From the Classroom
Junior Unit Tells All
It has been wonderful to see the smiling faces of our Junior students returning to school this term.
Junior A have continued to build their knowledge of letters and sounds and are now halfway through learning the basic code. Students have been enthusiastically practising their decoding and blending skills to read CVC words, and it has been wonderful to see so many beginning to read at home using their online library. In English, we explored a range of memorable characters from our texts, including Pig the Pug, Thelma the Unicorn, and Edward and Edwina the Emus. Students enjoyed creating their own characters, giving them names and describing what they like to do.
In Maths, students have been investigating addition through engaging number stories and learning how parts combine to make a whole. We have used counters, ten frames, and number bonds to support their understanding of addition concepts.
As part of our Inquiry unit, Junior A have been learning about different places and the purposes they serve. Students are developing an understanding that places are spaces used for different reasons, and they have demonstrated this by drawing and describing two different places they know.
Junior B have had a fantastic return to school. It has been wonderful to hear all about your holidays! They have continued to learn new digraphs and trigraphs and practice their reading fluency. We have begun our new English Unit where students have been learning about characters. They read 'Spoons' and students then chose their own kitchen utensil to write about.
In Maths, we have started addition. It has been so impressive to see how knowledgeable Junior B are with adding! They have been engaging in lots of different activities and maths games where they have had to add multiple numbers together counting on from a larger number.
Junior B have also started their Inquiry Unit 'Why is my place special?' Students have looked at where they place is in Australia, Victora, Melbourne, Heathmont, Marlborough and of course, Junior B! We begun by taking a tour of Melbourne on google maps where students got to explore all the fun places we have in Melbourne, including the MCG, Yarra River, Luna Park and many more!
We look forward to a wonderful term in the Junior Unit
Middle Unit News
Welcome Back!
We hope all of our Grade 3 and 4 families had a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break. It has been a wonderful start to the term, with students returning refreshed, positive, and ready to learn. Over the past week and a half, it has been fantastic to see how engaged and enthusiastic the students have been in their learning. They have settled quickly back into routines, shown great focus in the classroom, and demonstrated a strong willingness to participate and challenge themselves. We are looking forward to a busy and productive term ahead, filled with exciting learning opportunities and continued growth for all students.
In English, Middle B are reading Coral Sea Dreaming by Kim Toft. Through this text, we are focusing on how authors use subjective language to express opinions, feelings, and perspectives. Students are identifying and discussing a range of language features, including descriptive vocabulary, imagery, and emotive language. These elements help bring the text to life and influence how the reader connects with the ideas and themes.
We are encouraging students to recognise how language choices can shape meaning and to begin experimenting with these features in their own writing. It has been wonderful to see students engaging thoughtfully with the text and sharing their ideas with confidence.
In Maths, Middle B have begun our new unit on Addition. Students are developing their understanding of addition strategies, including partitioning numbers, using place value, and applying mental and written methods to solve problems. They are also working on explaining their thinking and choosing efficient strategies when solving addition tasks. Through hands-on activities and problem-solving tasks, students are building confidence and fluency while making connections between different approaches to addition. It has been great to see students actively engaging in their learning and demonstrating persistence when working through challenges.
Middle Unit's Inquiry topic is on Chemical Sciences. Students will explore the properties of different materials and how these properties influence their use. Through hands-on investigations, students will observe and compare materials based on features such as absorbency, strength, and texture. Students will understand how and why certain materials are chosen for specific purposes in everyday life. They will develop their skills in making predictions, recording observations, and discussing their findings using scientific language.
Welcome back from Middle A. It has been so great to see everyone return after a well desrved break. We have jumped straight into term two with some very eager learners.
In English, Middle A have been exploring the text Koala Ark. Through this unit, the students will be able to explore a range of writing techniques to support perspective and argumentative writing. So far, Middle A have grasped the concepts of the use compound sentences and prepositional phrases and time connectives.
Maths: Middle A have been working thoroughly though the new unit of addition. Throughout the first two weeks, the students have been able to explore using addition strategies such as the jump strategies and number fact families.
It has been great to see the participation from the students in this weeks swimming carnival. Students from Middle A have been respectful and have been proud to represent the school at Aquanation.
Senior News
Welcome back to a fantastic start to Term 2! We hope you had a wonderful break over the holidays. The students have come back to school ready to learn and in good spirits, excited for the term ahead. We have had a great start to swimming week, students have been practicing their skills, water safety and will have a fun day on Friday for the last day. A reminder that Interschool Sport begins next week, if anyone is able to help on Friday mornings please let us know.
In English we have continued our unit on Vincent Lingiari, with a focus on authority of texts and comparing similar texts. We have observed and analysed music videos of 'From Little Things, Big Things Grow' and looking at the storyline behind songs and why artists create music videos for their audience.
In Maths, we are about to begin an exciting project where students will be creating and designing their bedroom as a 3D object. This project will have a strong focus on calculating perimeter, area, financial management with money, scales, 3D shapes and converting measurement.
In Inquiry, we have begun our new unit 'Factors that Shape Places' with a strong Geography focus. Students will be exploring differences in the demographic, economic, social and cultural characteristics of countries across the world. In Week 6, we will have our excursion to Melbourne Museum to participate in a Habitats, Human Impact and Management workshop run by museum staff.
We look forward for a fun-filled, exciting term 2 with the senior students!