Reddam House Primary School Newsletter Vol 23 Issue 4

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

With the academic year only a few weeks old, the attention of students and teachers has already started looking ahead to what will be taught in the various subjects over the coming weeks and months. The concept of knowledge being a constant building on what has already been learned, while eagerly pressing on to expand on that knowledge, is an important one.

It means that each successive year at school is not just about writing an end-of-year exam and then forgetting about it, but rather a constant refining and widening of skills and knowledge from one year to the next. In the end, all education is a process of learning about learning; of challenging students to explore beyond what they know and what they can do, in the desire to expand their horizons. This is probably why so much has been written in recent years about lifelong learning – learn-

ing should not be a once-off event but an inner desire which we should carry with us throughout our lives.

Parents often ask me what their children can do to improve their academic results and my answer is virtually always the same – encourage them to read. While the language teachers might be overjoyed to hear this advice, reading has far wider implications than merely how they do in English, Hebrew or Mandarin.

Neurologists and educationalists have long promoted reading as the single most powerful factor when it comes to predicting future academic success. As such, the earlier we can encourage our children to make reading a part of their daily activities, the more assured we may be of their academic prowess in the future, in all subjects. Because this is also wellknown – reading has an impact across the curriculum.

However, as we start out on another academic journey through the year, we should caution against reading becoming a daily chore which has to be completed. The focus should always be on the enjoyment of reading, because this is ultimately what will sustain your child’s reading in the years to come. Reading for enjoyment also opens up the possibility for social interactions and conversations about what has been read. We only have to look at the popularity of adult Book Clubs across the world to see how reading can also be a social experience, not just a solitary one.

Renowned author, Margaret Attwood, noted that “I read for pleasure and that the moment I learn the most.” We hope that this will be the case for the students in the Primary School this year, and in the years to come.

Three of our boys did phenomenally well at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, held in Bathurst last weekend. Their results were all the more impressive considering the fact that they were racing up one and two age groups. Huge congratulations go to Michael Rodov 6th 8:46, Joshua Marishel 11th 9:23 and Theo Zagora 17th 9:50. To have three of our athletes ending in the top twenty of a World Championship is impressive indeed, and we are tremendously proud of them.

The Mufti Day on Monday was a roaring success, as we supported the CML Foundation. The students had a thoroughly good time coming to school with all sorts of shades of red in their casual clothing, and were reminded of the incredible work which this foundation does to support people living with chronic myeloid

leukaemia. We look forward to supporting other worthy causes during the course of the year.

Wednesday’s Welcome Recital was a joyful reminder of the integral role which music plays in the life of the school. Our students did excellently, and we trust that this first music event of the year will spur them on to even greater heights. Above all, though, we hope that they will lose themselves in the pleasure of being immersed in music.

In addition to all the usual activities which will take place in and around the school next week, the Year 1s have an excursion to Taronga Zoo to look forward to. Their trip, on Wednesday, should provide an enjoyable, hands-on opportunity to learn about our rich natural history.

Thursday is a full day on the sporting calendar, with our first mass participation event taking place, namely the Swimming Carnival. We look forward to some fierce competition among the swimmers, but especially to an event overflowing with energy, colour and exuberant support for the Houses Also on that day will be an opportunity for some of our students to take part in the ASSISA Boys Football trials, and we wish them everything of the best for these trials.

Have a great weekend!

Dee Pitcairn Principal

Welcome Recital

Principal Awards

Yvaine Chen, Willa Gellert, Alma Napthali, Eve Hutton, Edith Marucci, Michael Rodov, Laura Townsend, Lara Chooromi

Event Description

Date Event

Date Event

Principal Honour Awards

Date 1 Event Description

Date 2 Event

Date Event

Date Event

Lawrence Chan, Haobo Gao

Reddam House

Would like to wish a very

Happy Birthday

to

Quentin Kwan, Alexandra Tanaya, Oscar Truong, Lincoln Pongrass, Carter Allen, Benjamin Boyd, Luella Hart, Ostein Jiang, Alexander Cao, Anton Popoff, Shepard Smart, Pippi Pike

