Year 1/2

Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term Four. We hope that you had a restful and enjoyable break. We look forward to educating your children and celebrating their many achievements and progress throughout the final term of 2025. 

Our Learning this Term

English

Year 1

In Term Four, the Year 1 students will continue to develop their literacy skills through the InitiaLit program. This term, our focus will include exploring the different ways letters and letter combinations can make sounds in words, and understanding the spelling patterns that help us read and write accurately. For example, we will look at how the letter ‘y’ can make different sounds, as in the word puppy.Students will also learn how to add suffixes such as -y and -ly to base words, developing their understanding of how these endings can change a word’s meaning or tense.Throughout the term, we will continue to include Review lessons to revisit and consolidate previously taught skills, ensuring students build a strong understanding and confidence in literacy.

New Tricky Words will also be introduced this term. As these high-frequency words often don’t follow regular spelling patterns, consistent practice will help students build reading fluency and broaden their vocabulary.

Year 2

In Term Four, Year 2 students will continue to develop their literacy skills through the InitiaLit program. This term, we continue our learning across three different topics: Spelling, Comprehension and Grammar. During spelling, we are learning about the spelling choices used when adding a suffix. For example, when using the -ing suffix, you must: a. Drop the ‘e’ and add ‘ing’.b. Double the consonant if there is one after a vowel.c. Just add ‘ing’. 

In our comprehension lessons, students are developing their comprehension strategies. This includes predicting what will happen next in a text and making personal connections.

Lastly, in Term 4, students will be developing their knowledge of pronouns in grammar. This includes how to use pronouns in their writing, such as he, his, her, she, we, us and I. 

In Writing, Grade 1 and 2 students are learning to record key words from nonfiction texts on a data chart. They will use these words to write related facts under corresponding subheadings, leading to the creation of their own information reports.

Students will continue to enjoy borrowing books from the school library fortnightly and are encouraged to select a take-home reading book weekly to share with their families. Reading together at home supports the development of essential literacy skills, including listening, comprehension, and vocabulary, while also fostering a lifelong love of reading.

Mathematics

Students have begun Term 4 by developing their understanding of Location. Our learning about Location has had students up and moving! They’re practising how to interpret and follow directions using positional words like forwards, left, and right. Students are also learning to create their own movement instructions, such as “move two steps to the right” or “one step forward,” to guide others. We’ve also been exploring simple maps of familiar places, identifying key features and using them to describe locations. 

Future topics for Term 4 include Mass & Capacity and Fractions. 

Students will engage with fractions by learning how to represent halves, quarters, and eighths through repeated halving. They’re discovering that fractions are all about equal parts — for example, one quarter (¼) means one out of four equal pieces of a whole.In class, students have been identifying and representing halves and quarters in shapes, objects, and everyday events.

In our unit on Mass and Capacity, students are learning to order and compare how heavy or full different objects are. They use comparative language such as heavier, lighter, holds more than, and holds less than to describe what they observe.

Through hands-on activities like weighing classroom items or pouring water into different-sized containers, students are developing a strong sense of how measurement helps us describe the world around us

Religious Education

In Term Four, students will begin their Religious Education learning by exploring scripture from both the Old and New Testaments. They will read stories that reveal God’s relationship with His people, including stories about Moses, such as The Burning Bush and The Parting of the Red Sea. Students will also explore scripture stories about Jesus and the miracles He performed, such as Jesus Walks on Water, The Ten Lepers, and The Wedding at Cana. Through these stories, students will reflect on ways they can develop their own trusting relationship with God.

As we prepare to celebrate the Feast Day of St Andrew, students will learn about the story of Saint Andrew’s calling, as told in the New Testament. They will also explore the history of our St Andrew’s School and Parish Community, deepening their understanding of our patron saint and his significance. We will also celebrate St Andrew at a school Mass on Thursday, 27th November at 12pm.

Later in the term, students will learn about Advent as a time of waiting, hope, and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. They will consider how the Church prepares for Christmas and reflect on Mary’s ‘yes’ to God’s invitation to be the mother of Jesus, exploring the special qualities she demonstrated through her faith and trust in God.

Class Parish Mass

Students and teachers will attend a class Parish Mass and we warmly welcome families to attend if possible.

Inquiry Learning

Our final Inquiry unit this year addresses the question:

 ‘How can humans protect the needs of all living things?’

Throughout this unit, the students will explore the wonders of Biological Science. They will classify and sort different living and non-living things based on their features. Students will then sort animals into vertebrates (animals with a backbone) and invertebrates (animals without a backbone). Key groups within vertebrates include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Invertebrates encompass a vast array of animals such as insects, spiders, molluscs (like slugs and squids), and jellyfish.

