Junior School News

Spelling Mastery Implementation: Years 2–6

This year, all students in Years 2 to 6 have been participating in the Spelling Mastery program. Placement tests have ensured that each student is working at their individual point of need. This targeted approach supports students in developing their spelling skills in a structured, sequential manner, mastering each level before moving on to the next.

Spelling Mastery is an evidence-based program designed to explicitly teach students spelling strategies, patterns, and rules. 

Through a combination of phonemic, morphemic, and whole-word instruction, the program helps make spelling more accessible while supporting strong writing development. Structured lessons, careful word selection, and repeated cumulative practice help students build and retain essential spelling knowledge.

Students in Years 2 to 6 engage in four 30-minute spelling sessions each week. This consistent and strategic approach ensures instruction is differentiated and aligned with individual learning needs, reducing the likelihood of significant gaps in understanding.

Research highlights a strong connection between spelling proficiency and writing fluency. When students are confident in spelling, they free up cognitive resources for higher-order writing skills such as idea development, structure and voice. A whole-school approach to evidence-based spelling instruction helps reduce the cognitive load of writing mechanics and supports the creation of well-crafted texts.

As students adjust to this rigorous and targeted spelling instruction, you may notice a slight change in their report results for spelling compared to previous years. This reflects the program’s high expectations and the emphasis on long-term mastery.

Your child's classroom teacher will be available to discuss this with you during the Term 3 parent-teacher interviews. This is a valuable opportunity to ask any questions and gain further insights into your child’s progress.

Year 2 Golden Dragon Museum Excursion

On Tuesday we went to the Golden Dragon Museum. My group went through the garden and temple first. There are lions protecting the entry to keep bad spirits out. I learnt that the bad spirits can’t get past the wall. In the Museum, Dai Gum Loong was there. It is the longest dragon in the world.

Nellie Worme (2 Aherne)

 On Tuesday, Year 2s went to the Golden Dragon Museum. Outside in the gardens, we fed the fish. Inside there were dragons. The names were Dai Gum Loong, Ming Loong, Sun Loong and Loong. I like going into the temple and seeing the dragons on display.

Kundiso Tamangani (2 Aherne)

I had lots of questions about the Golden Dragon Museum. How many dragons are there? Who made the museum? Why are the dragons so beautiful? How heavy are the dragons?

Will Clancy (2 Jenkin)

The big, beautiful Golden Dragon Museum had 11 dragons, including Dai Gum Loong. Dai Gum Loong was over 100 meters long. It is carried by 210 people in the parade. I wonder will they ever build a new dragon?

Yu Kei Clement Tang (2 Milward)

Today we went to the Golden Dragon Museum, and we saw a lot. I saw Loong the dragon, Sun Loong the dragon and Dai Gum Loong the dragon. I learnt that it takes 210 people to look after Dai Gum Loong. I also learnt that when the dragons are asleep, the people put leaves in their mouths so the dragons don't get hungry.  We also saw my family tree that has the label "Pang" on it. It is very sad that Loong got chemicals spilt on him.

Lucille Pang (2 Frew)

Junior School RULER News

Here are some simple activities and conversation starters that are useful at home to promote social and emotional skills.

There are three types of activities:

Talk About It  |  Do It Together   |   Did You Notice

Years Prep-1:

Years 2-3

Year 4-6

Try some of these activities at home and make talking about emotions a part of every day!

Ms Vanessa Juergens 

Teacher of Year 2D

Year Prep - Hands on Science Incursion 

Recently, the Preparatory children participated in a Science Incursion. They experimented with different chemicals to observe reactions and create unusual mixtures. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being scientists for the morning.

Year One Teddy Bear’s Picnic 

On Tuesday 24 June, we held the annual Year One Teddy Bears’ Picnic. Bears of all shapes and sizes were treated to a day of fun, adventure and learning. Teddy Bears enjoyed morning recess and a play on the Junior School playground. It was wonderful to see our Year One students care for and look after their favourite Teddy Bear for the day.

My Teddy Bear Description

My Teddy Bear’s name is Jonse.

