07/08/2026
Principal’s Update – Week 3 of Term 3
Week 3 was a particularly busy and enjoyable week at PDHS, highlighted by our K–10 Learning Journey, a visit from author Steve Heron, an excursion to the Mill Hall and plenty of engaging learning across our classrooms.
In Kindergarten and Pre-Primary, Ms Thoo’s students continued building their literacy skills through a range of engaging activities. Kindergarten students practised writing their names using correct letter formation and explored syllables through a fun “Syllable Smash” activity. Pre-Primary students also had the opportunity to visit Pemberton Mill Hall to watch the show, “Aliwah Bardinar!”, thoroughly enjoying the colourful performance and songs.
In Mrs Barnsby’s Year 1/2 class, students were delighted to welcome their families into the classroom for the Learning Journey. They proudly escorted family members around the room, sharing their favourite subjects and enthusiastically showcasing their workbooks and learning from across the year. It was wonderful to see the pride students took in their achievements and the excitement with which they shared their learning.
Ms Dowson’s Year 3/4 class explored a variety of interesting letterbox designs before beginning to draw their own designs in preparation for creating them. In Mathematics, Year 3 students consolidated addition of three-digit numbers with regrouping and were introduced to subtraction using the same process, while Year 4 students learned about mixed numerals and how to order them on a number line. Students also enjoyed sharing their hard work with families during the Learning Journey, with some lucky visitors even treated to private ukulele performances.
In Mrs Schmidt’s Year 5/6 class, students began transforming waste materials collected from home into creative art installations. Their sculptures quickly began taking shape as they considered an overarching theme to connect their individual pieces. In Mathematics, Year 5 students developed their skills using protractors to measure and draw angles, while Year 6 students investigated cross-sections of three-dimensional shapes.
In secondary English, Mrs Brooks’ Year 7 students began their new picture book unit with a creative “Book Tasting” experience. Taking on the role of literary critics, students sampled a range of texts and analysed how authors and illustrators use visual and written techniques to engage their intended audiences.
In Design and Technology with Mrs Radomiljac, Year 9/10 students worked through the design process to develop unique concepts for mechanical wooden toys. Students explored different methods of communicating their designs before tackling orthogonal drawings and technical drawing conventions. The precision required provided a considerable challenge, with students working carefully to accurately represent their detailed designs.
A highlight of the week was our K–10 Learning Journey, which provided families with the opportunity to visit classrooms and celebrate the learning taking place across the school. It was fantastic to see students proudly sharing their work and achievements with parents and carers, and I would like to thank everyone who joined us for the afternoon.
We were also delighted to welcome author Steve Heron to PDHS to work with our Year 1–6 students. Steve immediately captured students’ attention – particularly when he launched marshmallows across the room! Through his entertaining presentation and book “Where Ya Goin?”, students learned how illustrations can tell a story beyond the written words, how facial features such as eyebrows communicate emotion, and how authors use rhyme and interesting expressions to engage their readers.
This morning our Year 7 students hosted a thoroughly entertaining and educational assembly set within a courtroom theme to consider the infamous case of who took the cookie from the cookie jar. Spoiler alert: turns out it wasn’t Jay!
Congratulations to all students recognised at this morning’s assembly:
• Merit Award winners: Albie, Grayson, Matilda, Stella, Nathan, Indiana, Zabena, Evie and Leela
• Aussie of the Month: Grace
• Secondary Deputy Principals Award: Eliza
• Bronze PBS Award winners: Indiana, Jameson, Zoe, Zac and Nathan
• Silver PBS Award winners: Albie, Ellie, Kaleb, Gus, Freya, Hamish, Quinn, Finlay, Matilda, Shayla, James, Joel, Enzo, Suve, Esther, Harper, Pippa, Zac, Willow, Owen, Ryan, Angelo, Hattie, Alex, Avarni, Dora, James, Phoebe, Mia, Jameson, Ayla, Addison and Minna
• Gold PBS Award winners: Mae, Albie, Ellie, Kaleb, Freya, Grayson, Zeleonka, Valentina, Enzo, Suve, April, Pippa, Zac, Harper, James, Harper and James
Congratulations also to the following students who have been chosen as new student leaders:
• Secondary Student Councillors: Hannah (Year 8) and Lili (Year 9)
• Term Three Primary Student Councillors: Jameson (Year 6), Angelo (Year 6), Mia (Year 5), Hattie (Year 5) and April (Year 4)
• Semester Two PBS Leaders: Jameson, Hazel, Avarni, Willow, Conor, Jaie Kerr, Arlo and Patrick
Thank you to our students, staff and families for contributing to another positive week at PDHS. The Learning Journey was a wonderful reminder of the value of our strong school-community partnership and the pride our students take in sharing their learning.
Have a great weekend,
Lee
