Reddam House Primary Newsletter 17 November

Reddam House Woollahra Week 6 17 November 2023

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

With ‘Winnie the Pooh’ a thing of the past for the K-2 students, this week saw a refocusing on the work to be covered in class before the end of the academic year arrives. This the students did with

excited anticipation, as learning is surely a highlight when there are so many interesting things to pack into one’s brain!

While the younger students were enjoying their time in class – and for the Year 2s an enjoyable visit to the Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre on Wednesday – the Year 3-6 students were hard at work studying for and writing their end-of year-exams. And what a pleasure it was to see them arrive well-prepared and confident each morning. I commend each one of them for the mature way in which they approached the exams and I trust that next week will see many happy smiles as they receive feedback. I also thank all our teachers, who worked so hard to prepare the students, and were an encouragement to them each morning.

As just mentioned, next week will see the students spending some time receiving their papers and going through them to see where they did well and where they can improve in the future. As we all know from experience, the unveiling of end-of-year exam results can evoke a range of emotions for both students and their families. As such, we need to remind our students that while these assessments are significant, it is crucial to view them as part of a broader picture of continual assessment that has unfolded throughout the school year. We know that our teachers and parents will play a pivotal role in supporting the students through this process, fostering resilience, and emphasising the importance of ongoing learning and growth.

One way we can do this is by shifting the narrative from a fixation on marks to a celebration of growth. Instead of viewing these exams as the sole measure of success, we can recognise them as snapshots of each student's progress within a broader learning journey. I know that our teachers will emphasise the importance of effort, perseverance, and the acquisition of new skills, fostering a growth mindset that will encourage their students to see challenges as opportunities for development.

We know that navigating next week’s feedback from exams is a shared responsibility between our teachers and parents, especially as we nurture the academic and emotional well-being of our students. By reframing the conversation around growth, celebrating achievements, and fostering open communication, together we can contribute to a positive learning environment for our students. As we do so, I have no doubt that they will develop resilience, a love for learning, and the skills necessary for a lifetime of academic success.

We have a very special event to look forward to on Monday next week, namely the Holiday Celebration in the Sydney Town Hall. This time of the year is a precious time for many religions and cultures, and as such being able to celebrate together will allow us to understand each other that much better and help to build bonds across religious and cultural divides. It promises to be a truly meaningful event and we look forward to joining with each other as a school community in a magnificent celebration.

Next week also sees another celebration – that of the Year 6 Graduation on Thursday. It is always a wonderful opportunity to join with the Year 6s as they look excitedly ahead to their high school years, but also to reflect on what has been a special year for them. They have led the Primary School with energy and enthusiasm this year, and we will certainly miss them. Their Graduation will be a moment to pause and to honour them for all they have contributed, before we send them on their way in a few weeks’ time.

Eva Herson’s Sydney Uni Blue water polo team played against opposition from Victoria, NSW and the ACT last weekend. Eva’s team went through the Division 1 pool undefeated until the final, which the girls lost narrowly to Balmain, 5-4. The game was ultimately decided by a single penalty goal. Well done, Eva!

Then, Mimi Tolmay participated in the Athletics State Relay Championship. Her jump team, which was made up of a long, triple and high jumper, did really well to defend their title from last year and they set a new NSW state record for the U13 jump relay. Congratulations, Mimi.

Enjoy your weekend!

Dee Pitcairn Principal

1 - Eva Herson's Sydney Uni Blue Waterpolo team went through the division 1 pool undefeated until the final.

Happy Birthday Reddam House would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Sancia Etherington, Elizabeth Rybak, Hugo Safair, Chiara Di Lernia, Peter (Monty) Paxton, Joseph Bold, Annabella Salib, Zhiyu (Kayla) Shi, Aiden Man, Joy Ozorio

Sports Fixtures Sports Fixtures 18th November 2023

Basketball

Friday 17th November - Comets | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St Year 8 MYSTICS vs Inner City Aces 4:20pm Ct 2 Year 9 LIGHTNING vs Be Real 5:50pm Ct 1 Year 8 SPARKS vs Newtown Fairies 4:20pm Ct 1 Year 10 SUNS vs SGHS Cherry Pie 5:05pm Ct 2 Year 11 DIAMONDS vs Inner City Ravens 5:05pm Ct 1

