Principal’s Report
Emma Clark
Principal
Hello EPS Families,
Cockatoo Little Aths Club is excited to share that our canteen will be open for House Athletics – this Thursday 9th March for all Grades 3 to 6 students.
Please see the price list if you’d like to prepare with your child/children what they would like to purchase on the day and send them with the right amount of $$.
We also have eftpos available for any adults coming along.
Parents & Carers who hold a Centrelink Pensioner Concession card or Health Care Card which is current from 30th January 2023 (Start of Term 1) you are eligible to receive CSEF – $125 per year.
This money can only be used for Camps, Sports events & excursions.
Please contact the School Office if you have not applied and would like an Application form.
We will also need to take a copy of your eligible card.
Konnichiwa families,
We’re always busy having fun and learning in the Nihongo classroom and I’d like to keep you all in the loop with what we’re up to.
Preps
Our Prep students are really enjoying coming into the special Japanese room and have made a fantastic start to their learning. We’ve been focusing on greetings used at different times of the day. Here’s a link to a song we’ve been singing as part of our learning https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2UYmM365Zk&t=1s
They’ve also learned about Hinamatsuri (Girls Day or Doll Festival) and made these fantastic emperor and empress dolls to display in the room, pictured here with Sonia Sensei and Yumi Sensei, our Japanese assistant who works with us on Mondays.
Grade 1-2
We’ve been using drama and props to tell the story of Momotaro – the peach boy. Ask your child to tell you about it.
Here’s a clip about the story you could watch together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBhFtJPNAZA
Grade 3s
I’m so impressed with how quickly the Grade 3s are picking up learning to read hiragana! They’ll be making flashcards soon and will be able to take them home to review what they have learned in class. It would be great to encourage your child to look over their cards a few times a week.
Here’s a clip I made during lockdown which teaches the first 5 hiragana characters.
Grade 4-6s
We’ve been building listening skills with the story of The Great Race. I tell the story using simple, comprehensible Japanese and I ask lots of questions along the way to keep students engaged and to check their understanding. Ask your child to tell you the story.
Congratulations
It’s very exciting to announce our Grade 6 Japanese leaders are Heidi and Airlie. They already have some wonderful ideas to enrich our program.
Grade 6 students were offered the opportunity to apply for the chance to go to Japan for a Children’s Conference. Lewis G was chosen to represent our school and we wish him well in the selection process. What an exciting opportunity!
A number of students entered a poster competition held by the Japanese Language Teachers Association of Victoria. JLTAV is looking for an artwork to use as the front cover of their conference booklet. Good luck to those who entered!
Extra Japanese practice at home
It makes me so happy when students want to do even more Japanese learning!
One way to do more is by using Duolingo. Some students and families are using this popular free app/website.
“With quick, bite-sized lessons, you’ll earn points and unlock new levels while gaining real-world communication skills.”
It’s suitable for all ages and I found it to be really motivating. It would be a great way to support class learning.
Extra Japanese practice at school
For Grade 5 and 6 students who want even more chance to learn and practice their Nihongo, I’m starting up a free after school class on Thursdays from 3.45pm – 4.15pm, starting on March 16. We’ll do more speaking practice and work on having simple conversations. Students will need parent permission to attend. If your child is interested, please contact me at Sonia.morison@education.vic.gov.au
Sonia Morison (Sonia Sensei)
Community News
Canteen Special!
Friday Meal Deal
Breaking up is hard to do!!!!!!!!
It’s time for the canteen to break up with single use straws, these will not be available in 2023
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic enters the world’s ocean every year and over 90% is single use plastic.
So let’s say bye bye to straws and hello to BYO. We highly recommend reusable options over all disposables. Students can purchase a reusable silicone straw in its own case with the school Emblem for $4 from the canteen (over the counter or via online) or uniform shop.
