School of Foundations
The Power of Feedback
As we come towards the end of another wonderful term of learning, I would like to take a moment to reflect on something that sits at the heart of growth, improvement and success: feedback.
At St Luke’s, we regularly talk with our students about the importance of being open to feedback. Whether it comes from a teacher, a peer, or through our own self-reflection, feedback provides us with valuable information about where we are now and where we might go next. It helps us recognise our strengths, identify areas for growth, and develop the resilience required to persevere when learning becomes challenging. In our learning spaces, you may notice posters displayed that remind students to "Think Like Austin"; a simple but powerful prompt that encourages children to embrace feedback, reflect on their learning, and understand that improvement comes through effort, persistence and a willingness to grow.
At the beginning of this term, I shared a short video with our students about a young boy named Austin. His story is a powerful reminder that learning is rarely perfect the first time. Instead of becoming discouraged when his work was critiqued, Austin listened carefully, reflected on the feedback he received, and used it to improve his work over and over again. The result was not only a better product, but a deeper understanding that growth comes through effort, reflection and a willingness to learn from others.
I encourage you to take a few moments to watch Austin’s story with your child:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_6PskE3zfQ
As we prepare for our upcoming Student-Led Conferences, Austin's story provides a wonderful lens through which to view learning. These conferences are not simply about celebrating what students can already do; they are also an opportunity for students to reflect on their progress, recognise areas for continued growth, and consider the feedback they have received throughout the semester.
You might like to ask your child:
- What feedback helped you improve this term?
- What was something that challenged you at first but became easier over time?
- What are you most proud of learning?
- What is something you would like to improve next semester?
- How has feedback helped you become a better learner?
Just as Austin discovered, learning is not about being perfect. It is about being willing to listen, reflect, adapt and keep growing. As we look ahead to Semester 2, may we continue to nurture children who are courageous enough to embrace feedback, resilient enough to learn from mistakes, and confident enough to believe that improvement is always possible.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child's learning journey. Together, we can continue to foster learners who see feedback not as criticism, but as a gift that helps them become the very best version of themselves.
Nicole Emerton
SOF Head of School (Acting)
The Net Kindergarten Term 2 Week 9
English
In English, Kindergarten students have been learning about informative texts. We have explored how information texts give us real facts about a topic and help us learn new things. Students have been investigating different animals, including elephants, bats and kangaroos. Together, we discussed what we already knew, gathered new facts, and created class anchor charts using key words and information. They have been developing their ability to write about something they know, use simple sentences, and share factual information with others.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, Kindergarten students have been learning about combining and separating. We have discovered that when we combine numbers the number after the equals sign is bigger and when we separate we need to take away from a bigger number. We have worked hard using concrete materials like counters to show our thinking in more than one way. Kindergarten teachers have been proud of how students have tried to explain and record their thinking in words, numbers and pictures.
Religion
In Religion we have been learning about being a good neighbour and friend to others. We have discussed Mary, Jesus and Joseph and how they want us to love others. Kindergarten shared lots of examples of how they can show love to other people and to God’s creation connecting their thinking to our school expectations of Respect Others and Respect for the Environment.
Sport
Students in Kindergarten have begun a three‑week soccer program delivered by trained coaches through the Sporting Schools initiative. Each week, Kindergarten students will take part in a one‑hour session where they learn and practise fundamental movement skills through fun soccer activities, teamwork challenges, and fitness‑building games. Today was their first session, and the children had a wonderful time working together, building confidence with the ball, and enjoying an energetic start to the program.
Another area of focus for our Kindergarten students this term has been Dance through our Creative Arts program. Through a variety of movement experiences, students have been exploring how their bodies can communicate ideas, feelings and stories. They have been learning to move safely in shared spaces, work collaboratively with peers, and follow simple dance sequences using actions such as travelling, jumping, balancing and turning. It has been wonderful to see students grow in confidence as they express themselves creatively while also developing coordination, rhythm and body awareness.