Saturday 18th November - Comets | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St Boys Year 5 CAVALIERS vs BYE (no game) Year 8 WARRIORS vs BYE (no game

Saturday 18th November - Perry Park | Alexandria - 53 Maddox St

Girls Year 3 BOOMERS vs BYE (no game) Year 3 TIGERS vs Inner City Angels 8am Ct 4 Year 4/5 STORM vs Inner City Flames 10:30am Ct 1 Year 6/7 TIMBERWOLVES vs Newtown Scorpions 1:50pm Ct 4 Year 7 FLAMES vs Inner City Magic 12:10pm Ct 4

Boys Year 3 LAKERS vs Newtown Wizards 8am Ct 3 Year 3 SPURS vs Newtown Panthers 8:50am Ct 3 Year 3 WIZARDS vs Inner City Tigers 9:40am Ct 2 Year 4 BUCKS vs BYE (no game) Year 5 RAPTORS vs Inner City Hurricanes 1:50pm Ct 1 Year 5 HORNETS vs Proball Wizards 1pm Ct 3 Year 6 BULLS vs Newtown Eagles 1pm Ct 2 Year 7 STAGS vs Sydney Hoopstars Baearcats 4:20pm Ct 3 Year 7 MAVERICKS vs Sydney Hoopstars Kingsnakes 5:10pm Ct 4 Year 7 PACERS vs Maccabi Thunder 4:20pm Ct 4 Year 7 NUGGETS vs MPB Grey 3:30pm Ct 2 Year 10 HEAT vs Newtown Stingrays 3:30pm Ct 4

PCYC (Marrickville) 531 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville Year 8 ROCKETS vs Reddam Blazers 3pm Ct 1 Year 9 THUNDER vs Newtown Blazers 1:30pm Ct 1 Year 8 BLAZERS vs Reddam Rockets 3pm Ct 1 Year 8 JAZZ vs Inner City Cyclones 3:45pm Ct 1 Year 9 NETS vs Newtown Bullets 6:45pm Ct 1 Year 11 GRIZZLIES vs All Blacks 5:15pm Ct 1 Year 10/11 MAGIC vs Reggae Rockers 1:30pm Ct 2

Water Polo BOYS Opens v St Augustines, Warringah Aquatic Centre, 1:40pm Middle v Cranbrook, Cranbrook Pool 12:00pm Primary v St Aloys, Scots Pool 8:300am

GIRLS

Reddam 1 v Barker, UNSW Pool 8:30am Reddam 2 v SACS, UNSW Pool 10:45am Reddam 3 v Barker, UNSW Pool 10:00am Reddam 4 v Reddam 5, UNSW Pool 12;00pm Reddam 5 v Reddam 4, UNSW Pool 12:00pm

Touch Football Girls: Reddam 1 v Sceggs 2, Queens Park No. 3 (Baronga Avenue), 8:50 am (semi-final) Reddam 2 v bye (straight qualification for Junior B grand final on 25th November at 8:00 am) Reddam 3 v Loreto 10, Queens Park No. 2 (Baronga Avenue), 8:00 am (semi-final) Reddam 4 v KRB 14, Reservoir Field No. 1 (Oxford St), 10:30 am (semi-final) Reddam 5 v Kambala 12, Reservoir Field No. 3 (Oxford St), 8:00 am (semi-final) Reddam 6 v Loreto 15, Reservoir Field No. 4 (Oxford St), 9:40 am (semi-final)

Boys: Reddam 1 (Opens) v Trinity 1, Queens Park No. 7 (next to the Queens Park Kitchen, Darley Rd), 8:50 am Reddam 2 (Under 16) v bye Reddam 3 (Under 15) v Waverley 1, Trinity Grammar 2, 9:40 am. The bus will leave at 8:30 am Reddam 4 (Under 14) v Waverley 2, Riverview 1B, 12:10 pm. The bus will leave at 11:10 am.

