Week 4 - Reddam House

IN THIS ISSUE :   

NEWS FROM ROOMS MUSIC SHOWCASE SPORT FIXTURES & RESULTS ….. PLUS MUCH MORE

Dear Parents and Caregivers, In any single year at Reddam, there are so many fantastic events , that finding a highlight is almost impossible. Every week, another experience climbs up the list until there are many vying for top spot. However, I certainly think that the RHAP awards evening, which took place on Wednesday, was a definite highlight for most of us. The evening provided an opportunity to acknowledge and reward the top-performing students for their successes in various cultural pursuits, as well as showcase some of the very best talent in the school, from K – 6. Charlotte Brinkworth performed her solo from ‘Mulan’, reminding us of the wonderful production from earlier in the year; Marcus Michelson played an outstanding rendition of Violin Concerto No.1, 1st Movt. - Komarowski, accompanied by Oliver Stanton, and Jack Mars presented his creative speech on ‘De – Evolution’, showing his diverse skills. I would like to congratulate all the award winners for their achievement of Team, Half or Full Colors. In particular, I would like to commend three students who were awarded the highest possible award, Honors, for achieving three sets of Full Colors. Congratulations to Sam Cleary (Year 5), Adina Herz (Year 6) and Noa Lubotzky (Year 6). Your achievement is something to be very proud of throughout your life. In Martial Arts news, congratulations to Ben Simon, Leo Panchal, Jack Futcher, Nathanial Milanovic and Wayne Sun who successfully passed their 9th Kup Taekwondo Grading Promotion test which now entitles them to Yellow Belts. Further congratulations are extended to Jaiden Fairhead and Niki Giannopoulos who successfully passed the 8 Kup Grading Promotion test. The progress of these students in this discipline is astounding and their hard work is really paying off. Monday night saw a number of students in Kindergarten to Year 4 display their musical talent for a large and enthusiastic audience in Adelaide Hall. The young students put on a fantastic recital which included pieces on piano, cello, clarinet, violin and, of course, the vocalists added great value to the night. Well done to all the children who took part: Sacha Gross, Ben Landa, Ben Simon, Charlotte Benmayor, Hanu Ayliffe and Leora Shafransky, Zachary Ahrens, Isander Mesimeris, Leo Panchal, Alyssa Chong, Daniella Christelis, Tahlia Christelis, Ryan Chong, Ben Price, Kate Stockdale, Alex Machkevitch, Jazmyn Bailey, Naomi Shafransky and Marcus Michelsen. With talent like this among the younger years, the future of music at Reddam promises to be filled with wonderful showcases.

The Reddam House Primary School Newsletter

Volume 12 Issue 31

Friday, 02 November 2012

Page 1

The Drama department is busily rehearsing for the K – 2 production of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and as the performances grow closer, it’s not uncommon for tunes and lines from the show to be heard along the corridors and on the playground. The leads are engaging in numerous extra rehearsals and their excitement is palpable. I know that I am not the only person desperately looking forward to this show in Week 6. As part of the ongoing Social and Emotional Program, run by our school psychologist, Tanya Barber, various year groups have had contact time to develop their personal set of skills for emotional wellbeing. Recently, Year 1 and Year 4 have taken part in these sessions. The children thoroughly enjoy these sessions which include discussions, role plays and Q & A time. Thank you to Tanya Barber for her continued work on the emotional development of our students. Next week, our top sportsmen and women will be rewarded for their excellence at the Sports Awards Evening, which takes place at in the Adelaide Hall, on Thursday, 8 November. To those athletes competing this weekend, I wish the best of luck. Dee Pitcairn Principal

Reddam House would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to Taj Chandra, Seren Williams, Stephen Gottlieb, Jasmine Zelden & Stephanie Belovukovic who celebrated their special day in the holidays or this week. We hope you had a fabulous day!


