Year 2
Term 1
Welcome to Year 2!
We are excited to begin the school year and to partner with you in supporting your child’s learning and growth.
Year 2 is an important year of development. In our classroom, we will place a strong emphasis on Catholic Social Teaching, beginning with Human Dignity, recognising that every child is created with inherent worth, unique gifts and the ability to make a positive difference.
Our classrooms will be places where:
- Every child feels safe, valued and heard
- Differences are respected and celebrated
- Mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning
- We speak to and about others with kindness
Establishing clear and consistent routines will be a priority. Predictable routines help children feel secure, build independence and maximise learning time. Students will become familiar with structured literacy and numeracy blocks, smooth transitions and respectful problem-solving strategies.
Strong relationships are at the heart of effective learning. We are committed to knowing each child, their strengths, interests and goals, so they feel supported and understood.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there is anything that will help us best support your child. We look forward to a year of growth, joy and success together.
InitiaLit
InitiaLit is a structured, evidence-based literacy program developed by MultiLit to support students in building strong reading and spelling skills. It provides explicit and systematic instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Lessons are carefully sequenced to ensure students develop foundational skills step by step, with regular review to reinforce learning. The program also includes engaging shared reading experiences to foster a love of books and language. By combining clear instruction with rich literature, InitiaLit helps students become confident, capable, and independent readers and writers.
InitiaLit Tricky word tree
The InitialLit Tricky Word Tree is a teaching tool used in the MultiLit InitialLit program to help young children learn to read and spell “tricky words.”
🌳 What are “tricky words”?
In early reading, most words can be sounded out using phonics (e.g., cat, sun, fish).
But some common words:
- Don’t follow regular phonics rules
- Have unusual spellings
- Contain parts that can’t be sounded out easily
Examples:
- the
- said
- was
- you
- one
These are called tricky words.
Writing
We have been revising the key grammar focuses from throughout the year through our writing lessons. Students are exploring both imaginative and recount writing, with a particular focus on the structure and the language features that make their writing engaging. We are also paying close attention to the nouns and adjectives students choose to strengthen their pieces, as well as ensuring that the tense used in their writing is consistent and appropriate for each text type.
Numeracy
Below is the Scope and Sequence document from Ochre Education. We commenced Term 1 investigating Place Value using base-10 blocks and have moved into Time on an analogue clock learning o'clock, half past, quarter to and quarter past.
Much of our daily review now contains the concepts covered over the past weeks and the students have become much more fluent in their routines and responses to the questions.
Religion
We have now entered the season of Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter, which is a special time of reflection and preparation. In class, students have been exploring simple ways they can show kindness and be helpful to others.
They have also been learning about Project Compassion and the important work it does to support people in need around the world. A sincere thank you to the families who have encouraged their child to contribute to our class money box.
Mercy Day
Celebrating Mercy Day is a special way to honour the values and mission of the Sisters of Mercy, founded by Catherine McAuley in 1831.
What Mercy Day Represents
Mercy Day focuses on the core values of:
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Service
- Forgiveness
- Justice
Students learn that “mercy” means showing love and care to others, especially those who are vulnerable or in need.
The Sisters of Mercy were sometimes called the “walking nuns.”
They were the first nuns to leave their convent and walk out into the community to help people in their homes, in hospitals, and even in prisons.
The boots are a symbol that reminds us of all the work the Sisters of Mercy do to help people in our communities.
Inquiry
The Past and Present Family Life unit includes three areas of study: Learning about the Past, Local History, and Changing Technology. Students explore significant people, places, buildings, and natural environments in their community. They learn why historical sites matter, examine how technology has evolved over time, and consider its impact on people around the world. Throughout the topic, students develop key historical skills such as research, sequencing and communication.
Pancake Day
We had a wonderful time last Tuesday enjoying the impressive culinary efforts of our Year 6's, who cooked hundreds upon hundreds of pancakes for the school community.
The students gave glowing reviews! However, there was a shared opinion that adding sprinkles and ice-cream might have taken the pancakes to the next level. We’ll be sure to pass that feedback on to the appropriate people for next year!
GOING REMINDERS
No Hat, No Play
St John’s is a “No Hat, No Play” school, which means all students are required to wear their hats every day. Please keep this in mind when doing hairstyles in the morning—high ponytails and buns can sometimes make it difficult for hats to sit properly.
Label Everything
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled. You’ll hear this reminder often throughout the year! While we may all grow tired of saying it, labelled belongings can be quickly returned if misplaced.
Friday Treats
Zooper Doopers are available for $1, and Cake Raffle tickets are 50c. Both take place every Friday.
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders are available every Wednesday.
Library
Library visits are on Fridays. Please remember that borrowed books must be returned before a new book can be issued.
Birthday Invitations
We are happy to distribute invitations at school if the entire class is invited. However, if only some children are being invited (which we completely understand), we kindly ask that invitations be shared privately. While disappointments are a part of life, missing out on a party can feel especially significant at 7 or 8 years old, and we would prefer school not be the setting for that upset.
tramsden@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au
kanderson@sjeuroa.catholic.edu.au
phone: 57952937
Thank you,
Thomasina, Kristy, Keira & Dee