Year 1/2

Year 1/2 Cluster News 

We hope you enjoyed a refreshing break over the holidays. It was lovely to hear what the children have been doing. 

Over the first few days of school, we have focused on setting up class communities, building relationships, understanding learning and play expectations and restorative practices (what to do when there is conflict). This will continue next week. 

Home Inquiry   

This is the learning that can be done at home during the week and will begin in Week 3. For now, any reading at home is encouraged, preferably every night for 10-15 minutes. Take Home Books will be sent home next week on Monday. 

Weekly Timetable – 1/2 Classes 

Learning for Week 2  

Word Study (previously Jolly Spelling):  

Year 2: Silent ‘b’ e.g. crumb, thumb 

Year 1 Word Study will commence in Week 3. 

Writer’s Workshop: we will explore what writers do and will spend some time setting up and beginning book making this week.    

Readers Workshop: we will explore the reading environment and what is needed to create a space for reading, as well as choosing ‘good fit’ books.   

Mathematics: we will begin looking at number skills and will be learning some mental computation games this week. We will also discuss what mathematicians do and what characteristics they have.    

Unit of Inquiry: we will continue building our class culture and developing our class expectations. We will also inquire into the Learner Profile Attributes: Caring, Inquirers, Principled, Balanced, Knowledgeable, Communicators, Thinkers, Risk-Takers, Open-Minded and Reflective.   

Other Reminders 

Each day students need to bring the following. Please label everything.  

• hats – these will remain at school for the term. GGOSH is aware and they have spare hats if needed. 

• Take Home Bags which are also for Library borrowing. 

• water bottles  

• a fruit snack 

• recess 

• lunch 

Lunch Boxes 

Please pack a substantial lunch rather than lots of recess snacks and put an ice pack in on hot days as the lunches remain in school bags outside. We also ask that you send in ‘nude food’ which does not include wrappers. 

Library Borrowing  

Both classes will visit the Library on Tuesdays to borrow 2 books for 2 weeks. 

Take Home books 

Children will choose interest books to take home next week on Monday. During the week, we will listen to children and begin sending decodable books or other good fit books home to read. More information will be included in the folders on Monday. 

Sunscreen 

Please apply sunscreen in the mornings before school. We will encourage reapplication during the day. If your child requires their own sunscreen, please label it and they can keep it in their bag. 

Toddle 

We post important information reminders, student learning, photos/videos and assessments on this platform.  Please contact the office if you are not connected. 

PIN 

We look forward to seeing you on our Parent Information Night on Wednesday 5th Feb. If you are not able to make it, we will send home a brief summary of what we will talk about on the night. 

Family photo 

Please send a family photo to put up in the classroom, including pets if you have any. An electronic copy is fine and we will print it. The children love to look at these during the day. 

Volunteers 

During the year we have excursions, a Year 1 Sleepover and a Year 2 Camp.  

If you are interested in volunteering, there a few things you must have up to date to be able to come along or to help in the classroom. Please do not volunteer unless you have these already. Contact the office if you have any questions. 

• Working With Children Check (WWCC)  
• Responding to Abuse, Harm and Neglect training (RRHAN-EC)  
• Valuing Safe Communities (VSC) training 

https://www.goldengrove.sa.edu.au/parent-portal/volunteering/  

May God bless your week, 

Melanie Arnold and Ellen Zimmer 

Melanie Arnold: Arnold.melanie@goldengrove.sa.edu.au 

Tim Kriewaldt kriewaldt.tim@goldengrove.sa.edu.au 

Ellen Zimmer zimmer.ellen@goldengrove.sa.edu.au