Galilee Community

Dear Families,

What a wonderful week of learning we have had in Foundation! Our students have been busy developing their skills, sharing their ideas and working together as they continue to grow in confidence and independence. It has been lovely to see their enthusiasm and excitement for learning throughout the week.

As we come towards the end of Term 3, we are so proud of all the learning and growth our students have shown this term. We have one more week to go and lots more learning and fun to look forward to!

Reminder: Thursday 17th September is the last day of Term 3. 🌟

Learning for the week ahead

Religious Education:

Next week in Religious Education, students will be learning about the special celebrations that take place throughout the Catholic Church year. We will explore celebrations such as Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, and talk about what Catholics remember and celebrate during these special times. We will also learn how these celebrations connect together and practise putting them in the correct order throughout the Church year. Students will have opportunities to share what they know about each celebration and discover the special connection between Advent and Christmas and between Lent and Easter.

English:

Next week we will be continuing our reading of Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. A story about a kind witch who welcomes new friends on her broom as they help her find her lost belongings. When the witch faces danger, her friends work together to help her. We will use this story to talk about kindness, friendship, teamwork, and including others. 

Please follow the link below if you would like to pre read the story with your child.

If you would like to share the story with your child, please follow the link below.

Mathematics:

In Mathematics, we will be learning about the mass of objects and exploring the ideas of heavier and lighter. Students will compare the mass of everyday objects by hefting them in their hands and making predictions about which object is heavier or lighter. We will then use balance scales to directly compare objects and investigate which object has the greater or lesser mass. Students will practise using mathematical language such as heavier, lighter and same mass as they explain their thinking.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL):

Next week in SEL, we will be learning about our right to feel safe, heard and cared for at school. We will explore the different people and supports at St Thomas who can help us when we need to have a conversation, ask for help, feel unwell or are unsure about something. Students will learn that asking for help is a good and brave thing to do, and that there are trusted adults around us who are ready to listen and support us when we need them.

Auslan:

Next week in Auslan, students will be reviewing and practising signs they have previously learnt.

What you can do at home

• Reading together at home is one of the best ways to support your child's learning. Enjoy this week's focus book by reading it together or listening to a read-aloud online (many can be found on YouTube).
• While reading, you could:
  • Discuss the main events and important messages in the story.
  • Ask your child to retell the story in their own words.
  • Talk about the characters, the setting and what happens throughout the book.
  • Look for words that begin with our focus sound/s.
  • Encourage your child to think deeply by asking questions such as:
    • Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
    • I wonder why...
    • What makes you think that?
    • Can you show me where it says...?
    • What do you think will happen next?

    • That didn't make sense to me. Let's read it again

      You can also support your child's learning by:

• Practising correct letter formation and handwriting.
• Bringing our Mathematics learning into everyday life.
• Look for other opportunities to talk about maths during your daily routines. Example of this could be:
  • Count everyday objects, such as toys, fruit, stairs or cars.
  • Look for numbers on houses, letterboxes, clocks and number plates.
  • Talk about shapes you can see around your home or neighbourhood.
  • Compare quantities, such as "Who has more grapes?" or "Which pile has fewer?"
  • Use maths language like more, less, bigger, smaller, before, after, next to, behind and between.
  • Involve your child in cooking, asking them to count, measure or estimate ingredients.
  • Play simple board games or card games that involve counting, matching or recognising numbers.
  • Practise number stories using everyday objects, for example, "There were 8 strawberries. We ate 3. How many are left?"
  • Ask questions while shopping, such as "Can you find 5 apples?" or "Which item costs more?"
  • Notice patterns on clothing, wrapping paper, tiles or fences and encourage your child to continue the pattern.

Important Classroom Reminders:

• Fidget Toys

  We kindly ask that students do not bring fidget toys to school unless their use is a planned adjustment in consultation with Allied Health Professionals. Students who bring fidget toys without an approved adjustment will be asked to place them in their school bag for the remainder of the day to take home. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to leave fidget toys at home.

• Spare clothes/change of clothes

  Please pack spare clothes with a pair of socks and underwear to be placed in the front zip pocket of your child's school bag in case of a toileting accident or when they get muddy during recess and play time. 

• Please ensure that you are labelling all your child's belongings.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Thursday 17th September - Coffee and Connect - Meet our Primary School Nurse, Erica McWilliams at the Staff Room
• Thursday, 17th September - Last Day of Term 3
• Monday 5th October - First Day of Term 4

Enjoy your weekend,

The Galilee Team

Contact us @ Galilee

galilee@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au  (all teachers) or