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It has been an exciting term of discovery in Science, with students across all year levels engaging in hands-on learning and developing their understanding of the world around them.

*Our Prep students have been learning about how things move. They began by exploring how their own bodies move and then extended this learning to other objects. Through investigations with hoops, hoppers, counters and helicopter seeds, they experimented with different types of movement, including rolling, bouncing, spinning and jumping.

*Year 1 students have been investigating the topic of sound through a range of engaging experiments. They explored how sound travels along a string in their cup phone investigation and observed how vibrations can cause rice to move. They also measured sound in decibels to determine the loudest instrument. As part of their learning, students examined the inner workings of the ear and were fascinated to discover how the ear turns vibrations into electrical impulses.

*This term, Year 2 students have been investigating push and pull forces. They have learned that moving an object away from themselves is a push, while moving an object towards themselves is a pull. Through a range of hands-on activities, students have strengthened their understanding of these forces. They particularly enjoyed playing tug of war and recently had fun creating balloon and straw rockets.

*Year 3 students have been investigating heat and heat transfer. They are developing an understanding that heat moves from warmer objects to cooler objects and that some materials conduct heat more easily than others. Through their learning, students have explored how heat is transferred and how different materials respond to it. Early next term, they will take part in an “Ice-Box Challenge”, where they will need to keep a Zooper Dooper frozen for more than 20 minutes when placed in a heated container.

*Year 4 students have been learning about ice ages, climate change and the impact humans have had on the environment, particularly during the last 12,000 years, known as the Holocene epoch. They have discovered that scientists believe Earth has experienced five ice ages and that we are still living in the most recent one. Soon, students will examine data showing how our world is getting warmer and how weather patterns are changing. They will also develop an understanding of the actions we can take to help slow global warming.

*Year 5 students have enjoyed learning about light through a range of hands-on activities. They have explored how light can be reflected and refracted, and have developed an understanding of how we see things by learning about the inner workings of the eye. Students have also investigated the visible light spectrum and discovered how rainbows are formed. In addition, they learned that three things are needed to make a shadow: a light source, an object and a surface. They also explored how changing an object’s distance from a light source can affect the shape and size of its shadow.

*Year 6 students have been learning about electricity and simple circuits. They have experimented with both series and parallel circuits, incorporating components such as buzzers, bulbs, motors and switches. Students are now beginning to design a model or piece of artwork that includes a simple circuit. Throughout this process, they have developed a deeper understanding of conductors and insulators.

It has been wonderful to see students across the school engage so enthusiastically in Science this term. Through questioning, experimenting and investigating, they have built their knowledge and curiosity while developing important scientific skills.

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We wrapped up our term by focusing on the importance of using our senses, particularly taste, as a way to slow down and be present. Drawing on ideas from Smiling Mind, students explored how paying close attention to flavours, textures, and smells can help them feel calmer and more aware. Smiling Mind explains that mindful eating involves engaging all of our senses and taking the time to notice our food, rather than rushing or eating on autopilot . They also highlight that savouring taste allows us to “heighten awareness of pleasure” and make positive feelings last longer.

In the junior classes, students shared their favourite meals and drew them in their books, reflecting on what makes those foods enjoyable. These simple, sensory-based activities are powerful for mental health, as slowing down and savouring small moments can boost positive emotions, reduce stress, and help children feel more grounded and appreciative in their everyday lives.

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In our recent sessions, we introduced students to the ideas of savouring and mindfulness—simple but powerful ways to support wellbeing. Savouring is about slowing down to fully enjoy positive moments, even small ones, like a warm sunny day, a laugh with a friend, or the satisfaction of finishing part of a task. Mindfulness complements this by encouraging students to be present in the moment, noticing their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without rushing or judging.

We talked as a group about how easy it is to move quickly from one activity to the next without really noticing what’s happening around us. By practising slowing down, students are learning to appreciate the “little things” and build a sense of gratitude in everyday life. These skills can help them feel calmer, more focused, and more resilient.

With the senior classes, we explored these ideas through a creative activity. Students were asked to carefully duplicate a drawing, but with an important twis, the focus was not on finishing or producing a perfect result. Instead, the emphasis was on being present in the process: observing details, taking their time, and noticing how it felt to concentrate without pressure. This allowed students to experience what it means to be “in the moment,” rather than rushing toward completion.

We encourage you to support this at home by taking small opportunities to pause, notice, and appreciate everyday moments together.

