From the classroom

First 2 Weeks at Rochester Primary

At the beginning of the year, our Start Up Program focuses on helping students settle back into school and feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. During this time, students are resetting and learning classroom routines and procedures that help classrooms run smoothly, while also adjusting to the busyness and natural tiredness that comes with returning to school.

Across the school, we are also developing a shared understanding of our new school values - Be Kind, Be Safe, Be Brave - Be Your Best and what they look like in everyday learning and behaviour. Students are becoming familiar with literacy and numeracy learning times and expectations, helping them build confidence, independence, and positive learning habits as we begin the year together.

'Homework'

Reading Fluency

Reading fluency is the ability to read accurately, at a steady pace, and with expression. When children read fluently, they recognise words automatically and can focus on understanding the meaning of the text. Fluency is the important bridge between learning to read words and fully comprehending what is being read.

Fluency is important because it supports both confidence and comprehension. Children who read fluently can read more smoothly, enjoy stories, and understand what they are reading without stopping to sound out every word. This allows them to focus on the message of the text rather than individual words.

How Families Can Help at Home

You can support reading fluency at home in simple ways. Reading one-to-one with your child, taking turns to read and modelling expression, is very effective. Re-reading favourite books helps children become more confident and fluent, and listening to audiobooks while following along with the text helps them hear correct pronunciation, pace and intonation. Short, regular reading sessions make a big difference over time. Texts don't need to be difficult, it will benefit students reading if at home they are reading simple texts.

Number Fluency

Number fluency is a child’s ability to understand numbers, see patterns, and use efficient strategies to solve problems. It builds confidence, flexibility, and strong problem-solving skills in maths.

How Families Can Help at Home

Foundation – Year 2

• Count objects, steps, and toys
• Play number games and board games
• Talk about numbers you see every day

Years 3 – 4

• Practise times tables in short bursts
• Play card and dice games
• Ask children to explain their thinking

Years 5 – 6

• Encourage mental maths and estimation
• Connect maths to real life (shopping, cooking, sport)
• Challenge children to find more than one solution

Little and often number talk makes a big difference!

Brooke Pascoe (Literacy Learning Specialist) & 

Steve Rasmussen (Numeracy Learning Specialist)