Junior School – Week 2

Welcome to Week 2! It’s hard to believe we have already completed our second week of online learning. I have been so proud of our students and the way they have seamlessly moved into learning online. 

Adjusted timetable for the Junior School

As you are aware, last week I sent out communication about a new timetable to support our students. This timetable has now been adjusted to include optional check-ins with our specialist teachers. Feedback this week from our specialist teachers has been very positive. Can I please ask you to encourage your son to join these sessions if they require extra support.

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:45 am-9:00 am	Morning Outline Yrs 5 & 6	Morning Outline  Yrs 5 & 6	Morning Outline Yrs 5 & 6	Morning Outline Yrs 5 & 6	Morning Outline  Yrs 5 & 6
11:00 am	Yr 6 Maths	Yr 6 Maths	Yr 6 Maths	Yr 6 Maths	Yr 6 Maths
11:50 am	Yr 5 Maths	Yr 5 Maths	Yr 5 Maths	Yr 5 Maths	Yr 5 Maths
1:30 pm – 2:00 pm	Optional Class Check-In	Optional Class Check-In	Optional Class Check-In	Optional Class Check-In	Optional Class Check-In
2:00 pm	PDHPE  Yr 5	Learning Hub Yr 5	Spanish Yr 5	Creative Arts Yr 5
2:30 pm	PDHPE Yr 6	Learning Hub  Yr 6	Spanish Yr 6	Creative Arts Yr 6

Friday Fun Activities 

Starting from today, I have given students a fun, hands-on activity to complete each Friday. Students will be set a task that is designed to be engaging, fun and educational. We know that our students need to stay motivated and engage in activities away from the computer. 

I have booked a session with each class weekly to explain the activity. This is giving me the opportunity to touch base with each student and check-in with them to see how online learning is going as well as their wellbeing. 

Today’s Fun Friday Activity was to make a mini putt-putt course or target golf course using household items and/or recycled materials. I can’t wait to see all the finished products! There will be a top two from each class which is being judged by Ms Rollins, Ms Zivanovic and Mr Watchel. From these entries I will be picking a top five or six. The winners will receive House points, an award, and a $5 canteen voucher for when they return. 

I hope everyone is staying safe and well, and please reach out if you require any assistance.

 

Ms Gabrielle Bransby

Acting Director of Junior School

E: gbransby@waverley.nsw.edu.au

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Lockdown Reading Ebooks, Audio Books and Additional Online Resources

Are you looking for extra reading resources during lockdown? Here are two that can be found on the Learning Hub CANVAS page under eBooks & Audio Books.

For the auditory learners among us, the option of audiobooks is one our society is increasingly turning to, and for good reason. There are many options out there and the most important aspect is that your son is reading or listening to audiobooks, if that is his preferred choice.

Your son has access to audio books from the Learning Hub page, as well as a multitude of options online; just remember it does not always have to be a hard copy book.

Your son can login using his Waverley username and password.

>>> Click here for KidsNews – A ready-to-go literacy resource for teachers using current daily news stories for students in the classroom.

>>> Click here for Skwirk Online Education.

>>> Click here for CANVAS.

>>> Click here to subscribe to National Geographic Kids.

 

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Book Week Poetry Writing Competition 

This week I would like to congratulate the students who have submitted their poetry writing for the Book Week competition. There is still time if your son would like to enter, entries close Monday 16 August. Judging will happen after the closing date. 

A few examples received so far…

Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds

Max Nicholson 

5 Indigo 

Old worlds, New worlds, Other worlds

A long time ago we didn’t have planes

A long time ago we didn’t have lights

A long time ago we didn’t have cars

Now we have fighter jets

Now we have bright torches

Now we have electric cars

But in other worlds more advanced than any of us

They will have more than twice as many 

Than us

 

Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds

Maximilian Malley 

5 Gold

He taps at the keyboard with his old, bony fingers,

a message sent back in time to warn about wars that were to come. Warnings fell on deaf

ears,

Society rolled its eyes. 

Tears filled his eyes as he shook his head.

Even he could not save humanity.

His final message sent,

The alien leaves this world for his own.

 

Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds

Hunter Owen

5 Gold

The olden days feel like so long ago when it was dark and stormy

People wore different clothes and had guns and armies.

The new world feels nice and bright

We have technology, machines and houses and know it’s better not to fight.

Other worlds are mysterious and I want to explore 

I imagine they have flying cars, new aircrafts and magical things galore!

 

 

Ms Natasha Zivanovic 

Primary Literacy and Innovation Teacher

E: nzivanovic@waverley.nsw.edu.au

 

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Exercise During Home Learning

I want to strongly commend all students for their great efforts so far with managing remote learning, as well as the wide range of physical and leisure exercise activities being undertaken each day. I am sure we are all well aware of how important maintaining physical activity and exercise is during this time for our overall holistic health.

Please continue to encourage your sons to take brain breaks throughout each day that involves being active. This can include the exercises and activities in the Exercise Bingo/ Choice Board given to students for PE lessons. 

Olympic-Style Event Challenges

With the Olympics Games in Tokyo commencing this week, we will also be posting some Olympic-style event challenges for PDHPE. These will include exercise challenges, history research, trivia questions and activity design tasks. 

Winter Co-Curricular Season and Presentation Evenings

As mentioned by Mr Stephen O’Donnell (Head of Co-Curricular) regarding Winter Co-Curricular season, we have no official update on the recommencement of winter sports and the season remains currently suspended. The College will also be postponing any current planned presentation evenings and will update the College community based on further health advice and orders to ensure we are keeping everyone safe.

 

Mr Jack Wachtel

Assistant Director of Co-Curricular (Years 5-8)

E: jwachtel@waverley.nsw.edu.au