Shearwater's tennis team headed down to the AIS regional carnival in Grafton this week, where 120 students from independent schools across the region (Tweed Heads to Coffs Harbour) enjoyed the perfect conditions and the friendly competition. 

It was a big day, with an early start and a long drive either end. The students played an average of five short matches each but their enthusiasm never flagged - losing or winning, they were having lots of fun! They were a joy to watch.

Congratulations to the whole team and a special mention to Dylan, who came in 3rd in the Open Boys, and Class 6 student Oliver Fernley, 2nd in the Primary Boys. 

Our next regional sporting event will be the Primary Basketball in Coffs Harbour at the start of November. Our basketball team is putting in lots of time on the court and we wish them luck.

Magnum Brotto
​PDHPE Teacher

 
Class 4P spent last term immersed in our Humans and Animals Main Lesson, in which we explored how the bodily form of land and marine animals is connected to movement and habitat. The limitations or specialisations expressed through the form were experienced through story, observation, poetry, drawing , painting, movement and drama. The children were fascinated to see how one aspect of the bodily form was specialised in many animals – for example the eye of the eagle or the stomach of the cow.

We saw how the balanced and harmonised body of the human being, with the adaptability of upright posture, free hands and the gifts of speech and reflective thought, allows us to adapt our environment and create tools.
 
After our classroom exploration we undertook a five-day camp to Mooloolaba and Hervey Bay, where we spent a night in an aquarium, with sharks and rays swimming overhead while we slept; experienced the great wonders of the sea, with whale watching in Hervey Bay and observed the native animals at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

On our return, the children wrote haiku - Japanese poems of 17 syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world. I gladly share with you their expressive and heartfelt thoughts on the wonders of the animal world.

Penny Martin
Class 4 Teacher

Film and Photography students across the High School are involved in an ambitious project to document the minutiae of WAVE, with a new behind-the-scenes video produced every day. Episode 1 (above) was filmed by Dylan and Tom (Year 8), with audio by Felix (also Year 8), and features an interview by Louka (Year 10) with Year 10 students Molly, Hanini, Daisy and Ellen. Watch the shearwaterperformingarts.com website for more episodes.

We have arrived back after the holidays full of enthusiasm and ready for new growth in Term 4, just like our beautiful garden which has been rejuvenated by its two-week rest. The children have arrived ready to work together and have fun with their friends and teachers.
 
It’s a busy transitional time in Preschool as some of our children start looking towards Kindergarten, and we  begin to get to know the new children and families who are joining us next year.
 
We find that during this time, the children settle into being held through the daily rhythm and routine, and appreciate a strong sense of belonging to their group. They enjoy being with their friends and engaging in the activities that reflect our own particular place and time at Preschool.

Craig d'Arcy
Preschool Coordinator