Who celebrated their special day this week and over the weekend

Sport Fixtures

25th February 2023

Basketball

Friday - Comets 24th Feb - Comets | Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St Girls

U16s SPARKS vs Inner City Gems Ct 1 5:15pm

U16s MYSTICS vs Inner City Jazz Ct 1 4:30pm

U18s SUNS vs RBSC Rebels Ct 2 4:30pm

U18s DIAMONDS vs All Blacks Ct 2 5:15pm

Saturday 25th - Comets | Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St Girls

U10s BOOMERS vs Inner City Cupcakes Ct 2 Perry 8 am

U12s STORM vs Inner City Flames Ct 3 Perry 9:40am

U14s TIMBERWOLVES vs Sydney HoopStar Panthers Ct 2 10:30am

U14 FLAMES vs Inner City Magic Ct 1 Perry 10:30am Boys

U10s LAKERS vs Sydney HoopStars Ct 3 Perry 8 am

U12s BUCKS vs Reddam Raptors Ct 4 Perry 9:40am

U12s RAPTORS vs Reddam Bucks Ct 4 Perry 9:40am

U12s CAVALIERS vs BYE

U12s HORNETS vs Sydney HoopStars Moccasins Ct 3 Perry 10:30am

U14s BULLS vs Sydney HoopStars Coyotes Ct 3 Perry 1pm

U14s MAVERICKS vs BYE

U14s PACERS vs Inner City Thunder Ct 1 Perry 2:40pm

U14s NUGGETS vs Maccabi Grizzlies Ct 4 Perry 1:50pm

U16s JAZZ vs BYE

U16s WARRIORS vs Maccabi Cavaliers Ct 4 4:20pm

U16s NETS vs Newtown Hawks Ct 3 Perry 5:10pm

U18s HEAT vs White eagles B Ct 4 5:10pm

PCYC (Marrickville) 531 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville

U16s ROCKETS vs Newtown Jazz Ct 3 4:30pm

U16s THUNDER vs Maccabi Hornets Ct 3 6pm

U18s GRIZZLIES vs Newtown Giants Ct 1 3pm

BOYS

Opens v St Augustines, Warringah Pool 12:50pm

16s v Newington, Newington Pool 11:10am

13s v Waverley, CranbrookPool 11:00am

Primary v St Augustines, Scots Pool 8:30am

GIRLS

Opens v Pymble, Pymble Pool, 9:15am

Reddam 1 v SACS, UNSW Pool 9:15am

Reddam 2 v SGHS, UNSW Pool 10:00am

Reddam 3 v KRB, UNSW Pool 10:45am

Reddam 4 v KRB, UNSW Pool 11:15am

Waterpolo

Netball

Tuesday 28th February

Reddam v Rose Bay Secondary Multi Court No.3, 5.15pm

Cricket

Reddam Rabbits V RJCC Sixers 8.00am Lower Cooper 2

Reddam Roos V SSMCJCC U10 Mixed Taipans 8.00am Lower Cooper 1

Reddam Rhinos V RJCC Thunder 3.00pm Lough Park North

Touch Football

Boys:

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

Reddam 2 (Year 10/11) v Riverview 1, Queens Park No. 7 (adjacent to the Shed Café, Darley Rd), 8:00 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 8) v Trinity 1, Trinity Grammar, 8:00 am. The bus will leave at 7:00 am.

Reddam 5 (Year 7) v Waverley 2, Riverview 1B, 10:20 am. The bus will leave at 9:10am

Girls:

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

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

Reddam 3 v St Caths 7, Queens Park No. 1 (Baronga Avenue), 10:55 am

Reddam 4 v Loreto 15, Queens Park No. 14 (Darley Road near playground), 11:35 am

Reddam 5 v Loreto 16, Reservoir Field No. 2 (Oxford St), 9:10 am

Tennis

Reddam 1 v St Pius, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 10.00am

Reddam 2 v Cammeraygal, Roseville Park 10.00am

Reddam 3 v St Pius, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 10.00am

Reddam 4 v St Pius, Talus Street Courts 10.00am

Reddam 5 v Bye

Reddam 6 v Cammeraygal, Roseville Park 8.00am

Reddam 7 v Cammeraygal, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 8.00am