The students will identify what living things need to grow and survive. We will explore the basic needs of humans, plants and bees, including air, water, food and shelter. The places (habitats) where they live meet those needs. They will also investigate the external features of plants that perform different functions to enable their survival, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers and branches. 

Humans impact the survival of living things, and we will reflect on actions we can take to protect the needs of living things. 

PBL

We have started the term with a lovely whole school performance of NED’s Resiliency Ride: An engaging show where students were reminded of ways that they can bounce back and be resilient. NED stands for: Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do your Best. This fits in with our PBL Values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. Many students have purchased yoyos that were featured in the show and have enjoyed playing with them on the Bunney Road playground. They are demonstrating great resilience as they learn new tricks and master skills in using their yoyos. 

October is Catholic Mission month and focuses on our PBL value of Responsibility. The students will be learning about the reality of children in Zambia and how our school can help those in need. Crazy Sock Day will take place on Friday 31st October and everybody is encouraged to wear colourful socks and make a gold coin donation to assist those less fortunate than we are.

Students will continue to have weekly PBL lessons. For Respect they will focus on speaking kindly and allowing everyone the right to learn. They will be revising the importance of keeping our hands, feet and objects to ourselves. A big focus throughout Term 4 is the Responsibility of being sunsmart and wearing a hat at all times when outdoors. Sunscreen is available in every class if students choose to wear this for extra protection from the sun. 

The focus of Responsibility in the last month of the year reminds students of the importance of using iPads responsibly and always carrying them carefully using two hands. Representing the school with Pride, values wearing the correct school uniform and behaving respectfully inside and outside of the classroom. The final couple of weeks will cycle back to Resilience and working through any end-of-year challenges, and also being a good sport when things don’t always go our way. 

The Year 1/2 Students have some interesting and engaging PBL learning ahead of them this term!

Classroom Organisation

Over this year, the students in Year 1/2 have developed independence in and around our learning environment. Students are encouraged to continue displaying this through things such as being responsible for:

• Unpacking bags at school

• Organising their take-home readers

• Organising their personal belongings

• Handing in any notes

• Bringing back library books and bags on their assigned day

• Being punctual to class and ready for learning. 

After 8:50 am, students must report to the office to be registered as late for the day.

If your child is absent from school, we must receive notification of this in writing, either via the Audiri app, an email to the classroom teacher/office, a phone call to the school office, or a note handed to the teacher.

All 1/2 students will participate in our Specialist Program on Tuesday: Italian, Art, Performing Arts, and PE. Please remember that everyWednesday, the students are expected to wear their runners and P.E. uniforms to school for Physical Education. 

On all other days of the week, it is important that students wear their school shoes and full school summer uniform. 

Hats are to be worn in Terms 1 & 4. Please ensure that your child has a St Andrew’s school hat. Sunscreen is also provided in classrooms if you choose to have your child use it. Please advise your child on how to apply sunscreen, as this will be their responsibility. 

Library Sessions have commenced this term. Please remember to return all Library books and bring along a Library bag before or by the day of your child’s lesson. Class lesson days and times are noted below:

1/2W, 1/2 G, 1/2L & 1/2K - Tuesdays

Key Dates

October:

• Monday 27th - P&F Meeting @ 6.00 p.m.
• Thursday 30th - All Souls Day & All Saints Day School Mass @ 12 Noon
• Friday 31st - School Assembly @ 9.00 a.m.
•                 - World Teacher’s Day
•                 - Crazy Sock Day

November:

• Monday 3rd - School Closure Day
• Tuesday 4th - Melbourne Cup - School Closure Day
• Friday 14th - Assembly @ 10.40 a.m.
• Monday 15th - P&F BBQ at Bunnings Oakleigh South @ 9.00 a.m.
• Friday 21st - School Closure Day
• Thursday 27th - Feast of St Andrew’s Mass @ 12.00 p.m.
• Friday 28th - Assembly @ 9.00 a.m.
• Sunday 30th - St Andrew’s Feast Day

December:

• Thursday 11th - Learning Celebrations @ 2.45 p.m.
• Friday 12th - Final Assembly @ 9.00 a.m.
•                 - Reports distributed to Families
• Tuesday 16th - End of Year Mass @ 9.00 a.m.

•                 - Last day of Term 4. Students finish @ 1.30 p.m.

   

Key Dates can also be found in the school newsletter. 

How to Contact Us

Jordan Longergan             jlonergan@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Sally Kuszner                      skuszner@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Rachel Gurvich                  rgurvich@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Karen Williams                   kwilliams@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

As a school, our policy on returning emails is that they are responded to within 48 hours and during the hours of 8.00 am-4.45 pm. We know there are many times when parents need to email school staff due to family and work commitments, and we can continue as usual, but please allow staff 48 hours to respond during the designated hours.

