Welcome to Term 4

After what we hope was a refreshing and relaxing Term 3 holiday, we warmly welcome all Barbreck students and their families to the final term of the 2018 School year. Our teachers made certain that every teaching and learning moment was maximised this week. The co-curricular offerings also commenced and were once again well-attended and enjoyed by all. From past experience, Term 4 goes by quickly.

Barbreck STEAM Showcase 2018

The following words, inserted in the special scrapbooks arranged by Mrs Victoria Baldacchino, Barbreck Teacher-Librarian, describe STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths) Week so well.

A Touch of Renaissance!
A week long celebration of Renaissance Art and Culture, guided by our two Artist in Residence, Chris Barratt (Music, Drama and Dance) and Emma Leonard (Graphic Artist and Illustrator). Set in the court of Queen Elizabeth I, two performances draw together and highlight some of the creative learning that has taken place in all areas of the curriculum.

The superbly organised schedule of special activities, all revolving around the theme of the Renaissance period, will be long remembered.

Led by Mrs Melissa Dods, Barbreck Junior School Music Coordinator, the team of staff involved included Mrs Victoria Baldacchino, Miss Alyssa Flint and Monsieur Gold. Staff worked assiduously and with so much enthusiasm to provide a memorable and rich learning program. Applause and many thanks to all involved.

Mrs Alana Moor, Head of ELC and Barbreck

A Term in the New Barbreck

The Barbreck 2018 Captains recently interviewed several students about their first term in the new Junior School building. Their responses are below.

“The thing I loved most about Term 3 was moving into the new building. It is so nice and fresh, and I especially love the new whiteboards.” – Chloe Barber (Year 5)

“Term 3 was amazing! I loved how organised and helpful the teachers have been because of the new timetable.” – Portia Gowrie (Year 5)

“Term 3 was amazing because we moved into the new Junior School which is a big step up.” – Harriet Koco (Year 4)

“Term 3 was amazing because we moved into the new building which is so modern and outstanding.” – Sophia Holdenson (Year 6)

“I loved Term 3 because we moved into the new building. I love it so, so much.” – Millie McIntosh (Year 6)

“I like that it is modern and it has tons of space. The first term has been great so far and I am very sad we have to leave it next year. The classrooms are much bigger than our old classrooms and I love that we now have lockers.” –  Tszki (Lily) Zhang (Year 6)

“I love that there is more space and how there is a lot of natural light. The desks are bigger and the specialist rooms are really great! Our education in the new School is more developed with the new building. I think this first term in the new Barbreck has been very significant in the history of St Catherine’s and there is much more history to be made.” – Charlotte Wood (Year 6)

“I think it looks very smart and it is a great learning environment to develop our education. The first term has been a great experience because the classrooms are very up-to-date and ties in the entire school.” – Scarlett Bundy (Year 6)

“I like how the extra-curricular activities have their own room so we can explore different subjects. I like the new auditorium because it is very spacious and it has great acoustics! The first term was very exciting and I cannot believe it has gone that quickly!” – Sophie Dreaver (Year 6)

“It is very clear that the highlight of Term 3 for the Junior School girls was moving into our AMAZING new Barbreck building and classrooms. It is very clear that the wait was well and truly worth it!” – Charlotte Upton (Year 6), Barbreck Captain

“When asking some students about the new School many girls came up with very different and interesting answers. Even talking about the new School made their faces light up. I think all of these statements are applicable and relatable to our new building. Even the little things count like desks and lockers. This new building provides a great space to nurture our education and make memories along the way!” – Georgia Hennessy (Year 6), Barbreck Captain

Junior School STEAM Showcase

The Barbreck STEAM Showcase involved all Junior School students in a broad range of activities focused on the Renaissance period. Two Artist in Residence were engaged as part of this event, Chris Barratt (drama and dance teacher) and Emma Leonard (illustrator and artist).

Students created their own artworks with the Artist in Residence, Emma Leonard.

There was much anticipation in the Art Room for the classes with Emma. Each student had the opportunity to work with Emma and complete an artwork to take home. Emma developed an engaging visual arts program allowing for a deeper learning experience for all students. The classes reflected her own painterly style using materials and techniques inspired by the Renaissance period.

Prep students made bell sticks embellished with ribbons and tapes, which they used in their musical performance. The Year 1 students explored the techniques of Michelangelo and participated in a watercolour painting class using the underside of their tables as their easels.

Students in Years 2 to 4 learnt about Botticelli’s frescoes and enjoyed experimenting with watercolour painting into wet plaster with some beautiful results. Inspired by Emma’s presentations of her own illustrations of landscapes and figurative subject matter, Years 5 and 6 students completed a collection of beautiful watercolours.

When not working with the students, Emma worked in the Barbreck Art Room on a painted still life using oils, giving students the opportunity to observe an artist at work in a medium most were unfamiliar with. This finished artwork will be presented to the Junior School this term.

Eighteen prominent figures from the Renaissance period were selected for our Renaissance performance and used as a basis for student research and learning. A range of astronomers, mathematicians, musicians, explorers, inventors, artists and architects provided an exciting foundation for the learning activities that took place over the five days of the STEAM Showcase. Students were able to draw upon this knowledge and build it into their drama and movement pieces workshopped with Chris Barratt and shared with the St Catherine’s community in two performances on the final day of Term 3.

Some samples from the Renaissance performance included the Year 4 students who looked at some of the exciting discoveries in astronomy by Galileo and Nicolaus Copernicus. They created a whole solar system of planets and stars which then became an integral part of their night sky movement piece, reflecting the theory of Copernicus that the planets revolved around the Sun rather than the Earth.

Year 1 students using the underside of their tables as their easels

The Year 2 students brought their paintings to life under the expert hands of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. The full impact of the invention of the printing press was beautifully portrayed by the Year 1 students in period costume, enacting a scene with beautiful antique books. Thomas Morley himself introduced his famous madrical Now Is The Month of Maying sung by our Epstein Choir.

The Year 3 students performed the period dance, Pease Bransle accompanied by the Junior School Recorder Ensemble and a human machine dance, which cleverly portrayed the inventors mind as he brought some of his ideas to life. Year 5 students spun a cloth of gold for Queen Elizabeth I, who watched on from her throne as the performance unfolded. The Preps demonstrated a lively and energetic jester dance, and William Shakespeare’s famous Romeo and Juliet was enacted ‘in miniature’ with hearty encouragement from the audience. Year 6 students provided the narration and played the parts of key Renaissance characters who appeared throughout the play which helped thread the whole performance piece together.

The final masquerade dance provided a dramatic and colourful end to what had been an exciting and action packed week. My thanks to everyone involved.

Mrs Virginia Guest, Barbreck Art Teacher and Mrs Melissa Dods, Junior School Music Coordinator