Prep-2 Sector 

PREP

Wow! What a fantastic first term we have had in Prep. It has been wonderful to see the children settle into school life, build friendships, and develop their confidence in learning. We are so proud of their enthusiasm and progress!

Literacy Learning This term, we have been developing our early reading skills by learning to decode words using the sounds: m, s, t, a, p, i, and f. The students have been practicing blending these sounds to read simple words and beginning to recognise them in books.

Keep encouraging your child to read at home and play sound games to reinforce their learning. 

Mathematics Focus In maths, we have been learning about ordinal numbers—understanding the order of things (first, second, third, etc.). We have also been developing our subitising skills, which means recognising small groups of objects without needing to count them individually. These are important early numeracy skills that help build a strong mathematical foundation.

Highlights of the Term

• Hands-on learning experiences, including using concrete materials in maths.
• Engaging in the Spatial Motor Program (SMP) to develop coordination and movement skills.
• Enjoying buddy sessions with our wonderful Year 6 students.
• Building relationships and routines that will support our learning journey throughout the year.

Looking Ahead Next term, we will continue to expand on our literacy and numeracy skills, explore new topics, and dive into exciting learning experiences. We can’t wait to see the growth and achievements of all our Prep students in Term 2!

Thank you for your ongoing support. Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable break.

Warm regards,

The Prep Team

Year 2

Year 2 Term 1 Update

Term 1 has been a busy and exciting time for our Year 2 students as they have settled into their new routines and adjusted to the transition from Year 1. They have embraced positive work habits and are becoming more independent learners.

Reading

Our focus in reading has been on comprehension skills of predicting, making connections and summarising, exploring imaginative narrative texts. 

Students have been working on their phonological awareness, helping them with learning letter sounds, letter blends and rules associated with them. 

We have enjoyed exploring various books. Through these books, students have explored new vocabulary and completed activities that deepen their understanding of the texts. Reading aloud at home remains a valuable way to support your child’s literacy journey. 

Writing

In Writing, students have been developing their narrative skills by learning how to structure a story with a clear beginning, middle (problem), and end (solution). They have also focused on key writing skills such as punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure.

To enhance their storytelling, we have encouraged the use of engaging openings, satisfying endings, descriptive adjectives, onomatopoeia (sound words), dialogue, and strong verbs. Books have served as a valuable source of inspiration for their writing.

This week, students will publish their narratives and celebrate their hard work by sharing their stories with their peers. Many are excited to share their writing.

Additionally, we have been incorporating grammar, focusing on understanding different types of nouns, including common nouns, proper nouns, and noun groups.

Numeracy

 In Mathematics, students have been deepening their understanding of place value by using a variety of manipulatives, such as MAB blocks, to represent numbers in different ways. 

They have also been practicing skip counting, identifying missing numbers on number lines, and exploring number patterns. To further develop their numeracy skills, students have been learning about money, working on making the same amounts using different coin and note combinations, and understanding equivalent values.

 Additionally, we have been exploring measurement, with students using informal units to measure objects around the classroom. As we progress, we are beginning to introduce formal measurement tools, such as rulers, to help students understand standard units of length. 

You can support your child's learning at home by encouraging them to tell the time using household clocks or by wearing a watch. Engaging in everyday activities, such 

as handling money and measuring household objects, can also help reinforce these key mathematical concepts.

In Science, the Year 2 students have explored the water cycle and how fresh water reaches our taps for drinking. They have investigated various water uses, the water cycle, and the impact of pollution. As part of their learning, they conducted an experiment to observe how rubbish can enter waterways through stormwater drains. They also discovered the difference between household drains, which lead to a water treatment plant, and stormwater drains, which flow directly into natural water sources. Throughout their investigations, students engaged with technical vocabulary, including stormwater drains, precipitation, evaporation, collection, condensation, and water vapour.

Students participating in our experiment looking at all the damaging waste that can enter our water ways

Humanities and health

In Health, we have explored human growth and development, examining how we progress from being a baby to a toddler, then a child, teenager, adult, and eventually an elderly person. We discussed how these changes affect what we can do—for example, as babies, we cannot walk, and the types of toys we play with change as we grow.

We also investigated ways to keep our bodies healthy, including the importance of balanced eating, moderation, and making nutritious food choices. As part of this, we explored the Healthy Eating Pyramid and discussed how different foods contribute to our well-being.

In Humanities, our focus has been on celebrating differences and similarities while fostering a positive classroom community. Students have engaged in activities that promote inclusivity and an understanding of one another. 

A highlight of the term was our Harmony Day celebrations, where many of our Year 2 students dressed in cultural attire or wore orange to embrace diversity.

Reading over the holidays…

Please take some time over the holidays to enjoy reading with your child. Visiting your local library can be a great way to discover new books together and foster a love of reading.

 When children hear stories read aloud, they are exposed to new words, sentence structures, and ideas that help build their vocabulary and comprehension skills. Engaging in discussions about the story, asking questions, and encouraging your child to predict what might happen next can make reading even more enjoyable and meaningful. Whether it’s a bedtime story, a picture book, or an adventurous chapter book, sharing the joy of reading helps develop lifelong literacy skills while creating special moments together.

We are incredibly proud of the effort and enthusiasm our students have shown throughout Term 1. 

Thank you for your continued support at home including the completion of our new way of completing homework that was implemented this year—it makes a big difference in their learning journey! 

Enjoy your holiday break and we look forward to working with the Year 2’s after the school holiday break.

Warm regards, the Year 2 Team. 

Yr 2 Team