Classroom News

Foundation Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

Our first Wednesday with our Preps and what a milestone it has been! It’s hard to believe how far our students have come, now officially full-time primary school students. They have been making long strides and huge improvements in their confidence, independence, and learning, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Week 6 has been a big one. There have been lots of smiles, plenty of learning, and some very proud teachers watching our Preps continue to grow each day.

Below you’ll find important dates to keep in mind, a snapshot of what we’ve been learning in class, and of course, some awesome photos of our Preps in their element learning and playing. 

Literacy 

Over the past few weeks, our Preps have been developing their early literacy skills through shared stories, songs, and structured oral language activities. We have been focusing on listening and responding to texts, speaking in full sentences, and beginning to understand how sentences work through modelled writing and discussions.

You can support learning at home by:

• Reading stories together and talking about favourite parts
• Encouraging your child to answer questions using full sentences
• Asking your child to retell a story in their own words
• Playing simple “who/what/where” talking games to build oral language

Numeracy 

Over the past few weeks, our Preps have been building their understanding of numbers through stories, games, and hands-on activities. We have been exploring patterns, counting, and number recognition for numbers 1 to 10, and developing confidence through play-based learning.

You can support learning at home by:

• Counting everyday objects (toys, snacks, steps, plates on the table)
• Looking for and creating simple patterns using colours, shapes, or household items
• Playing simple counting games or board games
• Practising number recognition on signs, books, or in the environment

HASS

This week we are starting to explore our own histories and families. Next week we will look at baby photos, create timelines of their lives, and reflect on how they have changed and grown, as well as thinking about their future hopes. 

You can support learning at home by:

• Looking through family photos and talking about changes over time
• Creating a simple timeline of your child’s life together
• Discussing family similarities and differences with relatives
• Sharing stories about your own childhood

Personal Histories Information 

Last Reminder: to please complete and return the Personal Histories sheet in your child’s homework folder, along with two photos, one of your child as a baby and one of your whole family.

Please ensure your child’s name is written on the back of each photo. Photos should be handed directly to your child’s teacher or emailed through compass/your teachers email.

Homework

Please ensure that your child’s take home text is in their pocket on Monday’s as we use these during the week to practice their fluency. If forgotten as we know life gets busy just place it in your child’s bag when you remember.  

Team Building Incursion

Our Prep students will soon participate in an engaging Team Building incursion designed to develop essential skills for working together. Through a range of fun and interactive activities, students will have the opportunity to:

• Express their reasoning and problem-solving ideas
• Strengthen communication skills
• Practice conflict resolution
• Collaborate effectively with their peers

They will also be introduced to key team-building vocabulary and simple strategies to structure and enhance their thinking. This incursion aims to support our students in becoming confident, thoughtful, and cooperative learners.

Learning in Class!

Developmental Play

French Lessons

Reading and Soundwrite                                                                  

Maths

Warmest regards, 

Tegan Cochrane, Renee Kociski, Ashleigh Smith and Vanessa Stimar

Foundation Teachers

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Year 1 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 1 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next few weeks. 

Important Dates to Remember:

Kind Regards,

Year 1 Team

Caroline Morrison, Rosie Robinson, Grace Vaelioja and Alison Sparks

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Year 2 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 2 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks. 

Important Dates to Remember:

Kind regards, 

Daniel Lewis, Thilini Marasinghe, Zhuang Bian, Rebeca Gomes 

Year 2 Teachers

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Year 3 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 3 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks. 

Kind Regards,

Year 3 Team

Harrison, Cassie and Lauren

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Year 4 Curriculum Newsletter -Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 4 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates. 

Kind Regards,

Year 4 Team

Sam Pallas, Katie Smith, Tim Maclachlan and Jessica De Angelis

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Year 5 Curriculum Newsletter -Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 5 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks. 

Important Dates to Remember:

Persuasive Writing:

Hugo 5A

Zara 5B

Ming 5B

Henning 5A

Kind Regards,

Year 5 Team

Vanessa Burke and Joshua Bretherton

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Year 6 Curriculum Newsletter-Term 1, Week 6, 2026

Dear Year 6 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates. 

Kind Regards,

Year 6 Team

James Thomas, Natasha Williams and Emma Heron

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Specialist  Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1 , 2026

Dear Parents/ Caregivers,

Below is an outline of our specialist curriculum program for Term 1.

Performing Arts

Music

Choir: This is held each Thursday during lunch in the Music room. The Choir is open to all students in Year 2 and above.

Foundation students will be exploring the concept of beat through a variety of percussion instruments. They will engage in singing, dancing, and body percussion activities to develop their sense of rhythm in an interactive and enjoyable way.

Year 1 students will be introduced to a range of musical instruments while learning to recognize and play different rhythmic patterns. They will develop their pitch through singing and performing a selection of songs.

Year 2 students will focus on recognizing musical notes and rhythms. Through the use of musical instruments, body percussion, and movement, they will enhance their understanding of rhythm and beat. Additionally, they will be introduced to the recorder and learn to play a variety of songs.

Year 3 students will begin learning the ukulele, glockenspiel, drums, and other percussion instruments. They will develop their pitch through singing and will start reading and writing musical notation. As the term progresses, students will be introduced to string instruments, expanding their instrumental skills.

Year 4 students will continue developing their musical abilities through singing, body percussion, and ukulele practice, focusing on learning new chords. Their string instrument studies will also continue, allowing them to refine their technique and musicianship.

