Junior School News 

Prep - Yr 2

Prep 

English - The Prep students have been focusing on identifying rhyming words in shared texts and recognising and discussing the purpose of punctuation. They are experimenting with including adjectives in their writing, to add detail to sentences.

Maths -  The Prep’s are learning to use the count on strategy when solving simple addition problems and have been learning to skip count by 2’s and 10’s.

InquiRE - Students have been introduced to the Old Testament story of Noah’s Ark and enjoyed creating a class mural about the story. They are beginning to make greater connections with the importance of living in a sustainable way.

SEL - The Prep students have welcomed the opportunity to learn about the kimochis characters, which can be used as a social and emotional learning tool to support positive learning and peer interaction, in different school situations.

 Year 1/2

Reading

The focus this fortnight is identifying the themes in texts and articulating our new learning 'after reading'. Often we discuss a lot about the text 'prior' to reading, however, it is just as important to stop and reflect on the messages and themes in the text and begin to make connections 'during the text'  also with our own lives. (Self to Text connection)

We have been reviewing the features of a narrative using the story mountain model revising the main parts of a story. This week, in particular, we have been reading some Dreamtime stories for Reconciliation week as well as other texts focusing on kindness and relationships responding in written from different perspectives and learning to read between the lines.

Writing

Students are refining their understanding of information reports by researching and structuring facts about various animals. They're focusing on their skills in organising information coherently and presenting it effectively. This preparation will enable them to focus on their chosen animal at the Zoo visit, where they can observe, gather additional information, and potentially apply their knowledge in a real-world context, enhancing both their academic and practical understanding.

Maths

Students are actively engaging with concepts of time and partitioning numbers to deepen their understanding of place value and improve their skip-counting skills. Through activities that involve breaking down numbers into thousands, hundreds, tens and ones, they're developing a strong foundation in numerical fluency. By practicing skip counting in intervals of 2s, 5s, and 10s, they're not only reinforcing their grasp of basic arithmetic but also cultivating a sense of patterns and relationships within numbers, which are crucial for mathematical proficiency.

Religion:

In class we have been reflecting about what we can do to improve and protect the world God has made for us. We have been reading prayers and learning to write Psalms in particular, showing gratitude for our world and as a result illustrating and advertising the actions the students have committed to. 

The middle school are learning about the Eucharist this term in preparation for celebrating the sacrament early next term. We too, we will be reflecting on this sacrament and what our role in the celebration is.

Inquiry Learning:

Water incursion:

The Prep-2 students had a special incursion from Yarra Valley Waters, where they learned about water conservation and sustainability. Through an interactive presentation and hands-on activities, they discovered practical ways to save water in their daily lives, such as taking shorter showers and switching the tap off whilst brushing their teeth!

Excursion to the Zoo:

We can't wait to share with you all the fun on our big day out at the Zoo!

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the excursion, please contact your classroom teacher.

Warm Regards,

The 1/2 Team

Gianni Montalto - gmontalto@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

Julie McIntyre - jmcintyre@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

Isabella Rachele - irachele@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

Joyce Dunne - jdunne@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au

Paul Wynne - pwynne@olgcdeepdene.catholic.edu.au