SPECIALIST PROGRAMS

L.O.T.E. Italian

Ciao a tutti e bentornati a scuola.

Dear parents and caregivers, welcome to Term Four.

The focus this term will be on further developing students’ speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills through the topic of ‘A Birthday Party.’ Celebrations in Italy are significant, and Italians love to get together and have a good time. They will write a birthday invitation,’ l’invito’, make a list of presents,’ i regali ‘write a birthday card,’ la cartolina’ learn the birthday song ‘Tanti auguri a te.’ The students will also learn the language for wishing for things: „‘Vorrei…‘ /‘ Mi piacerebbe…‘ and likes and dislikes with food: Mi piace.... /Non mi piace..... They will be encouraged to reflect and make observations about similarities and differences in the cultural practices of birthday celebrations in other cultures. The students will continue to participate in singing songs, playing games and completing written and oral activities. A particular focus will also be on correct pronunciation and expression of key phrases in Italian.

Cordiali saluti

Signora White

Physical Education

Welcome to the last term of the school year!

This term, the 1/2 students are continuing to work on the fundamental skills needed for all sports, including listening, teamwork and positive communication. We will focus on catching and throwing skills at the start of the term, using a variety of objects. Toward the end of the term, we will work in groups for games done in rotation. During these rotations, they will demonstrate the essential motor skills we have learnt throughout the year - including running, skipping, jumping, catching, throwing, and kicking. These fundamental movements have been keeping the 1/2 students busy all year while improving their confidence and coordination. Each day will consist of something new and exciting to keep them engaged and enthusiastic about exercise! 

As the weather is getting warmer, we will be doing some of our lessons out in the sun! Please ensure your child has a hat during specialists' day.

We are looking forward to a fun last term of learning! 

Miss Kayla Puetz

Art 

In Term 3, students created their very own Mary Poppins Magic Bags! They practised weaving techniques throughout the term, developing their fine motor skills and creativity while exploring colour and pattern.

In Term 4, we will be learning about Aboriginal art, focusing on the symbols and meanings in traditional artworks. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own scratch art designs inspired by these symbols. Later in the term, we’ll explore the colours of spring through vibrant seasonal art projects and finish the year with some fun and festive Christmas creations!

Mrs Milena Santoro (Visual Arts Teacher)

Performing Arts

Hello, 1/2 Students and Families, and welcome back to Term 4.

This term in Performing Arts, students will have an opportunity to further their music skills, learning how musical changes through singing help to tell a story and keep the music interesting. Concepts like loud and soft or fast and slow will help convey a message through song.

The 1/2s will also be learning a dance to perform, which will either be performed live or recorded and distributed as a video later in the term. They’ll also create their own movements for the dance to match the music (both in time and in style) and convey a pirate theme.

Lastly, the 1/2‘s will be playing some drama games to practice their facial expressions and physical movements to represent a pirate story, building their acting skills to include emotional expression.

To support your student at home, please encourage them to sing, dance, or “pretend” (act) as much as possible. Pop the radio on in the car and enjoy some carpool karaoke! Get them to show you their best dance move or most hilarious grumpy face. And as always, feel free to record and share their dancing/singing with me at any time!

Happy singing and dancing! 

Mrs Emma Cooper

Library News

This term in the Library, our Year 1/2 students will enjoy a range of engaging stories connected to our Biological Science topic. The books selected for whole-class read-alouds, such as Walk of the Whales by best-selling author Nick Bland, will help students explore how living things grow, change, and depend on their environment to survive.

Through shared reading and discussion, students will deepen their understanding of the natural world and reflect on ways they can care for animals, plants, and the environment. Follow-up activities will encourage them to make personal connections to the stories and express their ideas through drawing, writing, or discussion. These sessions also help strengthen key literacy skills such as comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking.

We encourage Year 1/2 students to make the most of our Library by visiting before school from Monday to Thursday between 8.30 and 8.45 am on days when they don’t have a Library lesson. This is an excellent opportunity to return and borrow new books regularly.

Parents can support their child by:

• Helping them keep Library books in a safe place at home (such as a special book bag or basket).
• Setting aside a regular time to enjoy borrowed books together.
• Talking about the story, pictures, or information to build understanding and curiosity.
• Encouraging children to re-read favourite books to build fluency and confidence.
• Reminding them to pack their Library books on borrowing days.

Together, we can help students continue developing positive reading habits and a lifelong love of books!

Best wishes,

Mrs Daniella  Polites