Junior School News

Welcome to 2025! 

News From Prep

What a wonderful start the Prep students have had in their first few weeks at school! They have settled in well and are becoming familiar with the structure and routines of the day. This term there will be a main focus on social and emotional learning, to support the Preps with building positive relationships with their peers. They will be introduced to classroom and playground expectations that will assist them in feeling happy and safe in this new environment. The Year 5 students were very excited to meet with their Prep buddies last week and spend some time together. They have been fantastic in ‘keeping an eye’ on the Preps during outside break times.

The Preps attended their first whole school Mass on Friday at the Our Lady of Victories Basilica, it was a great experience for them. I am really excited about the year ahead and look forward to building wonderful relationships with the Preps and you as parents. 

News From Year 1 and 2

We are excited to begin this year of learning and growth with your children in 1/2. As their teachers, we are filled with optimism for all the experiences, challenges and fun that lie ahead. We aim to foster a positive and supportive environment where each child feels valued and encouraged to explore new concepts, build on their strengths and develop important skills.

We look forward to partnering with you to create a year full of success, discovery and memorable moments. 

Here’s to a fantastic 2025. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Erica Cremer (1/2C) and Fiona Clifford (1/2FC)

ecremer@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

fclifford@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

Term One Overview

English

In Writing, students will begin to develop their writing skills as they explore both narrative and informative text structures. They will start creating short written and spoken texts, using ideas and details from topics they have previously encountered or topics that interest them. 

As part of this process, students will learn to incorporate multimodal elements and will begin to edit and revise their work for improvement. They will focus on writing legible words using un joined lower-case and upper-case letters and apply punctuation correctly. Students will also work on spelling common one- and two-syllable words, as well as high-frequency words, as well as start using phonic and morphemic knowledge to attempt spelling more complex words. 

Additionally, they will explore the use of appropriate vocabulary and grammar to express their ideas clearly, starting to make deliberate choices in the language they use. This foundational work will set the stage for them to create more detailed and structured texts as they continue to develop their writing abilities throughout the year.

In Reading and Viewing, students will continue to develop essential reading and viewing skills as they engage with a variety of texts. They will recognise high-frequency words and develop their understanding of how boundary punctuation helps make meaning in texts. Students will discuss characters, settings, and events and begin to make connections between what they read and their own experiences. 

Social Emotional Learning

In Term One, students will focus on building their social and emotional skills through the first two topics of the RRRR (Resilience, Rights, and Respectful Relationships) framework. The first topic, Emotional Literacy, will help students recognise and understand their own emotions and the emotions of others. They will learn how to express their feelings in healthy ways and how to manage their emotions in different situations. 

The second topic, Personal Strengths, encourages students to explore their unique abilities and talents, helping them build self-confidence and recognise the positive qualities that make them who they are. Through these activities, students will develop important skills in self-awareness, emotional regulation and resilience, laying the foundation for positive relationships and emotional well-being.

Mathematics

In Term One, students will focus on building essential mathematical skills in data, place value, and addition and subtraction. They will learn how to collect, organise, and display data in different ways, such as tables and simple graphs, helping them interpret and draw conclusions from the information. In the area of place value, students will develop a strong understanding of the value of digits in two- and three-digit numbers, learning to compare, order, and represent numbers. They will also practice breaking numbers apart to see how they are made up of hundreds, tens, and ones, which will help with their overall number sense. Through exploring the operations addition and subtraction, students will strengthen their ability to solve problems by using strategies like counting on, number lines, and breaking numbers down into smaller parts. They will work with both two- and three-digit numbers, applying their skills to real-life situations and becoming more confident in using these operations in everyday contexts.

Inquiry Learning 

Our Inquiry unit this term will focus on the concept of 'Systems,' with a particular emphasis on governance, rules, and how they help create order and fairness in our communities. 

Students will explore what makes an act right or wrong, good or bad, and consider the reasons behind these judgments. We will delve into the idea of rules and values as the foundation of any system, helping to guide behavior and ensure a smooth, fair process. Using the theme of school values: Love, Empathy, Gratitude, Courage, and Respect—we will discuss how these values support the functioning of systems and keep them balanced. 

Through interactive activities, students will reflect on real-life examples of governance and rules, and participate in group tasks to develop a deeper understanding of how systems work better when everyone contributes and follows agreed-upon guidelines. 

This unit encourages critical and creative thinking, and helps students practice skills that will support their social and personal development as they collaborate and solve problems together. 

Religious Education

This Term, through Religious Education, students will explore various ways people can belong to God’s family, focusing on the significance of family meals and gatherings and their connection to Church traditions. They will reflect on the importance of belonging to both family and Church, understanding how these relationships shape their spiritual lives. Students will also examine key figures in the local parish and the wider Church, interpreting their contributions and reflecting on the meaning of being part of a parish and school community.

As they study scripture and the life of Jesus, students will explore God’s relationship with people through various images presented in the Bible. They will reflect on how these images of God relate to their personal experiences and understanding of faith. 

Additionally, students will investigate how God’s people are depicted in the Old and New Testaments and interpret how these images of God can be lived out within the community. Through these reflections, students will deepen their connection with the Word of God and its role in the broader Church community.

Timetable