Damascus Community

Dear Families,

It has been a productive week in Year 2, with students beginning their end-of-year assessments. Over the coming weeks, students will complete a range of online assessments to show what they have learnt and help teachers identify their progress and areas for further growth. Please encourage your child to read instructions carefully, take their time, check their answers and keep trying, even when questions are challenging. Most importantly, we want every child to feel confident and give their best effort.

We are looking forward to our upcoming Werribee Zoo excursion on Tuesday 10 November! This promises to be an exciting day for our Year 2 students. Please ensure that permission is completed through PAM by Tuesday 3 November. 

Please take some time to look at the Werribee Zoo social story (link below). 

There is necessary information about the excursion

As we head into the long weekend, we hope everyone enjoys some extra time to relax and spend time with family and friends. A reminder that school will be closed on both Monday 2 November, followed by the Melbourne Cup public holiday on Tuesday 3 November. 

We look forward to seeing everyone back on Wednesday 4 November.

Religious Education:

Why is it important to look beyond first impressions? In Religion, students will explore the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus, learning how Jesus welcomed someone others had judged. They will discover how Zacchaeus showed he wanted to change his behaviour and make things right through his actions. Students will also discuss how we can welcome others, give people another chance and make responsible choices in our school community.

English:

Did you know that different letters can make the same sound? Students will explore the spelling patterns ear, eer and air, learning to recognise the sounds they make in different words. Students will also practise reading and spelling words ending in -ure, such as pure and adventure. Students will continue building their reading and writing skills by using and and but to join ideas and create longer sentences.

How can we use pictures to tell a story? Students will continue exploring The Boy and the Elephant, using illustrations to describe events, explore the boy's changing feelings and identify the story's important message. They will practise using time words such as first, then, later and finally to order events, and because and so to explain their thinking. Students will also complete their persuasive posters, combining a catchy headline, key ideas, an image and a call to action to encourage others to make a difference. 

Mathematics:

How can fractions help us solve everyday problems? Our Year 2 mathematicians will explore halves and quarters of time, weight and capacity (how much a container can hold). They will practise finding a whole amount when given one half or one quarter and use halves, quarters and eighths to solve word problems. Students will continue learning how to share and combine equal parts to find their answers.  

Integrated Curriculum:

How is everything in Country connected? Students will continue exploring Land, Water and Sky Country through hands-on discovery stations, using their senses to notice and describe the world around them. They will create Noticing Cards to record their observations and work together to discover how different parts of Country are connected. Students will also share simple ways we can respect and care for Country.

Auslan:

Have you noticed that some Auslan signs look like the animals they represent? Students will continue learning animal signs, focusing on pets and farm animals. They will practise signing five different animals by recognising how the signs connect to the animals' appearance, while also revising colours to build their Auslan skills and confidence.

Social & Emotional Learning:

How does our body tell us when something doesn't feel right? Students will learn to recognise body clues, such as a racing heart, shaking or breathing quickly, that may mean they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. They will practise using NO, GO, TELL — saying no, moving to a safe place and telling a trusted adult. Students will also learn the importance of keeping on telling until someone listens and helps.

• Practise reading and spelling: Look for words containing ear, eer and air, such as hear, deer and chair. Encourage your child to read, write and say each word aloud.
• Talk about kindness and second chances: Discuss the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Ask your child why it is important to include others, avoid judging people and give someone a chance to make things right.
• Explore fractions: Use water, cups or household objects to practise finding halves and quarters. For example, fill a cup halfway and ask your child how much more is needed to make it full.
• Practise making things right: Talk about what your child could do if they accidentally upset someone. Encourage them to think beyond saying sorry and suggest an action that could help.

Important Classroom Reminders:

• Hats and drink bottles: As the weather becomes warmer, please ensure your child brings their named school hat and a refillale drink bottle. Students are only permitted to havewater only in their drink bottles. 
• Label belongings: Please clearly label all belongings, particularly hats, jumpers and jackets, so they can be easily returned if misplaced.
• Reading books: Please remind your child to change their reading books when they are ready for new ones.
• Spare clothes: Please keep a change of clothes, including socks and underwear, in the front pocket of your child’s school bag in case they are needed.
• Fidget tools & toys: Please leave fidget tools and toys at home unless they are part of an approved adjustment organised in consultation with the school and relevant professionals.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Mon 2nd November-  No school - School Closure Day
• Tues 3rd November- Public Holiday- Melbourne Cup
• Tues 3rd November- Permission form for Werribee Zoo excursion to be completed on PAM
• Tues 10th November- Werribee Zoo Excursion. Be at school by 7:30am. Leaving at 7:45am
• Wed 11th November- Remembrance Day
• Mon 30th November- P-2 Athletics Day @ Casey Fields
• Tues 1st December- School Christmas Carols
• Wed 2nd December- Year 1hosting Mass- Year 2 attending
• Friday 11th December- Last day of formal classes

Keep yourself happy and enjoy your weekend.

The Damascus Team

Contact us @Damascus

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