Learning Updates -

School of Wonder

Excitement and joy as school year begins

The School of Wonder (SOW) children have returned with much enthusiasm and excitement. I have been privileged to watch the storytelling of fun activities from the holiday break, notice the joy in the interactions with others, and hear the wonderings about what will be learnt this year.

As always we begin our new school year reconnecting, reading and telling stories and sharing ideas, revisiting our school expectations and learning assets to help us be the best we can be. The learning spaces have been calm and inviting places to be.

Our Foundation children have been settling into school life, learning and practising daily routines. They are already growing in confidence and independence, and demonstrating pride in learning new things. A focus in Wonder Play has been on "respecting everyone and everything" and what that looks like and sounds like in our spaces. Children have been using names to practise oral language, writing and reading skills and to make many new friends.

The first day of school was a big day for these little ones and their families.

Years 1 and 2 children have been creating and building routines, focusing on communicating successfully and the many ways we can communicate with others. They have also been exploring the idea of our impact on the world around us, and this inquiry will continue throughout the term. Children have been utilising their new spaces with independence, respect and excellent self-management.

Year 3 children have settled beautifully into their new learning space as well. Children have returned to school with an independence and willingness to try new things and learn in different ways. Writer's Notebooks and Prayer Journals are under way, and utilising the library texts for home readers; these new practices enabling children to continue to challenge and extend their thinking from previous years in the School of Wonder. Children have adapted to the changes Year 3 has provided with enjoyment and enthusiasm. I have been so proud of how all of our learners have begun their year and I look forward to celebrating the many successes as the year progresses.

It has been fantastic to see some of our SOW families enjoying some outdoor morning reading the last two days. Thank you for helping us be safe and successful and following the COVID safety measures. We are pleased to be able to continue the outdoor morning reading next week. 

 - Kara McCann, School of Wonder Leader

A picture speaks a thousand words

I wanted to share the joy of my day on Thursday. I entered Studio 4 in the afternoon and walked into this - calm, peaceful and in full attention. Year 3s are borrowing library books to use as their home readers this year. Children learnt how to pick a 'just-right book' and made their selections earlier this week. They must have chosen well . . . a picture speaks a thousand words right?

 -  Kara McCann, 

School of Wonder Leader

Indigenous stories told during Year 3 iTime 

Year 3 children recently enjoyed an iTime session with Koorie Education Worker Tina Thompson, discovering local Indigenous stories. Tina and the children sat around the sandpit while Tina told the Bangerang story about how the Murray River was formed. The children then made the Murray River in the sand and re-created the story. Our Inquiry concept is 'How stories from our past influence who we are' - the children were discovering Indigenous perspectives and stories to begin our topic. 

 - Nikea Grinter, School of Wonder Learning Mentor

There was another first for the Foundation children this week as they visited the college library for the first time. They were excited to explore the library shelves and the pages of the books they chose.