AMAZING ART

It is the beginning of a new year and we have a new art teacher! Miss Randall, previously from Byford Primary School, has come to teach us at Wattle Grove. To add the icing on top of the cake, we have a new art award! At the last senior assembly, Room 22 (That’s us, just in case you’ve forgotten) won the Senior Art Award! We have a brand new certificate and trophy!

We achieved this magnificent award for our “excellent listening skills and producing some amazing ‘shooting star letter name’ artwork.” We interviewed Miss Randall to find out what she thinks about moving to W.G.P.S.

S&L: How long have you been teaching for?

Miss R: I have been teaching for 12 years.

S&L: That’s as long as we’ve been alive!

Miss R: Hehe

S&L: Why do you love Art?

Miss R: I love Art because there are so many different things you can do to express yourself.

S&L: Do you love any other subjects?

Miss R: I like Science, English, Music, all subjects really! But of course, my favourite is Art.

S&L: What do you think of Wattle Grove?

Miss R: I love teaching here. The students are gorgeous and friendly and the grounds are beautiful.

We think this year is going to be a great year in Art!

- Shahana and Lucy 

AUSTRALIA DAY DRESS UP 
The Australia Day dress-up was held on the 14^th of February, back in Week 2. Students got to dress up in their Aussie gear at the cost of a single gold coin donation. Altogether, Wattle Grove Primary raised over $700! All money raised went to the Mundaring Bushfire Appeal to aid with the recent bush fires. It was fantastic to see so many students dressed up in their wonderful Aussie gear. Thank you to everyone who participated, your generous donations helped make this day an utter success.

- Adam and Lachlan

MERIT CERTIFICATES

We would like to congratulate last years merit award winners as they weren’t at school the day their award was presented. Intisar and Lucy finally received recognition for their fabulous achievement in the class.

Three other fortunate merit certificate award winners received their very own award. These were none other than Henry, Rhian and Sean. Sean for his amazing exposition on the culling sharks off the West Australian coastline. Rhian for her incredulous skills of taking on her jobs as a Student Representative. Henry achieved his award for his excellent manners in and around the school and its community.

Congratulations to all these award winners. Keep up the good work!

Blake and Kai

COMING SOON

On Monday 3^rd March, in week five, we have a Labour Day Public Holiday. 

Next week, week five, we get our Sleek Geeks Assignment, which will take place throughout the school term and into the holidays.

On the Thursday 20^th March - week seven, we have Harmony Day.

The day immediately after Harmony day there is a senior assembly.

Over the ninth week we have our Principal’s Challenge. 

On the last Tuesday of term, the 8^th April, the school will be hosting Parent Interviews.  

On the last day of term we have an A.N.Z.A.C. ceremony. Look Out for test books that will be coming home through-out the year. This term they will be going home on the Fridays of Week five and nine.  Next term, the NAPLAN Testing will be on the 13^th -15^th of May. Lookout for updates, they will be coming out every term.

Blake and Kai

STUDENT REPS

In the early weeks of February 2014, all of the year 6s & 7s gathered in the BER room to deliver their Student Rep speeches.  The students spoke with outstanding finery, speaking of responsibility, trustworthiness, exquisite, spotless playgrounds, harmony, peace & equality for everyone in the playground and, most importantly, spreading their serene kindness, safety, politeness & willingness to help to all four corners of the school.

Like every school, we need Student Reps. Every term a new bunch of year 6 and 7s are chosen for this role. Student Reps do the jobs like running the sports shed, setting up the village green, mounting the flags, making sure classes are in line and setting up morning fitness. The Student Reps from our class are Rhian, Bella, Nikole, Adam, Henry and Peng. Well done to all of the Student Reps for Term 1, 2014.

- Bella & Jessica 

BE INSPIRED

This term Mr Petch has assigned us an exciting project about the people in history who have contributed to society in some way. 

Inspiration; the Oxford dictionary defines it as ‘The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.” By learning about these eminent souls we are being inspired in many ways.

The project consists of three sections. This required us to choose a person we find inspirational.

Section 1-The first section entitles us to create a booklet about our notable person. Containing basic facts, why we chose our person, their legacy and why it is important they are remembered. We also had to include a bibliography. This part was due on the 21^st of February, 2014 and many exceeded expectations and proceeded well.

Section 2-The second part consists of presenting our findings to the class-and Ms Roberts- with the assistance of a power-point or prezi. This will take place on the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th of March, 2014. All the presentations will be recorded and may possibly appear on the blog. We are also required to watch ourselves and self-assess our presentation.

Section 3- Finally, for the last segment, Mr Petch gave us the opportunity to be creative and make or build anything. Many found this challenging as it was our choice, however some saw it as the perfect occasion to articulate their abilities through creativity and imagination. This final part is due on the 26^th of March, 2014. We all can hardly wait to see what everyone has decided to put forward. 

This project has excited all and has enabled us to feel inspired by such notable human beings. Also this term we are being inspired by the vast variety of quotes and famous statements made throughout history, some have even shaped the world we live in today. Below are some interesting and inspiring quotes we have gathered together as a class.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

- Oscar Wilde

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

-Roald Dahl

“The journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step.”

-Lao-tzu

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible”!”

-Audrey Hepburn

“Close your eyes and enjoy the rollercoaster which is life.”

-Zayn Malik

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

-John Ronald Ruell Tolkien

“A person, who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.”

-Albert Einstein

- Bianca & Mikayla 

LABOUR DAY

As you may already know, Labour Day (also recognised as the Eighth Hour day in Tasmania, or May Day in the Northern Territory), is coming up on the 3rd of March 2014. Fortuitously for us it is on a Monday, and that would mean… an extended weekend! However Labour Day is not only about a day without education or assignments. Labour Day has much deeper significance. Going back into the mid 19th century, back in the days most employees had to work 11 to 12 hours for 6 days a week. Fortunately, after an immense number of protests from labourers across the country it was decided that the day would be more balanced: eight hours labour, eight hours recreation time and eight hours of sleep, along with a working period of 5 days. Notably, the dates may contrast depending on which state you live in. This became acknowledged as Labour Day!

- Alyssha & Elycia

 IT'S TEST TIME

We have kicked off the year with an incredibly busy term as Mr Petch, propels us forward. This is a special year - Naplan year! Mr Petch has set a mountain load of tests, to prepare us for Naplan. We have been challenged to the very limit by Mr Petch, however, we know that it is essential if we want to achieve our very best for Naplan. We have sat Maths, English, and Writing sample tests.

For our first non-calculator test, we found out that we were not reading the questions with care. However in our second calculator test, we excelled. We scored 84% class average, just below our target of 85%!! We also scored quite well in the English tests. Remember, if you want to get a 100% in the Maths tests, please go on Maths Online to practise.

                                                                                                                                         - Henry & Peng