PREP NEWS
What a wonderful and full week of learning we have had in Prep as we approach the end of Term 3! The students continue to amaze us with their curiosity, enthusiasm, and persistence across all areas of their learning.
Literacy
This week in Literacy, we explored compound words. The students were fascinated to discover that some words are created by joining two smaller words together, like sunflower or snowman. We played games where students had to listen carefully and put two words together to make a new one, sparking plenty of giggles and “lightbulb moments.”
We also began learning about the schwa sound, which can be a tricky one as it often sounds like a soft “uh” in words such as banana or sofa. The children did a great job listening out for this sound and trying to identify where it appears. Alongside this, we practised hearing and clapping out different syllables in words, helping us to break down and stretch out words for both reading and writing.
In writing, the students continued to engage in the writing process—planning, drafting, and sharing their work with growing confidence. It has been wonderful to see them applying their phonics knowledge, experimenting with new vocabulary, and beginning to organise their ideas into sentences.
Mathematics
In Maths, we have been continuing our unit on measurement, with a particular focus on mass. The children had great fun comparing the weight of different objects around the classroom and playground, using language such as heavier than, lighter than, balances with, more, and less. They enjoyed using the balance scales to test their predictions, sparking lots of conversation about why some objects felt heavy but looked small, and why some larger objects were surprisingly light.
As the term winds down, we’ve also been celebrating our learning by playing a variety of maths games. These games have given the students the chance to revisit and consolidate important concepts we’ve covered throughout the year so far—such as counting, addition, subtraction, patterns, shapes, and number recognition—all in a playful and engaging way. It has been such a joy to watch their confidence shine as they explain their thinking and apply their strategies in new situations.
Wellbeing
This week, we have also been focusing on wellbeing and the importance of recognising and managing our emotions. Through stories, role-play, and circle time discussions, students shared how different situations can make them feel and brainstormed strategies for calming down, problem-solving, or asking for help. It has been heartwarming to see students supporting each other and practising positive ways of responding to challenges both in the classroom and in the yard.
Inquiry
In Inquiry, we have returned back to Australia after our exciting travels around the world! Throughout the term, the students “visited” China, South Africa, Greece, and Thailand to learn about and celebrate different cultures. This journey has been one of the highlights of the term, and we are incredibly grateful to all the parents and families who shared their culture with our students. Their generosity and involvement created rich and memorable learning experiences that helped our Preps understand and appreciate the diversity within our community.
Holidays
As we finish up the term, we wish all of our students and families a safe and happy holiday break. Take the time to rest, rejuvenate, and enjoy special moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for more learning in Term4.
Reminders
Final Assembly: Friday 19/09, 2:00 – 2:30pm
Last Day of Term: Friday 19/09, with an early finish at 2:30pm
First Day of Term 4: Monday 6th October
Warm regards,
The Prep Team