Classroom Gallery 

Hello from Year 1/2

A big hello from Mrs Flanagan who is on carer’s leave as her husband Bruce has had a hip replacement.  She is on nursing duties but will be back soon.  Thanks to Mrs Hoy for so capably holding down the fort in her absence.

The Year 1/2 students have settled beautifully into the school year, embracing new routines and classroom expectations with enthusiasm. Both of us have been delighted with the positive attitudes and willingness to learn. It has been wonderful to see friendships forming and confidence growing as students engage with the curriculum and support one another in their learning. Soon we will be looking at our learning goals. 

Have a great week from Mrs Flanagan and Mrs Hoy.

Religion

This term, students have been exploring different ‘Images of God’ and learning about His presence in their lives, the lives of others, the Church, and all of creation. Through Scripture stories, we have discussed how we are made in God’s image and what that means for the way we treat ourselves and others. Students have also been developing their understanding of prayer, becoming familiar with some formal prayers and reflecting on how prayer can be a way to connect with God in their daily lives. We are preparing for Lent then the Easter season so soon our prayer focus cloth will change to purple. 

English

Our reading and writing lessons have been filled with excitement as students develop their phonics, comprehension, and writing skills. Year 1 students have been focusing on sounds, sentence structure and punctuation, whilst Year 2 students have been working on expanding their ideas into detailed sentences and paragraphs. We have been enjoying shared reading experiences, especially with the number of helpers we have, and students are becoming more confident in reading aloud and discussing texts.

Maths

This week, we are finishing a three-week unit on numeration and whole numbers. Students have been developing their counting techniques, recognising numbers on a hundreds chart, and understanding the place value of numbers. They have also been learning to count on and off the decade, identify odd and even numbers, and use number patterns to build confidence in working with larger numbers. These foundational skills are essential for future mathematical learning.

Counting tips for parents to try at home:

• Count stairs, letterboxes, or objects in twos, threes, fives, and tens whenever opportunities arise.
• Put out the number of knives and forks needed for dinner and ask your child to count them in sets of two. Ask, “What is the most efficient way to count them?” (by 2s)
• Talk about numbers whenever possible. Ask questions such as “Which is bigger/smaller/the same/different?” when looking at house numbers or page numbers in books.
• Encourage your child to read numbers and discuss other ways they could be written.
• Talk about the order of everyday activities, such as preparing a meal or setting the table, using words like first, next, last, and third.
• Give your child directions using the language of order, e.g., “First put the rubbish in the bin, and then go and do your homework.”
• Ask your child to arrange objects in order, such as the family’s shoes, and talk about their positions using words like first, second, third, and last.

HSIE

This semester, our unit "The Past in the Present" explores how life has changed over time. In Term 1, students have been learning about family life in the past, comparing it to their own experiences today. Through stories, photographs, and discussions, they have been identifying similarities and differences in daily routines, traditions, and technology. In Term 2, we will shift our focus to local history, examining significant people, places, and events in our community. Students will explore historical sites, artifacts, and the importance of preserving our past for future generations.

Science  

This term, students have been diving into "The Living World – External Features of Living Things," with Mr Hyatt - exploring the unique characteristics of animals and plants and how they adapt to their environments. Through hands-on investigations, students have been closely observing living things, identifying their features, and discussing how these features help them survive.

Students have also been learning about how plants and animals provide us with essential resources like food and fibre. Engaging discussions, experiments, and outdoor observations have sparked their curiosity, and they are becoming skilled at asking questions, collecting data, and comparing ideas. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for the natural world grow as they discover just how important living things are to our daily lives!

Sport

The term began with a strong focus on swimming skills, culminating in a terrific swimming carnival where students showcased their progress and enthusiasm in the pool. Since then, we have been refining our throwing and catching skills through fun and challenging activities. For the remainder of the term, our focus will shift to building stamina and endurance as we prepare for the upcoming cross-country carnival. Students are looking forward to the challenge and are already showing great determination in their training!

Creative Arts

This term, we have been learning how to draw animals, focusing on shapes, textures, and blending colours to create realistic effects. After much discussion and practice, we have decided that our theme for the Walcha Show will be foxes! Students have been carefully refining their artwork, using different techniques to add detail and depth. You’ll have to wait until the Walcha Show to see our completed masterpieces—but we can promise they will be worth the wait!

Walcha Show - Horticulture presentation

Mrs Ireland and Mrs Hoy visited school to model some horticulture ideas for the upcoming Walcha Show exhibition. This year, students are being asked to complete their horticulture entries at home and to drop entries off at the Walcha Show Horticulture pavilion by the morning of Thursday 13th March.

Following are the themes for each class:

Kinder                   Make a birthday card with flowers, seeds or foliage.

Year 1 and 2        Make a birthday card with flowers, seeds or foliage.

Years 3/4             Hanging display - can be a single strand of flowers, beads, gumnuts, foliage or a circular hanger.

Year 5/6               Boot - decorated with flowers or foliage.