Tennis Reddam 1 v St Pius, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 10.00am Reddam 2 v Redlands, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 10.00am Reddam 3 v Redlands, Lane Cove Tennis Club 10.00am Reddam 4 v St Pius, Talus Street Courts 10.00am Reddam 5 v Reddam 6, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 8.00am Reddam 6 v Reddam 5, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 8.00am Reddam 7 v St Pius, Talus Street Courts 8.00am Reddam 8 v Cammeraygal, Neutral Bay Lawn Tennis Club 8.00am

Cricket Reddam Ravens V Easts Stingrays 8.00am Lower Cooper 1 Reddam Roos V Easts Electric Wickets 3.00pm Lough Field 2 Reddam Rabbits V Bye

Sports Results 11 November 2023 Basketball

Girls Year 3 BOOMERS vs Inner City Cupcakes 20 - 19 Year 3 TIGERS vs Proball Liberty 36 - 14 Year 4/5 STORM vs KHY Astronauts 6 - 25 Year 6/7 TIMBERWOLVES vs Inner City Scorpions 20 - 41 Year 7 FLAMES vs Sydney Hoopstars Panthers 19 - 7 Year 8 MYSTICS vs SGHS Fusion 9 - 11 Year 9 LIGHTNING vs All Blacks 31 - 21 Year 8 SPARKS vs St Caths Blue 11 - 18 Year 10 SUNS vs SGHS Flames 24 - 23 Year 11 DIAMONDS vs Inner City Fire 31 - 35

Boys Year 3 LAKERS vs Proball Thunder 46 - 14 Year 3 SPURS vs Proball Magic 22 - 29 Year 3 WIZARDS vs Inner City Wombats 37 - 13 Year 4 BUCKS vs Sydney Hoopstars Moccasins 38 - 12 Year 5 CAVALIERS vs Big Dream 21 - 34 Year 5 RAPTORS vs Sydney Hoopstars Adders 6 - 30 Year 5 HORNETS vs BYE (no game) Year 6 BULLS vs Botany Warriors 18 - 28 Year 7 STAGS vs Sydney Hoopstars Coyotes 33 - 17 Year 7 MAVERICKS vs Newtown Swans 27 - 30 Year 7 PACERS vs Inner CIty Ballers 49 - 38 Year 7 NUGGETS vs Newtown Eagles 20 - 40 Year 8 WARRIORS vs Newtown Force 72 - 25 Year 8 ROCKETS vs Reddam Thunder 3 - 37 Year 9 THUNDER vs Reddam Rockets 37 - 3 Year 8 BLAZERS vs Newtown Jazz 26 - 24 Year 8 JAZZ vs BYE (no game) Year 9 NETS vs Bullets 66 - 49 Year 10 HEAT vs Manesis Strength 23 - 30 Year 11 GRIZZLIES vs Goon Squad 45 - 53 Year 10/11 MAGIC vs Road Runners 34 - 34

Water Polo BOYS Opens v Trinity, 1-16 Middle v SAC, 13-1 Primary v St Aug, 8-1

GIRLS Reddam 1 v SGHS, 19-1

Reddam 2 v Reddam 3, 6-12 Reddam 3 v Reddam 2, 12-6 Reddam 4 v SGHS, 5-5 Reddam 5 v Dolphins, 1-7

Touch Football Girls: Reddam 1 v St Caths Blue, 9 - 4 Reddam 2 v KRB 7, 2 - 8 Reddam 3 v KRB 12, 3 - 8 Reddam 4 v KRB 14, 5 - 1 Reddam 5 v KRB 18, 16 - 0 Reddam 6 v SVC 15, 2 - 0

Boys: Reddam 1 (Opens) v Newington 1, 3 - 7 Reddam 2 (Under 16) v Waverley 3, 14 - 3 Reddam 3 (Under 15) v Waverley 3, 6 - 4 Reddam 4 (Under 14) v Waverley 1, 4 - 7

Tennis Reddam 1 v St Pius, 2 - 1 Reddam 2 v Cammeraygal, 0 - 3 Reddam 3 v Cammeraygal, 2 -1 Reddam 4 v Redlands, 3 - 0 Reddam 5 v Reddam 7, 3 - 0 Reddam 6 v Redlands 3 - 0 Reddam 7 v Reddam 5, 0 - 3 Reddam 8 v St Pius, 2 - 1

