News from North Arm's budding journos

This term students from North Arm State School Years 4 and 6 have been putting their writing skills to the test to create newspaper articles for the local community. The students have learned all the ins and outs of writing a newspaper article, including how to write a good lead, supporting paragraphs, headlines and captions.

After brainstorming some relevant story ideas as a group, students selected their own topics to write about, sourced some great quotes to support their articles and took their own photos to accompany their story ideas. Please enjoy "North Arm News" as we showcase these stories. Thanks to the students and to Vickie Jaenke for organising.              —Editor

Going green at NASS

Year 6 students scavenging in the garden, back row from left,  Julian, Charlie and Alia. Front row: Miranda, Jess and Lily.

By Alia C and Jessica P  

Orange, yellow, green and blue – you could see a rainbow of colours at North Arm State School as Vanessa Schofield helped students learn to build a healthy, happy garden.

As part of the school’s garden program Ms Vanessa teaches the students how to plant a wide range of fruits and vegetables, build, fertilise and maintain garden beds, while also planting the seed of nature’s knowledge into their minds.

Kitchen teacher Lis McColl said the fruits and vegetables grown in the school garden were much better for your health than fruits and vegetables bought from the supermarket.

“The nutrients are present and fresh, especially the Vitamin C,” she said.

Year 6 student Miranda B said the program teaches students from Years 3-6 plenty of lifelong skills. “I’ve learnt many skills like planting, weeding, looking after a garden and how to use plants in the kitchen so I can now make fantastic meals at home,” Miranda said.

First school camp

By Emily K and Olivia K

Students from North Arm State School were eager to pack their bags in preparation for their first school camp to Maranatha recently.

Students took part in a three-day program which included various activities including tree top challenges, raft building contests and bush skills tasks.

Year 4 student Jayda W said she was excited about the different activities students would be participating in. “I think it will be an interesting experience for all of us,” Jayda said.

Year 4 teacher Shugi Shaneman said the trip would teach students about team building and bonding. 

“It will be a really fun trip for the kids and I think they will love it,” Mr Shaneman said.

Overall, this year’s camp will be an incredible experience for both teachers and students.

Splashes of colour at North Arm

By Lily M and Miranda B

Students from North Arm State School have been learning to develop their artistic skills through the GENAS art program, which takes them through a journey of colour and creation.

The program is run by Margaret Killip who is extremely passionate about what she does best — teaching kids a variety of artistic techniques, such as collages, water colour and acrylic painting, pastel artwork and cute clay creations.

Ms Margaret said she gets great satisfaction from seeing how proud the students are of the artwork they have created. “I love to see what the kids produce. I love to see their art when it’s finished. It makes me smile,” Ms Margaret said.

GENAS stands for Growing Excellence in North Arm Students, which the art program does by extending students’ knowledge in art and creativity. “The more they do it the more confident every child becomes,” Ms Margaret said.

Annual swim carnival

By Jayda W and Tiale G

The whistle will blow as competitors from North Arm State School dive from the blocks at their annual swim carnival in Eumundi this December. Students will speed through the water, competing for first, second and third place in four different races including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

All students have been training hard during their weekly swimming lessons at the pool and Year 4 teacher Ruth Robinson said there would be a race for everyone to take part in.

“It is good to be part of a team and there is a stroke for every ability,” Ms Robinson said.

Year 4 teacher Shugi Shaneman said the students were all super excited and looking forward to taking part in some healthy competition at the carnival. “I think it’s great that kids go to the swimming carnival because they get to have fun and compete against each other. It’s a great day,” Mr Shaneman said.

Maranatha looming 

By Miralee W and Lillianna E

Excitement was building at North Arm State School as Year 4 students prepared for their first school camp to Maranatha last month.

Surrounded by high trees and picturesque cool rivers, students participated in three fun-filled days packed with activities.

Students also enjoyed exciting night activities including Minute to Win It and Night Owls.

Eager to packer her bags, Year 4 student Olivia said she couldn’t wait to leave for camp.

“I think it will be fun to learn how to be independent when we go camping. It will also be a fun experience for us all,” Olivia said.

Year 4 teacher Shugi Shaneman said camp allowed students to work as a team & have fun.

Camp a hit with year sixers

By Madeleine B and Charlotte D

School was out for the week, as Year 6 students from North Arm State School spent their days working in teams and building confidence at Tallebudgera beach camp.

With a wide range of activities including tobogganing, bush walks and tree top challenges, the students were itching to jump on the journey and have a ball.

Year 6 teacher David McIntosh said camp was a great end of year experience for students before heading to high school. “Tallebudgera camp is for having fun, building self-confidence, finding your inner hero and learning through a challenging and physically active environment,” Mr Mcintosh said.

Since returning from camp students have found their inner hero through challenging themselves and pushing themselves to the max.

Year 6 student Julian H said the skills learned at camp would help students throughout the rest of Year 6 and prepare them for year 7 which was just around the corner. “Camp was really awesome because it encouraged us to work together collaboratively and increased our self esteem throughout challenging activities,” Julian said.