We were excited to be able to offer our students the opportunity to learn Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN). AUSLAN allows us to communicate using hand signals. Each week, we learn through songs, books, games and small group activities. We have learned to sign the alphabet and continue to practice fingerspelling our names, as well as counting and telling the time.

During our distance learning program, and with the help of Miss Marks, we have also been learning to sign the National Anthem. This term, we look forward to learning how to ask questions in AUSLAN, as well as communicate information about our families and emotions.

Being a visual language, AUSLAN has many cognitive and learning benefits, and exposes our students to the many different people that make up God’s world as His image-bearers. AUSLAN teaches students social and interpersonal skills, and enriches the experience of students who learn visually. Perhaps the most significant benefit of learning AUSLAN is the ability to communicate with persons who are hearing-impaired or non-verbal. These people include our peers, family members and those in our wider community. It also allows us the opportunity to celebrate the many ways God’s image is reflected in each person.

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbour and teach the good news to all. Sign language equips our students to love and teach others about Jesus, enriches our communication with others, and encourages an inclusive educational environment.

Mrs Jessica Young — Auslan Teacher

One of the things I love about being a teacher is helping students to discover the wonders of God's creation. We are able to do this in many ways, and in almost any subject! One of the ways we are able to do this, is by seeing how we, as God's people, reflect his image by creating things with the materials we have access to. 

Last term in Science and Design Technology, students learned about the properties of materials before creating a package to protect a 'fragile gift' to send to a friend (in testing, we used an egg). The completed packages went through a range of rigorous tests to see if they achieved the objective. Students also investigated how shape affects the strength of a material, and used paper straws to make bridges, some of which held a very impressive amount of weight! It was great to see the students using the creative skills and gifts they have been given. 

I'm very much looking forward to seeing how the students continue to reflect God, our creator, this term as we learn about a range of new topics! 

Mr Will Davis — Year 4 Teacher

Get ready... The Scholastic Book Fair is coming!

Book Fair Week will be held from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August. The Book Fair Parade will be held on Wednesday 26 August. Our theme this year is Arctic Adventure.

For the parade, students will be able to come dressed as anything relating to the Arctic theme (polar bear, penguin, seal, narwhal etc) or a book character. 

Unfortunately, parents and carers will not be able to attend the Book Fair Parade this year. However, we will have an album of photos available via our Facebook page.

Bus Service Arrangements

If you would like your child to use one of the three bus services we offer free of charge to families, please contact the school to arrange this PRIOR to catching the bus.

All enquiries for the buses must be made through the School Office, and require confirmation from the School before your child/ren can commence catching the bus. There are only a certain number of seats available. Please do not contact O’Driscoll’s Coaches directly.

Also, please remember that you can download the Transportme App to track the buses. If you would like detailed instructions on how to set this up please contact us.

Little Learners THIS FRIDAY !

Little Learners is our FREE play-based early learning program for children from birth to five years old. Join us at one of our two sessions.

Please visit our School Calendar to see what’s on and Contact Us to confirm your place, as spaces are capped.

School Banking is Back!

Available every Monday, students need to place their banking wallet into the slot in the counter in the School Office.

If your child has lost their wallet, please contact your School Banking
Coordinator, Malcolm Lacey, for a replacement or visit any Commonwealth Bank Branch.

If you would like to know more about School Banking, please ask for a 2020 School Banking Program Information Pack from the School Office or visit commbank.com.au/schoolbanking.