Sport Results

18th February 2023

Basketball

Girls

U16s SPARKS vs Be real 20 - 66

U16s MYSTICS vs All Blacks 6 - 50

U18s SUNS vs SGHS Marshmallow 24 - 6

U18s DIAMONDS vs CYS 21 - 31

U10s Boomers vs Inner City Angels 5 - 38

U12s STORM vs Inner City Flames 6 - 20

U14s TIMBERWOLVES vs BYE

U14 FLAMES vs All Blacks 5 - 22

Boys

U10s LAKERS vs Sydney HoopStars Copperheads 6 - 10

U12s BUCKS vs Reddam Hornets 17 - 6

U12s RAPTORS vs St Spyridon College 5 - 23

U12s CAVALIERS vs Inner City Rebels 24 - 28

U12s HORNETS vs Reddam Bucks 6 - 17

U14s BULLS vs KHY Astronauts 17 - 36

U14s MAVERICKS vs Inner City Celtics 34 - 51

U14s PACERS vs MPB 23 - 14

U14s NUGGETS vs Sydney HoopStars Wolves 10 - 23

U16s JAZZ vs Matto Magic 13 - 32

U16s WARRIORS vs Inner City Mustangs 54 - 26

U16s NETS vs BYE

U18s HEAT vs Big Dream 51 - 11

U16s ROCKETS vs Newtown Force 4 - 32

U16s THUNDER vs Inner City Cyclones 15 - 49

U18s GRIZZLIES vs Maccabi Mavericks 42 - 48

U18s MAGIC vs Reggae Rockets 57 - 49

Water Polo

BOYS

Opens v Joeys, 4-4

16s v Knox, 3-10

13s v Joeys, 7-7

Primary v Knox, 1-9

GIRLS

Opens v Brigidine, 12-0

Reddam 1 v SGHS, 3-7

Reddam 2 v KRB, 3-6

Reddam 3 v Reddam 4, 6-4

Reddam 4 v Reddam 3, 4-6

Sport Results

Netball

Reddam v Clovely Clovers 31 - 8

Cricket

Reddam Rabbits 5/85 RJCC Crushers 7/92

Reddam Roos 139 RJCC Strikers 128

Reddam Rhinos 173 Easts Sharks 115

Boys:

Reddam 1 (Year 10/11) v Riverview 1, 10 - 2

Reddam 2 (Year 10/11) v Trinity 1, 9 - 0

Reddam 3 (Year 9) v Riverview 1, 5 - 2, 1 - 4

Reddam 4 (Year 8) v Waverley 1, 3 - 14

Reddam 5 (Year 7) v Waverley 1, 5 - 3

Girls:

Reddam 1 v KRB 3, 3 - 7

Reddam 2 v Kambala 3, 3 - 4

Reddam 3 v Ascham 14, 7 - 4

Reddam 4 v Ascham 15, 3 - 3

Reddam 5 v KRB 16, 4 - 7

Touch Football Tennis

Kindergarten

We can’t believe that Week 4 of Kindergarten is already upon us! This week has been packed with new and exciting learning experiences across the curriculum. The students have been blowing us away with their ability to adjust to new routines and environments.

We had a taste adventure this week during our Personal Development and Health lessons. We kicked off our adventure by reading the book ‘A Taste Adventure’ by Melissa Leong and discussing the six different tastes. We then got to try a food that represents each taste and to record our preferences. Almost everyone’s favourite was ‘sweet’, but some students loved the ‘bitter’ and the ‘sour’ as well. It was so much fun to learn the work ‘umami’! Ask us about our taste badge we wore home to show how brave we were at trying new things.

English lessons this week were also full of excitement as we introduced our first set of ‘Heart Words’. You will have seen these come home in our homework folders this week. Heart Words are words that are a little tricky to decode with the sound knowledge we currently have, but are very useful to know in our reading, so we learn them by heart. We also introduced three new sounds, /m/, /d/ and /g/.

