Last Thursday evening we held our annual Cycle 3 & 4 music concert.  It was a wonderful evening celebrating student learning and showcasing the students’ skills and talents.  I am always so impressed at the confidence and competence of our students when they perform each year.  I’m also always amazed at the number of students who write their own songs and are encouraged to perform them. They each have their weekly individual instrument lessons with Sanjay and Lisa and then the Cycle 3 & 4 students come together and predominantly perform as bands at the concert, playing music together.

Playing music together fosters strong connections, creating a sense of community and belonging. Collaborative music-making enhances communication skills and promotes teamwork, as musicians learn to listen and respond to each other in real time. Additionally, sharing the joy of creating music strengthens relationships and wellbeing.

Music can play such a vital role in a child’s development. Playing instruments and music can improve motor skills and coordination, stimulate creativity, enhance wellbeing and provide an emotional outlet.

Thank you to Sanjay Taverna and Lisa Taverna for your care, support and passion when teaching music to our students.  We greatly appreciate all that you both do for our students.  Congratulations to all of the students who were involved in the Cycle 3 & 4 music concert - you should feel very proud of your efforts and achievements.

"Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." 

Cathy France

Principal

Each term parents volunteer to cook the BBQ on the first Friday of each term to celebrate the beginning of a new term.  The class parent reps help to organise this much loved tradition.   We thank  the parents (Campbell, Damien, Corinna & Mia) who generously gave of their time this term to set up, cook, serve and clean up after the BBQ.  Our community (especially the students!) greatly appreciates your generosity.

It is with sadness that we farewell Anthea Hagar who has worked in the school for the past seven and a half years in the role of Community Engagement Officer.  We are very grateful for the work that Anthea has done in promoting our school both internally and externally and assisting with all of the many school events, open days and work of the School Foundation.

Anthea has generously shared her skills and expertise and often gone 'way beyond the call of duty'.  We thank her and will miss her creative work, all of the 'many hats' she has worn and her sense of fun!  We wish Anthea all the very best as she moves on and we are pleased that we will still maintain contact with her as she remains a parent in the school.

Check out a new video that is on our school website that has been produced to promote our school. It captures the essence of our school beautifully. Thanks to Anthea Hagar, Nicki Stewart and Tim Standing for skilfully putting it together. You can view it here.

Each year since 1945 the Children's Book Council of Australia has brought children and books together across the country through Book Week. This year Book Week is being held August 17 to August 23, and while books are a hugely important part of the Montessori curriculum throughout the year, Book Week is an opportunity to spend one glorious week celebrating books and Australian children's authors and illustrators.

This year's theme is  ‘Reading is Magic’.' Our school invites students and staff at Yultiwirra to dress up as their favourite character from a book on 🌟Monday 19 August🌟.

Volunteers Needed

As many of you will know it is a tradition for beautiful Book Week installations to be erected in our school to celebrate Book Week.  We are seeking creative and interested parents to assist our Cycle 2 teacher Lisa Goodwin to create the installations.  If you are interested please email Lisa at lisag@montessori.sa.edu.au or reception@montessori.sa.edu.au

We have had a lovely start to term 3, welcoming everyone back and exploring the environment after our midyear break.

Inside, the children have really enjoyed making cups of tea in the cooler weather, doing some winter collage artwork and exploring the puzzles and activities on the shelves as they settle back in.

Outside, they have been enjoying some water pouring and sand pouring activities as well as caring for our outdoor area by watering the plants and sweeping up the leaves.

We have had a wonderful start to Term 3 in the Preschool and we have welcomed a number of new students to the program. 

This term we have a focus on Science – with core topics of simple machines, transport and colour.  The children have been introduced to the concept of a simple machine and we have spotted everyday items in our classroom that we can categorise as simple machines such as a spoon, scissors, water bottle pump mister etc. 

The students have then explored independent activities such as setting up and using pulleys; classifying vehicles according to whether they travel on land, in or on the sea, or in the air and learning the names of different machines.  We have also been exploring the primary and secondary colours and engaging in a variety of colour mixing activities with pipettes. 

Cycle 1 Primary has had a wonderful first week back to Term 3, warmly welcoming new students and adults into our learning community. We've already noticed a fantastic spirit of collaboration and lots of opportunities to connect across the wider school.

Our older students are embracing the role as leaders and have been assisting their peers by supporting them in class work and learning new routines, peer reading, class cooking and working together on a collaborative art sculpture.

Our school buddy system has also been a great success, with Cycle 3 students guiding our younger classmates in activities like reading, flag duty, cooking and other morning work choices. 

On Fridays, the students that feel inclined join together in the courtyard for an end of lunch dance party. What started as a few has now attracted many children from across the cycles to join in and bring a burst of fun and energy to cap off the week. It has been a heartwarming start to the term, and we look forward to more shared learning and growth.

