Foundation 

Communicating with the Foundation Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2024, and welcome your input: 

Holly Peters  Holly.Peters@education.vic.gov.au

Lisa Dam  Lisa.Dam@education.vic.gov.au

Amy Ryde Amy.Ryde@education.vic.gov.au

MATHEMATICS TERM 1

In Number and Algebra over the past few weeks, the students have been continuing to consolidate their number recognition and counting skills to develop their mathematical thinking. The students have participated and completed a variety of fun and engaging hands-on authentic learning situations that has allowed them to learn and develop their number sense as well as working cooperatively in different situations. We have been learning the numbers 0-20 (and beyond) including how to write them using the correct formation and starting points, recognise the numerals and make models using these numbers. Every day we have been recording the number of days we have been at school in preparation for our ‘100 days of school’ celebration later in the year! 

The Foundation students have been practising counting the numerals 0 to 20 by recognising, ordering and accurately counting to correctly build unifix towers to represent these numbers. Students practised counting sets of objects by creating ‘Tall Towers’ of unifix up to the number 20 and are learning the importance of one to one correspondence when counting -  that the last number you count represents the total number. As well as building the children's number sense, unifix blocks also assist in the development of fine motor skills and hand eye coordination.  

Students have also been learning about subitising. Subitising is when you are able to look at a group of objects and realise how many there are without counting them. This develops a deeper understanding of number and helps children build images for numbers, to visualise and to learn number facts. The students completed a variety of fun and engaging games involving subitising. 

In Measurement and Geometry, the Foundation students have been learning all about two dimensional shapes. They have been looking for them in their immediate environment and sorting them according to a variety of different attributes and learning the names of the different shapes. They have also learned the features of the different shapes including how many sides and corners and even learned the new word ‘vertices’. 

HARMONY DAY

Harmony Day Celebration is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge our unique qualities by celebrating our diverse heritage and cultures. Students came to school dressed in the Harmony Day colour of orange or in an outfit that represented their culture/country they have links with or have a personal interest in. Thank you for all your efforts. 

FOOD BANK FOOD FIGHT

Last Friday, Upwey South Primary School participated in the Food Bank Food Fight. Well done to everyone who took part in the event and congratulations to those who raised money to support Foodbank Victoria.

SWIMMING

Wow, what an amazing week we have had at swimming! The children were absolute superstars and all had a great time. We were very proud of each and every one of them as they displayed our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience! 

FOUNDATION SPECIALIST TIMETABLE

As Specialists classes have begun we thought it would be useful for you to know which days these occur. When students are participating in Health and Physical Education (HPE) and Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) it would be best if they were wearing sneakers or shoes that they can move around in. Please note that this timetable can change! We will keep you updated if this occurs.

We are looking forward to an exciting first term of learning! If you have any questions please contact us via email or in person. 

holly.peters@education.vic.gov.au

lisa.dam@education.vic.gov.au 

amy.ryde@education.vic.gov.au