Classroom News 

What's Been Happening in Year 2

This week our Year 2 students have been learning about money! We first discussed the things that money is needed for, such as food, clothes, somewhere to live and household items. Then we reviewed our Australian currency and the value of our coins and notes. It has been very interesting to compare how students view money these days compared to how our teachers experienced money when they were younger, with many purchases now being made with a tap of a phone! 

We then began to develop our money skills by counting and adding small collections of notes and coins. This can be very tricky when we have collections of cents that equal dollar amounts, which is why we pile our cents into dollars.

Students identified equivalent values in collections of coins or notes, such as two five-cent coins having the same value as one 10-cent coin. We also challenged our classes to come up with as many ways to make $5 as possible.

Our favourite task of the week (as pictured) was when we worked in pairs for a mini shops activity! We each got to choose 3 items from our pencil case and decide on a price for them, writing up a price tag for each item. Our partner was able to shop our items with their small collection of coins, and when they purchased something, we were given the challenge of calculating how much change to give them!

What's Been Happening in Year 3

Year 3 Visit to the Melbourne Museum

Last week, the Year 3 students visited the Melbourne Museum on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th of August, as part of their Geography unit. The excursion supported their inquiry into the central question: “What is Australia’s geography?”

Throughout the day, students explored how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples adapted their ways of living to the resources available in their Country and Place. They were introduced to the First Peoples of Victoria and learned about traditional practices and knowledge systems that continue to shape our shared history.

In addition to these valuable cultural learnings, students explored a range of exhibitions, including:

• The Dinosaur Walk: where they discovered the fascinating world of prehistoric life.
• The Gondwana Garden: offering insights into Australia’s ancient landscapes.
• The Melbourne Story: highlighting the development of the city over time.

The excursion was a rich and engaging experience, helping students make meaningful connections between their classroom learning and the world around them. 

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