Year 1/2
Welcome
Dear Families,
Welcome to Term Two! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break with your families. We look forward to working with your children and celebrating their achievements and progress throughout the second term.
Our Learning this Term
English
Throughout Term Two in Literacy, students will focus on learning digraphs throughout the ‘InitiaLit’ reading program. These include digraphs such as ‘th’ and ‘oo’, which are then extended into our spelling in words such as ‘there’ and ‘school’. Students will learn to identify when to use the appropriate digraphs, like when to use ‘ai’ or ‘ay’ in a word.
Our writing lessons expose students to writing based on a prompt. Students are tasked with writing in context by using simple and compound sentences. This allows the students to share ideas and practise their writing skills and reinforce the digraphs, common words and tricky words explored during our reading learning.
Take-home books are being taken home each week. Please ensure your child’s Kluwell is filled in. It is very important that children engage in nightly reading at home. Reading with your children at home has many benefits, including fostering the development of listening skills, spelling, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and essential foundational literacy skills.
Parent Helpers:
We look forward to welcoming Parent Helpers into the classrooms. Please ensure that you have a current Working with Children Check, as this is a legal requirement. If you are interested in assisting in the classroom, please contact your child's teacher.
PBL
Each week in PBL, we will spotlight one of our PBL core values of Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience—to help embed these qualities into our daily school lives.
This term, we will focus on:
Following Staff Directions
Taking Care of Property and School Grounds
Listening to the Speaker
Being Ready to Learn
Speaking to an Adult to Help Solve a Problem
Following Routines
We will continue to hold weekly class meetings. This aims to encourage students to voice their opinions and allow them to discuss important matters. The PBL Captains take the main points from the class meetings and share them with the other leaders at a regular ‘Student Voice’ meeting.
Mathematics
Topics covered throughout Term Two are as follows:
Week 1- Revision (2 days)
Weeks 2 & 3- Place Value
We are building upon the students' existing knowledge of Place Value. Students have focused on identifying the digit position within numbers and the value of each digit. They will also learn about partitioning or breaking up numbers in various ways. Students are taught to explain their understanding using hands-on materials such as icy pole sticks (bundles). We will also be looking at comparing and ordering numbers.
Weeks 4 & 5 - Length
Students will compare and order the length of objects using terms such as ‘shorter, longer, and the same’. They will also use appropriate uniform informal units, such as unifix blocks and icy pole sticks, and demonstrate accuracy when measuring.
Weeks 6 -9 - Addition and Subtraction
Students will further develop their knowledge of Addition and Subtraction. Firstly, they will learn a variety of strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems, such as:
Addition strategies such as count on, doubles, near doubles, and adding 10.
Subtraction strategies include counting back, counting down to, and counting up from.
The students will be introduced to each strategy and have the opportunity to use tens frames and number lines to solve simple equations. The students will also practise selecting the most efficient strategy when given an addition or subtraction equation, enabling them to build their mathematical proficiency.
Weeks 10 & 11 - Pattern
Students will identify, label and continue repeating patterns using different items. They will also identify and create skip counting patterns by 2s, 5s and 10s.
To begin the term, students revisited the story of Easter and explored scripture about when Jesus visited His disciples after His Resurrection, before going to Heaven. We reflected on the message Jesus told His disciples before leaving them, ‘The Holy Spirit will come to you - do not be afraid’. This led us into ‘Pentecost’ when Jesus sent the gift of the Holy Spirit. We will learn about this special event later in the term.
Religion
In Religion, we will then explore the Seven Sacraments, special rituals celebrated in the Church. Students will learn about the main parts of each celebration and the related symbols for Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Marriage, and Anointing of the Sick.
Students will learn about the roles of key figures in the local parish and wider church and reflect on what it means to be a member of a parish and school community.
Inquiry Learning
Our topic for this term is ‘Our Scientific Actions Have Reactions’. We will look into the world of chemical science and explore the essential question -
How do different materials and their properties change how we use them?
Students will learn why objects are made from specific materials, what changes occur when materials are combined, and how science and materials can be used in our everyday lives.
Throughout the term, we will conduct experiments using different everyday items and materials. Students will work towards a final poster and presentation to the class based on their investigation into dissolvable materials.
We look forward to sharing what we have learnt with you.
Classroom Organisation
The students in Year 1/2 need to continue to develop independence. Students are encouraged to develop this at school through such things as being responsible for:
• Unpacking bags at school
• Organising their personal belongings
• Handing in any notes
• Bringing back library books and bags on their assigned day
• Being punctual to class and ready for learning
After 8:45 am, students must report to the office to be registered as late for the day.
If your child is absent from school, we must receive notification of this in writing, either via the Audiri app, an email to the classroom teacher, or a note handed to the teacher.
All 1/2 students will participate in the Specialist Program on Wednesday: Italian, Art, Performing Arts, and PE. Please remember that every Wednesday, the students are expected to wear their runners and P.E. uniforms to school for Physical Education.
On all other days of the week, students should wear their school shoes and full school uniform.
