Prep
Welcome
Welcome to Term Two. We are excited for another fantastic term together. The Prep students have settled back into the routines of school, after their holiday break, and are continuing to build their knowledge across all content areas. Our doors are always open to support you and your child's education journey at St Andrew’s.
Our Learning this Term
English
Each day, students complete two hours of Literacy, which focuses on phonics, reading, comprehension, writing and handwriting. We follow the InitiaLit scope and sequence.
Students complete activities that develop various Literacy skills, including focusing on initial sounds, sounding out words and blending them back together, sequencing events in a story, and building fine motor skills for handwriting. Classroom reading activities include whole class, small groups, shared reading, modelled reading, language experience, listening tasks, and independent reading experiences.
Each child is regularly monitored in their Literacy skills to ensure they retain the learning being explicitly taught. They also have the opportunity to read to their teacher on their Reading Day.
Phonological awareness is a key focus in our Literacy program. Phonological awareness is an essential part of the student’s ability to learn the English language. Students learn sounds through systematic phonics instruction. Children have daily phonological awareness instruction in letter-sound knowledge, word awareness/syllables, rhyme, first, middle and last sounds and vowels and consonants.
During writing sessions students will focus on producing sentences, which include a ‘who’ and ‘what they are doing’ and will begin to add greater detail including ‘when’ and ‘where’. They will be working on using their phonics knowledge to sound out words and have a go at writing the corresponding letters. Students will be encouraged to use oral language skills to describe their illustrations in sentences. Teachers will model writing, and expectations of independent writing will vary depending on each child’s point of need.
Students will continue to be instructed in handwriting, learning the beginning strokes and shapes needed for Victorian Modern Cursive handwriting. This includes developing the correct posture and fine motor skills required to create well-formed letters and a steady pencil grip.
Mathematics
A major focus for Prep students in Mathematics is on number skills. Concepts and skills are taught through concrete materials and experiences relevant to their lives. The Numeracy Program involves a lot of ‘hands-on’ activities, open-ended investigations and real-life Mathematics. Counting and number sense will lay the foundations of your child’s Maths learning in future years.
Throughout this term, we will focus on partitioning numbers to ten into two or three groups, 2D shapes and extending our number range to 20.
Each Mathematics lesson begins with a review session which allows students to rehearse skills that were previously taught so they can then build upon their understanding.
Below is a list of activities that you can do at home to support your child’s Mathematical development:
- Make counting part of your everyday life. For example, count toys, shells you collect at the beach, fruit at the grocery store or trees on the street.
- Create colour, movement or object patterns with every day objects (eg. socks, toys, cutlery)
- Say the days of the week and ask your child what day it is today and what day it will be tomorrow.
- Play hide and seek with objects and use location words to give clues to find the object (eg. look behind the couch, check inside a cupboard).
- Go for a walk down your street and point out how each house or block has a number in a series. Count the steps between one house and the next.
- Involve your child in cooking. Let your child help stir, pour, fill, and mix. This will help your child learn to count, measure, add, and estimate.
- When you are out and about, look for different 2D shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).
Religious Education
In Religious Education, the Prep students have been exploring what it means to be part of the family of God.
We are learning that our school and church communities play special roles in God’s family, helping us to grow and become loving, kind, and caring individuals.
Through stories, discussions, and creative activities, we reflect on our experiences of family and friendship, discovering how these relationships help us understand and develop a stronger connection to God’s love.
We are investigating how our actions - at home, school and in the wider community - show that we belong to God’s family.
Inquiry
In Inquiry, the Prep students are becoming Scientists and are exploring their 5 senses.
They will learn about each of the senses and how we use them in our everyday life.
Through experiments, investigations, songs, stories and activities, students will explore how sound and light travel and different sound and light sources.
The students will use their Science Inquiry skills to make observations and predictions when participating in experiments. They will also plan, create, share ideas and evaluate their work while designing and making a product that creates sound.
