Achilles Community Report

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

The Achilles teachers would like to congratulate all of the students on a wonderful start to Term 1. Everyone has settled into the community positively and we have established great routines and expectations, while working in our mentor groups. 

A special thank you to all of the families who have supported the students in their transition to a new school year. We look forward to sharing our learning with you all this year.

Reading

In Reading for the beginning of this school year students are looking at recounts in stories and using past tense words. We are exploring multiple books and putting them back into the proper sequence of events to help us with a recount of a story. Reading bags are going back out to take home. Students are to have their new diary and a book at their level of reading inside the reading bags, these reading books are changed daily and a parent or guardian will sign on the date that they have read.

Writing

In Writing, students are beginning to explore the structure of a recount. We are working towards writing a recount in order. Students are focusing on the writing cycle where they start off with a detailed plan. Then students are drafting their writing, followed by editing and publishing. Students are encouraged to remember what they have done on the weekend in order to generate ideas for their recount. 

Maths

Maths for the beginning of the first term is looking at number patterns, we investigated how we knew something was a pattern and made examples. We are exploring more in maths and learning with plenty of new resources to help us solve problems. These new resources have helped us skip count, order numbers and find numbers with only written clues.

Inquiry

We are starting a unit focusing on ‘What does it mean to be healthy?’. Students have explored what it means to eat healthy. They have investigated the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods. Students have discussed the Food Pyramid and also the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. 

SEL

During social and emotional learning this term we are focussing on the growth mindset and how important it is to never give up and to try. We looked at the learning pit which taught us the whole thinking process to a problem we don’t have the answer to and the power of ‘yet’. The growth mindset allows students to think more positively towards problems and to work through them to find an answer other than giving up.

Victorian Curriculum

Here is the link to the Victorian Curriculum if you would like to take a look at what we cover throughout the year. 

https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/level1

https://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/level2

Reminders 

• Doors open at 8:40am
• Dismissal at 3:10pm
• Ensure your child’s belongings are clearly labelled. This includes clothing, drink bottles, hats and lunchboxes (lids too) 
• Students are to come to school with a full water bottle each day (labelled)

What you can do with your child at home

• Continue to read to and with your child each night.  
• Encourage your child to develop more independence. (Help pack/unpack their school bag/lunch, or get their uniform ready)
• Encourage your child to take increased responsibility for their own belongings.
• Establishing a regular routine helps students to develop a positive approach to learning and will benefit them as they progress through their schooling.  
• Encourage your child to practise tying their own shoelaces.
• If you need to speak to your child’s mentor teacher, please contact the office to pass on the message or organise this before or after school.

Kind Regards,

1/2 Achilles

Holly, Scott, Britt, Michelle and Armanjot