Student Learning

What's been happening in FTL

This term in Foundation TL we have been busy closing out the year!

One of the main things we have been reflecting on this term is our progress throughout the year. We have been talking and sharing memories of our favourite things that have happened over the year, or something we are proud of! We have spoken about moving on to different classes and different year levels, and the various feelings that come with that. We always remind ourselves that one of the great parts about Foundation is that we have so many more years alongside one another, cheering each other on as we grow and develop, whether that be from afar or from the same class! This is one of my favourite parts of teaching Foundation. I cherish seeing them grow and flourish after they step up to Year 1, and then catching up about all the exciting things that are happening in their lives on yard duty, or passing by in the corridor. 

Fun and Activities

In Foundation, as part of our morning group rotations, Megan Loffler and I teach the students a new board game. Once we have finished reading our readers we pull out the game, introduce it, and off we go! This is designed to help the students learn about winning and losing, rule following, and giving them a game they can pull out with their friends in our free play time, or if they have it at home, something they can play with the rest of the family.

This past week, our game has been checkers. We had a large board that covered half the table and we learnt how to play. It was a hit! The students loved it, and there were many games played, quiet time became not so very quiet time, and we might have a few budding checkers referees in our class. We had games going right until the dismissal bell, and often we had a large group surrounding the table cheering each other on. The best part was watching someone make a mistake, or make a move that wasn’t allowed, and the other students reminding them of the rules with kindness, and allowing that student to retake their turn. It was loads of fun and was a reminder of how blessed we are to have friends and community like we do at Pilgrim. 

Christian Education

This term in Christian Education, our focus has been on the Christmas story, as this time of year is always a great reminder of the most special gift of all, Jesus’ birth. We have been preparing our Christmas play since late last term. The play is titled “An Unexpected Christmas” and follows God in heaven looking down on Earth, planning Jesus’ arrival. The Foundations have worked incredibly hard on remembering their lines and stage directions, and are putting together an impressive performance! At the time of publishing, we would have just finished our very first performance over at Seeds Church for our Grandbuddies. We look forward to performing for all our Foundation - Year 2 and choir families next Tuesday!

Mathematics

Our focus this term in Maths has been learning various addition strategies. These strategies have been helping us solve different addition equations. Our strategies include rainbow facts (any two numbers that make 10 when added together), doubles, near doubles, subitising, turn around, adding zero, and counting on! We have had lots of fun playing different maths games! 

English

In English, we have continued to learn our diagraphs as part of our phonics program. For our literature study, we have been reading Sad, the Dog for our narrative writing unit. The story follows a dog who was given as an unwanted Christmas gift, and unfortunately his owners aren’t very nice, and quite grumpy! He wasn’t given a name so he named himself after the emotion he feels the most often, sad. The owners move house but leave Sad behind. Luckily, a lovely family moves in and takes great care of Sad! He gets lots of treats, walks, and cuddles, and his new owner Jack, gives him a new name, Lucky! We focused on the key components of the narrative, the beginning, middle, and end. We also wrote our own narratives that had to include a pet. They also had to include a problem and resolution. We had guinea pigs going to the shops, fish flying out of their tanks, and dogs going down water slides! We had lots of fun creating these narratives. 

HASS: Geography

As part of Geography this term, we have been focusing on special places. We have been discussing all about places that are important to us. We have had great discussions about how we care for our special places, who places around us might be special to, and what are the features of these places. In Week 4, we went for a local walk around our area. We walked past houses, across bridges, on shared walking and cycling tracks, and eventually we ended up at Happy Valley Oval. After our walk, we created a map to show where we went, and highlighted how we can care for each of the places we saw on our walk.

Art

Art has been very relaxed this term. We have been following Christmas guided drawings. Our favourites so far include the snowglobe, a Christmas puppy, and a Christmas penguin.

Tom Ledson

Foundation Class Teacher

What's been happening in Indonesian

After a focus on markets and food last term, this term in Indonesian has seen different year levels focusing on different areas. In the upper primary, food remains relevant but this time students are using their Indonesian language skills to translate a procedural text (a recipe for a traditional Indonesian snack). Students are looking forward to cooking the snack in Week 7. 