SPECIALIST NEWS
Term 2 Library News
Get ready to kick goals with reading! National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is back for 2026, and St Andrew's is excited to join millions of children across Australia in sharing the same story at the same time on Wednesday 27 May. This wonderful annual event celebrates the joy of books, literacy and imagination together through storytelling.
This year’s featured story is Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, illustrated by Jake A. Minton. The story follows Luna Roo, a courageous young kangaroo and rookie soccer captain, as she learns to trust herself, work with her teammates and face challenges with determination and heart. Filled with action, humour and vibrant Australian animal characters, Luna Roo is a fun and inspiring story that encourages resilience, teamwork and confidence.
Our students will take part in special literacy activities inspired by the story and join in the nationwide reading celebration. We can’t wait to share this energetic and heartwarming Australian story together!
LOTE-Italian
Ciao a tutti,
This term, the Preps will continue to focus on introducing Italy and the Italian language and developing the students’ speaking and listening skills. The students will continue to build on previously learnt language.
They will practise the question/answer routine of asking and giving their name, using the two language structures, Mi chiamo (my name is) and sono (I am), and they will learn how to say ‘I am sorry’ mi dispiace and ‘you are welcome’ prego.
They will be introduced to the Italian vocabulary for colours and will learn to sing an Italian song -La Farfallina Bianca. (The Little White Butterfly).
Students will also learn to count in Italian from 1 to 10. During the lessons, the students will continue to recycle and deepen their understanding of new vocabulary by participating in singing songs, playing games, reciting chants, following simple instructions and understanding basic classroom language.
Cordiali saluti
Signora White
Art
It has been a busy and exciting start to the year in Prep Art! Students have been exploring the colourful world of Pop Art, with inspiration from Andy Warhol. They enjoyed experimenting with bright colours and bold ideas to create fun and engaging artworks.
Our Preps also created beautiful autumn tree paintings inspired by Leonid Afremov. These vibrant artworks have truly brightened our hallway and brought it to life with colour and texture.
We have also been busy learning about ANZAC Day, creating poppy flower artworks that helped students begin to understand the importance of remembrance in a thoughtful and age-appropriate way.
Looking ahead, students will begin exploring 3D sculptures and colour, using a variety of materials to build and create exciting new artworks.
We are working very hard as we prepare for our whole-school Art Show, and we cannot wait to display all of our wonderful creations.
📅 Save the Date! Our Art Show Opening Night will be held on September 1st (Term 3) in the school hall. We look forward to celebrating our students’ creativity with you.
♻️ Donations Appreciated
A big thank you to everyone who has donated recycled materials such as newspapers and cardboard paper towel rolls. These materials are incredibly helpful in supporting our creative projects.
We are still happily accepting donations, so please keep them coming!
Thank you for your continued support of the Visual Arts program. We look forward to a fantastic Term 2 filled with creativity and exploration! 🎨
Warm regards,
Milena Santoro - Art Teacher
Physical Education
Welcome to Term 2!
Building on the strong foundation established in Term 1, our Prep students are continuing to develop their fundamental movement skills in Physical Education. This term, we are continuing with our Body Movement unit, with an emphasis on improving throwing and catching skills.
Students will participate in individual, partner, and small group activities, allowing them to further strengthen their teamwork and communication skills. We are also continuing to develop hand-eye coordination through engaging activities using objects such as bouncy
balls, tennis balls, and hula hoops.
In addition, students will be introduced to basic athletics, including practising proper running techniques for sprinting and applying their teamwork skills in fun relay races.
We look forward to another active and enjoyable term ahead!
Mr. Min Fa 🏃♂️🏃♀️
Performing Arts
Hello Preppies and Families, welcome back to school for Term 2!!
The Preps had a wonderfully successful first term that we will begin rhythmic notation already! By identifying notated rhythm, prep students will expand their musical knowledge and understanding of rhythm names and lengths (ta’s, ti-ti’s and za’s). Students will use their knowledge of sounds to compose sound stories, using instruments in various ways to communicate an idea or feeling. We’ll use the story of Funkey Monkey and his red pants to develop students’ acting abilities, using physical movement, sound and facial expression to correspond to the story.
