Year 1 News

From Joey, Year 1 teacher

MOPA Excursion

Literacy

This fortnight in Phonics, the Year One students learnt about the grapheme–phoneme correspondences (GPCs) ‘er’, ‘ir’, and ‘ur’, which make the /er/ sound. While learning and practising these sounds, students had many opportunities to apply their knowledge through games, partner reading, spelling, and writing activities.

In addition to developing their phonological awareness, the Year One students were introduced to irregular plurals and past tense forms to deepen their understanding of how words are structured. They discovered that, apart from adding prefixes and suffixes, the meanings of base words can also change in irregular ways.

Year One Excursion

On the 12th of November, the Year One students had a wonderful time at MOPA. We travelled by bus to Eddie Reserve, where we enjoyed a picnic and playtime before heading into the artistic venue. Upon arrival, we were greeted by our friendly host on the stage, and each class began their rotations through six engaging activities for the day. 

In the Library Cinema, we listened to stories read by our hosts, sitting among twinkling fairy lights. With expressive voices, music, and vivid illustrations, they brought to life Thelma the Unicorn, Fancy Nancy, and The Colour Monsters. The MOPA City, Gallery, and Slides areas brought excitement and energy as students explored the maze, raced down slides, and immersed themselves in world-famous artworks.

Students also showcased creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork in the Wind Room, Zoom Room, and building zones. A highlight space was the Art Circle at the centre of the venue, where students were invited to draw within a circle on the wall and then innovate on others’ pieces by adding meaningful details.

The day was wrapped up with a whole-cohort dress-up dance party, giving students another chance to celebrate their talents and passions. It was truly an unforgettable adventure for both students and teachers.

Swimming Program

Last week, Year One participated in the annual Swimming Program, which enhanced students’ water safety skills and prepared them for the summer season. Students travelled safely each day from school to the North Melbourne Pool, accompanied by teachers and parent helpers.

The students were lucky to be supported by professional and friendly instructors. Through warm up activities, stroke practice, and underwater games, students not only had a great time but also developed and consolidated their swimming skills at their levels. They are now ready for more challenges and fun in the water.