Volume 31 Issue 26 26 Aug 2022 29 Av 5782

Primary news

Samantha Rogut, Head of Library and Information Services K-6

Book Week 2022

The CBCA Book Week 2022 Dreaming with eyes open… was a week filled with interesting musical performances, fabulous guest authors, delicious cupcakes and of course, fabulous book character costumes.

Years K-2 were entertained by Perform Education Musical who sang and danced their way into our hearts. The performers read books from the CBCA Picture Book Shortlist which were woven into an engaging and interactive performance.

Years 3 and Year 4 enjoyed listening to guest author Mick Elliott tell his fabulous jokes and watching him create one of his Squidge Dibley characters. Mick’s Squidge Dibley books are available for purchase here.

Australian children’s author Belinda Murrell visited and spoke with Years 5 and 6 about her writing process. She explained how her characters are formed from influences in her own childhood and family life. Belinda spoke about the amount of time and research it takes to create her historical fiction novels giving students an insight into the writing process. She explained that her first drafts ‘need polishing’ and it is the third and final ‘polished’ draft of the novel which is published.

Belinda’s books are available for purchase here.

The Primary Library played host to Harry Potter Trivia and Book Week Trivia every lunchtime, with students enthusiastically competing for book prizes. Winners of the Book in a Bottle Competition will be announced next week so stay tuned.

The highlight of the week was the Book Week Parade. It was wonderful to welcome parents to the campus and for the students to celebrate by dressing up and eating cupcakes for recess.

We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

 

Teaching Hebrew in the 21st century

Hagit Bar-On – Head of Hebrew K-6, Jewish Studies Co-ordinator K-2

The Hebrew staff attended an extra day of learning on Tuesday 16 August 2022 at the Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre in Melbourne.

There were 55 Primary Hebrew teachers from different Jewish Day Schools who came together to study innovative ways of teaching Hebrew in the 21st century.

I presented two sessions:

  • Session 1: “Learning from our successes, Positive Psychology”. How do we look at our students’ successes and implement them in their learning of Hebrew?
  • Session 2: “Differentiation” teaching Hebrew in differentiation using practical methods such as group work, rotations, and multiple levels of work.

Dr. Yona Gilead from Sydney University presented an amazing session of fun and creative Hebrew games that can help enhance Hebrew speaking in the classroom.

There was an amazing atmosphere and energy in the room, with the teachers working in pairs and groups and engaged in productive conversations.

At the end of the day, teachers expressed their interest in coming together for a Hebrew conference every year, due to the limited opportunities for Hebrew teachers to receive professional development in their field of expertise.

Hopefully, we can have another Hebrew conference in 2023 in Sydney!

Years 3-5 Sport and Recreation Camp

Carrie-Anne Thomas – Acting Deputy Head of Primary

Next week, students in Years 3, 4 and 5 will be heading to Point Wolstoncroft for Sport and Recreation Camp. This is always an excellent opportunity to develop skills and relationships while enjoying the outdoors and exploring new activities. We are excited to spend a few days with the students and look forward to sharing our adventures with you upon our return. Our staff love spending time on camp but it is an additional commitment away from their families and lives.

I thank them in advance for their care, enthusiasm and dedication.

Just a reminder that students need to be at school by 7.15 am on Wednesday morning. Please remember to say goodbye at the gate.

Students can then take their belongings and meet in their designated areas:

  • Year 3 – Waxman Drive
  • Year 4 – Pizem Courtyard
  • Year 5 – PAC