Prep News 

PREP CELEBRATION NEWSLETTER TERM 2 2026

Phonics

This term, students have been engaging in explicit phonics instruction using the Phonic Plus program. Students have been developing their phonemic awareness by orally blending, segmenting and manipulating one-syllable words. They have also been exploring phonological awareness skills such as recognising syllables, rhyming words and alliteration patterns.

Students are building confidence in connecting sounds to letters and applying this knowledge when reading and writing simple words. There has been a strong focus on practising fluency, with students reading decodable texts to build accuracy, expression and confidence.

  Reading

Throughout Term 2, students have continued to develop their early reading skills through explicit phonics instruction and engaging reading experiences. Students have been learning to orally blend, segment and manipulate sounds in words, as well as recognise rhyming words and syllables. They have practised reading decodable texts using their knowledge of letter sounds and high-frequency words.

Students have been introduced to a range of comprehension strategies, including predicting, making connections and discussing texts. They have explored stories and informative texts, sharing their thoughts and ideas about characters, events and key concepts. Students are becoming more confident in identifying the purpose of texts and understanding that some texts give us information.

                                                               Writing 

In writing, students have continued to develop their understanding that writing is a way to communicate ideas. They have been learning to write simple sentences using their knowledge of sounds and letters, particularly focusing on consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.

Students have practised forming letters correctly, using capital letters at the beginning of sentences and names, finger spaces between words, and full stops at the end. They have engaged in drawing and writing tasks, using familiar sentence structures and vocabulary to describe pictures and share ideas. Students are also beginning to reread and edit their work with support.

Mathematics

In Mathematics this term, students have been developing their number knowledge and understanding of early mathematical concepts. They have been working with numbers to 20, including counting forwards and backwards, identifying numbers before and after, and representing quantities using objects and numerals.

Students have explored subitising (recognising how many without counting), comparing collections, and explaining their thinking. They have also investigated measurement concepts such as length, capacity and mass through hands-on experiences.

In addition, students have been learning about shapes, identifying and creating familiar shapes such as squares and rectangles. They have also been introduced to simple data collection, where they asked questions, collected information and represented it using pictures (pictographs), then discussed which results were the most and least popular.

 Inquiry

In Inquiry this term, students have been learning about families, communities and places. They explored the idea that families can look different and that everyone’s family is unique and special. Students discussed family traditions and celebrations, and shared their own experiences through drawing, speaking and simple writing.

Students were introduced to the concept of community and learned that people in a community help and care for each other. They explored different places in their environment and identified features that belong in those places.

Through these learning experiences, students developed their understanding of belonging, connection and respect for others.

We also participated in the Easter hat parade!

Social & Emotional Learning

Throughout the term, students have been building their emotional awareness and developing positive coping strategies. They have participated in lessons focused on recognising emotions, understanding how others feel, and learning how to respond kindly and respectfully.

Students explored strategies to manage their emotions, such as breathing techniques and mindfulness activities. They also learned about gratitude, recognising positive experiences and expressing what they are thankful for.

A strong focus has been placed on cooperation and empathy, encouraging students to work together, take turns, and support one another during learning and play. Students are continuing to develop skills that help them build positive relationships and feel confident within the classroom community. 

Science

Congratulations to all of our Prep students for all that you have achieved in Science during Term 2. During our ‘Materials’ unit, students learnt that objects are made of materials that have observable properties; developed an understanding that some materials are transparent while others are opaque; experimented with colour and described how objects and materials look and feel; looked at the absorbency of various materials and the reasons for multiple choices in materials for clothing and houses around the world.

LOTE

During Term 2 in Auslan, the Foundation students learnt about: Deaf Culture, Feelings, Greetings and Questions and Around the House. They also learnt about Sea Animals, Days of the Week and Months of the Year, Numbers 1-20 (using their dominant/writing hand) and Weather. In the final week they focussed on revision and celebrating learning. The Auslan signs for these topics were the core learning, which was extended in future Auslan learning. Lessons consisted of explicit teaching through videos, supported by activities, games,stories, songs, poems and group practice. Learning Auslan involved both expressive (signing) and receptive understanding skills (reading back what others’ sign), hence lesson activities continued to develop these skills. At this level, the students mainly worked in the whole group managed by the teacher and were provided with the opportunity to reflect on their learning together.

Art

In Term 2, Foundation students continued to build their confidence in the art room while exploring new ideas, artists and creative techniques. They further developed their ability to follow routines, use materials safely and express their ideas through art participation. 

Students began the term by learning about the significance of ANZAC Day, drawing and creating poppy artworks to show respect and remembrance. They explored the symbolic meaning of poppies while practicing drawing and painting skills using a range of materials. 

Students were then introduced to the work of Vincent van Gogh, creating vibrant flower artworks inspired by his use of bold colour and expressive brushstrokes as part of their Mother’s Day celebrations. 

Later in the term, students explored the work of Pablo Picasso. They learned how he created artworks in unique and imaginative ways and experimented with creating their own portraits using different shapes and perspectives. 

It was a positive and engaging Term 2 in Art, with Foundation students continuing to develop their skills, creativity and confidence. 

Music

P.E

This term in Physical Education, our Prep students worked on developing their fundamental motor skills, with a focus on throwing and catching. Through a range of fun activities, students practised underarm throwing and catching with two hands, helping to build their confidence and coordination. They then used these skills in basketball activities, where they practised aiming and shooting at hoops. Later in the term, students took part in a teamwork unit and learnt the importance of working together through games such as tunnel ball and dodgeball. It has been wonderful to see the progress our Prep students have made this term, and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow and develop their skills next semester!