Last week was Science Week and I am sure many families enjoyed talking about some of the amazing activities conducted in our Primary School learning spaces. Ask your children about some of the following activities their teachers organised in classrooms last week, or perhaps others not listed:

Robotic hands                   Tower building              Physics – fulcrums         Weight distribution       Bug Observations           Making butter

Simple machines – marble runs                            

Ivory soap clouds            Rocket tea bags            Slime                                      Volcanoes                            Making lemonade          Magnets                      Dancing raisins                 ‘Eggsperiments’

This week is Book Week and we were off to a flying start on Monday with our annual Book Parade. It was obvious that hours of preparation had gone into many costumes as children and staff alike paraded around our MPC to the joy of their captive audience. Dressing up as one of our favourite book characters is a great way to recognise the power that books have to transport us to far away places in our mind.

We had students and staff from our Early Learning Centre, Officer and NWS Campuses all having fun together, enjoying high fives and congratulations on their efforts. The costumes covered a wide range of book titles and authors:

Roald Dahl Titles

Alice in Wonderland

The Bible

Anne of Green Gables

Fairy tales & Nursery rhymes

Where’s Wally

Charlotte’s Web

The Chronicles of Narnia

Books and characters derived from movies

Kids classics – Paddington Bear/Winnie the Pooh

The Secret Seven

Super heroes and sports stars

We were also treated last week with a visit from Award Winning Australian Author, Claire Saxby. Claire shared her books and how she develops her stories through ideas and research. Our students were engaged in the writing process and were fascinated by the depth of knowledge and planning required to bring ideas to life in the form of a picture story book.

This past week we have had the Scholastic Book Fair and Adventist Book Centre visit OC Primary. Students have been able to visit the Book Fair and write out a wish list of titles they would really love to be able to purchase and enjoy. Parents can come in and browse as well and payment can be made by cash in person or online. The Book Fair travels to our NWS Dining Room this week. All NWS students will have the opportunity to go ‘window shopping’ on Thursday and Friday this week and take their wish lists home. This Tuesday and Wednesday before and after school, there will be opportunity for our NWS families to come in and buy books.

Classroom activities during book week have included shared and modeled reading and lots of writing about books. In the upper grades students have been writing persuasive texts, persuading their readers to pick up their favourite book, giving reasons why it is the best book going around at the moment. I wonder what other learning your child has been engaged in of late?

We hope your children have been enriched over the past two weeks being immersed in science and books.  Take the time to talk to your children about their learning and the fun they have had, focusing on these two special weeks on our College calendar.

Mr Roger Sevenhuysen

Deputy Principal Primary

21st - 25th August 

Book Week

24th - 30th August

Book Fair NWS Dining Room

25th - 27th August

Pathfinder Urban Camp

Monday, 28th August

Years 7/8 SEISS Netball/AFL

Thursday, 31st August

Years 5/6 ASV Maths Olympiad

Immunisations Years 10-12

Friday, 1st September

Father's Day Community Walk 

Sunday, 3rd September

Father's Day

Monday, 4th September

Primary School Father's Day Breakfast

4th - 8th September

Secondary Festival of Faith

Tuesday, 5th September

Year 6 Orientation, Periods 3&4

Wednesday, 6th September

Year 7 Immunisations

Saturday, 9th September

5-8:30pm Pathfinder Club Night

11th - 15th September

eSmart Week

Monday, 11th September

Years 5/6 Hooptime

Wednesday, 13th September

Prep Orientation Day 2 NWS/ OCP

Periods 1&2

Thursday, 14th September

Years 3/4 Hooptime

Monday, 18th September

Years 7-9 Girls AFL

Tuesday, 19th September

Staff vs Students Challenge

Friday, 22nd September

Last Day Term 3

'For showing excellence in digital spaces'

Officer Prep/1W - Galataya

Officer Year 2/3/4N - Ruby

Prep DH - Azahlia

Year 1W - Nyabiel

Year 1/2K - Hannah

Year 3C - Junior

Year 3J - Connor

Year 4W - Hailey
Year 4/5RC - Rose

Year 5/6E - Jeremy

Year 6MJ - Lea

Year 3C - Jayden and Sienna

Year 3J - Emanuel

Year 4/5RC - Nyamer

Year 6MJ - Nyachuot

This week's value is Excellence.  The definition of excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good. Here is something the Bible says about excellence.  

Daniel 6:3, 'Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom'.

Now, one of the reasons Daniel was excellent was because of his attitude. Remember when the King's Advisors couldn’t find anything wrong with him? Well, that’s because he had an excellent attitude. When someone got angry, he wouldn’t get angry back, he would just calmly solve the problem. You know, we all really need to try and be just like Daniel.

I know that sometimes when my mum asks me to tidy the kitchen, I can get a bit upset. So this week's challenge is…when someone asks you to do something, do it well, do it happily and while you’re doing that, don’t forget to keep on being excellent!

God bless.