In Mathematics this week we began exploring the concepts of measurement and time. We got to work measuring and comparing different items around the classroom and in the playground and continued to consolidate our understanding of numerals 1-10.

Year 1

In English our phonics focus is the phoneme ‘th’. We explored words that contain this diagraph at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. We discovered that we use this in so many words! Our author studies focused on two of Anthony Browne’s books that all the children could relate to: ‘My Mum’ and ‘My Dad’. We used these books to learn about and explore similes, and to create our own as well. Some of the most interesting ones were: ‘My mum is as beautiful as a butterfly, and as lovely as a caterpillar.’, 'My mum smells as nice as a flower.', 'My dad is as sleepy as a bat.' ‘My dad is a silly as a clown.’, and 'My dad is as kind as a kitten.'

We also extended upon last week’s noun exploration by delving into proper nouns. This supports our focus this term on correct use of capital letters and punctuation, and the importance of the presentation of our handwriting in the broader context of ourselves as learners. Parents will have noticed the checklist in the homework to remind children to be mindful of the foundations of handwriting, and to begin to be their own editors, by reading their own work, and checking it for punctuation, neatness and that it makes sense. These are vital skills for budding writers.

In mathematics we introduced and explored the addition symbol and used language such as put together, add, altogether and total, and the idea of equivalence. We used the ‘+’ and ‘=’ symbols to write calculations, to understand written problems that use these symbols and terminology. We also explored number bonds using hands-on materials. Working in small groups helps to deepen our understanding of the concepts.

In History and Geography, we looked at families in the past. What life was like for our grandparents, and their parents before them. What has changed? We discussed family sizes, family dynamics, and (most importantly to the children) what play was like for them. How were toys and playtime different? The children were surprised by the complexity of the clothes worn, and the simplicity of play and toys.

In Science, we investigated the statement: ‘Light is needed for objects to be seen.’ We put this statement to the test with an experiment which the children delighted in. This was followed by a shadow experiment which engaged the children for more than just the Science lesson… Our investigations were taken to the playground where the sun provided the perfect light source for shadow explorations!

What a brilliant week to be in Year 1!

Year 2

It has been an exciting week in Year 2! Our students have been actively engaged in a range of activities that have been designed to challenge and extend their learning. We are proud to share with you some of the highlights of our students’ achievements.

The children worked collaboratively to solve real-world problems in Mathematics, involving area and uniform units of measure. They were provided with opportunities to describe and represent shapes including quadrilaterals and other common polygons.

In English, we focussed on Literacy strategies, such as making connections with the text and using evidence to support their ideas. The students read a range of texts, including fiction and non-fiction, to develop their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. We were particularly interested in our novel study, ‘Lost A True Tale from the Bush’ by Stephanie Owen Reeder. 'Lost' is a fictionalised retelling of the true story of three children from the Duff family Isaac, Jane and Frankie –- who were lost in the bush in the Wimmera District of Victoria in the winter of 1864. Based on eyewitness accounts and newspaper articles from the time, as well as later versions of the story written over the years, ‘Lost!’ relates the story from the perspective of both the lost children and those who were searching for them. Information sections at the end of each chapter document how children lived in the 1860s, looking in particular at housing, entertainment, food, transport, toys, schooling and clothing. This novel study integrates perfectly with our History unit. This week involved stepping back in time and reflecting on events from the past. We created our own personal timelines. It was fun to

recall events and milestones from the past and discussing the wonderful opportunities that may happen in the future.

Our Science lessons involved the suitability of certain materials for particular purposes. The students were challenged to design a bag using a variety of suitable materials. We enjoyed the opportunity to extend our scientific vocabulary During our rich discussion, it was amazing to see the students' creativity and problemsolving skills in action!

The Year 2 cohort certainly enjoys participating in fun and engaging Physical Education activities that have challenged their gross motor skills and coordination. The students have been practising their running, jumping, and throwing skills while learning about the importance of physical activity for a healthy lifestyle. We encourage all of our students to have their hats available for outdoor activities. By engaging students in challenging and meaningful learning experiences, we can help them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the future.

