Prep 

Prep Newsletter:

Our Preps have had a fantastic start to the year, and we are so proud of the way they are learning and living our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Safety. We have seen wonderful examples of sharing, taking turns, cooperative play and growing confidence as they explore their new school environment. Students have been especially excited to earn Spark Bucks for demonstrating these values and were thrilled to visit our very first Spark Buck Shop to purchase prizes (although many were disappointed to discover they couldn’t spend them at the canteen!). These first few weeks have focused on establishing calm, predictable routines, and the children are doing an incredible job settling into school life while developing a strong sense of connection and belonging at Orchard Park.

Here are some of the amazing things we’ve had happening in Prep so far!

Parents & Carers Session

Thank you to all the families who came down and celebrated our students' first day of school by attending the in-class parent session. The students were over the moon to share their new learning space with you. 

First Practice Assembly

We had our first practice assembly where each student received their “First Week of Prep” certificate! They did an amazing job at demonstrating our value of Respect while waiting patiently for their turn, clapping and celebrating their peers and showing respectful listening. We ended our assembly with a dance party to celebrate the end of an amazing first week!

Building connections

In the first few weeks of school, fostering strong connections with peers, teachers and our wider school community has been a key priority, helping students build a sense of belonging, confidence and security within their new learning environment. We have done so through collaborative structured play, exploration of our school, getting to know you games and a range of fun crafts where the students could see themselves as Orchard Park Primary School students! This has included the introduction of our buddies program where the students have been able to build connections with their Year 5 peers through structured games and play. 

Literacy & Numeracy

This week, our prep students have begun participating in structured literacy and numeracy learning, showing great enthusiasm and focus. In literacy, they are learning correct pencil grip, writing their name and have started reading and writing with the /s/, /a/ and /t/. They have also been engaging with picture books about starting school, making meaningful real-life connections to the texts and sharing their own experiences. In numeracy, students are developing number knowledge by reading and recognising numerals to 5 and building collections up to 5 through hands-on learning experiences.

We’re incredibly excited to see where the rest of the term takes our fantastic prep students!

Katie Koulouris, Amanda Vigilanti & Anabelle Watts