Eden and Max

School Captains

Next Wednesday, Heritage College will be host to a number of principals, and leaders from all around Australian Seventh-day Adventist Schools who will be here to discuss the Quality Adventist Schools Framework (QASF).  

b) Learning and teaching

c) Leading school improvement and

d) Community partnerships.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 6 have been distributed to students.  All cash orders need to be handed to the Office by 4th September 2017.

Don't forget you can order and pay with your credit card online through the LOOP system. Just follow the instructions on the order form.

Any queries can be directed to Penny Tan at [email protected].

Thank you.

Mrs Penny Tan

Book Club Coordinator

We have a new website that we would love for you to go and take a look at.  Let us know what you think!

Value for Weeks 7 & 8

'Excellence in Shared Spaces'

Hoop Time Basketball is a Victorian Schools competition open to Years 3-6 students across the state. Mr Waldrip and Mr Eales, our in-school coaches, have been training students for the past month during lunchtimes in the MPC.

Our dedicated students and staff have been working on skills, drills and fitness to improve their game.

Good luck, teams, as the selection process gets to the pointy end and lists are finalised in the lead up to the competition in Week 9 of this term.

Mr Roger Sevenhuysen 

Deputy Principal Primary

Last week, the Heritage College Choir performed in our first engagement at the Advent Care Retirement Home in Nunawading. It was great to see the children really enjoying performing and the positive response gained from the elderly citizens who almost filled the auditorium. 

After presenting our program and a small gift to each in the audience, the children were asked to return to the stage. We then had an 'impromptu performance' of four more songs that were also greeted with much enthusiasm. 

We performed all songs 'Acapella'. We were surprised to get a standing invitation to return monthly!  We were glad to bring joy and happiness to the residents at Advent Care.

This has given the children confidence to continue their performing engagements. Stay tuned to find out where these successful artists will perform next.  Thanks to all their hard work and dedication.

Choir, you have made Heritage College proud!

Thanks also to our Choir teacher, Miss Kammermann, for her hard work in helping prepare the students for their wonderful performance today.  Thanks also goes to Mrs Robertson and Miss Jaques for accompanying us today. 

"Today I went to visit the old people. First we went to the park. When we came back to the old people, we went on stage and sang some songs. After we sang we gave presents. Then we went back to school." Jalane

"I was scared of meeting other people but then I got used to it. I sang in the Choir. My experience in the Choir is great.  My favourite part was the park for snack! Thank you Miss Kammermann, Miss Jackson, Miss Jaques and Mrs Robertson." Lulu

Miss Nomi Jackson

Performing Arts Teacher

During Science Week, Year 3 students were given the opportunity to take part in two different science sessions – ‘eggsperiments’ and construction.

Students spun eggs, rolled eggs, made silver eggs, watched them float and sink in water (and salt) and saw an egg sucked into a small opening in a bottle. They managed to do all this with only one broken egg. Well done, Year 3!

In the second session, students were challenged to construct a tower using rolled up sheets of newspaper and minimal tape in a given time frame. There were some interesting constructions and we think we have found some budding engineers and construction workers.

Mrs Evelyn Charles

Year 3CM Replacement Teacher

During Mathematics this term, Year 5 students have been completing investigations involving fractions. The whole class has been learning about fractions, decimals, equivalents and percentages.

Year 5 students learnt to play the traditional game of dominoes and are now making their own games using fractions instead of numbers on the tiles.

The Year 4 students will be using their skills in using fractions to plan a party and plan the shopping for the party.

Ms Janet Robertson

Year 4/5RC Teacher

There was an exciting buzz at the Narre Warren South Campus last Thursday night as the Year 4 students slept the whole night at school!

We started the night out doing some homework. Next we headed up to the MPC to have some free time. By then, we had worked up an appetite and enjoyed some pizza and hot chips together. This was followed by some more games in the MPC to get our bodies moving.

After this, pyjamas were put on and we had a worship time together with Pr Faye. We also had some discussion about how we can change homelessness. Our focus for the sleepover was to raise awareness and funds to help Mission Australia reduce homelessness.

"It was fun and I liked the food."  Michelle

"Best Night Ever!!!" Tiana

"It was awesome, fun and amazing. But I found it a little hard to sleep."

Justine

"It was the best night ever."  Nyamer

Our goal was to raise $350 for the homeless and to ‘rough it’ and sleep for a night at school. The money was collected and so far we have raised $346.  Well done, Year 4!

Any other contributions would be fantastic to help us reach our goal and more.  Just click on this link to donate to our cause.

https://masleepout.gofundraise.com.au/page/HeritageCollegeYear4Sleepover

Thank you.

Mrs Aloma Camps

Year 4 Teacher

As part of our HPE program and a Sporting Schools initiative all primary students are enjoying a fully coached gymnastics lesson each week in Term 3.

It is great to see students rolling, tumbling, balancing, jumping, bounding, swinging, laughing and having fun. Our children are building up their strength, co-ordination and confidence in a safe learning environment. Be sure to ask your child which rotation has been their favourite and which one challenges them the most.