We look forward to seeing what our students will achieve in the coming weeks!

Year 3

In English this week, the students put their persuasive powers to the test by honing their skills in exposition writing. They argued a number of topics, including ‘Cats are better than dogs’, ‘Homework should be banned’, ‘All students should wear hats outside’ and ‘All schools should provide free fruit to students’, to name a few.

The Year 3s were hard at work, trying to improve their skills by using various persuasive devices and the correct structure for each part of their essays. They used the acronyms HAML (Hook, Argument, Main arguments, Link) and PEEL (Point, Explain, Example and Link) to help them to remember how to write introductions and body paragraphs to maximum effect, and what a great job they did!

Here are some examples of our Year 3 students’ persuasive paragraphs.

Introduction Paragraph by Pippi Pike

Who wants to waste time getting a dull hat and slowly putting it on when you could be drawing art, playing games or writing stories? Clearly, you should throw your despicable hat in the red lid bin right now! Firstly, hats are really expensive. Secondly, hats make your head sweaty and hot. Lastly, you can get ‘hat hair’ which is very unattractive. As a result, don’t listen to anyone who says you need a hat as they are the worst!

Body Paragraph by Hebe Gong

Firstly, dogs can be easily trained to do important jobs. They can even save people from danger. Don’t you think it’s amazing that a cute, cuddly dog could one day save your life? For example, dogs can be trained to do all sorts of things, such as police dogs, guide dogs and sniffer dogs. Therefore, you’d be crazy not to go to the pet shop right now and purchase a smart, talented dog.

Body Paragraph by Aanya Gray

Secondly, homework keeps you entertained for the whole evening. Homework is a great way to stay busy instead of wandering around your house, wasting all of your precious, wonderful time. Plus, it saves you from becoming bored. For example, I was doing my amazing homework last night, and it was so fun that I completely lost track of time! There are so many different activities that you can do with your homework, like learning your times tables or writing down your spelling words. Homework is way better than slumping down to watch TV. Clearly, homework should never be banned.

Well done Year 3! Your English teachers, as always, were blown away by your efforts!

Year 4

Week 4 of Term 1 was a fantastic week of learning for Year 4 students. Fables are a brilliant way to teach morals and help us adjust our moral compass. In Moral Studies, students explored Aesop’s fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and analysed the themes of honesty and integrity. Although the fable gives us a great moral lesson, the class asked themselves, “Can this fable be applied to a modern-day context?” Students began to construct their own stories to warn other students about the dangers of consistently being dishonest. In the collection of stories, there was “The Man Who Cried Meteor Strike” and “The Girl Who Cried Tornado!” Once these stories have been finalised, make sure you have a read from our budding, young authors.

In Science, students moved their learning by investigating what the life-cycle of a mammal looked like. We, as humans, are part of the animal kingdom. Specifically, within that context, we are mammals. When we are born, we are babies. We then develop into toddlers and young children. We go through adolescence and become adults. Finally, we get old and grey and turn elderly. This is the circle of life. It is the same for almost every mammal on the planet. This Science lesson really allowed students to focus on where they may be in 5 years, 10 years and what they hoped to have achieved by the time that they are elderly. Well done on a fantastic reflection activity.

Year 5/6 English

Year 5

Mastering the skill of having engaging story openers is a technique that acclaimed writers strive for. With NAPLAN fast approaching, this week Year 5 students used the time to revise the skills needed for narrative writing. They reviewed the importance of hooking the reader through having a sizzling start. Students read, identified and rated the types of openings used for select narratives studied in lessons. Finally, they created their own engaging narrative openings by combining engaging sentence starter structures (Alan Peat sentences) with the engaging hooks techniques. Well done to Year 5 for engaging with the lessons.

Year 6

This week, students in Year 6 continued to study literature (specifically drama), with an historical link to Aboriginal Dreamtime storytelling. They read ‘Firemakers’ and used Venn Diagrams to analyse the similarities and differences between the characters. Additionally, they demonstrated their understanding of the play by plotting the main events on a story mountain. Students understood that analysing drama incorporates the same strategies as those used in studying short stories. Well done, Year 6, for having an exciting week of learning in English.

