Classroom & Curriculum News

Year 1/2 classroom learning 

This month Year 1/2, students have been actively engaged in a wide range of learning experiences across English and Mathematics.

In English, students explored several engaging mentor texts including Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires and I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. Through these texts, students have been developing their understanding of language and literature while also building their base writing skills. Students practised completing sentences using conjunctions and time connectives such as “because”, “but”, “before” and “after”, expanded simple sentences by explaining “why”, wrote 'command' sentences and when they are utilised in a story and worked on upgrading vocabulary within their writing. During our morning literacy groups, students have continued developing their phonics knowledge and reading fluency. 

In Mathematics, Year 1/2 have developed their understanding of place value by revising and representing 2, 3 and 4-digit numbers, identifying numbers on number charts, partitioning numbers, and writing numbers in expanded form. We have also worked on measurement to learn about comparing, ordering and measuring objects using indirect and direct units of measure. Students are now focussing on additive thinking through targeted instruction designed to strengthen accuracy and fluency in addition and subtraction. Learning will include mental computation strategies such as counting on and back, spin-around facts, 10 facts, doubles and near doubles.

Year 1/2 have also enjoyed their swimming lessons at Altona. Year 1/2 have shown great respect for each other and for members of the public who share the train ride with us 

(although we do notice there is often a bit of extra space created when our groups step on board)! We are beginning to get the hang of sleeping lions after the first 2 weeks. Thank you to our families that ensure all our swimming gear is dried and ready for the next day, we do appreciate your hard work and to parents who can volunteer, your support is much appreciated. 

As part of National Reconciliation Week, students in Year 1/2M have been learning about the meaning of reconciliation and how we can work together for a kinder and fairer future. We discussed the importance of caring for Bunurong land and reflected on the special places, people, animals and natural spaces that matter to us.

Students also learnt about Sir Doug Nicholls Round and looked at how AFL guernseys can be used to tell stories through symbols, colours and design. They then created their own guernsey designs to represent what they love about Bunurong land and how they can help care for it.

Funtime in the sunshine

The junior yard has been full of laughter, chasing games, ball sports and busy activity in the sandpit. With a fresh top-up of sand, the sandpit has become especially popular, with students creating bridges, tunnels and “highways” throughout their imaginative play. There have also been a few buried legs along the way, which may explain the extra sand finding its way home in shoes!

The beautiful Autumn weather has certainly encouraged everyone to enjoy the sunshine, connect with friends and smile, supporting positive wellbeing amongst our younger students.

FRAT - Fluency Reading At Three

Once bags are packed and classroom jobs are completed, students sit down with a peer to begin their fluency reading. In FRAT each student has the opportunity to read a passage chosen by their teacher for a minute to their partner, then receive feedback on their reading. In Year 1/2 students are really enjoying this reading time and it is a nice calm way to end the busy school day.

Year 3/4 News!

On Tuesday 12th May, the Grade 3/4 community were incredibly fortunate to welcome former Federal Member for Indi, Cathy McGowan AO to our class. Cathy visited St Augustine’s to help our students understand how democracy works and what it takes to be a good leader.

Cathy shared stories from her time in Federal Parliament, explaining that being a representative is all about listening to the community and working together to solve local issues

To see democracy in action, Cathy led the students and held a "mock vote" to choose a school excursion. We practiced casting ballots and tallying the results to see how the majority decides the winner. It was a fantastic lesson in how every voice matters. We also spent time reflecting on our personal strengths and how we can use them to help our local community.

Cathy’s message to the 3/4s was clear: you are never too young to start engaging with your community and thinking about how you can create positive change. 

A huge thank you to Cathy McGowan for inspiring our students to use their talents and teaching us that our voices—and our votes—really do matter. Thanks also to Kat for organising Cathy's visit. 

Keep an eye out for the June edition of the local Westsider with our group photo and comments from some of our Year 3/4 students about Cathy's visit!

Year 3/4 Police Visit

On the same day, our middle and senior students were visited by our local Victoria Police officers for an important session on online safety. As our students become more active in digital spaces—whether for gaming, learning, or connecting with friends—understanding how to navigate the internet securely is a vital skill.

The officers shared practical tips and advice to help our students feel empowered and informed. The most important points they shared were

1. Keeping personal details private: Never sharing your full name, home address, school, or phone number.
2. Privacy settings: Ensuring that profiles on games and apps are set to "private" and only accepting requests from people you know in real life.
3. Reporting: The officers explained that many apps and websites have a report button to press or block and delete.  

Another important message of the day was that help is always available. The police encouraged students to speak up immediately if they see something inappropriate or uncomfortable and to tell a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or older relative, straight away.

For more resources and tips to continue this conversation at home, we highly recommend visiting the eSafety Commissioner’s kids' page or the Victoria Police online child safety guide. 

Congratulations to our students who recently made their First Eucharist. This special sacrament marks an important step in their faith journey. We are very proud of the way students prepared for and participated in this beautiful celebration. 

World of Maths Day: The year 3/4s really enjoyed the mathematical problems that they solved. It was great to see them work together in small groups and share their knowledge and skills to solve each of the problems.

Mad About Science Incursion: On Thursday 3/4S had their Wicked Weather Incursion which they enjoyed. Students learned about climate around the world and enjoyed the hands-on activities. They enjoyed making tornadoes, make clouds, simulate the water  fake snow and UV bead bracelets. We are excited for 3/4L to also participate in the Wicked Weather incursion.

5/6 learning

The 5/6s have been really busy over the last few weeks :) 

To connect with inquiry topic we had a really cool science incursion to help us understand natural disasters. We have also been working really hard with creating dioramas and google slides on a chosen natural disaster to present in week 10. 

The incursion showed lots of cool experiments like making spaghetti houses to be tested on a earthquake machine, we found that triangular structures were the strongest (the Egyptians knew there stuff early on!!!!) We played with fake snow, saw how easy it was for wildfires to spread with a tiny gust of wind that can be catostrophic. We also saw pressure build in a test tube with a stopper to show us how volcanos errupt. 

In Maths we have focused on two topics, 3D shape, which we invented a 3D design to sell at a supermarket made with cardboard and paper. 

In decimals we have been looking at the relationship between percentage, fractions and decimals and how to convert tenths to hundreths and thousandths through games. 

We were lucky enough to have an incursion with some of our Victorian Senior constables, and learnt about Cyber safety and the dangers and appropriate ages for electric scooters/Ebikes which is 16. 

A big shout out to Emmanuel St Pauls who came and picked us up, to show us their stage show "Encore" which was a big mash up of all of the musical great hits. The big winners were Grease, Annie, School of Rock and Thriller by Michael Jackson 

Well Done on bringing the cans in, We are almost at our goal for our HOTDOG DAY !!!!!!!

Busy Preps!!

Inquiry

Over the past three weeks, we have been lucky to Mr Jack in our classroom who is completing his first teaching placement. His focus is in the Arts.

With the help of Mr Jacks lessons, the Prep students have about 'unique places we live'.

The students planned and designed their house and thought of the features most houses have: front door, windows, garden, fence, roof and even a chimney. 

The students used different craft materials to make their own 'unique place' 

Thank you for your time in Prep, M Mr Jack. We will miss you!

Maths

The Prep students have been learning about two dimensional shapes (circles, triangles, squares and rectangles). They have been exploring shapes in the classroom and in the playground.

The students had a great time creating pictures using shapes. Some included a car, house, robot and person!

World of Maths Incursion

The Prep students had a great time with the World of Maths incursion exploring different activities in a hands on way. They explored areas of shape, counting, symmetry and problem solving puzzles.