On the 17th of August, Indonesia celebrated 81 years of Independence. To mark the occasion, all classes joined in the fun during their Indonesian lessons in Week 5.

A highlight for most students was the chance to try Kerupuk (a crunchy Indonesian cracker). Many students wanted seconds! While enjoying the snack, students listened to Indonesia’s national anthem.

Across the school, many games were played including:

• Gajah, Orang, Semut – an Indonesian version of Rock, Paper, Scissors
• egg-and-spoon races
• sack races
• relay races to put the Indonesian islands on the correct spot on the map
• Island Ball – where students threw an Indonesian Takraw ball into different containers “islands” to get points for their team.

Year 6 students had a go at walking on traditional Indonesian wooden planks – an activity that required teamwork, coordination, and plenty of communication.

It was a joyful week of celebration, with students learning about Indonesian culture in a hands-on, memorable way. Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia!

In Indonesian lessons this term, the Year 6 students have been learning about Indonesian food and cooking. In the first few weeks, students learnt about ingredients that are commonly used in Indonesian cooking, how to say the names of these ingredients, and what was needed for our recipes. The week before cooking, students were introduced to some Indonesian cultural norms around cooking and eating.

In Week 7, each class participated in a demonstration on how to cook nasi goreng (fried rice). Students then worked in groups to make a dessert called Dadar Gulung. These are crepes flavoured with pandan and filled with coconut and palm sugar. Students followed a recipe to make the batter, and each cooked their own pancake.

While students enjoyed learning new cooking skills and experiencing Indonesian cuisine firsthand, their favourite part was, of course, eating both dishes! There were many giggles as green batter splattered everywhere, and students discovered what happened when they added a little too much sambal (hot sauce) to their rice.

Thank you so much to all the staff members who helped organise the experience or adjusted their timetables to make it possible. A special thank you also to the ESOs, who were a tremendous help during the lessons!

On Wednesday of Week 8, we held our first STEM Exhibition. Students shared and celebrated their learning across STEM subjects and Brilliance, showcasing products created through the Design with Brilliance Process and reflecting on their growth through the Learning Badges.

The exhibition was about more than displaying finished products. It gave students an authentic audience and an opportunity to explain what they had learned, how they had applied that learning, the challenges they encountered and how they had grown throughout the process.

Reception students invited their families to join their learning about The Gingerbread Man, creating boats and bridges to help Gingy cross the river without getting soggy.

“I liked all the things that the school made. I built a boat for Gingy. My mum came and I liked it because she helped me.”
Massimo

“I liked building bridges in our class. It was really fun having my family there.”
Akur

Year 1 students shared slow-motion videos of their attempts to blow down Three Little Pigs-themed houses. They then worked with their families to decorate and construct paper buildings.

“It was fun to have our parents there. I just want to do that again! I liked reading the pieces of paper and making the paper buildings. My mum opened the apartment door. I was amazed.”
Hallie

“I liked showing my slow-mo video. I liked building the three paper buildings. I liked the apartment the best.”
Joshua

Year 2 students created shelters and presented them in their classrooms through their first exhibition-style experience.

“I liked making stuff, especially my shelter. I also liked seeing other people’s creations.”
Mach

“I liked that my parents got to come. My Learning Badge was Problem Solving. I solved a problem when the popsticks wouldn’t stick together. Then I cut them up and put them down in a different way.”
Vivian

Year 3 students designed dioramas showing how community spaces could be made more inclusive and shared their ideas in the Function Room.

“I liked that the parents gave a lot of feedback about my product. I liked how people tried their best and designed for the exhibition.”
Hoinhu

“When the parents came, they gave us lots of feedback.”
Aryan

After school, the Year 4 to Year 6 students showcased their learning, designs and prototypes in the Wyten Sports Centre.

Year 4 students created ‘unuseless’ inventions designed to solve a range of everyday problems.

“I liked people’s creations. They were very creative.”
Mason

“I also liked the feedback. The people were nice.”
Xavier

Year 5 students demonstrated their learning about desert habitats and animal adaptations through dioramas, poems, information report brochures and biomimicry creations.

“I liked how there were lots of different people who came. My Learning Badge was Problem Solving. I needed to problem-solve a lot during my design.”
Danica

“I liked when people were admiring my work. My Learning Badge was Persistence. I was trying to get it done and not get sidetracked.”
Oscar

Year 6 students applied their understanding of circuits and switches to design and create a range of electrical prototypes.

“I liked that the parents could come and actually have a look. My Learning Badges were Time and Energy Master and Persistence. I used my time wisely and I got it done.”
Gabby

It was fantastic to see so many families participate in the exhibition. The questions, encouragement and feedback from visitors helped students celebrate their achievements and reflect more deeply on their learning.

Thank you to the staff who supported students throughout the learning process and helped prepare and run the exhibition, and to the families who attended and took a genuine interest in students’ learning.

As we look ahead to future learning exhibitions and community events, feedback from families will help inform our planning.

During the upcoming school holidays the Uniform Shop will be open: