Teaching and Learning Areas
Foundation
Welcome or welcome back to our Foundation families!
The Preps have had a great start to the year and are settling into their new classes well.
The main focus this week has been on establishing the routines that we will follow for the remainder of the year. These include learning how to set up their table for reading and writing lessons, packing equipment away responsibly, coming back to class at the end of outside breaks and taking turns when sharing and listening to ideas during class discussions. They have had Developmental Play time inside, whereby the goals have been to initiate and sustain conversations with their peers and demonstrate sharing skills.
We have also facilitated activities that have practised skills in making friends such as finding out what peers like and dislike.
We hope your child has shared some of the experiences they’ve enjoyed so far. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.
Enjoy your weekend!
Grade 1/2
The 1/2 Team have been excited to welcome all our students into their new classes and it has been great to see everyone settling into their routines so well. Students have enjoyed getting to know one another better and have contributed to agreed upon rules for each classroom to ensure a positive and safe learning environment for all.
In literacy we have been getting to know our daily routines including phonics and phonological awareness, whiteboard work and delving deeply into rich shared texts to develop their comprehension strategies. In maths we’ve been enjoying games, esti-mysteries and building on our counting skills.
We are looking forward to starting our inquiry into local history soon.
Grade 3/4
The 3/4 students have settled beautifully into the school year after their first week and a half. The classrooms have been buzzing with different activities that have assisted us in getting to know each other, helping students connect with their classmates and teachers while building a positive culture. Each class has also enjoyed naming their classrooms after underwater creatures, sparking creativity and a shared sense of identity. We now have the Anglerfish, the Box Jellyfish, the Catfish, the Dugongs and the Elephant Seals!
Alongside this, students have been discussing classroom roles and responsibilities and learning how to work together respectfully, considerately and cooperatively. The students have also spent time getting acquainted with their iPads and practising how to use them safely and effectively for learning. And we’ve wasted no time getting right into literacy and numeracy, showing great focus and enthusiasm as we’ve begun the year’s learning. We’re really looking forward to a wonderful year of growth, collaboration, and fun ahead!
Grade 5/6
It has been wonderful to welcome everyone back after a lovely summer holiday. The Grade 5/6 students have settled in beautifully to the start of the year, and we’ve been particularly impressed with how well our Grade 5 students have managed the transition into the senior years. It’s been great to see friendships reconnecting and classrooms quickly filling with energy and enthusiasm.
Our Grade 5/6 teaching team this year consists of Kerry and Thomas in 5/6A, Tom in 5/6B, Jack in 5/6C, Anna in 5/6D (we warmly welcome Anna to Merri-bek Primary School), and Jacinta in 5/6E. We’re looking forward to a positive and productive year working together with students and families.
Curriculum learning is well underway. In literacy, students have begun exploring persuasive texts, with a focus on writing and presenting speeches as part of applications for leadership roles within the school. In maths, students have completed initial assessments to help us better understand each learner and ensure we are meeting everyone where they are at.
Our Integrated Studies learning this term is focused on our changing climate. Students will be exploring this topic through a local lens, looking at the impact of and responses to fires, floods and extreme heat in Victoria. We will also be discussing how communities can be prepared, stay safe and take care of one another. This is a particularly timely topic given the events of the recent holidays.
A few reminders for families:
- School hats are compulsory each day. Having a spare hat at school is highly recommended.
- Interschool sport will begin at the end of Week 3. This term, students will participate in bat tennis, softball and basketball. Further information will be shared shortly.
As always, parents and guardians are very welcome to be in touch via Compass if you have any questions or information to share. We also look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming Meet the Teacher night and continuing to build strong partnerships throughout the year.
The Grade 5/6 Team