Cricket Reddam Ravens 7/103 RJCC U10 Hurricanes 3/140 Reddam Rabbits 5/160 SSMCJCC 4/122 Reddam Roos 5/156 RJCC U10 Renegades 8/154

Kindergarten As our time in Kindergarten nears its end, we are taken aback by how swiftly it has passed. The children are almost ready to take the exciting step into Year 1, filled with anticipation for the adventures. This week brought a wonderful change as our Kindergarten dived into our ‘Be The Teacher’ theme during the 'Show and Tell' sessions, sparking vibrant energy in the classroom as our new student teachers shared their skills and knowledge.

Our Topic lessons focused on Australian animals, focusing particularly on the adorable koalas. We delved into differentiating between fact and fiction in writing, crafting detailed reports about where koalas live, what they eat, and their unique characteristics.

In Mathematics, we dedicated time to revisit 2D and 3D shapes and reinforced our grasp of addition and subtraction, especially with the 'teen' numbers. Our lessons on Personal Development and Health this week centred on water safety at the pool. Exploring the 'Kids Alive Do the Five' guidelines, we not only learned these essential rules but also strengthened our understanding by writing and drawing the rules out.

Year 1 This week in Year 1 the children focussed on the Julian Donaldson book, ‘Stick Man’. The children studied the emotional journey that Stick Man followed and saw how Axel Scheffler’s illustrations accompanied the language of the writer. As we studied the craft of illustrations accompanying text, this allowed the children to create their own storyboard of the characters' plights, from happiness to loneliness. We have a group of visual literacy experts!

In Science, the children were taught about the earth's natural resources and how sustainability plays a part in protecting them and utilising them with care. We looked at good practice within dairy farming and accompanied it with an exciting magic mile experiment! This again lent in to our exploration of combining and mixing materials. Do not be surprised if your children ask for washing up liquid, food colouring and milk to repeat this at home. It was fascinating how the movement of colour was created and there were plenty of curious scientists watching in awe.

In History, we went back in time for dinner and virtually visited a kitchen from the 1950s. There were some unimpressed squeals when children discovered they would have had to forgo their sushi in place of some yummy tripe, which is the lining of a stomach of a domesticated animal. However, as ever the children were respectful and reflective.

This connected beautifully to our Geography learning of different foods' connection to culture around the world. Many of the children presented engaging news topics on how their personal heritage connects them to celebratory food from around the globe. As we learn from one another and with one another we continue to bond on our learning journey. Well done, Year 1!

Year 2 Year 2 have had a week full of enriching experiences and learning. We are busy preparing for our Holiday Celebration and look forward to showcasing our choral singing to mark the beginning of the festive season.

On Wednesday Year 2 travelled to the Field of Mars Reserve in East Ryde as part of our science program. There the students explored living things in their natural habitat up close and personal! We enjoyed walking along gum tree lined pathways to take in the natural environment where urban creeks and native flora and fauna can be spotted. Our hands-on experiences included searching for mini beasts in the soil and looking closely at bugs which can be found in and around the location, identifying the various body parts and life cycles of these. The rangers were impressed with our knowledge of these topics and the students were grateful for the opportunity to further extend their learning in a natural habitat. A favourite activity was the task of designing and creating their own phasmid.

In English we focused on ‘air’ and ‘-tion’ words. The students displayed excellent vocabulary banks and we applied these words in our sentence construction this week. Reading comprehension was linked and all about min-beasts. Looking for details within the text is reinforced and we are making great progress in identifying main topic points.

In Mathematics we have been busy honing our numeracy skills in subtraction, division and multiplication, calculating with greater confidence. We examined three-dimensional objects which allowed us to recognise, describe and represent them by attempting to draw cubes, cylinders, square based pyramids, prisms and cones! Using balance scales, we explored the conservation of masses of objects comparing objects with informal units such as a lump of plasticine. Our mental arithmetic tasks have provided good practise at speed and accuracy this week.

