Year 1 and 2

Year 1 Teachers: Hsien Tran (Level Leader), Zara Abrahams, Maddi Fletcher, Chantelle Quinn, Nic Walsh and Fiona Hedstrom
Year 2 Teachers: Sarah Battle (Level Leader), John Hoskin, Nerida Forster, Katia Lumley and Kath Jones

Time has gone by so quickly, it is hard to believe that we are almost half way through term 4! It has been great to see so many students showing off their amazing dance moves during the Footsteps program. They have learnt two dances so far, and are eager to learn more in the next few weeks. Classes have also selected their Christmas songs and are very excited to start working on their performances for 'Christmas on the Lawn' coming up in December. Grade 1 students also had their Yarra Valley Water incursion, where they learnt about the Water Cycle, how water can often be wasted in our homes and ways to save water. You may now have a little 'Water Watcher' friend stuck on your taps!

A reminder for Term 4 is for all students to wear their school hats every day in line with our school's SunSmart policy. Please ensure these are clearly labelled with names. We often have students looking for lost items of clothing however, if named, this makes it so much easier to sort out. Please also ensure your child has a full bottle of water to start the day.

We have had a few students bringing in special toys that often become lost, stolen or broken. This has caused a few issues with students becoming upset. If your child wishes to bring a toy along with them to school, please ensure that they are aware of the responsibilities of looking after their toys and the risks of what can happen. If the toy is for Show and Tell, their classroom teacher can look after it for them.

Lastly, a reminder that this weekend is an extra long weekend for students and families with our Curriculum Day on Monday 4th November and Melbourne Cup Day (public holiday) on Tuesday 5th November. Students will return to school on Wednesday 6th November. We hope you all enjoy your extended weekend and some extra family time together.

Upcoming Dates

23rd October - 20th November: Footsteps Program (on Wednesdays)

Monday 4th November: Curriculum Day (No Students at school)

Tuesday 5th November: Public Holiday (Melbourne Cup Day)

Thursday 7th November: Art Show, 3:30pm

Monday 11th November: Whole School Assembly

Tuesday 12th November: Grade 2 'Minibeasts' Incursion

Thursday 14th November: Grade 1 CERES Excursion (1ZA & 1MF)

Friday 15th November: Grade 1 CERES Excursion (1CQ & 1HT)

Monday 18th November: P-2 Assembly

Thursday 28th November: Grade 2 Sleepover

Thursday 12th December: Christmas on the Lawn

Friday 13th December: Year 1-6 Transition Day

Friday 20th December: Final Day (12:30pm Dismissal)

Term 4 Overview

Grade 1 - English

Literacy- Read Write Inc. Phonics program - all term.

Writing

Weeks 1-5: Information Texts

Weeks 6-7: Comics

Week 8-9: Poetry

Weeks 10-11: Letter Writing

Grade 1 - Mathematics

Weeks 1-4: Multiplication/Division & Time

Weeks 5-6: Fractions & Shapes

Weeks 7-9: Problem Solving & Length

Weeks 10-11: Christmas Maths, Graphing and Calendars

Grade 1 - Inquiry/Science

We are learning about the Water Cycle and its ecosystems this term. We will also explore how water is collected and how fresh water gets to our taps through the pipes and drainage systems.

Grade 2- English

Literacy-Read Write Inc. Phonics program- all term.

Writing

Weeks 1-3-Poetry

Weeks 4-7-Information texts

Weeks 8-9- Comics

Week 10- Letter Writing

Week 11- Christmas activities

Grade 2- Mathematics

Weeks 1-2- Fractions and Location/transformation

Weeks 3-4-Money and Chance experiments

Weeks 5-6-Addition/Subtraction and Volume/Capacity

Weeks 7-8-Multiplication/Division and Problem solving

Weeks 9-10-Place Value and Problem solving/Calendars.

Week 11-Christmas Activities

Grade 2- Inquiry/Science

We are learning about Minibeasts this term which incorporates Science topics including; learning about body parts, life cycles and how they affect our world.

Grade 2 Sleepover

This year we are lucky enough to be holding our very first ‘Year 2 Sleepover’ for students, which will be held onsite at school in Week 8 on Thursday 28th November. This will be such a fun night, as it is now forms part of our annual Whole School Camping Program, with all Year 2 students strongly encouraged to participate.

You should have all received a recent email with further information. Students will leave school at 3.30pm on Thursday 28th November and return to school at 6.30pm for some fun activities, a sleepover and breakfast the next morning. On Friday 29th November, the students will participate in a range of camp day activities.

We are asking parents to contact their child’s teacher directly should there be specific circumstances that their child won’t be able to attend, for example, they will be away on a family holiday. We are hoping all students can attend this special event.

Grade 2 Minibeasts Incursion

Payments and permissions are now open on COMPASS. Please remember to pay by Sunday 10th November. No late payments will be accepted.

Students will be involved in an interactive workshop and introduced to a variety of minibeasts. They will be learning about their habitats, classifications, food webs and other interesting topics. Students will also get to see a huge selection of LIVE minibeasts during the session.

Grade 1 CERES Excursion

Payments and permissions are now open on COMPASS. Please remember to pay by Sunday 10th November. No late payments will be accepted.

For the excursion, we are also looking for 5 parent volunteers per class to come along and help some groups on the day. If you would like to come along to the excursion as a helper, please email your child's teacher. Thank you to those parents who have already emailed classroom teachers offering their assistance.

Please remember, all parent volunteers require a Working With Children Card and will need to bring it in on the day.

1MF & 1ZA will be attending the excursion on Thursday 14th November.

1CQ & 1HT will be attending the excursion on Friday 15th November.

Boxes for Grade 1 Inquiry

Grade 1 students will be making dioramas of The Water Cycle very soon. Each student will require a shoebox for this project. If any students have more than one shoebox at home and would like to bring them along, it would be much appreciated for the students that are unable to locate a shoebox. All shoeboxes will need to be brought in by the end of next week (Friday 8th November).