He is a baby panda.

His special part is that it can light up, play music, sleep and move its tummy.

He is the best Teddy!!

He is a medium-sized panda.

He is a circle shape.

He smiles every day!!

Fletcher Hannan 1D

My Teddy Bear Description

This is my Teddy Bear.

Her name is Savannah.

She is soft, fluffy and yellow with dots all over her.

Savannah has orange eyes, a small nose and four legs. 

Her fur feels like a very cosy blanket. 

Savannah makes me feel safe and secure when I hug her. I love my teddy.

Addison Carlson 1M

My Teddy Bear Description

My teddy is special because it is soft like a fluffy ball!

It has black, round, sparkling eyes.

My teddy’s name is Pup.

Pup the puppy has a black, round nose.

It came with a collar, leash, treats, a ball and a water bowl.

It has black dots.

Juri Kim 1V

Nude Food Day

On Thursday 26th June, all of Junior School embraced a Nude Food Day. Children were encouraged to bring their food to school without any disposable rubbish. The classes competed with each other and recorded the quantity of rubbish produced by each class. Congratulations to Year One M for their excellent effort in producing zero rubbish. The Student Representative Council initiated the activity to raise awareness of how we can reduce waste in our environment.

Shamrock District Athletics Thursday 12th June 

We had many outstanding individual performances across both track and field events, as well as strong showings in the 4 x 100m relay teams. It was a great day of competition and sportsmanship.

Results

3D Simile Self Portraits

The students of Year Three studied similes in a writing lesson in Term Two. Similes compare two different things using terms ‘as’ and ‘like’. The students learned how using similes helps improve writing by making descriptions more vivid and engaging.

 As writers, the students experimented with a range of similes to add greater depth, creativity, and personality to their work, making it more interesting and memorable for readers.

My hair is soft like a bunny.

My eyes are as brown as chocolate.

My nose is as smooth as caramel.

My mouth is as pink as a lipstick.

My face is as cute as a Labubu.

My body is as important as food.

My hands are as small as baby kangaroo paws.

Akira Goyal (3D)

My hair is as curly as a Murray River Curly  Coat Retriever.

My eyes are as playful as a kitten.

My nose is as flexible as my ears.

My mouth is as hungry as a tiger.

My face is as tired as a cat.

My body is as active as a cheetah.

My hands are as fidgety as a fidget toy.

Josephine Starr (3D)

My hair is as handsome as a secret agent.

My eyes are as turquoise as the ocean.

My nose is boney like my body.

My mouth is red like poppies.

My face is as rosey as roses.

My body is as sporty as an athlete.,

My hands are as cold as icicles.

Charlie Koudos (3 Jenkin)

My hair is as smooth as silk.

My eyes are as brown as chocolate.

My nose is small like a button.

My mouth is as slippery as slime.

My face is as cute as a bunny.

My body is as normal as an ordinary day.

My hands are warm like a heater.

Bella Song (3 Riley)

My hair is as blonde as the sun.

My eyes are as random as a die.

My nose is as hard as a lion.

My mouth is as strong as a watermelon.

My face is as smooth as silk.

My body is as smart and the universe.

My hands are as strong as dumb-bells.

Rory Job (3 Aherne)

My hair is as handsome as a pot of diamonds.

My eyes are shiny as crystals.

My nose is tilted like a ski jump.

My mouth is as hungry as a chicken.

My face is as cute as cool as a breeze.

My body is as tall as Lebron James.

My hands are as big as icicles.

Angus McCarthy (3D)

The past couple of weeks at OSHC have been filled with excitement, creativity, and teamwork! We've loved learning new card games from our service leader and from each other, exploring new painting techniques to create a variety of textures, and even making our own galaxy playdough to take home. One of the most special parts of this fortnight has been welcoming new friends into our OSHC community—and seeing new friendships form as we play, create, and learn together!

From all of us at OSHC, thank you for a fantastic term! We’ve loved watching your children learn, grow, and shine. We can’t wait to welcome you all back next term for even more fun, adventures, and memories.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday break!