Xenica Community Report

Dear Families, 

Welcome to the new year 2022!

The Xenica teachers would like to congratulate all of the students on a wonderful start to Term 1. Everyone has settled into the community positively and we have established great routines and expectations, while working in our mentor groups. 

A special thank you to all of the families who have supported the students in their transition to a new school year. We look forward to sharing our learning with you all this year.

Reading

In Reading, teachers have been using books to model reading, and making responses to our favourite parts. Students have learnt a strategy to help them pick a ‘just right book’ by using the ‘5 finger rule’ this has allowed students to make sure they are reading a book that is challenging but not too easy or too difficult. Teachers have been working with students to improve their phonological awareness. When our take home reader program commences, the reader bags need to have their diary, reading response book and the chosen book for them to read. These will be checked off by teachers and stamped to show it's been checked off.

Writing

This term in Writing we have been learning how to be a good writer and the things that good writers do. Students have been practising using the writing process by writing a recount about what they did on the school holidays. Students planned what they did on the holidays by speaking to each other. Next, they used a planning template to plan their ideas by writing and drawing. Students then drafted their recounts using their plans to help them.  Students got exposed to editing and revising their draft by adding in detail and punctuation to make their writing better. Students then published their piece of writing.

Maths

In Maths students have started the term exploring the concept of “What makes a good mathematician?”. We have  been learning about place value. The students have been exposed to counting by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s. Students have also been learning about how to make a specific number and also ordering numbers from smallest to largest and vice versa. We have been discussing with the students the concept of before and after a number. 

SEL

In Social and Emotional learning students have been continuing to look at the Aitken Hill Primary School Wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) Matrix. We have recently been exploring the values of Caring for Yourself and Caring for Others. 

Students have been learning about their emotions and how they can change several times throughout the day. We identified examples of certain situations that can make them feel different emotions. 

We have also been discussing the Zones of Regulation (Red Zone, Yellow Zone, Green Zone, Blue Zone) and the feelings we can experience in each zone. Students have been reminded that the Green Zone is the optimal zone for learning. 

Together with their teachers and classmates, students have been thinking of personal strategies that they can use to get themselves back into the Green Zone. 

Victorian Curriculum

Here is the link to the Victorian Curriculum if you would like to take a look at what we cover throughout the year. 

https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/level1

Reminders 

• Doors open at 8:40am
• Dismissal at 3:10pm
• Ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled. This includes clothing, drink bottles, hats and lunchboxes (lids too) 
• Students are to come to school with a full water bottle each day (labelled)

What you can do with your child at home

• Continue to read to and with your child each night.  
• Encourage your child to develop more independence. (Help pack/unpack their school bag/lunch, or get their uniform ready)
• Encourage your child to take increased responsibility for their own belongings.
• Establishing a regular routine helps students to develop a positive approach to learning and will benefit them as they progress through their schooling.  
• Encourage your child to practise tying their own shoelaces.
• If you need to speak to your child’s mentor teacher, please contact the office to pass on the message or organise this before or after school.

Kind Regards,

1/2 teaching team

Holly, Scott, Adriana and Laura