Dear Families,

I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine and family time over the extra-long Anzac weekend.

Anzac Day

Staff and students enjoyed a wonderful liturgy for Anzac Day last week.  A very big thank you to Ms Wira, Mrs D'Rozario, and all the Year 6 students who led our special ceremony. It was very moving and it was amazing to see how well all the students focussed on the important Anzac message.  It was so impressive to see the creative wreaths and memorabilia that each class prepared as part of our celebration.

Year 5 Camp - Sovereign Hill

Last week, the Year 5’s were on camp at Sovereign Hill. It’s always a fascinating experience learning about what life was like in 19th-century Ballarat. 

They went panning for gold (alas, no nuggets), went down the old mines, and were immersed in 19th-century gold rush life. From the hardships of trying to make a living as a miner, to a day in the life of a school child, the Year 5 students certainly gained a deeper insight into life in the 1850’s. 

The students were intrigued by many of the traditions and expectations placed upon people of this bygone era, in terms of what was deemed appropriate clothing for men, women and children as well as roles and responsibilities of family members. Candle making was of great interest to the students as well, and discovering that it was not just a fun and interesting pastime activity as we enjoy it nowadays, but an unpaid job that was only rewarded by free rent and food, definitely raised a few eyebrows among the students. The gold pour demonstration was another highlight of the visit and the students were fascinated by the process of smelting and purifying the gold.      

It was fabulous to see this wonderful group of students explore this environment with open minds, keen to take on new learning. It was also fabulous to see them challenge themselves in various ways to also learn a little more about themselves as well. They represented the school, their families and themselves with pride and respect.  Congratulations on a wonderful camp experience, Year 5’s and a huge thank you to those teachers who organised and attended this special learning event (Thalia Kurzel, Flora Fisher, Danny Maher, Margy D’Rozario and Daragh Drummond)!