Mrs MacLean's Memo's
Dear Families
We certainly have had a very busy few weeks since our last newsletter in our fantastic school. As well as swimming lessons and planning for Mr Gorton’s Farewell, staff have been consolidating programs and writing reports.
We have had a very wet start to June this week as we head into the Noongar season of Makuru.
Makuru is the wettest and coldest time of year, marked by clustering clouds. Traditionally, Noongar people moved inland as waterways and catchments started to fill and food sources shifted from sea to land, in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo or ‘yongar’. A well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things, such as animal skin cloaks and tools.
During Makuru, animals pair for the upcoming breeding season. Upon the lakes and rivers of the South West, you'll also start to see a large influx of the Black Swan or 'Mali' as they too prepare to nest and breed. Blueberry Lilies and Purple Flags adorned the landscape with blues and purples.
Fundamental Movement Skills with Alkimos College
This term, our kindergarten students have been working with some senior students from Alkimos College as part of their FMS program. Each Wednesday, students from the college come to APS and engage our students in varied activities aimed at building their fundamental movement skills.
What Are Fundamental Movement Skills?
Fundamental Movement Skills (or FMS) are the basic skills children need to move confidently and enjoy being active. These skills help build a strong foundation for playing sports, joining in games, and staying healthy.
There are three main types of FMS:
- Locomotor skills – moving from one place to another, like running, jumping, hopping, and skipping.
- Object control skills – using hands or feet to control objects, like throwing, catching, kicking, and striking.
- Balance and stability skills – keeping the body steady, like balancing, twisting, and stretching.
At school, we help students develop these important skills through fun games, activities, and targeted lessons. These skills support physical fitness, contribute to social development and are linked to cognitive development, including co-ordination, concentration and planning! Learning FMS at a young age helps children feel more confident, stay active, and enjoy physical activity throughout their lives!
Have a lovely week.
Kirstin MacLean