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In Week 8, our wellbeing learning focused on the five senses, with a particular emphasis on listening and sensory awareness.

Teaching students about their senses is an important part of supporting their overall development. Sensory awareness helps children become more present and focused, which strengthens their ability to learn in the classroom. By learning to notice what they can hear, students begin to build skills in attention, concentration, and self-regulation.

A key part of this learning is helping students understand how different sounds can affect their emotions and wellbeing. Recognising whether a sound feels calming or overwhelming allows children to better understand their feelings and respond in positive ways.

We also introduce simple mindfulness practices, such as focusing on breathing and listening. These strategies give students practical tools they can use when they feel distracted, anxious, or overstimulated, helping them to return to a calm and ready-to-learn state.

Developing these skills early supports not only academic learning, but also emotional awareness, resilience, and wellbeing, skills that are essential both in and beyond the classroom.

Thank you for your continued support in helping build these important life skills.

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The Listening Game  | Cosmic Kids Zen Den - Mindfulness for kids

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This term, the Year 2 students have been investigating push and pull forces. They have learned that moving an object away from themselves is a push, while moving an object towards themselves is a pull. Through a range of hands-on activities, students have developed their understanding of these forces. They particularly enjoyed playing tug of war and recently had fun creating balloon and straw rockets.

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This term, the Year 1 students have been investigating the topic of sound through a range of engaging experiments. They explored how sound travels along a string during their cup phone investigation and observed how vibrations can cause rice to move. They also measured sound in decibels to determine the loudest instrument. As part of their learning, students examined the inner workings of the ear and were fascinated to discover how the ear turns vibrations into electrical impulses.

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This term, the Preps have been learning about how things move. They began by exploring how their own bodies move and then extended this learning to other objects. Through hands-on investigations with hoops, hoppers, counters and helicopter seeds, they experimented with different types of movement, including rolling, bouncing, spinning and jumping.

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We are learning about Japanese Kawaii ‘cute’ culture.

I can engage in learning about Kawaii culture.

I can recognise Hello Kitty and understand her relationship to pop culture.

I can follow instructions carefully to produce a Kawaii drawing of Hello Kitty.

How much fun is Planning Day!

Today, the Year 2 students explored Kawaii and Hello Kitty’s pop culture phenomenon in Japan, and around the world.

We learned all about Hello Kitty - where she was from, her likes, and where we have seen her before.

Students shared some of their own interests with friends.

Finally, students followed a directed drawing video very carefully of Hello Kitty and were then given the opportunity to give her a ‘new look’. They used their own interests to create a Hello Kitty that reflected this.

I think you’ll agree that their designs are amazing.

🥢 Sensei 🍙

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Over the past three weeks, our Year 5 and 6 students have taken part in try outs for our school sporting teams in basketball, teeball, lawn bowls, Hot Shots tennis, Kanga Cricket and kickball. It has been fantastic to see so many students eager to get involved and represent the school.

Throughout the trials, students demonstrated great skill, persistence and enthusiasm, while also showing excellent sportsmanship and teamwork. Selecting teams is never easy, as many students performed extremely well and showed great potential.

Thank you to all students for their effort and positive attitude during the try outs. We look forward to seeing our teams represent the school proudly in the upcoming competitions.

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Jogging Club has started!!! Every student has either the same card or a new card ready for 2026. Prep students have already hit the track running showing their enthusiasm as they strive for that first 10km certificate. If they aren’t 100% sure of the track, the 2026 sports leaders will assist with doing a lap with them. Certificates for milestones will be presented at year level assemblies.

The track is as follows: Start at Basketball courts near prep playground, run around all 3 basketball courts and head down the ramp towards the oval. Running around the oval on red track, continuing up past the gym on path past prep playground and down to get cards marked off by sports leaders in orange vests.

Jogging Club runs every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 8:40

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On Tuesday 10th March, our school swimming team competed in the Mornington District Swimming Carnival at the YAWA Leisure Centre in Rosebud.

All students proudly represented our school and took on strong competition throughout the day, achieving some excellent results. We are pleased to share that several students have progressed to the Division Championships. Best of luck to Ruby and Oliver in their individual events, as well as our 9/10-year-old relay team of Olivia, Macy, Ruby and Charlotte.

A big thank you to Mrs Cartwright and Mrs Jones for assisting with our school team on the day. We would also like to sincerely thank the parents who came along to support—not only their own children, but the entire school team.

