Learning and Teaching
Maths at SFS
MENTAL MATHS AT SFS - Week 1&2
The strategies children have been focusing on this week and for next week are:
| YEAR LEVEL | STRATEGY and SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICING AT HOME
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Foundation | Count forwards by 1s between 0-30. -Practice counting by 1's starting from 0 and rhen starting from any number.
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Year 1 | Counting forwards and backwards by 1's between 0-130. Count forwards by 1's starting and 0 and then from any number. Count backwards by 1's starting at 130 and then from any number below 130.
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Year 2 |
Counting forwards and backwards by 100 in the range 0-1000.
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Year 3 |
Counting forwards and backwards by 100's and 10's to 10,000 starting from any number in this range.
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Year 4 & 5 |
Practice doubling and halving numbers. This mental maths skill helps children when solving Multiplication and Division equations.
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Year 6 |
Count by fractions,including mixed numerals and improper fractions. E.g. ½, 1, 1 ½ , 2, 2 ½ and so on.
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Joanne Forbes
Learning and Teaching
LS3 Seniors - Celebration of Easter
In LS3, the Seniors have begun the term with the celebrations of Easter. Over the coming weeks, we will look at the impact Jesus' death had on the disciples and how Jesus’ encounters with his disciples after his death supported and comforted them during that challenging time. We will continue to revisit our Lenten theme of ‘Stay Tuned’ to support the students to recognise that this time of Easter is the continuation of the Journey, and it is not the end.
We warmly invite all parents to celebrate with us at our Easter reflection “ He is risen” on Monday at 9am in the hall, where the students will reflect on the fulfillment of the prophecies leading to Jesus’ resurrection.
We are also excited to begin our exploration of the scientific concept topic of Energy where we will unpack, understand and apply how energy impacts our everyday lives.
LS2 Seniors – Let the Energy Begin!
As we start the new term, our LS2 Seniors dove straight into exploring the concept of Energy through art (image above). They engaged in analysing an image together, focusing on its colours and symbols, and then offered their own interpretations of what the image represents and how it connects to the idea of Energy.
Using a thinking tool called Colour Symbol and Image, they unpacked their thoughts by selecting colours that stood out to them and explaining what those colours signify in relation to Energy. During discussions, they identified elements such as flames, a light bulb atop a tall tree, the sun emitting solar flares, and the Australian desert landscape.
These interpretations were shared among peers, fostering a deeper understanding of Energy through artistic exploration. Below are some examples of the children’s thinking tool.
LS1 Seniors - Multiplication for us means ‘Arrays, Arrays and more Arrays!’
In Learning Space One we have been busy consolidating our prior knowledge of how we represent multiplication equations and building on our understanding of Arrays.
We put our Mathematician hats on and got stuck to work representing and modelling different multiplication equations using concrete materials. We now know that the order in which two numbers are multiplied does not affect the product.
Procedure Writing = Pop Stick Catapults
In Learning Space One we got stuck right into the creation of our ‘Pop Stick Catapults’. As the students were creating these, they needed to be recording the language that surrounds the steps involved (e.g. language of instruction, language to indicate time and sequence and language of description). The students were busy working away and showed our school value of ‘Responsibility’ in the way that they were engaging and persevering with the task at hand. Students then spent the rest of the week composing their procedural text following the structure of the genre of writing.
LS3 Juniors
We have been busy practising our song for our Easter Prayer Service on Monday. We cannot wait to show everyone our dancing.
LS2 Juniors - Mathematics
Clinic 3 Juniors in LS2 have been exploring increasing and decreasing patterns to work on our skip-counting skills!
The students were given a task to make their own patterns based on a rule such as adding 2.
Interschool Sport-Grade 5/6
Today our Grade 5/6's played against Rangebank Primary School in Interschool Sport. The respective matches that were held at St Francis Primary School were Soccer, Netball, Volleyball and Cricket Girls teams. The Cricket Boys Team and both T-Ball teams were playing at Banjo Paterson Park.
The weather was great and the students enjoyed themselves. It was a great atmosphere from both schools in a competitive situation. So well done to both schools on their sportsmanship.
Our stand out for the Grade 5/6's were our Soccer Girls team that beat Rangebank, 26 to 1, an amazing effort to all our girls.
They are unbeaten so far, so watch this space.Last year our Soccer Girls team came second at Divisionals.
Lulli Barbakos
Physical Education Teacher
SPORTS NEWS
Welcome back to Term 2! I hope everybody had a restful holiday and that the students are ready for a term of fun and experiences with new sports. Below are some that have been organised so far. But there are many more being planned. Parents will be informed via Operoo and the newsletter as clinics are confirmed.
SENIOR SPORTS
GRADE 3/4 HOCKEY CLINICS
We are excited to welcome the Hockey Victoria Roadshow to our school! Students are being given the fantastic opportunity to try out the exciting game of hockey! They will learn the skills of the game through exciting game-based activities suited to every year level and ability.
Hockey Victoria will be sending their amazing Participation Officers to our school on Wednesday April 24th to provide an engaging, fun, and safe hockey experience for our Grade 3/4s.
At Hockey Victoria they pride themselves in providing an enjoyable experience for every student, so keep an eye out and see if you can spot one of their coaches at school on Wednesday!
If you enjoy the sessions during school, you can continue with your hockey experience by joining a local Hookin2Hockey program www.hookin2hockey.com.au. With programs all over the state you can find a local program that will suit your schedule.
Parents please acknowledge the clinics via Operoo and ensure your child’s medical profile is up to date.
DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY
Senior students who placed 1st – 7th in our school cross country on the last day of Term 1 will now be given the opportunity to represent us at District Cross Country where they will complete against 9 other schools. The Cross Country Team will attend District Cross Country on Wednesday May 1st near Casey Fields Lake. Parents are most welcome to attend to support their child. We wish our team all the best!!
Parents please ensure you give permission via Operoo and ensure your child’s medical profile is up to date.
WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS
SOCCER FUN DAY
On the last day of term students will be involved in the Soccer Fun Day. Seniors will participate in House soccer matches and Juniors in soccer rotational activities. We will hopefully have our traditional Staff vs Gr 6 soccer match as well.
Giuliana
Sports Coordinator