Fortnightly Classroom Update

The Prep students are continuing to actively engage with our Little Learners Love Literacy program and have almost completed learning all the letters, sounds and heart words from Stages 1- 4. They are now confidently beginning to use their letter and word knowledge to independently write sentences. 

During Mathematics, the students have been learning about 2D shapes. They have been sorting, naming and describing familiar shapes by using the features of each shape. It has been wonderful to listen to their clear descriptions during their paired and whole group games of ‘What’s My Shape?’

During this term, the Prep students have been exploring the features of native animals and their habitats and tomorrow they are looking forward to sharing their learning during our assembly. 

In Year 2, the students have had a wonderful time developing their understanding of animal needs and survival features. Each child selected an animal to research and wrote an information report describing its key features, habitat and diet. They also created impressive trioramas to showcase their animal’s environment and proudly presented their work to the class. Miss Robinson shared how much she enjoyed seeing their trioramas and watching their presentations grow. In Maths, the students have completed their unit on addition and subtraction and have developed a range of strategies to solve problems. This week, they are beginning a new unit on measurement, using informal units to measure and compare length. 

Last week, the class also took part in learning about Reconciliation Week. The students engaged thoughtfully and recognised the importance of walking together and committing to reconciliation every day.

Year 5 have had a busy fortnight across all areas of learning. In Literacy, we explored the history of our school while developing our factual recount writing skills. Students created recounts on what life in Beaumaris and school life may have been like 70 years ago and compared it to life today. They explored the school timeline, developed their understanding of chronological order, and discussed important events taking place in Melbourne at the time of the school’s opening, including the 1956 Olympic Games. We have also enjoyed finishing our class novel together.

In Mathematics, we have been exploring decimals, with a focus on comparing and ordering decimal numbers and renaming decimals. We have also developed our understanding of shape through practical activities.

In RE, we have been exploring what it means to be part of the Church community and Stella Maris Day was a wonderful time for the students to reflect on the importance of faith, belonging and community within our school.

As part of our Shared Task with Year 6, students have been preparing presentations based on an experiment and are looking forward to conducting their ‘Big Question’ investigation together.

Over the past fortnight, students have been developing their literacy skills by writing a personal response to Free Diving, with a focus on understanding Aboriginal perspectives and structuring their ideas effectively. In Mathematics, students have been exploring decimals and strengthening their understanding of the connection between decimals and fractions.

In Religious Education, students have begun researching their chosen saint for Confirmation and are continuing to work through their Confirmation books. As part of our Shared Task with Year 6, students have been preparing presentations based on a scientific experiment and are excited to undertake their collaborative ‘Big Question’ investigation in the coming weeks.

Our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students have been enjoying their work with Bee-Bots. Last week, students explored a variety of Bee-Bot maps and brainstormed creative themes such as Under the Sea, Jurassic Park, and many more. They then began planning and sketching their own ideas. This week, students have started designing and creating their Bee-Bot maps, demonstrating great creativity and problem-solving skills.

Year 3 students have been building on their understanding of Ozobot Colour Codes by programming their Ozobots to navigate through mazes and demonstrate sequences of events. Students have been experimenting with different speeds, directions, and special moves to create increasingly complex pathways and challenges.

Year 4 students are continuing to collaborate with their partners on their Sustainability Game Project. They have been refining their ideas, planning gameplay elements, and developing solutions that promote awareness of important environmental issues. It has been fantastic to see their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 

Year 5 and 6 students have begun creating their Scratch Sustainability Game Projects and are very excited to see their ideas come to life. Working independently or with a partner, students are designing and developing games that focus on one or two sustainability issues, such as pollution, plastic waste, or protecting animals and habitats. 

The Preps have been working on how to express their opinion in Italian by using the phrases Mi piace (I like it) or Non mi piace ( I don’t like it)

They have used these phrases in games and written and spoken activities to tell each other what colours they like or dislike.

Year 1 and 2 have been learning the names for each meal of the day in Italian. They have then continued to build on their sentence structure by completing sentences that tell someone what they like to eat at each meal. They have previously learnt to say I like to eat …. They have now learnt how to be more specific about the meal e.g At breakfast I like to eat… . They have continued to practise terms like preferisco ( I prefer) and adoro ( I love it).

Years 3 and 4 are enthusiastically working in groups to practise a role play that brings in the language learnt throughout the term. After practising pronunciation and translating unfamiliar words and phrases each person is taking on a character that is asking and answering questions about the foods they are eating. We look forward to hearing their final presentations.

The Year 5 and 6 students have continued to engage in language games and activities that practise explaining an injury or pain and explaining whether it is due to a fall or illness. This week we have also focussed on how to change a word from singular to plural in Italian. They have attempted to apply these grammatical rules to the names of body parts.

Years 1 and 2 have continued their exploration of folk dance by learning some dances from North America. They joined in the steps of Alabama Gal and this week learnt the Mexican Hat Dance.

In the last fortnight Year 3 and 4 the students have watched examples of cultural dances from Malta, Ukraine,  Hungary, Poland, Italy and Germany. They continue to enjoy seeing these examples from their culture. They have been introduced to some of the Indigenous dances from various Native American groups. They have practised some of the steps as well as seeing their traditional clothing and learning the stories associated with the dances. This week we have explored Australian Bush dance and learnt the Heel and Toe Polka.

The Year 5 and 6 students were engaged last week in learning about the dances of the 1980’s. With a focus on Michael Jackson the students learnt how to do the Thriller Dance and practised the Moon Walk. This week the students have begun exploring popular dance of the 1990’s. They are currently working on creating their own hip hop inspired routine to present next week.

Our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students will be continuing to develop their ball skills of bouncing, catching and throwing. The Basketball Unit will focus on learning to bounce pass, chest pass and dribble the ball while also developing team work and movement skills.

Years 3 and 4 will participate in a Basketball Unit with team work and game rules as a major focus. They will be preparing for Hoop Time which will happen in term 3 by learning defensive and offensive strategies, improving on the ball skills they worked on earlier in the term and developing their shooting and dribbling skills.

Years 5 and 6 will further the ball and movement skills they worked on during the Netball Unit by applying and refining them during the Basketball Skills Unit. In preparation for their Hoop Time Competition they will continue to focus on developing team work, fair play, sportsmanship and strategic game play.

Art Show News

Our Art Show will take place in Term 3 on Wednesday 1st September - a date to remember!

We are looking for parent volunteers to assist with mounting and preparing the artwork for display. We understand that many parents have busy schedules and may not always be able to come to school, so we also have preparation packs available that can be taken home and completed at your convenience.

Any support would be greatly appreciated as we prepare for this special event.

Please feel free to contact me via email, or alternatively, come and see me at school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during this term. Lots of amazing work to be displayed!

Thank you for supporting our young artists!

Mrs O'Sullivan

losullivan@smbeaumaris.catholic.edu.au