Uluru as a significant site was the focus in History & Geography. The students learned that Uluru is the largest rock in the world and why it is significant to our First Nations Peoples. We explored the connections to the land via Dreamtime stories and why this site is significant to the local community today. The students were asked to ponder the reason why tourists are not allowed to climb Uluru nowadays. It encouraged positive discussion points.

In Personal Development and Health, we continued to explore ways to be safe in and around the school environment. Year 2 were asked to design a sign that warned students of the danger at one unsafe place at the school. They were very creative!

Some comments about our excursion this week:

My favourite part was searching for bugs and looking at them closely. Ethan Webb I really liked seeing the lizards swim in the pond, it was cool. Dante Leyzerovich I caught an earwig, it had long claws and I saw it through a magnifying glass. Wyatt Fong Making phasmids was fun because I got to be creative. Jojo Ryan I loved digging in the dirt to find little bugs in their natural habitat. Valentina Tesoriero

Year 3 This week, our Year 3 students undertook the challenge of their end-of-year examinations with commendable resilience and unwavering determination. We are proud to report that their efforts were nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing not only their academic prowess but also the invaluable life skills they have developed throughout the year. The examination week was a true testament to the hard work and commitment our students have demonstrated. Their ability to face challenges head-on, maintain focus, and persevere in the face of adversity has been truly inspiring.

We believe that these experiences not only contribute to their academic growth but also equip them with essential skills for a lifetime of learning.

The atmosphere during the exams was one of positivity and encouragement. We witnessed a fantastic display of teamwork, as students supported and uplifted each other. It was heartening to see them collaborate, share ideas, and celebrate each other’s achievements, fostering a sense of camaraderie that we hold dear in our school community.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone at home, for your continuous support in nurturing these remarkable individuals. Your involvement in their educational journey is an integral part of the success they have achieved.

Year 4 We were thrilled to see the tremendous effort and commitment Year 4 students put into their studies. They exhibited exemplary performance this past week, showcasing not only their academic prowess but also their resilience and determination. It was truly heartening to see such young minds taking ownership of their learning journey and embracing challenges with enthusiasm.

Amidst the intense exam period, it was wonderful to witness our students finding moments of joy and camaraderie during their well-deserved downtime. Whether it was sharing laughter over a quick snack at recess, engaging in friendly discussions in the library, or simply enjoying the fresh air outdoors, our students embraced the importance of balance. These shared moments not only provided a welcome break from the rigours of exams but also contribute to the formation of lasting friendships and a supportive community.

The completion of exams marks a significant milestone for these students, and we couldn't be prouder of their achievements. We look forward to witnessing the continued success of our Year 4 students as they progress through their educational journey.

Year 5 & 6 English This week, Year 5 and Year 6 English students put all their hard work into effect, as they sat their final examinations for 2023. Extra lesson times between exams were used for revision and consolidation

of reading and language skills. The revision books completed at home with such care this term were a boon to many, the additional materials strengthening lessons learned in class. 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 end-of-year Science exam. This exam included content from the whole semester. The Year 5 exam included topics such as Newton's laws of motion, contact and non-contact forces, Hooke's law, the solar system, seasons, phases of the moon and the life cycle of stars. The Year 6 exam contained material such as efficiency, calculating running costs, circuits, Earth, convection currents and natural disasters. Students in both year groups revised very hard over the past few weeks to perform as well as they could in the exam, and as such, I am sure their efforts will pay off with amazing results. Students will receive their exam paper and mark 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

A palpable sense of relief and satisfaction was evident among the Year 5 and 6 students following both Mathematics examinations. They skilfully applied their learned exam techniques, honed skills, and acquired knowledge to navigate their papers successfully. The exams were perceived to offer a substantial variety and balance of questions, effectively showcasing the students’ depth of understanding.

Feedback from the students indicated that the exams were fair, providing ample questions that challenged and stimulated critical thinking. A consensus emerged among the Year 5 cohort that the most intriguing question involved determining how much more petrol was required to fill a tank of petrol after sequential percentage decreases.

