Around the rooms

Kindergarten - Jacqueline Pribilovics

Each morning after our daily phonics lesson, Kindergarten students participate in instructional reading group rotations.  The teacher will work with different groups of students to help them read words, sentences and stories using all the sounds and words they have been taught as well as developing their fluency and comprehension. While the teacher is working with a group of students, the rest of the class will be doing an activity to consolidate what they have been learning. This may be a spelling activity sheet, a game to practise their tricky words or sound knowledge, or more practice using readers.

After Kindergarten have completed their instructional reading groups, we move into our writing session. This consists of shared, modelled and independent writing experiences. 

Year 1 - Danielle McClure and Eva Clinton

Year 1 has been lucky to welcome pre-service teacher Ms. Toohey into our classroom this fortnight. We have enjoyed many thoughtful and engaging lessons already. The students have been learning about natural and man-made features in Geography, so Ms. Toohey took the children outside to explore and identify these features in our own school environment.

Year 2 - Aoife Geraghty and Eva Clinton

Our Year 2 students have been busy with all things mathematics this fortnight! They've been learning to read and understand time and exploring orientation with maps and directions. In addition, the class has been enjoying some fun maths fluency games, which are helping them practise quick recall of key facts and sharpen their mental maths skills. It’s been a fantastic way to challenge their thinking as they prepare for Year 3!  Year 2 has been fortunate to welcome Ms. Blackford, our pre-service teacher, into the classroom. We've already enjoyed a variety of thoughtful and engaging lessons, and the students are excited to continue learning with her.

Year 3 - Peter Mallos

Year 3 has been immersed in a world of fun and learning participating a variety of exciting maths games. These games are specifically designed to enhance our fluency with times tables. Through engaging and interactive activities, we are developing our mathematical skills while enjoying every moment. It's been wonderful to see everyone progressing as we tackle the challenges with such energy and enthusiasm!

Year 4 - Bella Abruzzese 

In STEM, Year 4 has been researching how wind and water cause erosion in all kinds of environments. This week, the children carried out an investigation into how heat changes land masses using a hairdryer! 

Year 5 - Anna Kelly

Recently, Year 5 students have been exploring the art of Japanese Sumi-e, and they’ve been creating beautiful paintings of Koi fish. 

Year 6 - Laura Courtenay

Year 6 Student Spotlight

My name is Yakup Ala and I arrived at St Margaret Mary’s in Year 5. Before then, I attended a larger primary school in Adelaide so I have enjoyed collaborating with fewer students in a smaller class. St Margaret Mary’s has many kind and thoughtful teachers who care for the students and inspire them to grow and learn.  

During the past two years, I have particularly enjoyed English and Physical Education where I’ve been encouraged to play a variety of different sports and read lots of interesting books. In class this year, we have researched many famous and compelling individuals and authors too, which I have enjoyed very much. 

One of my favourite memories at St Margaret Mary's involves the 2024 camp where we cooked the best damper bread-on-a-stick over a fire and to this day I still daydream about it! Other fond memories include watching my peers perform their one-of-a-kind talents to the whole school, the annual fun day, and the dance program we had in term 3. I love working and caring for my little kindies Luke and James because I was able to help teach them to read which was a blast.

What I will take from my experience at St Margaret Mary’s is an understanding of discipline which I think will make me a better student at high school.