Overall, Mt Martha Primary School finished 4th place at the district carnival, which is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations to all of our swimmers on a wonderful effort.

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Another fantastic week with the prep students in the Japanese room. This week, students revised vocabulary from last session and added even more!

🎌🇯🇵🎌🇯🇵🎌🇯🇵🎌🇯🇵🎌🇯🇵🎌🇯🇵

🍣 Revision 🍣

Ohayo - good morning

Konnichiwa - hello/good afternoon

Sayonara - goodbye

Sensei - teacher

🍡 New vocabulary 🍡

Arigato - thank you

Hajimemashite - nice to meet you

Watashi wa … desu - I am …

Ja mata,

🍙 Van Hoof Sensei 🎑

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Konnichiwa,

The learning in the Japanese room over the last fortnight has been fantastic. Well done to all students for their fabulous efforts.

🎎 Year 1&2 Kanji to 10 🎎

Our learning centred around recalling the names of numbers in Japanese and remembering how to write them in Kanji. Students were taught little tricks to help them identify what the Kanji looked like, and practised writing them using correct stroke order.

ichi 一

ni 二

san 三

shi 四

go 五

roku 六

nana 七

hachi 八

kyuu 九

jyuu +

🎎 Year 3&4 Days of the Week 🎎

Students learned where the days of the week (yobi) got their names from. The names of the week in Japanese are influenced by celestial bodies or elements.

Monday - Getsuyobi

Tuesday - Kayobi

Wednesday - Suiyobi

Thursday - Mokuyobi

Friday - Kinyobi

Saturday - Doyobi

Sunday - Nichiyobi

🎎 Year 5&6 Hiragana Vowels 🎎

Our focus for this fortnight has been on learning the sounds of the Hiragana vowels and how to write them using the correct stroke order.

a - ‘ar’ as in ‘bark’

e - ‘e’ as in ‘get’

i - ‘ee’ as in ‘see’

o - ‘o’ as in ‘on’ (a tough sound as it is not a direct match)

u - ‘oo’ as in ‘boot’

Sayonara,

🎏 Van Hoof Sensei 🎍

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Welcome to SEL Term One 2026.

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Moorhouse or Mr. Gaiser if any questions.

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Wow! It was so wonderful meeting our new preps this week and introducing them to the Japanese learning space.

Students were introduced to the Japanese culture, engaging in information about Japanese food, clothing and locating Japan on a world map.

They compared the Japanese flag to the Australian flag, and learnt the meaning behind the colours and shapes of the flag.

Students shared some fabulous life’s experiences that connected to our learning with confidence and enthusiasm.

Vocabulary:

Ohayo - good morning

Konnichiwa - hello

Arigato - thank you

Sensei - teacher

Next lesson, we will be focusing on revising the vocabulary taught as well as introducing some new words.

For now,

Sayonara!

🍡 Van Hoof Sensei 🎏

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Konnichiwa!

A massive welcome back to all our students in years 1-6! It’s been a fantastic two weeks already in the Languages learning space.

I managed to snap some photos of the junior students working on their greetings activities and some students at our ‘Bonus Learning’ stations (how great do they look in their kimonos)!

🍱Year 1&2 Greetings🍱

Vocabulary:

GOOD MORNING Ohayo gozaimasu

GOOD AFTERNOON Konnichiwa

GOOD EVENING Konbanwa

GOOD BYE Sayonara

GOOD NIGHT Oyasumi nasai

🍱Year 3&4 Mapping🍱

Geography:

Students located Australia and Japan on a world map and compared shape and size.

New learning centred around how Japan is divided up into prefectures and we worked together to name our Australian states and territories.

Finally, students used a labelled map of Japan and a list of cities to label their own maps.

🍱Year 5&6 Emails🍱

Sentence Structure:

Students were supported to create an email in Japanese.

They used templates and included the following criteria:

‘To’ and ‘From’ (ie. Stephanie san)

Subject Kyujitsu (holidays)

Greeting of choice

Sentence about somewhere they went

Sentence about something they ate

Sign off

Kaomojis

This was a great opportunity for students to share their holiday experiences and compare the layout of Japanese sentences to English sentences, introducing sentence structure in a fun and simple way. Students rose to the challenge in an impressive way!

Stay tuned for a Prep post! They have their first Japanese lesson on Wednesday and I am so excited to meet them all!

Sayonara,

🎎 Van Hoof Sensei 🎌