Year 1 2024
Welcome to the 2024 school year! We hope you had an enjoyable break! Please take the time to read the IMPORTANT information below to support your Year 1 child’s learning.
We also ask that you keep informed and action requests as they are posted to the Compass News Feed throughout the year.
SMART Spelling
To support our whole-school SMART Spelling (Michelle Hutchison) approach, your child will bring home a spelling sheet each Monday that they can stick into their Home Spelling Book. Children can work through the recommended activities at their own pace. This book is to remain at home, there is no need to bring this book to school each week.
Nessy
This year we will be using the online Nessy Reading and Spelling platform. Nessy Reading and Spelling is an effective resource that covers 5 school years of literacy development, from Year 1.
The program begins with systematic synthetic phonics which has been proven to be the best way to instruct early readers.
As literacy skills develop, students advance to instruction in spelling, morphology, vocabulary and comprehension. The students will be accessing this platform at school. Each student learns independently and at their own pace, gradually building confidence.
The program starts with an assessment that identifies exactly where the student needs help, then guides them through an individualised learning plan.
Home Reading
Commencing in week 3, your child will bring home their green reading/multipurpose bag with their reading diary each day. This is where you will help your child keep a record of what they are reading at home. We would like the journal to stay in your child’s green bag with their take home book.
This bag is multi-functional, for your child's home book and reading diary, for notes to be sent home or for notes to be sent to the teacher/school.
Your child will bring home one take home book at a time and will be given the opportunity to change their book as necessary. We are aware that some books will take longer to complete and may be read over several nights.
It is expected that your child reads as often as possible and that the title of the book, as well as a small comment on their reading, is recorded. A teacher will read with your child on a regular basis.
The green reading/multi purpose bag needs to be brought to school every day
Please record your child’s reading in the Home Journal to assist us in monitoring your child’s reading frequency and note the following:
- It is important that your child reads their take home reader more than once to consolidate expression, fluency, pausing, self-correcting and their comprehension.
- Your child should experience success reading these books and not find them too challenging. We want your child’s home reading to be a positive and enjoyable experience.
- Remember to ask your child questions about the story and retell the story in his/her own words to enhance comprehension and get them thinking about what they are reading.
- Encourage fluency and expression when oral reading.
- Point out any punctuation that is missed and remind your child that the story will not make sense without it.
- Discuss word meanings and talk about the story. Many children are good oral readers but are less strong with comprehension.
- Read to your child on a regular basis to promote enjoyment and good reading habits.
Magic 100 Words
‘Magic Words’ can be found on Compass -Looking for Something?>Relevant Information> Magic 100 Words). There are several staggered levels which collectively make up the ‘Magic 100 Words’. In Year One, the focus shifts from ‘reading’ Magic Words to being able to spell them. We would appreciate your assistance by helping your child learn the words together.
Homework
Special Dates
Term 1
‘Meet & Greet’ opportunity - 13, 14 & 21 February (times to be advised)
Curriculum Day
Friday 8 March
School Photos
Tuesday 12 March
NAPLAN
Wednesday 13 - Friday 22 March
Term 2
Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 11 - Friday 14 June (Times to be advised)
Semester Report - June
Term 3
Student Led Conferences - Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 August - (Times to be advised)
Term 4
Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 19 November
Year 1 Swimming
Monday 14 - Thursday 24 October
Curriculum Day
Wednesday 20 November
Semester Report – December
Compass
Ongoing feedback will also be provided throughout the year via Compass Learning Tasks.
Home Reading/Multi-PurposeBag
This bag is multi-functional, for your child's reader and reading journal, for notes to be sent home or for notes etc to be sent to the teacher/school.
Contacting your Teachers
Notes may be passed directly to your classroom teacher via the Reading/ Multi purpose bag or you can send an email (marked to the attention of your child’s teacher) to:
beaumaris.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au
Informal discussions may be arranged upon request at any time throughout the year to discuss specific issues however please be assured that we will contact you should we have any concerns.
Finally...
Don’t forget to check out our A-Z Parent Guide - this (along with loads of other information!) can be accessed on our comprehensive website.
We encourage you to get involved by discussing your child’s school day and attending our school events - it’s going to be a great year!
Kind regards
The Year One Team
Jenna Horler, Kristy Smith, Melinda Docker, Melissa Ball & Melissa Werry
Beaumaris North Primary School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School authorised to teach the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and provides the framework for implementing the requirements of the Victorian Curriculum.
The IB Primary Years Programme is an innovative international programme of teaching and learning that focuses on the development of the whole child and fosters a positive attitude to learning. The PYP strives towards developing internationally minded students who demonstrate the attributes of the IB Learner Profile. Accordingly, at BNPS we aim to educate inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring students, who are encouraged to ask challenging questions, critically reflect, and take responsible action.