In Term 3, Year 2 HASS focuses on Geography. Through interactive lessons and engaging activities, students explore Australia’s location on the world map, nestled in the Southern Hemisphere between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.  

The girls learn about the continents and oceans surrounding Australia, recognising its unique status as both the world’s largest island, and smallest continent. Delving into the rich heritage of Australia, they discover more about the traditional custodians of the land and the thriving First Nations cultures spanning thousands of years.  

Our Barbreck girls participated in NAIDOC Week celebrations recently and attended the Senior School NAIDOC Assembly where two pieces of Indigenous Artwork from Central Australia were presented to our School by the Year 8 Central Australia Camp students. 

Paris Olympics 

With the excitement of the 2024 Paris Olympics as a backdrop, our girls investigated the countries represented in the Games, pinpointing their locations and unique geographical features on the map. To add to the French theme, the girls also resumed their French Language studies with Madame Natacha Muller. Madame Muller brought with her to class the mascot of the 2024 Olympic games, Phryge. A red soft toy in the shape of a French Phrygian cap. the girls are looking forward to building their French vocabulary through games, songs, and fun activities with Madame Muller. 

This term the girls will examine how Australia’s geography shapes its involvement in global events, such as the Olympics. Learning about the distribution of training facilities, to the athletes’ connections with various regions. Additionally, students will explore the international connections of families within 2S, including ties to Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Greece, Poland, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Serbia.  

This exploration will not only deepen their understanding of their own country but also foster a broader appreciation for global geography. As they cheer on the Australian athletes on the world stage, students should develop a sense of pride and connection to Australia’s place in the global community, all within the dynamic context of the Olympic Games. 

The Barbreck Olympic Day gave the Junior School girls the perfect opportunity to have fun whilst participating in sports, games, and activities to launch the opening of the Paris Olympic Games on Friday 26 July. The students proudly dressed in the colours of the country they were representing during the Olympic Day activities and marched around the Village Green behind each banner. They witnessed the ceremony of the torch lighting and raising of the Olympic Flag by our Junior School Co-Captains. 

In Year 2 we are looking forward to celebrating Australia’s sporting successes at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympic games. 

Reflections on our Geography learning and Barbreck Olympic Day are provided below. 

Student Reflections on “What is Geography?” 

Manda: “Geography means the world and writing. In Greek Geo means world and Graphy means writing. I think the Earth is made out of lots of little elements.” 

Bella: “I think Geography is about the world.” 

Juliette: “I think Geography is about the world. I think we will be learning about the world and about country.” 

Charlotte: “I think it is about the world, science, and maps. About people and places where they live.” 

Isabella: “I think Geography is about the Earth, the compass and countries.”  

Bianca: “Geography is about countries, continents and beaches and learning about the world.  Maps help in Geography and sometimes there is a little bit of science.” 

Emma T: “Geography is about the Globe, people and the weather.” 

Student reflections on Olympics Day: 

Tin Ching: “On Friday 26 July my first activity was the Javelin. My favourite one was gymnastics, and my flag was Finland. Another favourite one was water polo because you need to put the hat on your head and hold the ball and run in a circle to give to other people. At lunch you could buy cookies and chocolate, and they were so yummy. The archery was so much fun. You needed a gun to shoot the balloon to get one point. When we finished the games, Finland won, and I got a medal. Yay!”  

Emma Jin Li (Emma): “I enjoyed Olympics Day. I was in the Italian Team.”  

Abby: “When the Olympics was almost about to start, we had Olympics Day at School. We did athletics, basketball, archery, and lots more. My favourite was basketball because I scored 54 in the hoop.”  

Evie: “On Friday I was in the French Team for the Olympics Day, and I have been to Paris. Paris is where the Olympics are being held this year and my favourite sport is archery.”  

Akira: “On Friday, the whole Junior School dressed up in a country that was given to us. My country was New Zealand. My favourite activity was athletics, where you have to do relays. I liked this activity because it involved running and I like running. At lunch Miss Pec and Kate in Year 5 were selling cookies. I bought a chocolate cookie and a bag of chocolates. It was so yummy. After lunch we had our last activity, after that we went to Assembly, and they announced the winner. The winner was Finland. They each got a medal and chocolate coin.”  

Zoe: “On Friday it was Olympics Day. First, we did an Opening Ceremony, and we all did a parade in our countries. Great Brittain went to the Year 5 classroom. In there was a real torch from years before. I was dressed up for the UK. There were nine activities. My favourite was archery. The winning country was Finland because they got so many points in the activities.”  

Chloe: “On Friday we had a Junior School Olympics Day. I represented Brazil. First, we had an Opening Ceremony. We had to march behind our country’s flag. Then we all went to different classrooms to learn about our country. After recess, we went to our activities. My first activity was pickle ball. It was like a small version of tennis. My favourite was athletics and archery. In athletics, we did a relay. We had to pass a baton. In archery, we used a toy gun to shoot. We had to aim at a balloon. It was so much fun. At lunch there was a cookie store. I bought a choc-chip cookie and a chocolate bag. After lunch we had one more activity and then Assembly.