Class Spotlight

03 Mar 2026

Get a snapshot of what students have been up to in each class since the start of Term 1.

KP

Students have been exploring different ways to make the number 5. Through hands-on activities, students have been using counters, blocks, drawings and number stories to show that 5 can be made in many different ways.

Students have also been practising writing their names with correct letter formation. We are focusing on using a capital letter at the beginning followed by lowercase letters, and forming each letter carefully.

During developmental play, students have been learning through imaginative and hands-on experiences. They have been building, creating, role-playing and working together to develop their social skills, communication, creativity and problem-solving abilities. Developmental play supports students as they learn to share, take turns and explore new ideas in a supportive environment.

1/KM

In Visual Arts, students in 1KM are learning how artists use line and colour to represent people and ideas. As part of this learning, students are creating self-portraits inspired by the style of Pablo Picasso.

By exploring Picasso’s artworks, students are learning that portraits do not always need to look realistic. Instead, artists can use different types of lines, shapes and bold colours to express identity, feelings and creativity. Students are encouraged to experiment, take risks and make thoughtful artistic choices.

S1S

S1S had a wonderful time attending the AFL Auskick clinic, where they eagerly took part in a range of activities as a great introduction into Australian Football. They loved the opportunity to work as a team and practise their kicking skills, focusing on accuracy and control. Through small-sided games and skill challenges, students strengthened their understanding of the game while enjoying the energy and enthusiasm of it all. Such a lovely way to start the term!

S1M

It has been a wonderful start to the year as S1M settles back into school life. Students are reconnecting with friends, re-establishing routines, and showing growing confidence as they transition into their learning environment. S1M have approached new learning experiences with enthusiasm and positivity, demonstrating resilience, cooperation, and a willingness to try their best.

It has been lovely to see students supporting one another, engaging thoughtfully in classroom activities, and taking pride in their work. As routines continue to strengthen, the class is developing a strong sense of belonging and responsibility, setting a positive foundation for the term ahead."

S2H / S2F / S2M

Our students in S2H, S2F and S2M proudly participated in the Years 3–6 Sport and Interest Groups for the very first time. Every three weeks, students will rotate through a range of engaging sports, including Ultimate Frisbee, Netball, Sitting Volleyball, AFL, and Indigenous Games.

Students also joined their Years 3–6 peers for Interest Groups, where they explored a variety of creative and collaborative activities such as Coding with Scratch, Drama, Sketching and Watercolours, Stem, and Creative Writing.

It has been a fantastic start, and we are looking forward to an exciting term of sport and interest group opportunities ahead.

S2A

S2A are working on developing strong reading fluency. We are learning to read like a river — smooth, steady and flowing, rather than like a robot or like a race.

When we read fluently, our reading sounds natural and easy to listen to. We practise:

  • Reading at a comfortable speed – not too fast and not too slow.
  • Reading in a smooth and flowing way.
  • Using expression in our voices to match the meaning.
  • Pausing at punctuation such as full stops and commas.
  • Grouping words together so our reading makes sense.
  • Rereading tricky parts to improve accuracy.

S2W

S2W thoroughly enjoyed working in our new art space. The room is big, bright and beautifully set up, with plenty of space to spread out and get creative. A dedicated art room means students are able to easily access materials, work comfortably and fully immerse themselves in the creative process. There was a real buzz of excitement as students worked in the space.

In this session, students learned about Roy Lichtenstein and the bold, eye-catching style of Pop Art. They explored how artists use bright colours, strong outlines and comic-style techniques to make their work stand out. Students also learned about Ben Day dots and how repeating dots can create shading and texture. They carefully added dots to create colour and contrast in their self-portraits. The finished pieces are vibrant, expressive and proudly displayed in our classroom.

5/4T

5/4T have begun the year with the study of our novel for the term: The Wild Robot. The unit focuses on characterisation and how to put together an engaging narrative. We have been reading the book, analysing its structure and asking ourselves key questions about the setting and characters as we go. It’s been a great start to term 1 and we’re looking forward to seeing how the rest of the book turns out!

S3P

Students in S3P have been learning about the establishment of Australia’s early colonies and how settlement expanded over time. They have explored the reasons for colonisation and the impact this had on different groups of people.

A key focus of the unit has been analysing historical sources. Students have learned to distinguish between primary and secondary sources and to question the reliability of each. By considering who created a source, when it was created and its purpose, students are developing important critical thinking skills.

S3P have engaged thoughtfully in discussions and are building a deeper understanding of Australia’s colonial past through careful analysis of evidence.

S3K

Already this term, S3K has been full of thoughtful discussion as the class dives into the novel Blueback by Tim Winton. Along the way, students have been exploring how authors bring stories to life, with a focus on characterisation and how a character’s thoughts, actions and relationships help us understand what really matters to them. By comparing their own lives and experiences with those of the main character, students have built strong and meaningful connections to the text. Creativity has also been shining, with students designing original front covers and writing engaging blurbs, thoughtfully choosing language and visual features to encourage others to pick up the book.

Programs

Mortlake Public School provides a wide range of programs to complement the curriculum and broaden our students' learning experience. Taking part in co-curricular and extracurricular activities helps our students build new skills, make friends and explore new interests.

Student opportunities and activities

At Mortlake Public School, we offer a variety of programs in the classroom and across the school to help students build new skills, make friends and explore new interests.

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Student achievements

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