Library Sessions have commenced this term. Please remember to return all Library books and bring a Library bag, before or by the day of your child’s lesson. Class lesson days and times are noted below. The library sessions are fortnightly and on Tuesdays. Please see below for individual time:
8.45-9.45 a.m: 1/2L
9.50-10.50 a.m.: 1/2W
12.30-1.30 p.m.: 1/2K
2.15-3.15 p.m.: 1/2G
Key Dates
May
Friday 16th - Whole School Assembly @9:00am
- Walk Safely to School Day
Monday 19th - Prep 2025 Parent Session @6.30 pm
Friday 23rd - Whole School Assembly @9:00am
Wednesday 28th - SAC Meeting @ 7.00 pm
June
Friday 6th - Whole School Assembly @9:00am
Saturday 7th - Working Bee @8.30am (TBC)
Monday 9th - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Friday 27th - Reports distributed to families
Monday 30th - Term 2 Parent/Child/ Teacher Interviews from 2.30pm
July
Friday 4th - School Assembly @9.00 am
- Term Two Concludes @1:30pm
*As dates can be subject to change, please check either the school newsletter or notifications on the Audiri App.
How to Contact Us
Jordan jlonergan@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Sally skuszner@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Rachel rgurvich@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Karen Williams kwilliams@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
We politely request that there is an understanding that emails will be responded to within a 48 hour time frame and within the hours of 8.00am-4.45pm.
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
L.O.T.E. Italian
Ciao a tutti,
This term, the students will continue building on familiar language and grammar through the Italian picture story book Il Pappagallo. They are introduced to the vocabulary for ‘him’ and ‘her’- lui-he, lei-she, as they appear in the story. Also, mio- my (masculine singular) mia- my (feminine singular), which they will use in the written description of their pet.
The students will also learn the song sung by the young boy in the story and will be encouraged to include actions that show their understanding of the new vocabulary.
They will also work in groups to role-play the story. Following a model, each student will take on a specific role. After a few practices, the students will present it to the class and will be free to add and/or change any of the expressions and vocabulary. The students will also be introduced to the importance of family traditions in different cultures by comparing their own to those of the Italian family in the story.
During the lessons, the students will continue to participate in quizzes and games and complete written and oral activities to reinforce their knowledge and understanding of new language and grammar.
Cordiali saluti
Signora White
Physical Education
Welcome to Term Two!
During this term in Physical Education, Year 1/2 students will engage in a Body Movement unit, where they’ll learn to develop fundamental throwing and catching skills with various objects. Completed individually, in pairs and in groups, they’ll continue exploring how to work together in teams to coordinate their actions. Additionally, the 1/2 students have developed hand-eye coordination skills through various activities with objects such as bouncy balls, tennis balls and hula hoops. We are exploring a variety of athletic events, including proper running form for sprinting and how to use their learnt teamwork skills in relay races. Towards the end of the term, we will expand on soccer skills.
We are excited for another fun term ahead!
Miss Kayla Puetz
Art
Welcome to the Art Room – Term 2 with Mrs. Santoro!
It’s been a busy and exciting start to Term 2 in the Art Room! The children have been working hard creating some beautiful and thoughtful pieces to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Throughout the term, students will explore a variety of materials such as markers, crayons, and paints as they discover how art can be a powerful form of communication and self-expression. They’ll learn about the elements of art—including line, shape, colour, texture, and space—and how to use tools like rulers and other art equipment to bring their ideas to life.
Each project is designed to spark imagination and creativity while connecting with the learning happening in their classroom inquiry units. It’s wonderful to see how students use art to explore and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
We’re looking forward to a fun-filled term of learning, experimenting, and creating together!
Happy art and crafting,
Mrs. Milena Santoro 🎨
Performing Arts
Welcome back 1/2 Students and families! Congratulations to the Students for their enthusiasm and creativity during Term 1.
Term 2 will see students exploring their creativity whilst practising their knowledge of rhythmic notation. They’ll be comparing and contrasting their own rhythms through the song “How Do I Feel Today”, and learning how to play different rhythms at the same time as others. This develops their listening skills and brain patterning as they must use both the left and right sides of the brain to play and listen concurrently, improving their musical ability and knowledge.
Students will also be exploring communicating ideas through both dance and drama. They’ll learn about the association of certain dance moves to Sea Shanties and the Hornpipe, used in the olden days as dances to keep sailors fit at sea but with limited space (such as on a ship). We’ll also be looking at sound stories using percussion instruments in the room as well as their own acting skills to convey an idea with their faces, bodies, words and instruments.
You can help your student by singing along in the car to your favourite song on the radio! The more singing they hear, the better!
Happy singing and dancing!
Mrs Emma Cooper
Library News
Congratulations to all classes for doing a fantastic job returning library books in Term 1! Seeing students show responsibility and pride in caring for our library resources has been wonderful. There’s been great excitement around borrowing time, with many students enjoying the chance to relax and read books that are just right for them. We’ve also spent time discussing what makes a “good fit” book—stories that are interesting, enjoyable, and matched to each reader’s level—to help everyone become more confident, engaged readers. In library lessons, students will be exposed to various print texts, building essential reading and viewing skills. Through shared reading and discussion, students will continue exploring characters, settings, and events, and connecting stories to their own experiences, helping them understand the obvious and hidden meanings in texts. They’re also learning how different types of texts are structured for specific purposes, and how features like images, layout, and sound contribute to meaning. Library time also allows students to reflect on their reading preferences and to express their opinions about texts in a supportive environment.
A big thank you to all our families for your important role in fostering a love of reading at home. Whether it's sharing bedtime stories, encouraging regular library visits, listening to your child read aloud, or simply talking about books, your support makes a big difference.
Best wishes,
Mrs Daniella Polites