The Net Stage 1 Term 2 Week 9
English
Over the past two weeks, we have been learning how to plan and write our own narratives using the five parts of a story: orientation, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Students have used story planners to organise their ideas and create interesting characters, imaginative settings, and exciting problems for their stories. It has been wonderful to see students' creativity shine as they develop their narrative writing skills and bring their ideas to life.
Mathematics
In Mathematics this term, we have been learning about measurement using informal units. Students have practised estimating the length of objects and then measuring carefully by placing units end-to-end without leaving any gaps.
We have also been exploring the meaning of the equal sign. Students are learning that the equal sign shows that both sides have the same value. They have demonstrated this understanding using numbers, pictures, and concrete materials to create and solve equal equations.
In addition, we have been learning about mathematical stories for addition and subtraction. Students have created, represented, and solved number stories, helping them connect mathematical operations to real-life situations and develop their problem-solving skills.
Religion
As part of our Religion unit on loving our neighbours, students explored how the teachings of Jesus can guide our actions towards others. Drawing on the parable of the Good Samaritan, students worked in small groups to create and perform short dramas that demonstrated both unkind and kind responses to everyday situations. Their performances showed how choosing kindness, inclusion, and compassion reflects the message of the Good Samaritan and helps us care for those around us. Through planning, rehearsing, and performing their role-plays, students deepened their understanding of what it means to be a loving neighbour and put their learning into practice.
Science
This term, Year 1 students have been exploring different types of forces and energy. A highlight of their learning was a hands-on pancake-making activity with our high school hospitality teachers, where students investigated heat energy in a fun and engaging way.
Through this experience, students observed how electrical energy is converted into heat energy and learned how energy enables things to move and change. It was wonderful to see their curiosity and engagement as they explored these concepts through a practical, hands-on learning experience.
Stage 2
Term 2 Week 9
English
This term, Stage 2 students are building their skills in reading and writing through a focused literacy program.
In Reading, students are learning to decode unfamiliar words by breaking them into syllables and word parts. They are also developing comprehension skills by identifying cause and effect in informative texts, while improving fluency, accuracy, and expression.
In Writing, students are creating informative texts linked to sustainability and how farmers care for the environment. They are learning to organise ideas into clear paragraphs and use scientific vocabulary to explain concepts such as crop rotation, composting, and saving water.
Students are also strengthening their spelling, vocabulary, and oral language skills, helping them become confident and capable communicators across all learning areas.
Mathematics Magicians
This week, Stage 2 students have started developing their understanding of two-dimensional shapes by investigating the properties of quadrilaterals, including squares, rectangles, rhombuses, kites, trapeziums and parallelograms. They are learning to identify and classify shapes by examining their sides, angles, equal lengths and parallel lines, while also exploring lines of symmetry and transformations such as reflections, translations and rotations. Through engaging hands-on activities, students have been creating tessellating patterns and combining or splitting shapes to make new designs. These experiences are helping to strengthen their spatial reasoning, problem-solving abilities and mathematical vocabulary in a fun and collaborative learning environment.
Religion
Over the past few weeks, Stage 2 students have been learning about why people make wrong choices and how these choices relate to our conscience. This learning links to our Witness Pillar, W1 – Live the Teachings of Jesus, and our Manage Pillar, M3 – Use Organisational Tools and Processes.
This week, students explored "What is an Examination of Conscience?" Through discussions and creative activities, they reflected on their thoughts, actions and choices, and considered how they can live according to Jesus' teachings. It has been wonderful to see students thoughtfully reflect on ways they can make positive and responsible choices each day.
Celebration of Learning
In Week 8, students in Magicians and Gringotts had the opportunity to share part of their classroom learning with their families during our Celebration of Learning.
Families joined us for a reading lesson, creating a wonderful opportunity to learn alongside their children. Students in Gringotts explored a shared text and demonstrated a range of reading strategies, with a particular focus on how words can be broken into prefixes, base words and suffixes to support meaning and comprehension.
It was wonderful to see students confidently sharing their learning and engaging their families in the reading process.
Thank you to all the families who joined us for such a special morning. Your support and involvement in your child's learning is greatly appreciated.
