Learning In My Level

This edition of The View highlights learning and activities in Level One and Two.

Level One

We have hit the ground running this term in Level 1! 

101 Days of School 

To celebrate 101 Days of School, our Level 1 students had a tail-wagging good time dressing up as adorable Dalmatians! The classroom was filled with black and white spots as we proudly wore our handmade crowns and decorated paper dogs with 101 painted dots. We even crafted our own clay bones! The fun didn’t stop there—we put our energy and learning to the test by seeing how many star jumps, push-ups, squats, words, and shapes we could do or write in just 101 seconds. Besides all the enthusiastic woofing, we enjoyed delicious party food and watched the classic film "101 Dalmatians" (where Cruella gave us a few chills!). To top it off, we played exciting party games like Pass the Parcel and Pin the Tail on the Dalmatian. It was a paws-itively perfect day full of fun, learning, and laughter! 

Cyber Safety Project Incursion 

Our students took part in an engaging Cyber Safety Incursion where they learned how to stay safe while playing online games. They explored important topics like how to recognise tricky people, unkind people, and strangers online. The session also helped students understand how to respond when they experience heavy feelings such as feeling scared, nervous, or worried. We learned a helpful strategy called STOP – Stay silent, Tell an adult, Get out of the game, and Play something else. Students then put their new knowledge into practice through fun activities and the highlight of the day was getting to video call our friends Pevan and Sarah! It was a fun and valuable learning experience for everyone. 

Chicken Duty

Over the past few weeks, our Level 1 students have taken on the important responsibility of being on chicken duty! Each day, they’ve been checking to make sure the chickens have clean water, plenty of food, and fresh hay. We've also been eagerly checking for eggs, but so far—no luck! A big thank you to all the families who have brought in fruit and veggie scraps for the chickens to enjoy. Our feathered friends are definitely being well cared for! 

 Como House

 What a treat it was to step back in time during our first excursion of the year to Como House! Our Level 1 students were full of excitement as they arrived dressed in olden-day clothing, ready to experience life from the past. Throughout the day, they learned about games children used to play, what houses looked like long ago, and even had the chance to take part in some traditional dancing. A highlight was touring the beautiful old house and discovering the kinds of jobs servants once did. It was a fascinating day of learning, helping us make meaningful connections between the past and the present. A truly memorable way to kick off Term 3! 

 The Past in the Present afternoon 

 One Tuesday afternoon in August, we gathered together to step back in time and explore the games and toys of days gone by. Backgammon, Jacks, paper dolls, chess, paddocks, and dominoes, just to name a few — were brought to life through the stories and skills of our grandparents, parents, friends, and neighbours. Each game became more than just a pastime; it was a bridge between generations, carrying with it laughter, friendly competition, and treasured memories. The children delighted in learning the rules and strategies, their eyes wide with curiosity as they discovered the fun that could be found without screens or gadgets. By the end of the day, not only had we shared an afternoon full of joy, but we had also preserved a little piece of history, passing on the simple pleasures of play to a new generation. 

Level 2 

Welcome to the second half of the year! Term 3 is already bursting with hands on learning, big ideas, and plenty of fun. Here is a snapshot of what we’ve been up to, what is to come and some simple ways you can support learning at home. 

Inquiry – The Past in the Present and Kitchen Chemistry 

• Excursion to Como House: We stepped back in time at Como House where students dressed in period clothes, tried their hand at old fashioned games, and toured the elegant rooms to discover how life was in the 1800s. We discovered that life was different for the family in the house compared to the servants. 
• Grandparents/Parents’ Games Afternoon: Thank you to all who joined us to share and play traditional games. It was an exciting afternoon. It’s great to hear that families enjoy playing card and board games at home. Family games have so many benefits.  

Science Rotations  

• Science rotations are about to commence. Mixing, heating, and observing change will be our theme: damper on a stick, colourful playdoh, and edible treats will teach us about solids, liquids, gas and change. 

Literacy 

• Reading for Information: We’ve moved into nonfiction reading, learning to spot text features (contents pages, maps, tables, glossaries) and to infer and find main ideas while we read. Share nonfiction reading at home: Flip through magazines or online articles and hunt for headings, captions, and diagrams together. Think about the interesting words you are reading. 
• Writing Factual Texts and Opinions: Using our inquiry research, students are writing factual information with headings and labelled diagrams. We are also learning to write our opinions with reasons in preparation for Public Speaking. 
• Word Work: Each week we explore complex spelling codes, prefixes, suffixes, and exciting new vocabulary.  
• Public Speaking Practice: We’re rehearsing eye contact, clear voices, gestures and engaging openings ahead of our Level 2 Public Speaking Competitions. Keep up the great practise at home.  

Mathematics is everywhere 

• Measurement: Comparing, ordering, and estimating length, mass, and capacity in real world tasks. Cooking and food preparation are real world tasks that can be done at home to further develop concepts. 
• Number: Adding and subtracting two-digit numbers using split strategy, jump strategy, the trusty number line and vertical recording. 
• Fractions: Building on halves and quarters to include eighths—pizza and sandwich models help! Talk about fractions next time you have pizza. 
• Time: Reading analogue clocks to the quarter hour. Talk about time at home and how long activities take. 

Wellbeing & Culture 

• NAIDOC Week: We acknowledged and celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and history by dressing in First Nation flag colours. 
• Cyber Safety & Resilience Project: We’ve been learning about cooperation, fairness and how to stay safe online. We participated in a Cyber Safety incursion. 
• Book Week: We’re looking forward to dressing up as our favourite book characters this term. 
• The term will wrap up with our fun Billy Cart and Footy Day. 

A big ‘Thank-you’ to all parents. You have prepared your child for many activities. Thank you to our volunteers in the classroom.  You have been a huge help and are greatly appreciated.