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 2

Page 2

SPORT FIXTURES


Sporting Fixtures Saturday 3

rd

Volume 12 Issue 14

November

Basketball Girls 10 R (Suzann) V CYS 8.45am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 12R Div 1 ( Annie) V Rose Bay 3.50pm Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 12E Div 3 ( Annie) V Newtown 10.15am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 16R Div 1 (Trish) V Bye 16E Div 3 (Irena) V Avengers 5.15pm Alexandria Basketball Stadium Friday. The bus will leave from the front of the Woollahra Campus at 3.45pm. 18R Div 1 (Matt Garrett) V TRP 5.15pm Alexandria Basketball Stadium Friday. The bus will leave from the front of the Woollahra Campus at 3.45pm. Boys 10 R Div 2 (Lee Cooper) V Lakers 8.45am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 12 R Div 1 (Matt Garrett) V Raptors 2.20pm Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 12 D Div 3 ( Lee) V Inner City 1.35pm Alexandria Basketball Stadium Saturday 14R Div 1(Lee) V Saints 6.15pm Marrickville Basketball Stadium Saturday 14E Div 3 ( Lee/Marcel) V Bye Alexandria Basketball Stadium Sunday 14D Div 2 ( Lee) V Raptors 2.20pm Marrickville Basketball Stadium Saturday 14M Div 3 (Lee) V Rebels 9.00am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Sunday 16 R Div 1 ( Melvin) V Maccabi 4.00pm Marrickville Basketball Stadium Saturday 16 E Div 3 ( Henry) V Ballers 10.40am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Sunday 16 D Div 3 ( Lee) V Maccabi 9.00am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Sunday 16 M Div 3 ( Annie) V Jets 9.50am Alexandria Basketball Stadium Sunday 18R Div 1 ( Henry/Marcel) V CYS 5.30pm Marrickville Basketball Stadium Saturday 18D Div 2 ( Lee/Marcel) V Storm 5.30pm Marrickville Basketball Stadium Saturday. Please check sydneybasketball.com.au to ensure there have not been any late changes to the draw. Tennis Reddam 1 V St Pius Tennis World North Ryde Saturday Reddam 2 V North Sydney Boys High, NSBH Courts Saturday Reddam 3 V Roseville Talus Street Courts Saturday


SPORT FIXTURES Friday, 25 May 2012

Page 1

Touch Football Reddam 1 V Monte Reservoir Field No.5, 9.40am Saturday Reddam 2 V Monte Reservoir Field No.6, 8.00am Saturday Reddam 3 V Monte Reservoir Field No.6, 8.50am Saturday Water Polo Senior Boys V St Andrews, University NSW Pool Friday 8.45pm Junior Boys V Bye Sub Junior Boys V St Andrews, University NSW Pool Friday 7.45pm

SPORT RESULTS Sporting Results Saturday 27th October Basketball Girls 10 R (Suzann) V Bye 12R Div 1 ( Annie) V Newtown Jets 19 - 13 12E Div 3 ( Annie) V CYS 12 – 14 16R Div 1 (Trish) V Waverley Warriors 32 - 22 16E Div 3 (Irena) V Wildcats.28 -2 18R Div 1 (Matt Garrett) V Bye. Boys 10 R Div 2 (Lee Cooper) V Maccabi Warriors 19 - 25 12 R Div 1 (Matt Garrett) V The Magic 34 - 33 12 D Div 3 ( Lee) V Maccabi 14 - 16 14R Div 1 (Lee) V Titans 43 - 23 14E Div 3 ( Lee/Marcel) V Inner City 25 - 23 14D Div 2 ( Lee) V Newtown Dragons 20 - 0 14M Div 3 (Lee) V Bye 16 R Div 1 ( Melvin) V Newtown Warriors 32 - 35 16 E Div 3 ( Henry) V Maccabi 20 - 25 16 D Div 3 ( Lee) V Reddam M 14 - 18 16 M Div 3 ( Annie) V Reddam D 18 - 14 18R Div 1 ( Henry/Marcel) V Newtown 50 - 36 18D Div 2 ( Lee/Marcel) V Maccabi 16 - 35 Please check sydneybasketball.com.au to ensure there have not been any late changes to the draw. Tennis Reddam 1 V Matchpoint 3 4 - 2 Reddam 2 V MAD 3 0 - 6 Reddam 3 V Matchpoint 9 3 - 3 Touch Football Reddam 1 V Ascham 5 - 3 Reddam 2 V Loreto 9 - 0 Reddam 3 V St Vincents 2- 4 Water Polo Senior Boys V Bye Junior Boys V Waverley College 8 - 2 Sub Junior Boys V Marcelin College 6 - 3

Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 3

KINDERGARTEN This week the Kindergarten rooms have been exploding with Science fun. The children have loved learning about ‘The 3 States of Matter.’ They understand what a solid, liquid and gas are. This week they were very excited to have a liquid race. Using three different liquids; glue, coloured paint and waterpaint the children enjoyed making predictions which one would be the fastest and slowest to the bottom. On the count of ‘GO’ we watched the three liquids race to the bottom of their page. We can’t wait to conduct more experiments next week.