Mr Roger Sevenhuysen

Deputy Principal Primary

Last week in gymnastics, students in Years 5 and 6 were focusing on performing quality movement sequences. Students had to invent beam sequences involving passing partners and mirroring partners. They also had to invent a sequence of rotations, jumps and balances mirroring a partner. Thanks to Triskills for developing our students' skills each week.

https://youtu.be/jsO6iiAj9Ak 

Mrs Isabelle Millien

Year 6MJ Teacher

Last Friday, Year 1WA, 4/5RC, 5/6E and 6MJ took part in Start Smart Workshops run by the Commonwealth Bank.

The Year 4/5RC workshop involved the students taking part in interactive activities about spending and saving, using credit cards versus cash and how there are many things in shops to distract us and encourage us to spend and not save. The students learnt about saving for something they really want.

Year 5/6E learnt how to build a small business plan in order to create and save money and Year 6MJ developed a better understanding of how to budget, and the importance of budgeting from a young age.

Mr Nigel Eales

Year 5/6E Teacher

Year 1W

With a cold day threatening, a brave group of Year 9 and 10 students left school for their latest round of competition on Tuesday. After a delayed start due to the slow trip into Dandenong, both girls teams faced Edinburgh in their first round. Both of our teams had a good win 12-3 (Year 10) and 11-0 (Year 9). With such a confident start we planned our next round after the bye. While the Year 10 team were able to gain another victory of 17-2, unfortunately our Year 9 team narrowly missed out with a loss 6-7.  

Lunch gave the girls time to recoup and we received some great feedback from other teams about the strong goal attack from Alana with Leighan as Goal Shooter. Keziah also received positive comments for her play of the ball. Ruth was forever on the move and maintained her energy levels throughout the day, retrieving balls out of play and covering her whole court area effortlessly.

Unfortunately, our last two opponents, Bayside and Mt Evelyn, proved too strong for both teams and we lost out in both rounds. The girls played Edinburgh  and MDCS again for the final play off and came in an overall 4th.

Due to limited numbers our AFL boys linked up with Edinburgh to play for the day, clinching a narrow victory in their opening game against MDCS. The boys suffered a loss in their next two games against the two top teams of the day MECS and Bayside. Despite sore bodies and battered morale, the boys displayed sportsmanship and fair play to uphold our Christian values.

Kudos to the three Year 8 boys, Buom, Santosh and Caleb, who courageously stepped up to play with the older boys on the day. We ended up with an overall of 3rd position.  

All students were a credit to the College and enjoyed their time representing Heritage College in Netball and AFL.

Mrs Sharlene Stratford & Mr Reuben Sleight

Sport Teachers

The news at 6pm is one of the most watched programs each and every evening in Melbourne.  The anchor at the desk of the Channel 9 news at 6:00pm is Peter Hitchener, and has been so since 1998.  In that time he has become one of the most respected reporters in the industry.

Last week, one of our students had the opportunity to spend 30 minutes interviewing Peter as a part of an assessment for their classwork.  Adam is currently studying VCE Media Studies via distance through the Distance Education Centre for Victoria (DECV).  In a recent assignment Adam was required to interview a media professional about their career and training.  Aiming high, Adam sent through a request to speak with Peter and was offered a 30 minute window in which to spend with him.

This achievement is one of a growing list for Adam.  His passion for media has taken him on a learning journey which has included paid photography work for the College including being the official photographer at school functions.  His work has also been used in College advertising materials.

We wish to acknowledge Adam's passion and congratulate him on this fantastic achievement.

Mr Darren Martin

Deputy Principal Secondary

Q6. Do you have any hobbies?

Q7. Where did your Primary and Secondary schooling occur?

Q8. Who has inspired your faith journey?

James and the VCAL Literacy Class

Students at Officer Primary had a fantastic day learning at the Melbourne Museum last week.  Students in Prep/1W explored the Bug Lab while the Year 2/3/4N students enjoyed a 3D documentary on the superpowers of Bugs! 

"Seeing the dinosaur skeletons was awesome." Jeremiah

"I liked seeing the bugs with superpowers in 3D. It made them look real and I felt like I could touch them!" Jayden 

"My favourite part of the day was the IMAX - but I didn't like the 3D spiders!" Lincoln 

"I liked the documentary of bugs and when we were in the wild exhibit." Daniella 

"I liked going into the bug exhibit! I saw awesome butterflies!" Keiraleigh

"My favourite part was going into the IMAX. We got to learn about bugs!"  Talulah 

"I liked going to the underwater exhibit! I saw some sharks and a giant squid!" Faye 

Our orientation day for Prep 2018 saw our prospective students exploring and making bugs! They made butterflies and  beetle crowns using their fantastic fine motor skills.

Another activity they enjoyed was using large tweezers to weave their way through a spider web to get the animals out from the bottom! We had a great day getting to know each other and having fun at school! Welcome to our new students for 2018!

Miss Jenny Wells

Prep Teacher