Year 2
🐣 A Special Chick Visit! 🐣
Our classroom had some very special visitors when Chloe brought in her adorable new baby chicks for us to meet! The children loved meeting Peaches, Mango and Butter and enjoyed this wonderful opportunity to observe the fluffy little chicks up close. A big thank you to Chloe for sharing her special new arrivals with us! 💛
Caring for Creation
As part of our commitment to Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ message reminding us to care for our common home, our students have been exploring the many ways we can care for God’s beautiful creation. From looking after plants and gardens to picking up litter, recycling and caring for the world around us, we are learning that even the smallest actions can make a big difference. Through these everyday choices, we are reminded of our responsibility to protect the Earth and show respect for all living things. We are proud of the ways our students are learning to be thoughtful, responsible stewards of creation and to put their faith into action! 🌎💚
InitiaLit
Throughout Term 4, students are continuing to build their reading and writing skills through the InitiaLit program. They are practising the connections between letters and sounds and using this knowledge to read and spell words, including longer and more challenging words. Students are working on recognising tricky words, applying spelling patterns and using their growing skills in both reading and writing activities. Targeted teaching continues to support each student's individual learning needs, helping them develop greater accuracy, fluency and confidence. It has been wonderful to see students continue to grow as readers and writers and celebrate their progress throughout the year. Below is an example of the help me spell charts that the students use daily.
Writing
Throughout Term 4, students are continuing to develop their writing skills, with a focus on using capital letters at the beginning of sentences and full stops at the end. They are practising choosing the correct letters to represent the sounds they hear in words and strengthening their ability to spell tricky words correctly. Free Write Friday has also been introduced to encourage students to write for longer periods, build writing stamina and develop confidence in expressing their own ideas. Through regular writing opportunities, students are working towards creating sentences that communicate their ideas clearly and independently. It has been wonderful to see students growing in confidence and taking greater pride in their writing.
Numeracy
During Term 4, students are continuing to develop their mathematical understanding through a range of hands-on activities and problem-solving opportunities. They are exploring fractions by learning to recognise and describe equal parts of a whole, half, quarters and eighths. Students are also collecting, organising and interpreting data, using simple graphs and tables to share information. In location, they are developing their ability to describe the position of objects and follow directions. Students are also exploring patterns, identifying what comes next and creating their own repeating patterns. Through these learning experiences, students are building their mathematical thinking, confidence and ability to explain their strategies and reasoning.
Religion
In Term 4, students are exploring the theme of Scripture through the unit The Good News. They have been learning about the Bible's layout, including the Old and New Testaments and how the books are organised. Students can identify the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, which are known as the Gospels. Through stories from the Bible, they are discovering the messages Jesus shared and reflecting on how they can spread the Good News by showing kindness, love and care for others in their everyday lives.
Inquiry
In Term 4, students are exploring the history of their local community through the unit Uncovering History. They are learning about significant people, places and events that have helped shape their community, including the contributions of First Nations Australians. Through stories, discussions, research and visits, students are developing an understanding of how their school and local area have changed over time. They are also learning to ask questions, gather information from different sources and recognise how people from different backgrounds have contributed to the community in which they live.
RRRR - Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships.
In Term 4, students are exploring positive gender relationships through the RRRR program. They are learning about the importance of treating everyone with kindness, fairness and respect, regardless of whether they are a boy, girl or gender-diverse person. Students are developing an understanding of how words and actions can affect others' feelings and sense of belonging, including when people are teased, excluded or treated unfairly. They are also practising respectful ways to interact with others and learning strategies to speak up, seek help from trusted adults and keep themselves and others safe.
Looking Ahead
We will continue to keep supporting all students to grow academically, socially and emotionally, while continuing to nurture their confidence and love of learning.
Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year. Your partnership plays a vital role in your child’s success, and we truly appreciate your communication and involvement.
Important Dates
November
28th - 6pm Sacrament of Confirmation and Eucharist
December
4th- Grandparents Afternoon
8th - Statewide Transition Day
10th - Reports Released
10th - 6pm St John's Christmas Concert
11th - Colour Run
13th - 6pm Parish Carols Night
14th - Grade 6 Graduation Dinner
15th- Students Last Day 2:15pm finish (TBC)
ONGOING REMINDERS
No Hat, No Play
St John’s is a “No Hat, No Play” school, which means all students are required to wear their hats every day. Please keep this in mind when doing hairstyles in the morning—high ponytails and buns can sometimes make it difficult for hats to sit properly.
Label Everything
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled. You’ll hear this reminder often throughout the year! While we may all grow tired of saying it, labelled belongings can be quickly returned if misplaced.
Friday Treats
Zooper Doopers are available for $1, and Cake Raffle tickets are 50c. Both take place every Friday.
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders are available every Wednesday.
Library
Library visits are on Fridays. Please remember that borrowed books must be returned before a new book can be issued.
Birthday Invitations
We are happy to distribute invitations at school if the entire class is invited. However, if only some children are being invited (which we completely understand), we kindly ask that invitations be shared privately. While disappointments are a part of life, missing out on a party can feel especially significant at 7 or 8 years old, and we would prefer school not be the setting for that upset.
tramsden@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au
kanderson@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 57952937
Thank you,
Thomasina, Kristy & Keira