Last week KR performed their “love of reading” to the K-2 and 3-6 Assemblies. They rocked the house down with their funky rock clothing and hairstyles. Watching them talk into the microphone with such confidence was a delight to see. They had so much fun dancing and performing, that even Miss Hodder, clearly enjoyed it as much as they did.


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 4

YEAR 1 Year 1 had a fantastic day at the Power House museum. They were space cadettes. They learnt about Neil Armstrong, American and Russian technology, the first ever rocket and what life would be like in space. They saw space suits, parts of rockets and food and drink that had been into space. The students were mesmorised. I liked putting the head phones on and looking at the big rocket engine -Ben Price I liked seeing real rock from the moon- Manoli Macarounas I liked it when Team USA were versing Team Russia to be the first one to get to the moon. - Zayne Gladsden I liked looking at the giant engine - Alessi Fletcher I liked the room which turned around and around like we were in space - Seraphine Cullen Feng


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 5

YEAR 2 Year 2 Busy Bees have been at it again this week! So much to see and do! An excursion, musical recitals and PIPs selection, it’s a wonder we managed to fit anything else in – but we did! Check out some of these exciting activities we have been up to in class this week: Firstly, to consolidate our work on 3D shapes, we made some ourselves from shape nets – but not the usual old style – in Year 2, we go “Angry Birds” style! Have a look at some of these fabulous Angry Birds 3D shapes we made in 2E! We also did a bit of art and craft during our Science lesson this week. To excite ourselves about the butterfly lifecycle, we made these absolutely adorable caterpillar pegs: aren’t they bright and beautiful?


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 6

K -2 MUSIC EXCURSION On Wednesday 31 October, Kindergarten - Year 2 went on an excursion to the ABC Centre in Ultimo to see and hear the Sydney Sinfonia perform in concert. Dan, the conductor, introduced all the different families of the orchestra and many of the children were already familiar with a variety of instruments. The orchestra performed pieces by Purcell, Mozart, Rimsky-Korsakov and the Australian composer, Paul Stanhope. The children had studied the pieces in class and were excited to hear them live, although it was tricky dancing in our seats. Reddam students gave many excellent answers to questions that were asked, although special mention must be given to Ben Landa who made the very astute observation that the rhythm in the Bassoon moved from Ta’s to Ti-Ti’s. Lucas Tabell also impressed the audience with his stately dancing to a minuet.

MUSIC SHOWCASE On Monday 29th October selected performers representing Kindergarten to Year 4 displayed their talents in the Adelaide Hall. The large audience were entertained and enchanted by our younger prodigies who included: Sasha Gross performing as both cellist and vocalist; Ben Landa, Ben Simon, Charlotte Benmayor, Hanu Ayliffe and Leora Shafransky – all performing on piano; Zachary Ahrens became our youngest Jazz Pianist; Isander Mesimeris, Leo Panchal, Alyssa Chong, Daniella Christelis, Tahlia Christelis, Ryan Chong and Ben Price represented our sting players; Kate Stockdale and Alexei Machkevitch performed on clarinet; Jazmyn Bailey sang ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift. Special mention needs to be made of Naomi Shafransky who performed the 1st Movement of the Beethoven Piano Sonata in G Major with great musicality; and Marcus Michelsen, who was again outstanding in his performance of the 1 st Movement of Komarowski’s Violin Concerto No.1. Mr Stanton provided excellent and supportive accompaniment to our students once again. This evening represents the depth of talent in the lower end of the school and suggests the future of music at Reddam House is very bright indeed.


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 7

YEAR 4 In HSIE this term the Year 4 students have been discovering the importance of State and National Parks. During their studies the children have been learning about the many natural wonders of flora and fauna that these areas showcase and about the many on-going threats they face from feral animals, introduced species and of course development. To look at the issue of development the classes were asked to write a discussion on whether or not State and National parks should have playground areas for children. They responded so well and produced some very engaging and very perceptive works. This is an example from Jaiden Fairhead and Harrison Segerstrom.

Should playgrounds be built in National Parks?

