Year 1 News 

Reading

In Year 1, we’ve been busy revisiting how to summarise a story. We’ve read lots of fun books together, including Goldilocks and the Three Koalas, Josephine Wants to Dance, Theodore the Unsure, and Go Home Cheeky Animals. Using the “Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then” structure, students talked about the important parts of each story and worked together to decide what really mattered. It’s been great to see them thinking deeply, sharing ideas, and becoming more confident readers.

“Somebody Wanted But So Then helps me get a summary of the story I’m reading” - Ellie 1B

Writing

In Writing, our Year 1s have been diving into persuasive writing and learning how to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion. The students began the week by taking part in a lively debate, trying to convince their teachers whether cats or dogs were better. To practise, we wrote about a very important topic: Are cats or dogs better? The students had lots of fun sharing their thoughts! Some decided cats are better because they don’t need to be taken for a walk and they clean themselves, while others were convinced dogs are better because they’re fun to play with and can feel like a best friend. It was wonderful to see all the creative reasons they came up with, for their writing!

“I liked writing about how cats are better than dogs and coming up with reasons why for the reader” - Aishleen 1B 

Maths 

This fortnight during Maths, Year 1 students have been working hard to build their number knowledge and confidence. Students have been exploring ‘Friends of Ten’ - using different ways to make ten and recognising how these facts help them solve trickier problems. Year 1 students have also been practising addition strategies, including using doubles and near-doubles to solve equations efficiently. Alongside this, students have been learning subtraction strategies and sharing the different ways they can work out an answer.

“I can work out subtraction questions from 10 because I know the Friends of 10.”-Darcie 1A

Inquiry

During Inquiry, our Year 1 students have been learning all about the importance of sun safety and water safety. We explored why protecting ourselves from the sun matters, and students created their own hat designs and colourful posters to teach others how to stay safe in the sun. We also learned about staying safe around water, discussing rules and safe choices we can make at the pool, beach, or even in the bath. Students then designed their own water safety posters to show what they had learned. It’s been wonderful to see them thinking carefully about how to keep themselves and others safe.

“ We have been making sure we put on sunscreen before playtimes because the UV level is high.”-Armaaan 1A

“I go up to my knees in the water and I’m always with an adult.”- Pita 1A

Social and Emotional Learning

In Social and Emotional Learning, our Year 1 students have been exploring the importance of cooperation and teamwork. We played some exciting games! One of the games included standing in a circle, linking hands, and passing a hula hoop around without letting go. Our Year 1s showed wonderful cooperation, cheering and encouraging each other the whole way! We also had lots of fun in a “pass the water” relay, where students used spoons to transfer water into a container, racing to see which team could fill theirs first. Alongside our teamwork focus, we spent time learning about change and resilience, discussing how to cope with changes in positive and confident ways.

Special Event - Fun Day

On Wednesday, Year 1 students took part in a special fun day. They rotated through a range of engaging activities such as a Kahoot quiz on their learning, outdoor games, Christmas craft, face painting, a disco and movie. The celebration concluded with a picnic by the nearby creek, where students relaxed and enjoyed the outdoors.

“We all won medals for winning the sports games!”-Mohamad 1A

“The Christmas craft was a lot of fun.”- Justin 1C

This week, 1A had a wonderful experience visiting Class 6C to watch them practise for their graduation dance. The students were very excited to see the older students perform and were amazed by their confidence!

Our Year 1 students sat beautifully, watched respectfully, and showed great encouragement by clapping and smiling along. It was a lovely opportunity for 1A to see what they can look forward to as they grow through the school.

“I liked the song that they picked.”- Aleyna 1A 

“Their dance moves were so good!”- Mokshitha 1A