Students in Years 3 and 4 have been learning about each other's sporting interests. It is a great way for them to practise asking and answering simple questions in Indonesian, and then use that information to construct a complex sentence in Indonesian. 

Year 1 and 2 students have enjoyed exploring leisure activities that Indonesian children enjoy, playing the Angklung (a traditional Indonesian instrument) and learning traditional games. The Year 2 students are looking forward to playing the Angklung at the Christmas celebration next week.

Foundation students have learnt the Indonesian words for various emotions and had fun making faces to match the Indonesian emotion words. They have also learnt to sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in Indonesian, as we look forward to learning more about Christmas in Indonesia in our last few weeks of the year.

On Tuesday, the LEAP students came and visited the Indonesian room so they could become familiar with another space in the school where they will be engaging in learning next year. They were introduced to the basic Indonesian greetings and learnt to sing the 'sampai jumpa' (goodbye) song that we sing to finish our lessons.

Kate Tretheway

Indonesian Teacher

Year 4 & 5 Camp at Nunyara

Our Year 4 and 5 students recently enjoyed an unforgettable three-day adventure at Nunyara! Over two nights away from home, they embraced every challenge and had a fantastic time growing together as a group.

Students tackled a thrilling water obstacle course, tested their courage on the tree climb (showing incredible bravery!), took part in fun team-building activities, billy-cart races, and even a shelter-building challenge. They were extremely well fed throughout the camp, and our wonderful instructors kept everyone safe, engaged, and smiling.

Evenings were filled with laughter and reflection. The first night saw students gathered for friendly board games, while the second night’s devotion was a truly special time. Many students experienced God’s presence and prayed for one another, creating a beautiful sense of unity and encouragement.

It was a camp full of adventure, friendship, and faith - an experience our students will remember for a long time!

Dana Baker

Year 3/4 Class Teacher

Australian Maths Competition (AMC)

The AMC is an engaging 30-problem competition that demonstrates the importance and relevance of Mathematics in students’ everyday lives. It was open to students in Years 3 to 6. Australia’s leading educators and academics, with a deep understanding of our national curriculum standards, actively design the unique AMC problems each year. 

Congratulations to the following students who received outstanding results:

• Distinction: Stefan, Dorothy
• Credit: Jean-Louis, Zara S, Rodin, Bochen, Ying, Anni, Benji, Grace L, Yasmin, Mairik, Johnny, Malachi, Ethan S
• Proficiency: Liam, Vin

ICAS Competition Results 

International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) are conducted by the University of NSW. This year some of our Year 2 - 6 Pilgrim students chose to enter one or more ICAS Science, Digital Technologies and English Competitions.

Congratulations to the following students who excelled and received certificates at Assembly:

 Science  

• Distinction: Grace L
• Credit: Jean-Louis,Dorothy, Johnny, Malachi

• Merit: Jessamyn, Bochen, Ethan S

   

Digital Technologies  

• Medal Winner High Distinction: Dorothy

• Credit: Jean-Louis, Bochen, Ethan S

   

English 

• Distinction: Jessamyn, Johnny
• Credit: Tyler F, Bochen, Benji

• Merit: Dorothy, Grace L, Leo

   

Maths

• Distinction: Tyler F, Johnny, Ethan S
• Credit: Jean-Louis, Stefan, Dorothy, Grace L, Malachi

• Merit: Rodin, Bochen 

   

Celebrating Outstanding Achievement 

Congratulations to Year 3 student Dorothy on her outstanding achievement in ICAS Digital Technologies. Dorothy received a High Distinction and a Medal of Honor for her achievement in the ICAS competition held in August. Well done Dorothy!

Premiers Reading Challenge 

A big congratulations to all students who participated in this year's Premier's Reading Challenge. Pilgrim had a total of 112 students complete the challenge from Foundation through to Year 6, with 8 students receiving their Hall of Fame medals. Although the challenge has finished for this year, I encourage everyone to continue to explore the wonderful world of literature through our Campus and local libraries.

Yiota Chesterfield

PRC Coordinator, Inclusive Education Coordinator