The Preps will learn the rhyme Lemonade Crunchy Ice to develop their improvisation skills in dance and movement. They will also practice writing rhythmic notation and improvise using melodic percussion instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels, etc.) to develop their pitching skills.
Lastly, we’ll be focusing on singing through call-and-response, games, and finally, some fun songs to develop students' understanding of how to pitch with their voices. Their singing is a joy to listen to, so if you’d like to help your child, please put on their favourite song in the car and encourage them to karaoke it up!
Here’s to a great term!
Thanks,
Emma Cooper
Positive Behaviour for Learning
The Positive Behaviour for Learning framework comprises three focus values: Respect, Responsibility and Resilience.
During the term, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience will be addressed through weekly focus sessions. This is an important time when students engage in activities to build relationships with both their peers and teacher and learn social-emotional skills to contribute to a positive learning environment within their classroom.
Our School-Wide Acknowledgement System awards Class Dojo Points and weekly awards to students who demonstrate positive learning behaviours across all school settings (classroom, specialist lessons, playground, incursions/excursions). This engages and motivates students, opens our learning to parents, and provides an opportunity to celebrate the learning students are doing in our classroom.
Classroom Organisation
Every week the Prep students will attend the following Specialist programs.
Please remind your child to wear their sports uniform and runners on the appropriate day.
Specialist Teachers and Timetable
Italian – Signora White
P.E. – Mr Min Fa
Performing Arts - Mrs Cooper
Art - Mrs Santoro
Library - Mrs Milne
The Specialist timetable is as follows:
Prep D
Monday: Italian and Art
Tuesday: Performing Arts
Thursday: P.E, Library (fortnightly)
Prep S
Monday: Performing Arts and Art
Tuesday: Italian, Library (fortnightly)
Thursday: P.E
Prep W
Monday: Italian and Performing Arts
Tuesday: Art, Library (fortnightly)
Thursday: P.E
*Library: Students will need to return their library books on a weekly cycle.
e.g. Prep S and Prep W borrows on a Tuesday and they will return on the following Tuesday. Prep D borrows on a Thursday and will return the following Thursday.
Take Home Reading Books and Pouches
Each week, your child will take home a decodable book that supports the learning that is happening in the classroom. These books are to be read multiple times throughout the week to help develop your child’s letter-sound knowledge and ability to sound out words and blend them back together. By reading the books multiple times, they will also build other reading skills such as comprehension, fluency, pace and expression. These books are to be recorded in their Home Reading Diary and returned in their blue pouch on your child’s Reading Day. Please ensure your child brings their reading pouch on their assigned day, as this allows time for your child to read with their teacher. Within the Home Reading Diary, there are additional activities for your child to complete that will be set by your child’s teacher.
School Uniform and Hat
Please ensure that all clothing items are clearly marked with your child’s name, preferably in permanent marker. School hats will be left at school each day. Students are required to wear a hat when the UV rating is 3 or above, so please ensure they still have their hat at school during Term 2.
Brain Food Break
During the morning teaching block, the Prep students will have a Brain Food Break to ‘refuel’ on vegetables, salad, fruit, or dairy and ‘rehydrate’ with water. Please pack something extra in your child’s lunchbox for them to eat during this time. Students who are not hungry and are well-hydrated perform better in the classroom and show increased concentration. This is a friendly reminder that we encourage a nut-free environment in the school.
Key Dates
Tuesday 12th May - School Nurse in Primary Schools visit
Friday 15th May - Walk Safely to School Day
Wednesday 20th May - Prep S and Prep D Class Mass at 9:15am
Friday 29th May - Prep Parent Social Night
Friday 5th June - School Closure Day
Monday 8th June - King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Wednesday 17th June - Prep W Class Mass at 9:15am
Monday 22nd June - Parent/Teacher Interviews
Thursday 25th June - Learning Celebrations
Friday 26th June - End of Term 2 - 1:30pm finish
How to Contact Us
Karen Williams: kwilliams@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Martina Duong: mduong@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Bridie Slater: bslater@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.