Week 5 Term 3 2019

The Minerva Work Experience Programs are up and running, these include; at school work experience, supported group work experience and cross district enclave work experience. Students are further developing their work related skills and safe travelling in the community.

Minerva students at IDF Kogarah doing a great job selecting the correct colour and number of Lindt chocolate balls as part of a production line.

James doing a great job in collating for ‘Lids for Kids’ one of In School Work Experience tasks. Work Experience Coordinator, Russell Hely

MINERVA SCHOOL

DATES TO

REMEMBER

August

Monday 26th

22q Awareness

mufti day

Wed 28th Fathers Day

Shopping

September

Sunday 1st

Fathers Day

Thursday 5th

Garden Session

Friday 27th Last day of

Term 3

October

Monday 14th Staff and

Students

return for

Term 4

Learning for Life

66 Eton St, SUTHERLAND NSW 2232 T 02 9521 3433 F 02 9545 3316 E minerva-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au www.minerva-s.schools.nsw.edu.au

Week 5 Term 3 2019

DATES TO

REMEMBER

May

Tuesday 14th

School photos

Wednesday

29th Vaccinations Visit

2

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Wow! Where did the time go? They say time flies when you are having fun – but this is ridiculous!! We are already half way through Term 3 with so much more to fit into this term. This term, we have celebrated Education/ Book Week with our families and students. Thank you to all parents and caregivers who attended Tuesday’s celebrations. It was a pleasure to see the obvious enjoyment our students gained from sharing stories with their families and carers and of course dressing as their favourite character or superhero. Many thanks go to Jenny, our librarian, for her organisation of the day. This was followed by a coffee and chat session led by Mr Mazzitelli and Miss Sarah where the Teach Meet presentation from June 17th was showcased highlighting the great successes and journey undertaken through the Learning for Life project as presented to Department personnel and fellow colleagues. The findings from the first University of Technology Sydney report based on the Learning for Life project was also shared with all attendees. If you would like a copy of the report or a summary of its significant findings, please get in touch and we will happily provide you with a paper or digital copy. Our students have enjoyed a fascinating KLA incursion focused on Aboriginal and Cultural perspectives presented by 2 highly skilled Bush Rangers. The rangers brought along a variety of Aboriginal tools, props and crafts and the students were treated to a session of learning about the Aboriginal culture through participating in activities including ochre painting, face painting, basket weaving, walks through the gardens bug hunting and discussions regarding Indigenous foods and the significance of the land/environment. Thank you to all caregivers who attended the day and for Miss Kat for organising this successful day.

Our focus on fitness and healthy living continues this term and so far our students have participated in a swimming program and Football clinics each Tuesday. Staff have been busy attending numerous professional learning sessions including sessions delivered by the wonderful Christine McMordie (OT) and Margot Smith (OT/ Teacher) focusing on topics such as ‘Is it Sensory or Is it behaviour’ and ‘The use of sensory tools within student learning’. The final two twilight sessions of the year where the focus was MAPA- Management of Actual and Potential Aggression have been held over 2 afternoons. With a focus on prevention, the MAPA programme teaches management and intervention techniques to help staff to cope with escalating behaviour in a professional and safe manner. A huge thank you to all parents, family members and caregivers who attended the open garden afternoon held on Thursday 15th August. The Sensory garden was weeded and mulched with red wood providing a beautiful entrance to the garden for all students to enjoy. The kitchen garden also received some much-needed attention and was weeded, tidied with new crops planted. The next open garden event will be held on week 7 (Sept 5th) where students will be invited to attend with caregivers for a fun afternoon of gardening.

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Our new Minerva Health and Fitness Centre is taking shape. We have just had some new carpet tiles installed which will make a huge difference to the aesthetics of the room with improved comfort and noise reduction. A very big thankyou to Aaron from A Team Flooring, for his help and assistance. We would also like to thank the lovely ladies from the Bosco Knitting Group who have agreed to do some knitting for us. We are planning to create colourful art installations in our Sensory Garden. We need your help with wool supply — 8ply acrylic is the preferred wool type. Finally, the new 3D printer funded by the IMB Bank Grant has arrived at Minerva and students have been busy creating Father’s Day keyrings for their families and caregivers. Students will be learning to design their own 3D models in the very near future as part of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education program. The Father’s Day stall will be held on Wednesday 27th August. Thank you for all your ongoing support. Kind regards, Sarah Ellingham Relieving Principal Minerva School.

Happy Birthday to the following students for the months of

August and September.

James, Chris, Julian, Ulysses, Ewan, Kurt and Joshua

Week 5 Term 3 2019

DATES TO

REMEMBER

May

Tuesday 14th

School photos

Wednesday

29th Vaccinations Visit

2

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Class Waratah

This term, students in class Waratah are official war correspondents as we investigate the topic 1914-1918. Students have been reading the book Archie’s War and continuing to create their own scrapbook, just like Archie did. They have used recipes from 1914-1918 to cook delicious wartime food including food the ANZACs ate on the battlefield. They have learnt about the First World War and are now examining the ANZAC legend. Students are also investigating the impact of the Spanish Flu on Australia and will shortly be conducting a public health campaign across Minerva school to minimize the effects of the Flu this season. They have been on a few adventures this term, exploring different parts of Sydney as part of our community access program. We have so far tried Turkish and American food. Soon, we will try Italian and Lebanese food.

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Week 5 Term 3 2019

In Protea this term we have been having a great time participating in STEM activities. We have been using the Blue Bots and the Dash to complete various challenges. In a few week’s time we will have a go at making animals using the 3D printer. We can’t wait to show you all what we create!!!

Week 5 Term 3 2019

It is only Week 5 and Protea has been to some amazing places. We have visited

Austinmer, The Australian Museum and ZONE Bowling for a friendly teacher vs.

student game. Our favourite would have to be going to the cinemas to see the

Lion King, we had a great time

Week 5 Term 3 2019

Week 5 Term 3 2019