Year 5/6 Maths

Year 5 explored how many ways one number could be written as the sum of consecutive numbers. Amy Spicer proved that if you add any three consecutive numbers together, it will always equal a multiple of 3. She proceeded to show that the sum of four consecutive numbers gave the number sequence 10, 14, 18 22, 26, 30, and so on. Hanson Gong noticed that numbers which are multiples of 5, starting with 15, are sums of 5 consecutive numbers.

Year 6 reviewed rounding off, using it as a tool for estimation and working mathematically. They discussed rounding money, given that in Australia, there are no 1-cent and 2-cent pieces. When estimating the total of a list of numbers, it was reasonable to assume that each time a number is rounded and added, the further away it gets from the exact answer. This idea was considered and extended upon. Students investigated how good mathematicians successfully communicate their mathematical thinking. Examples and scaffolding of routine and non-routine problems were examined. The unitary method, technique for solving a problem by first finding the value of a single unit and then finding the necessary value by multiplying the single unit value, was explored. in Year 6, found this especially helpful when working mathematically. The importance of neatly set out work and taking risks when solving problems was again emphasised.

Year 5/6 Science

In Science this week, Year 5 students carried out their first experiment. This experiment was around viscosity (a fluid's resistance to flow). Students used the knowledge they developed within the scientific investigations unit to successfully complete the practical. Students were required to create a hypothesis, consider variables, carry out the experiment, record their data and create a conclusion, all in the space of one lesson.

Year 5 students also began their chemistry unit this week. Within this unit students will study the different changes in matter and how these changes occur. They will also investigate the difference between chemical and physical reactions.

In Year 6 Science this week, students began their chemistry unit. To begin this unit, students were introduced to the periodic table and studied aspects such as history of the table, structure, groups and periods, atomic mass and numbers, elements’ names and the symbol elements use. Students will be masters of the periodic table in no time and will be able to recall the first 20 elements confidently with no errors.

Music Performance

Congratulations to all the music students who performed so beautifully at Wednesday evening's Welcome Recital. We were able to showcase students from each year group from Kindergarten all the way to Year 12, with a variety of instruments and styles. Thank you to the splendid Year 6 Music Portfolio representatives, for acting as our ushers for the evening, and Senator Sabina Anderson for hosting the event. Our students performed with confidence and with lots of support from their music teachers and collaborative musicians.

Year 2 String Ensemble

The Year 2 String Ensemble has had its second rehearsal for the term and students are already off to a great start. We have welcomed the new year of ensemble playing with the revision of excellent performance posture, sound intonation and building on the ensemble skills learnt last year. The ensemble will be working on pieces from the well-known Fiddle Time Joggers as well as Abracadabra repertoire. We are very excited to be preparing for the assembly performances planned for this year, as well as exploring the art of canon playing, two and three part pieces, and complex rhythms and bowing techniques. We are looking forward to a fun and exciting year of music making!

Year 3-4 Guitar Ensemble

The Year 3 and 4 guitar students had their second guitar ensemble rehearsal this week and have had an incredible start. In addition to learning the rules and routines in our class we are also already making our way through our first song for the year. We have been working on the song ‘Lonely Boy’ by The Black Keys and this week we have managed to learn the intro, which is the main riff of the song, as well the first part of the melody. The song is already starting to take shape and is sounding great. There are some very talented guitarists in our group and we are really looking forward to a great year of guitar music. Keep an eye out because this ensemble is one to watch!

Music

Year 1 students worked hard on learning the piece ‘Bluebells’ this week. They sang the song, clapped the rhythm using ‘ta’ and ‘titi’ Kodaly rhythm names and also learnt the solfa. They learnt to represent their understanding of the rhythm using simple rhythm notation on their worksheet. Year 1 students also loved performing the arrangement of ‘Lime Green Marching Machine’ using claves, bells and boomwhackers! They felt the pulse, and played the rhythms very clearly whilst singing the piece. Everybody had great fun marching around the classroom, stepping in time to the beat of the song!