Students showcased their understanding of Euler’s theory in determining the number of faces, vertices and edges on pyramids and prisms, their knowledge of vertices versus apex and their adeptness in identifying uniform cross-sections. Their ability to perform division was notably rewarding, expressing any remainders as decimals or fractions. In agreement, Year 6 students found the most enjoyable question in their exam to be from Paper 2. This particular task involved calculating a triangular prism’s surface area and volume. The question effectively tested the student’s comprehension of the relationship between the two. Anticipation is high for the upcoming return of examinations next week, with the expectation that feedback sessions will be embraced as positive learning experiences.

Music Performance

All of our students were busily preparing for Monday evening's Holiday Celebration at Sydney Town Hall, and we look forward to presenting this wonderful range of celebratory music. Our senior primary students will come out of their exams ready for a final few weeks of excellent rehearsals and lessons to end the year. Similarly, our K-2 students are preparing for upcoming performances, including many of our choirs at their end of year Prizegiving ceremonies.

K-1 Orff Percussion

This term we have been starting our lessons in a ‘Yarning Circle’. The circle seating allows the ensemble to listen and learn by seeing everyone in the group. We have been practising the song ‘Inanay’ on the xylophones, singing and percussion.

This is a song in ‘Yorta Yorta’, the language of one of the Torres Strait Islander tribes living in Victoria.

It cannot be translated word for word; however, research shows it a song about a goanna, the 'choo' is shooing the Goanna away. The word 'Goanna' is the English name for the animal, it was their closest approximation of the name First Nations People used for the animal.

The Lyrics are: “Inanay Inanay gupu wanna Inanay gupu wanna Ay ay ay oola Oola oola oola ay Yippee yay yipee yay Goo wana goo wana Goo wana goo wana Goo wah - Choo! “

We have learnt to play the bass notes of the tune C, F and G on the xylophone and keep the beat whilst singing. We have also leant the descending melody in the chorus G, F, E, D, C. Mr Barton and Ms Mitchell have been singing harmonies (in the third pitch above the melody) as the group keep the pitch of the melody. Helping to train their ears helps students recognise the difference between unison and harmony.

Children have also used traditional clapping sticks or Bilmas to play on the second and fourth beat of the bar, creating a syncopated rhythm. Bilma are hardwood clapsticks used in the traditional manikay (song) of the Yolŋu (or Yolngu) people from Arnhem Land, Australia.

You can listen to a beautiful version of the Tiddas performing it here in the link: https://youtu.be/FNnB8ZE0wg8?si=2KL-RnPenFZpJum_

Reddam House String Orchestra

The Reddam House String Orchestra has had a wonderful year of music making, beginning the year by showcasing their fantastic knowledge and ability of baroque performance-practice at the Sydney Eisteddfod. The orchestra's most recent achievement has been their wonderful rendition of the famous work St Paul's Suite by English composer Gustav Holst, which they performed at the Reddam House Spring Recital in October. The orchestra is preparing itself for the Welcome Recital early next year, currently rehearsing works including Ave Maria (for vocal solo and orchestra) by Giulio Caccini, as well as pieces by well-known film composers Hans Zimmer and John Williams.

The senior strings ensemble, made up of the advanced high school members of the string orchestra, gave a fine performance of Telemann's Concerto for four violins at the recent spring recital. The ensemble are now exploring the art of tango playing, and will be showcasing both advanced tango and baroque works early next year.

Music

The Year 2 students put together an arrangement of 'Gypsy Man' on the xylophones this week, with four different parts in overall arrangement. The 4 parts were the main melody, the bass line, the 'colour' part – a secondary melody – and the djembe drum beat. Students worked in a rotation system, so they had a chance to play each of the four parts and they had great fun performing as a class ensemble!

In the second half of the lesson, students sang the song 'Button You Must Wander'. They loved playing the circle game for this piece – where students have to sing the song whilst passing around a button in a circle, putting their hands behind their back at the end of the song. Students took turns to sit in the middle of the circle with their eyes closed during the song and, at the end, these students had to guess which pupil had the button in their hands! This game is designed to get

students thinking about pulse and beat in music, as those sitting in the circle have to pass the button in time to the beat, and the pupils guessing who the button has ended up with have to think about how many beats there are in the song overall!