The End of Semester 1

 From Mrs Harney
It is hard to believe that Semester 1 is at an end and the year is half over. It has been a very enjoyable Semester, but I am sure the children are ready for a break, as they have all worked very hard.  I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday and I look forward to seeing them all back at school on Tuesday 21st July 2015. 

This week, I ensured that all the children checked their pencil cases, so that they have them organised for the beginning of Term 3.  As we do so much writing, most of the children need more lead pencils.  Many of them also need:  whiteboard markers and pencil sharpeners.  If parents would please purchase more supplies for their child and send them to school on the first day of Term 3, I will ensure that they are put into their 'spares', ready for when they are required.

For this blog, the children had a large input into each article, as they will for all future blog posts.



65 Roses and 'Go Red Day' by Ruby and Fearne
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On the 25th of May 2015, Room 23 started selling Cystic Fibrosis merchandise, to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  We also went to all the classes around the school, distributing posters and telling them about 65 Roses, Cystic Fibrosis and Go Red Day.  Every class knew about all the fundraising we were doing for Cystic Fibrosis.  As well as being busy, we learnt more about Cystic Fibrosis, such as these four facts:  

• '65 Roses' is a small boys effort to pronounce his sister's condition; Cystic Fibrosis.
• Cystic Fibrosis is the most common life threatening recessing genetic condition affecting Australian children.
• Cystic Fibrosis seriously affects breathing and digestion.
• Every four days a child is born with Cystic Fibrosis. 

Merchandise and raffle tickets were sold every morning, before school and by Friday 29th May we had raised quite a lot of money.  On the Friday everyone came to school dressed in red and gave a gold coin donation.  All together we raised $2384.60.

The following Friday the CEO of Cystic Fibrosis WA came to the Junior Assembly and accepted a cheque on behalf of Cystic Fibrosis WA.  He said that Wattle Grove Primary School raised more than any other Primary school had ever raised.

Thank you to everyone who helped us raise all this money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.
   


Bug Hunt by Logen and George
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Last Wednesday we went on a bug hunt behind our classroom.  We found lots of bugs including a butterfly, snail, spitfire caterpillars, large and small ants, earthworms, a small green spider, crickets and a small brown spider.  Mrs Harney told us to squat down quietly and look carefully.  When we did that we saw many of the bugs.  We needed to record what we saw, how many body parts and legs they have and also draw a picture.  It was a fun afternoon.


Fantastic Planting by Eve, Ashley and Moonisa 
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On Friday 26th June we combined with Mr Petch and out buddies in Room 22 to plant hundreds of bulbs in the circular gardens in the 'Village Green'.  
We were divided into groups and all given an area to plant.  We put on our gloves and divided up the seeds.  It was important to measure how deep each bulb needed to be planted and also how far apart they had to be.  

We had a variety of bulbs to plant.  They were:

• Daffodils
• Sparaxis
• Ranunculus 
• Brodiaea
• Anemone
• Freesia

After we planted the bulbs, they were watered in and Mrs Harney put special bulb conditioner on them.  We hope that the flowers will be looking beautiful for our 100th Birthday Celebrations later this year.

It was a lot of fun doing all the planting.  Much better than doing work!

We have also done some planting of bulbs outside our classroom.  These ones have started to push through the soil and we are hoping that they will grow lots over the holidays.
























Art by Iraj, Logan and Asten
In Art recently, we have done some Impressionist paintings with Butterflies, colourful tropical fish, writing in hearts for Harmony Day.  Also texture, weaving and lastly we have made our beautiful flowers.  All our artwork is proudly displayed in our classroom.


Harold's Heroes by Hannah, Serah and Yasaman
On Friday afternoon, a few weeks ago, we went to the Life Education Van. Our class said 'Hello' to Mrs Hannah and Harold.  Harold came out of a box, but he could not stay because he had to go to work.  We got to do three challenges.  We needed to find a partner that liked the same food as us.  Then we had to find a partner that got to school the same way as us.  After that, we made a hand-shake with out partner before we learnt Harold's hand-shake.  We also learnt about healthy food, not smoking, not touching medicines and not touching broken glass or needles.  

We had a great time and were all given a sticker at the end.  Mrs Harney got our Harold's Heroes books and we are learning more in class about all these topics.







 

Jump Rope for Heart by Georgia and Isabella
On Thursday 18th June, we participated in Jump Rope for Heart.  We had been practising for many weeks during fitness and sport, so we were quite good.  We had all got lots of sponsors to help raise lots of money.  Some of the skipping we did was:

• partner skipping
• triangle skipping (with 3 people)
• single skipping
• run and jump
• wave and skip (where you wave your rope up and down, then skip)
• fast skipping
• gallop skipping
• windmill skipping.

We got to have a break during the skipping and we had some fruit to help us keep our energy up.

Mrs Oliver did all the preparation for Jump Rope for Heart.  The whole school raised over $6000, which is an excellent effort.   

Thank you to everyone who sponsored us.

Eagles Visit & Rick the Rock by Cody, Zakk and Prithul
Last Friday Joe and Rick the Rock from the West Coast Eagles Football Club visited our school.  Joe talked to us about what everyone needs to have.  He said we need:

• Healthy food every day
• Exercise every day 
• Good friends
• Lots of sleep
• To be on time and be prepared

Rick the Rock was being silly, so Joe tried to stop him.  Then Rick fell asleep.  Joe told us to wake him up...so we all yelled 'WAKE UP!'

When Joe was talking about healthy food, Rick brought out a snake!  He thought that it was healthy.  Maybe for him...but not for us!

Rick had an arm wrestle with Emma and Cole, who both beat him and won a cool prize.  Rick was a good sport and congratulated them.

We really enjoyed Rick the Rock and Joe visiting us.



Congratulations Ruby
A huge congratulations goes out to our Ruby.  She has been chosen as one of our 4 finalists in the 'Therapy Focus - Help a Child Grow Art Competition'.  This is a huge achievement as there were 4000 entries and there are 100 finalists. Please vote for Ruby at a Westfield Shopping Centre or online at www.therapyfocus.org.au/vote between Friday 3rd July and Sunday 19th July.  It would be wonderful if she was one of the 20 published in the 'See Me' book.