"I like cutting the petals out and putting them together" Alex

"I like making my pelican book with my friends" Edward

"Every time I see my buddy reader I give her a hug" Vivianne 

"I like dancing to the Nutbush in the courtyard" Eloise  

In Cycle 3 students are diving into the excitement of the Olympics! As part of an interdisciplinary unit of learning, they are exploring not just the thrilling sports competitions but also the rich history, athletes and the economic implications surrounding the games. The class began by exploring the origins of the Olympic Games, tracing their roots back to ancient Greece. Students were fascinated to learn about the evolution of the Games, from the original athletic competitions held in Olympia to the modern, global event we know today. They discussed key milestones, such as the revival of the Olympics in 1896 and the inclusion of new sports over time.

Students have been particularly inspired by the stories of athletes from around the world. They researched the backgrounds, training regimens, and challenges faced by competitors. The class was amazed by the dedication and perseverance of these athletes, many of whom overcame significant obstacles to compete at the highest level. By learning about these individuals, students gained a deeper appreciation for the diverse cultures and experiences represented at the Games.

Cycle 3 also explored not only the impact of hosting the Olympics but also the economic challenges countries face in getting their athletes to the Games. Students learned about the costs associated with training, equipment, and travel, which can be particularly challenging for countries with fewer resources. They discussed how nations often rely on government funding, sponsorships, and international aid to support their athletes. This exploration highlighted the disparities in resources among countries and how they affect an athlete's ability to compete on the world stage.

As we continue to follow the events, we're not just cheering for our favourite athletes, but also appreciating the complexities and shared human experiences that the Olympics represent.

Our occupations are gaining momentum and as always, varied and interesting! The Preserving Food group is focussing on the science, history and methods of food preservation. So far we have merely scraped the surface of what's possible, and tried to make the most of our abundant harvest of citrus on site. We experimented with drying, making marmalade, and lemon curd. The students are all looking forward to investigating lacto-fermentation and producing pickles, kimchi and sauerkraut, as well as delving into preserving meats by using salting and smoking. Making biltong and salami are just some suggestions made by students and we are certainly looking forward to enjoying these.

In Publishing a Thrive Guide, students are considering what the ingredients for a supersweet life are. They are exploring the adolescent brain, resilience, mindsets, positive relationships, and neuroplasticity. Their big work is publishing that knowledge for other Wairoa students. They will be tapping into their creativity and looking at different publishing media - they could build a wreck-this-journal, a series of hand-illustrated zines, a big ol’ book, or something else!

The Building the Strength and Fitness crew is seeking to design, develop and use a simple gym at Wairoa. Of course behind this will be a lot of research, pitching to stakeholders and careful planning, before a dedicated space with bespoke equipment will find its home here in Cycle 4. Another key aspect of work and learning in this occupation is to explore what it means to be fit and healthy. Students will develop strength and conditioning routines and set individual fitness goals.

So much is happening already- it is set to be a busy term once again!

This term students are learning about the game of pickleball, a fun racket sport. We have learnt how to hold the racket, the different types of shots, how to serve correctly, and played many games against our peers. Pickleball has helped students further their hand-eye coordination. Focusing on a small fast-moving ball is challenging. We have developed our skills by seeing how long we can balance the ball on our racket, and how many times we can keep the ball in the air using forehand and backhand shots.

The Cycle 4 students are also developing their pickleball skills as well as participating in strength training sessions where they are learning the basics of building strength and managing personal fitness.  

During the School Holidays Australia observed NAIDOC week. NAIDOC Week is a special time in Australia to celebrate and look at the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This week is observed every year, usually in the first full week of July.

During NAIDOC Week, lots of events and activities take place across the country. It's a chance for everyone to learn more about the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous Australians and the significant contributions they have made to Australia.

The way we celebrate NAIDOC Week changes each year, looking at different things in Aboriginal culture and history. This year's theme was ‘Keep the fire burning’ that honoured strength and vitality. These celebrations help guide the activities and discussions, making sure that people gain a deeper understanding of important issues and traditions. 

NAIDOC Week also gives us a chance to honour Indigenous leaders and heroes, both past and present. Awards are given to individuals who have made great contributions to their communities and the nation.

Harvey and Ayaan

Cycle 4 RAP committee reps

In 2023, the School received $38,800 (GST exclusive) under the 2023-24 State Government Capital Grant for Independent Non-Government Schools program.  This significant grant was supplemented by the School’s Capital Expenditure budget to purchase and install a fire system with 44,000 litre capacity tanks and pump to protect the Main Building at the Wairoa Middle School campus.  This initiative supports a key strategy of the School’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan to develop infrastructure and technology for a sustainable future. 

We thank the State Government for this $38,800 grant that has allowed us to achieve this much needed capital development.  

We are seeking someone who sews to make a new bag for our portable television.  The current bag which was sewn by past staff member Maree, is in need of replacement.  Costs of materials would be covered.  If you are willing and able please contact the office at reception@montessori.sa.edu.au