Quarter 2 Newsletter 2022

6 3D shapes and recorded the properties of these shapes on Seesaw. We ended the 3D project with the construction of a robot, using recycled boxes and containers that were brought from home for this purpose. The theme for the last part of the quarter was “Our senses”, where we made binoculars (sight), paper cup phones (listening and hearing), smelt various aromas (smell) and tasted different flavours (taste). We celebrated World Book Day and our Grade 1’s dressed up in amazing, creative and colourful book characters that they had chosen! We celebrated Elmer Day where we learned and discovered that everyone has something unique to bring to our classroom to share. We were privileged once again to listen to the Cape Philharmonic orchestra after more than a two year absence due to the COVID pandemic restrictions and the brilliant sound was enthusiastically enjoyed. Africa Day allowed us to learn and experience all the wonderful cultures we have within our very own classrooms. We wish all our Grade 1’s a well-deserved holiday and look forward to watching them grow and mature both academically and socially next Quarter. Going on our outing to SANCCOB was the highlight of our PBL project this quarter. After two years of Covid restrictions we were finally able to hop on the schoolbus and go visit our feathered friends down the road. The children were relieved to discover that we had an ‘animal hospital’ so close by where injured seabirds are rescued and looked after. They learnt about water pollution and how they can help to prevent it. Researching information is a new skill that our Grade Twos had to learn in order to gather information about their animal. We learnt how to use Safer Brit, Epic and the wonderful library books available to us. Afterwards they used their new knowledge to author their own non-fiction animal ePub. This they used as their visual aid for their oral presentation. They built a habitat diorama, which housed their clay animal which they created in Art. They learnt about Keynote and used their new skills to type up an animal report. This information was then used to make their own QR code. We invited some very special science experts and friends to visit our classroom sanctuaries for our final display. Africa Day was a colourful day that marked a celebration of unity in diversity and the spirit of ubuntu, embracing kindness. We dressed up in a way that shows Africa in each and every one of us. We looked at where Africa is in relation to the rest of the world and the 54 countries that form Africa on a map. We found out more about the big five, made masks, sang songs, greeted each other in different African languages and even went on virtual tours to some of our neighbouring countries using Google Earth. PREPARATORY FACULTY GRADES 1 - 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . From the Principal’s Office Lee-ann Steynberg As this quarter draws to a close and we begin to reflect on the events and activities that have taken place, I would like to say thank you to our educators, learners and parents for their support and enthusiasm. This quarter has seen us develop our sports, culture and friendship skills. As always the Preparatory Faculty has been a constant hive of activity and the highlight for me has been our author visits and a performance by the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra followed by a very special cultural assembly where we celebrated music at school. Our young Grade Six scientists showcased their displays to internal judges and parents a couple of weeks ago and the winners are now preparing for the annual external Science Expo. Our learners amazed us with their experiments and it was wonderful to see them engage with the judges and parents. Culture continues to shine with the magnificent Eisteddfod results for dance and Trinity results for music. You can read more under our Culture section. Our Grade Two learners showcased their Habitats which was a culmination of their learning journey to answer the question, "You have rescued an animal and must now build it a safe place to live. Can you design and build an animal sanctuary to keep it warm and safe with its friends?" Our “expert” guests loved interacting and chatting to the Grade Twos. The educational journey our children are on is a partnership with our parents and we thank you for your continued support in helping us to shape our children’s futures. GRADE ONE GRADE TWO The Grade 1's Second Quarter has been filled with excitement as we discovered riddles and investigated whether all apples have five seeds. We learnt all about the changes that happen around us during the Autumn season and created our very own leaf-man. Together we have been actively engaged in learning our letters and blending three-letter words whilst finding the joy in learning to read. The children looked at and explored three-dimensional (3D) shapes and then had to try and find some examples from everyday life. We continued our learning of the properties of 3D shapes by using play dough to make models of these different