POPS Paper

From the Principal

 1 May, 2025

TEACHING READING AT POPS

Reading is a vital life skill and a lifelong source of joy, imagination, and knowledge. It opens the door to learning, creativity, and understanding the world.

 

At POPS, our dedicated teachers use evidence-based approaches informed by the science of reading to deliver high-quality, structured literacy lessons.

 

A key framework we use is The Big 6 (Konza, 2014), which outlines the essential elements of reading:

  • Oral Language – Speaking and listening to share ideas and emotions

  • Phonemic Awareness – Hearing and working with sounds in words

  • Phonics – Linking letters with their corresponding sounds

  • Fluency – Reading with accuracy, speed, and expression

  • Vocabulary – Understanding and using a wide range of words

  • Comprehension – Making meaning from text

In Foundation to Year 1, we prioritise daily, explicit teaching of phonics and phonemic awareness through a systematic synthetic phonics approach. Students learn to blend and segment sounds, use decodable books, and build reading fluency, step by step. This structured approach sets children up for reading success now and into the future.

 

Later in the year, we plan to share some videos that share with parents what this looks like in the classroom.

ANZAC DAY SERVICES

Last Monday, we held our POPS ANZAC Service, a heartfelt occasion led by our School Captains, Vice Captains, Community House Captains, and Team Captains. Each class created a wreath, which was laid at the base of the Australian flag. These beautiful wreaths are now on display in the School Office Foyer. A big thank you to Mrs Debono for supporting our student leaders in organising the service. It was wonderful to see so many parents and grandparents in attendance.

 

 

On Tuesday, our Year 6 students attended the Manningham Schools ANZAC Commemoration at the Templestowe War Memorial, hosted by the Rotary Club of Templestowe. Our School Captains, Aditi and Luca, proudly laid a wreath on behalf of our school. 

 

To learn more, please visit the From the Classroom page.

MOTHER'S/ SPECIAL PERSON DAY

The Mother's/Special Person Day stall will be on Monday May 5. There will be gifts that students can purchase. Student's will need to bring money and reusable bag on that day.

 

The Mother's/ Special Person Day breakfast will be held on Friday May 9, 7:30- 8:40 am in the Art's Centre. This is a free event and bookings are essential to attend this event and must be made via My School Connect by Tuesday May 6 by 5pm. 

 

The PA are looking for Dad's to be available to help serve breakfast and assist the clean up afterwards.

 

For more information, please visit theParents' Association page.

POPS GARDEN! 

🌿 POPS Garden Volunteers Needed! 🌿

Whether you can help with weeding, maintaining garden beds weekly, fortnightly, or just now and then, every bit counts! Let us know if you are grandparents or community members and are keen to get involved. Volunteers are able to come and work in the garden whenever they are able to.

 

Please contact bronwyn.garrity@education.vic.gov.au if you're interested in volunteering  🌼

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Please share with the school community your child's achievements big or small. To share a student achievement please email

bronwyn.garrity@education.vic.gov.au. 

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Ms Garrity

Key Dates Week 3:

Mon May 5: Assembly- 9 am/ Storytime- 9 am/ Mother's/ Special Person Day Stall

Wed May 7: Yr 3-6 House Cross Country- Domeney Reserve/ 1/2 Incursion/ Foundation Healesville Excursion

Fri May 9: Mother's Day Breakfast 7:30 am- 8:40 am- Art's Centre

Foundation 2026 Enrolment 

If your child is starting Foundation (Prep) in 2026, you are now able to make an application for enrolment.

 

To get started: 

  • Create an account and complete the online application form by Friday 25 July 2025.