By Jaiden Fairhead

A lot of National Parks have playgrounds, but do they need them? Children love to play in playgrounds. So why shouldn’t National Parks have them? Surely it would attract families with kids? If a child goes to a National Park and likes the playground, the child will want to come back and play. Playgrounds also allow kids to play while the parents look at the National Park. Some National Parks try and save endangered species from extinction. Why waste money on something like a playground that won’t benefit the animals, when you could make an animal rehabilitation centre? To build a playground you need to bring in tractors and land movers creating pollution. Imagine if your home was where the playground was going to go. That would be terrible. There are so many ways to view this argument. Both sides have great reasons. However, as much as I like playgrounds there is really no point to build one in a National Park and playgrounds draw kids away from the National Park’s natural beauty. Should a children’s playground be built in a National Park

By Harrison Segerstrom

There have been recent discussions taking place concerning the building of children’s playgrounds in our National Parks. There are two sides to this debate with both advantages and disadvantages. Some people believe children today spend far too much time indoors watching television and playing computer games. Lounging around like a “couch potato” in front of the television is causing problems. As a result of this some children are not active and therefore not as fit as they should be. This can contribute to other health problems later in life. Children need to be outdoors playing and socialising with their friends. A playground is the perfect place to do this. Particularly if the playground is located in a beautiful National Park. This would encourage all family members to go and spend quality time together. In addition these spaces are for enjoyment and families spending time there will develop an appreciation of our beautiful environment. More importantly however, it is essential to consider the effects of building a playground in a natural environment. Native animals could lose their homes and plants could be destroyed. The area may also become polluted. These are important factors to be considered. On the other hand if careful planning measures were put into place it would be possible to build a playground and conserve the surrounding natural environment. A good example of this is the Minamurra Rainforest Reserve. Boardwalks have been built to protect plant and animal life. The needs of the people have also been considered with picnic areas and plenty of rubbish bins to keep pollution at a minimum. Children and their families enjoy the walks, rope bridge and natural beauty nature has to offer. Therefore after considering the above points, it would seem that with careful planning it would be worthwhile to build playgrounds in National Parks. With a better appreciation and understanding of the environment people will look after it more carefully so future generations can also enjoy it.


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 8

ENGLISH Students of Year 5 English have been busy over the past few weeks perfecting their narrative writing. Increasingly they are aware of the correct structure and language features to make a good narrative, Year 5 treat narrative writing like following a recipe when making a cake. Here are some of the essential ingredients of narrative writing according to Year 5. Correct structure A strong orientation that draws the reader in A range of exciting sentences Some figures of speech A range of openers eg. Phrases, adverbs, emotion words etc. Different sentence lengths. Year 6 would definitely agree! They’ve spent a great deal of the year also perfecting their narrative writing, while establishing their essay writing skills in response to their class novel “Number the Stars.” Year 6 have thoroughly enjoyed their Historical Fiction unit of work and at the moment, they’re busy analysing the text in terms of the key themes that have been explored by the writer through the wonderful characters. Here are their thoughts about the novel: Summer Walker – It was such a sad ending but I loved the entire book! Estelle Scott – I liked it so much that I wish there was a sequel! It’s frustrating that we didn’t get to learn about the character of Ellen Rosen and what happened to her once she was taken to safety in Sweden. Sophie Visvis – The truth was revealed right at the end which I didn’t expect! It was fantastic! Matthew Sharp – It was probably the most interesting book I’ve read at school. I really understood it and could emotionally connect with it.


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 9

LIBRARY Halloween is upon us and although celebrations in Australia are mild compared with the USA, children still adore spooky stories – and there is no better time to read them than at Halloween. All our children love to be scared in a fun way, and books can provide them with a ‘safe’ scare. An incredibly popular series with Upper Primary, particularly the boys, is the Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine. “Goosebumps was created to give younger readers something scary to read…people love to be scared. They love suspense and surprises. But Stine is careful not to make books too scary.” (Rosenberg, 1996) This original series boasts 62 books and with the other spinoff series’: Goosebumps Series 2000, Give Yourself Goosebumps, Tales to Give You Goosebumps, Goosebumps Triple Header, and Goosebumps HorrorLand, there are a staggering 162 titles and it continues to grow. The library has a robust collection of these books which continue to charm and amuse both girls and boys.

For the more faint-hearted, there is a myriad of books about all things ‘other worldly’ which aim to amuse rather than frighten. Winnie the Witch is a picture book about a less than successful witch that has children quite intrigued with her antics. The Witches by Roald Dahl is for more independent readers and although a little dark, it is still one of Dahl’s much loved stories. We also have Witches, Wizards and Magical People which is a collection of tales about fairies, giants, elves and, of course, witches, wizards and magical people!


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 10

TAEKWONDO Congratulations, Ben Simon, Leo Panchal, Jack Futcher, Nathanial Milanovic and Wayne Sun successfully passed their 9th Kup Taekwondo Grading Promotion test so they are now yellow belt. Also Jaiden Fairhead and Niki Giannopoulos successfully passed 8 Kup Grading Promotion test. Well done.


Volume 12 Issue 31


Page 11