Year 5 students will expand their knowledge of ukulele chords while being introduced to the guitar and other tuned and untuned percussion instruments. They will further develop their ability to read and write musical notation, create their own rhythms and melodies, and perform a diverse repertoire of songs.

Year 6 students will focus on ensemble performance, playing a variety of instruments while learning to read, write, and interpret musical scores. They will be preparing for the highly anticipated Battle of the Bands competition, which will take place in March.

We look forward to a fantastic term of music-making and creativity! 

 Visual Arts  

This year the students will spend their time in the art room preparing works  for our magnificent biannual art show. They will showcase their impressive talents and we hope to raise funds for a new kiln to benefit the creativity for all students. Please read the newsletter each week to see how your family can contribute!

Foundation students will experiment with different materials and techniques to make artwork. They will explore how to use a paint brush and watercolour paint and construct a line poster. They will experience blending paint to form the colours of the rainbow.  The students will learn about scissor safety and create a self portrait. Inspired by Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky and American painter and sculptor Georgia O’Keeffe, they will create abstract artworks. To complete their floral artwork, the students will combine plasticine, chenille stems and tule to construct a 3D insect.

Year 1 students will study organic shapes, combining wax resist and printed paper to construct a Henri Matisse inspired artwork. They will take inspiration from Melbourne contemporary street artist and sculptor Daniel Lynch and experiment with using a gel plate and recyclable materials to create a print. The students will explore combining a combination of various types and qualities of paper to create a hamburger collage.

Year 2 students will take inspiration from French fauvist painter Raoul Dufy and  experiment with watercolour paints and oil pastels to create a seascape. They will experience the technique of straw blowing watercolour paint to make a parrot artwork. The students will take inspiration from American painter Wayne Tiebaud to construct a cake and dessert creation.

Year 3 students will take inspiration from illustrator David Catrow to create a colourful plant artwork. They  will demonstrate their understanding of how to use Lego, acrylic paint and watercolour paint to print an architectural design. The students will experiment with the technique of painting with plasticine to create a bird artwork. 

Year 4  students will create a textile and mixed media artwork. They will experiment with dying calico, using ink and experience using embroidery yarn to add stitch detail to their work titled ‘Animal in its environment.’ The students will take  inspiration from John Behnke to create a cityscape. They will explore their ability to blend watercolour, combine cut paper and coloured markers.

Year 5 students will continue to explore the technique of adding value to their still life picture using watercolour paint. They will experiment with printing foam and using acrylic paint to construct a three colour animal print.

Year 6 students will continue to take inspiration from famous fashion illustrators and brainstorm ideas for a fashion range. They will experiment with different drawing mediums to present their finished designs and fashion illustration on a croquis. They students will experience using watercolour paper and blending watercolour paint to create an underwater sea creatures artwork.

Physical Education

Foundation students will be introduced to basic movement skills through participating in gymnastics stations. Throughout the term, students will learn to work collaboratively with their peers through participating in partner activities. Students will focus on following rules and being inclusive when learning whole class games. Students will develop their fundamental movement skills of a run and jump through a variety of games and activities. 

Year 1 and 2 students will engage in gymnastics activities to improve their balance, coordination and fundamental movement skills. They will develop their striking when participating in a downball and playground games unit. Students will explore strategies to work successfully with their peers in a variety of cooperative games and challenges. 

Year 3 and 4 students will participate in downball lessons which they can put into practice during lunch and recess. They will have the opportunity to participate in a hockey skills clinic with coaches from TEM Hockey Club. Students will be engaging in fitness activities, as well as enjoying a range of minor games. They will participate in tennis focused activities and modified matches. 

Year 5 and 6 students will be developing their teamwork and movement strategies when participating in a variety of minor games. They will also be busy practising and preparing their striking and fielding skills for the upcoming Tee-Ball Gala Day. Students will engage in fitness activities and measure their response to varying activities. 

This term, the Year 3 to 6 students will also be preparing and participating in the House Swimming Carnival and House Cross Country Carnival. 

French

This year, students in Grades 3–6 are invited to participate in the Berthe Mouchette Poetry Competition. Students will learn and recite a short French poem appropriate to their year level and present it to an online judge. We were incredibly proud of last year’s two winners, Juliet and Penelope. If your child would like to participate, please let Madame Li know. Preliminaries will be held between 5–22 May, with the finals on 14 June. The deadline to register is 23 March.

We will also be celebrating French Day on 14 July, with a range of fun and engaging activities planned for students. We are currently seeking sponsors or donations for a French Day hamper. Contributions of any size would be greatly appreciated.

Our students are continuing their exciting French learning journey this term! Here’s what each year level will be exploring in class:

This term, Foundation students will learn how to greet one another and respond to “Ça va ?”(How are you?) by saying bien, comme ci, comme ça or mal (good, so-so or not good). Through songs, games and role-play, they will begin building confidence using simple conversational French.

Grades 1–2 will explore animal vocabulary and the question “Où est l’animal ?” (Where is the animal?) Students will create a collage showing an animal in a chosen location and use simple positional language such as dans, sur and sous to describe where it is.

Grades 3–5 will extend their learning by writing short descriptive sentences about animals, including where they are and simple physical descriptions. They will create a scene and write a short paragraph using full sentences in French.

Grade 6 will plan and organise activities for French Day, working collaboratively to design engaging experiences for younger students and apply their language skills in an authentic context.

Our term song is “Où est le chat?” by Alain Le Lait, which supports our focus on animals and positional language.

Regards 

The Specialist Team

Ms Exintaris, Miss Webb, Ms Reynolds and Madame Li Mow Chee