Mindfulness

Every day after second break, 4C & 4M spend a short period of time listening to some calming instrumental music while completing independent mindfulness activities to help them return to the green zone and get prepared for learning. This week, the students were privileged to have 2 of their own classmates, Maya and Mariyae, play this mindfulness music live for them. 4C & 4M were mesmerised by the girls, and were very quickly able to return to the green zone and feel ready to learn. 

2A have the police on the case

Last week, 2A read the book, 'The True Story Of The Three Little Pigs. They have been learning about persuasive texts and Miss Mackay gave the students a purpose for writing by having them write letters to the police to convince them that the the Big Bad Wolf is innocent of his crimes.  He didn't mean to blow down the Little Pig's houses, he had a cold and he accidentally sneezed.  The students were so invested in this writing piece as they came up with some great reasons and explanations as to why the Big Bad Wolf should be released from jail immediately. Sounds like some serious critical thinking happening here.

A special learning partnership was established with Senior Constable Adam Johnson from Gold Coast Rapid Action Control as he and his colleagues took the time to read the students' letters.  Also, thank you to the officers from the Coomera Police Station who read their work and gave them each a 'Junior Crime Stopper' sticker. We love the partnerships we make with our community.

Mud Pies Anyone?

Loose Parts play is the next step in our efforts to be Good at learning - Good at life.  It is just so important for children to develop collaboration, creativity and negotiation skills as they enjoy and explore playtime.  Our loose parts play continues to thrive in the Year 1 play areas. The students' confidence is growing and they are taking more risks with their play - this is a very good thing. The crates are a real hit and building towers is very popular. It always helps when you have a really tall friend to help place the ones up the top.

Other students have started making mud pies. Remember your own childhood playing in the mud?  Well we may have caused a few sink problems but after chatting with our wonderful cleaners, we have a solution.  We are going to attach a hose so the children can access water without affecting the sink.    

Gold Rush Excursion

Year 5 had the privilege to step back in time, to 1854, the time of the Australian Gold Rush!  A bush ranger on a galloping white horse greeted us and led Year 5 into a gold mining town where the students explored the tents, shops, gathering places and gold fields. The British flag was hoisted high and the students were off haggling for goods, digging for alluvial gold, building tents and baking damper.

Great teamwork and perseverance was shown in many activities including tent building, gold mining and unravelling the clues to catch the town thieves. The day ended with a whole cohort game of ‘Gold Rush’ where students got to take on the role of a digger and find gold around the town and haggle with the teachers. Some students were even put in gaol for mining without a license! Fortunately, they escaped gaol just in time to get back on the bus.  'This excursion was so cool!' we heard many students say on the bus ride home.

And general great work acknowledgements this week include...