What a loud and exciting start to the term for Year 5!

Reddam House is proud to support Safer Internet Day which took place on Tuesday 7th February 2023. Together, we can all #ConnectReflectProtect. This important campaign is celebrating its 20 year anniversary this year, so it's a good time to reflect on the past two decades, as well as look towards the future.

The world is more connected than ever before, making online safety awareness even more important. That’s why our 2023 campaign is encouraging everyone to Connect. Reflect. Protect:

Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.

Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.

Protect ourselves by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.

When it comes to keeping our kids safe online, we are all in it together. Living in an ever changing digital world, it is so important that we all play a part in creating a positive online community. Visit www.esafety.gov.au to find out more about Safer Internet Day and the range of excellent free webinars being offering throughout Term 1.

Join

Term 1, 2023

Free eSafety parent and carer webinars

Term 1 topics:

• eSafety 101: how eSafety can help you (30 minutes)

For parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school.

• Setting your child up for success online (30 minutes)

For parents and carers of young people in primary school.

• Getting the most out of gaming (45 minutes)

For parents and carers of young people in primary and early secondary school.

• Navigating online friendships (30 minutes)

For parents and carers of young people in secondary school.

For more information and to register now: esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars