Australian animals and More: Week 4 of PSP+ on the Gold Coast
G’day! Week 4 marked another great week of our July-August 2025 Junior Holiday Program. Filled with lively discussions to creative storytelling, each day brought unique experiences that immersed our students in the vibrant culture and language of Australia and the Gold Coast. This week focused on themes of Australia from food to animals and more. Students participated in various activities including a Reptile show, following recipes, mini golf and a picnic at a local park. The week concluded with a visit to SeaWorld where students were able to see some of Australia’s most majestic creatures. It was a week packed with learning, laughter, and memorable moments.
Monday, 4th August 2025:
We started the week by welcoming new faces, spending the first hour getting to know each other, chatting, and sharing smiles. We did ice breaker activities, solved riddles and challenged each other to learn new facts.
The topic for the day was “Food” so we discussed typical Australian food and created posters.
In the afternoon we were able to get practical and made Fairy Bread – a popular sweet Australian treat for kids. It was fun to work together as a group and taste something new. We also tasted Vegemite – definitely a ‘love it or hate it’ food.
Tuesday, 5th August 2025:
On Tuesday, we learned about shadows during our Science lesson, discussing the key vocabulary and understanding how shadows are formed, we had some fun creating shadow puppets too.
In the afternoon, we ventured off campus to play Mini Golf at Surfers Paradise. It was so much fun working in teams to try and find the best strategies and angles to hit the ball around the different obstacles. From surfing waves and shark infested waters, Holey Moley Surfers Paradise is full of fun and memorable mini golf challenges!
Wednesday, 6th August 2025:
We enjoyed a history lesson where we compared what schools were like in the past and how much they have changed today. It was an interesting discussion and we all agree we like how our schools are today.
The afternoon activity was all about culture and creativity! The students learned a traditional First Nations painting technique and created their own souvenirs by painting fridge magnets. What a special way to create memories with their new friends.
Thursday, 7th August 2025:
On Thursday, we delved into the story of Little Red Riding Hood and talked about the important moral of the story – not to talk to strangers.
The afternoon was an incredible experience where we watched a Reptile Show here on campus. We got to see and touch real Australian animals including a snake, baby crocodile, lizard, possum and more. The students were very brave volunteering to hold a snake around their necks.
Friday, 8th August 2025:
On Friday morning, we completed the rest of our Literacy and Grammar for the week, which had a focus on teamwork and performances. So to complement our core learning we got involved in some role play and writing a play script based on Little Red Riding Hood, making our own tweaks and changes to the story. Students had fun being actors!
In the afternoon, we put together a picnic in the park with our new friends and enjoyed some tasty food and fun games. It was a windy afternoon but we still had fun down at the park near the beach, laughing and chatting together. We returned to campus to write special messages for those finishing this week and to take photos together.
Saturday, 9th August 2025:
To end the week, we spent the day at SeaWorld! It was a wonderful day with lots of chances to see impressive Australian marine animals such as manta rays, dolphins, polar bears and seals. Some students enjoyed thrilling roller coasters and rides too. It was a wonderful mix of fun, learning, and shared memories that brought the group even closer together.
As we wrap up this eventful week, we’re already looking forward to the adventures that await us next week. From more exciting themes to fun-filled excursions, there’s so much more to explore and enjoy. Be sure to check back for our next blog post where we’ll share all the details of our upcoming experiences and continue this incredible journey together!