Swimming
Over the last two weeks our Year Prep to 4 students have attended swimming lessons at Knox Leisureworks pool in Boronia. I went down to the pool last week to see the Year 4 kids swim and they seemed to be loving the experience. Swimming is such an important activity to learn, especially where we live because of the many beaches and pools available to us in a short distance from our homes. The swimming lessons we do at school are important in developing confidence and safe behaviours in the kids when they are around water. It’s a tiring week for the children but we always get positive feedback from Knox Leisureworks about the conduct of our kids, which is lovely to hear.
The Year 5 and 6 students will participate in an open water safety session down at Smith’s Beach, Phillip Island later this year. This is something I’m sure they’ll all be looking forward to.
National Simultaneous Storytime
Last Wednesday the children participated in National Simultaneous Storytime. I was lucky to be the guest storyteller and I absolutely loved the experience. Every year a picture storybook is chosen by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and read to students around Australia at the same time. This year’s book, “Bowerbird Blues”, written and beautifully illustrated by Aura Parker, is a moving story of longing and connection, that unfolds as the bowerbird’s search sends him soaring across the sea, sky and city. He swoops and snatches vibrant treasures for his collection, and soon his bower—a mix of natural and unnatural objects—attracts something greater and more fulfilling than he could ever have imagined.
It was great to see so many children dressed in blue along with the small items of clothing such as blue hair ties, head bands, hats, beanies and socks – all things I’m sure a bowerbird would find very attractive! The children listened so intently while I was reading the story to them in the gym. It was a wonderful session and I was so pleased to be a part of it.
Many thanks to Mrs Bentley for organising this day and for decorating the library to match the Bowerbird theme. If you get a chance, please visit the library to see the amazing display.
Reconciliation Week & National Sorry Day
This week marks Reconciliation Week which is a special time when we learn about and celebrate the friendship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. During this week, we remember two important events: the 1967 vote that made things fairer for Indigenous people, and the Mabo decision that recognized their land rights. Reconciliation Week helps us understand and respect each other’s cultures and history. Through activities and discussions in classrooms, our children learn about Indigenous traditions, and work together to make things fair and equal for everyone.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024 is “Now More Than Ever” and it’s a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.
Kind regards,
Mat Anderton
Principal