School News
Prep
This week in Prep, our little learners were buzzing with creativity and curiosity! We explored imaginative writing by using the fun and familiar structure of the story Dear Zoo. The Preps worked together to begin to create their very own classroom book, filled with exciting characters, just like the story they love.
In Reading, our focus was on the wonderful author Rob Campbell. His delightful books helped us practise the important skill of summarising — putting the story into our own words, which was a fantastic way to understand what we read.
Maths lessons were all about days of the week! We learned the names of the days, talked about our daily routines, and explored calendars to understand how we organise our time.
One of our favourite activities, Ruccis, continued to be a highlight! We built our skills and confidence, getting ready for our upcoming production later this term — we can’t wait to share it with everyone.
This week, we also enjoyed some special time with our buddies. Reading together and learning how to be kind and supportive friends was a wonderful reminder of how important it is to care for ourselves and those around us.
What a fantastic week of learning, laughter, and friendship in Prep!
Portfolios have been sent home for you to enjoy and celebrate your child’s learning. Please remember once you have enjoyed your time with the portfolios, that they are sent back to school and ready for Term 3’s learning.
Kindest regards,
The Prep Team
Laina Brebner, Kayla Hartrick and Emma Wright
Grade 1
Dear Level 1 Families and Special People, 😊
Thanks for checking in again.
Despite the chilly weather, our wonderful Level 1 students kept warm and busy with a range of engaging learning experiences. Here's a look back at what we've been up to.
In Maths, the students have been making 'friends of 10', or tens facts, and practising using their ninja sliders to get their addition knowledge rock solid! We made some paper hands, we put eggs in bowls, it's all been very hands on and fun.
In reading, students have been analysing procedures and even trying some out! We've been learning to draw, fold and craft and we've been finding out that some features are really helpful to make a procedure work!
In spelling we've been using our 'encoding' skills to spell words that have 'e' as in bed and 'ar' as in car. It's great seeing these little spellers improve as the year goes along and keep adding new phonics to their toolbox!
In Investigations, the post office space has been swamped. The letters addressed to each of the classrooms are piling up! There's lots of lovely positive letters full of encouragement, some cute formal invitations to play and lots of back and forth questions going on. The grade 1 composter is also in full swing, getting filled up by our food scraps, and some students have been finding dead leaves for brown materials to make sure it has an ideal ratio!
In Wellbeing, students celebrated their uniqueness and the little differences that make each person special.
Our last sport session with Lilydale High was a lot of fun before the downpour washed us out! The kids still managed to have a lot of fun and a great day overall.
Ruccis also continues to be adventurous circus fun, and the kids have continued working hard on their skills.
As always, thankyou for everything you do for your little learners to help them succeed and have a great day with us.
Kind regards,
The Grade 1 Team
Tim Huntington, Mel Layton, Sally Newton and Ashleigh Wilson
Grade 2
Over the past fortnight, our Grade 2 students have been engaging in a range of exciting learning experiences and activities. We hope you enjoy viewing their Portfolios that have come home and seeing the wonderful progress they’ve made. Below are some highlights from the past two weeks:
In Reading, students have been exploring all different types of poetry including couplets, limericks, haikus, diamante and shape poems. They have enjoyed being able to practice reading using the right tone, pace and expression for each of the different poems. The Grade 2’s have also explored the key features authors use when creating poems including rhyming words, descriptive language and using their senses to paint a picture.
In Writing, our Grade 2’s have been able to create their own poems in the different styles using the features they have explored in Reading. Students are working towards drafting and publishing their own poems to create a ‘My Book of Poems’ to showcase their efforts.
In Mathematics, the students have continued working on their addition skills. They have explored a variety of strategies to make adding numbers quick and easy including using doubles, near doubles, counting on and building to ten. We have played some fun games to practice these skills including Doubles, Connect 4 and Bingo.
Through our Wellbeing lessons, the Grade 2’s have looked at tools they can add to their Regulation Toolbox to keep them calm when they need. These strategies include getting a drink, using fidgets, going for a walk and listening to music. Students also looked at ‘The Emoji Garden’ in the Cyber Safety Program to understand the importance of using kind words online.
Our Grade 2’s also have been participating in a sports program run by Year 9 students from Lilydale High School on a Tuesday afternoon, taking part in games such as tee ball, relay races, soccer and poison ball. They have enjoyed the time and effort the high school students put in to make this a fun and enjoyable experience to learn some new skills. Thankyou to Lilydale High School for this wonderful opportunity!
Warm regards,
The Grade 2 Team
Allie Harrison, Sarah Jones and Brendan Van Haaster
Grade 3 & 4
Dear families,
In Literacy, students have been identifying what they already know and have shown curiosity to learn more. They have chosen their topic of interest and have been busy researching additional information. They enjoy using Epic and online sources of information to curate their facts.
Students have made models of the 'jump' addition strategy using MAB blocks and number lines. They have been able to track their thinking in their maths books to demonstrate this mental process.
In Ruccis, each class has a different set of tricks that they have been practising and are excited for their performance.
Level 3/4 Hoop Time was a massive event to organise with 100 students attending Kilsyth Stadium! Students showed excitement towards playing multiple mini basketball games and wearing our school’s team jerseys! We are grateful for the parent volunteers who made it all possible by assisting with the roles of scoring and refereeing the games.
We hope you enjoy a selection of your child’s Term 2 work in their Portfolio. Please view these in conjunction with the assessment descriptors which are found on Compass.
The 3/4 Team
Damien Smith, Daena Hailey, Brent Smith, Claire Cripps and Nick Pagliaro
Grade 5 & 6
Dear families,
The cold weather has hit, but we are still going strong in 5/6!
Here’s a quick look at what we’ve been up to in Reading, Writing, Maths, Inquiry, Wellbeing — and our RUCCIS production!
Reading
We explored how to ask and answer meaningful questions using non-fiction texts. Students used a questioning matrix, investigated First Nations biographies, and researched their own inquiry questions to present findings with confidence.
Writing
Students are drafting information reports about significant Australians. They’ve been learning to use reliable sources, paraphrase key facts, and organise ideas clearly. They’ve started strong with sizzling introductions and structured planning.
Maths
Our focus has been mentally adding money and decimal amounts using strategies like split, jump, round and adjust. Students are building confidence solving everyday money problems in their heads and sharing their thinking.
Inquiry
Students have stepped into the shoes of their historical figures by writing first-person diary entries for the upcoming History Expo. They’ve worked hard to combine factual research with empathy and creative expression.
Wellbeing
This week we’ve focused on building resilience and knowing how to seek support.
- Grade 5s explored how to identify and use their personal strengths in everyday situations, helping boost confidence and teamwork.
- Grade 6s created their own “Helping Hands”, mapping out five trusted people or places they can turn to when they need support. Across the board, students are developing stronger self-awareness and emotional literacy.
RUCCIS Production – Here Come the Clowns!
Rehearsals are in full swing for our exciting RUCCIS performance! Students have been refining their performance skills with plenty of teamwork, laughter, and resilience. From balancing acts to pyramid building, it’s been wonderful to see their creativity, courage, and collaboration shine. We can’t wait for the show!
Thank you for your continued support.
The 5/6 Team
Llinos Poole, Rachel Boyle, Alarna Creed, Hayley Peirce and Erin Rennick