Student Learning

What's been happening in Year 1/2W 

What an exciting start we have had to the year! It has been a joy to watch familiar friendships rekindle, new connections form, and our class step into learning with such genuine enthusiasm.

In English, students have settled beautifully into our new structured, multisensory Literacy Program, Playberry Laser. They are engaging deeply with speech sounds, letter–sound relationships, spelling patterns, and the ways these elements work together to support confident writing and reading. We are grateful for your valuable partnership in their learning as your children demonstrate and practice their learning at home, hopefully with some very animated hand gestures they have learnt in the program. You may also have noticed some persuasive “negotiations” around homework, as we have been exploring the features of persuasive writing and have been learning how to express opinions convincingly and confidently.

In Mathematics, our Year 1 students have been developing their understanding of numbers and practising a range of strategies for adding and subtracting within 10. They have also been investigating 2D shapes and learning to classify them by type, sides, vertices, size, and colour. Our Year 2 students have been extending their number knowledge through comparing and ordering numbers, identifying number patterns, applying mental strategies when adding and subtracting and building in their knowledge about shapes.

In HASS, we have been exploring the features that make places unique. Students have examined natural features in parks, constructed features within our school, and managed features within local environments such as our beautiful National and Conservation parks. A highlight has been looking at how places change over time, especially observing the development of our own Campus which the students have thoroughly enjoyed.

Our Christian Education learning has centred on the Creation story, and the students have learnt that our Heavenly Father has made each of us wonderfully and purposefully (Psalm 139:14). Students have been reflecting on the Christian value of kindness and identifying ways in which they can show care and respect to others. We have also been learning about God’s design for relationship both with Him and with one another. Last week students created posters celebrating the important people in their lives.

It has been a delight to see the children’s creativity flourish in Art. Each student brings their own God‑given artistic expression, and this has been evident in the self‑portraits and reflective artworks which have been showcased in our classroom. Students have been exploring the Art elements of form, line, colour, space, and texture. Last week, they created pieces that combined their shape learning with a focus on texture, resulting in some truly thoughtful and imaginative work.

Lastly, the students have been enjoying special time with their buddies in Year 3/4H which is always a much-loved highlight of the week. As they get to know their buddy, they have spent time outdoors engaging in a range of activities, as well as fun and creative indoor experiences.

Carla Wiegels

Year 1/2W Class Teacher 

What's been happening in Year 3/4B 

English – Persuasive Writing

In English, students have been learning how to write persuasive texts using the Seven Steps to Writing Success. They have been exploring how to form strong arguments, organise their ideas clearly, and use persuasive language to convince their audience. The students have enjoyed planning and drafting their own persuasive pieces.

Christian Education – Peacemaking

In Christian Education, students have been learning about peacemaking. They have been discussing what it means to be a peacemaker and exploring ways they can show kindness, forgiveness, and understanding towards others in their daily lives.

Mathematics

Our Year 4 mathematicians have been learning how to add and subtract 5-digit numbers. They have also been developing their bar model problem-solving skills to help them understand and solve more complex word problems. To make learning fun, students have been playing a variety of dice games where they practise adding and subtracting while strengthening their understanding of place value.

HASS – Celebrations and Commemorations

In HASS, Year 3 students have been learning about celebrations and commemorations from Australia and around the world. They played a fun game where they gave each other clues about a special day and tried to guess what celebration it was. Students are now working on their projects about a celebration from another culture, exploring how people celebrate important events across the globe.

Buddies

Our class has been enjoying time with our Year 1/2  buddies. On Friday afternoons, students spend time playing together and building friendships. These sessions are always full of fun and laughter as the students connect and support one another. 

Art

In Art, students have been exploring drawing techniques, patterns, and optical illusions. They have been experimenting with different designs and learning how patterns and shading can create interesting visual effects.

Dana Baker

Year 3/4 Class Teacher

Foundation Excursion

Recently our Foundation students went on a local walk as part of their Geography studies. Our goal was to identify places in our local area that people may belong to or may be special to others. We saw the aged care people's homes, the BMX track, scout hall, sporting facilities at the Happy Valley Oval, the High School and the playground, with the latter being the most popular! 

Although our excursion was focused on special places, the value of the afternoon stretched beyond the curriculum content. We watched as our young students ran the entire length of the BMX track, navigating steep inclines as well as positioning themselves for the safe decent. We watched them overcome the challenges if they fell, then get back up and get to the finish line. We spent time navigating a new playground, calculating where to put their feet, pull their bodies, twist and turn. Often it took several turns to succeed, with adults around them encouraging them to have a go. The most challenging part, the walk back to school, proving to themselves that they could keep going, even when they were tired and hot! Excursions are such a valuable experience for our children, even if it just a short stroll around the local area.

Megan Loffler

Foundation Class Teacher

Friendship Garden

This term has been full of garden goodness and joyful discovery! Every class has had the

chance to taste the fruits of our labour, enjoying freshly harvested cucumbers and tomatoes straight from the garden. We’ve been blessed with six wonderful harvests of tomatoes; plenty of basil, thyme and parsely, all lovingly prepared for Mrs Fallon’s cooking adventures!

Our Tuesday lunchtime Gardening Club has been buzzing with activity. Students have been busy sowing seeds for flowers and veggies, watching with excitement as tiny sprouts begin to appear in the hothouse. There’s been plenty of fun too - digging for hidden potatoes like treasure, raking leaves, watering the wicking beds, and caring for our chickens by feeding them fresh, leafy greens grown especially for them.

A big shout-out and heartfelt thank you to Georgia de Lacy, who generously gives her time each Tuesday. Her creativity, knowledge, and willingness to serve are such a blessing to our school community.

Billie Jo Cooke 

Inclusive Education Team, Chaplain

Premier's be Active Challenge 

In it's 20th year, the Premier’s be Active Challenge is a great way for children learn about, and enjoy their physical activity.  How can your child/ren get involved: 

• Every student must have their activity recorded in the student recording booklet. These can be downloaded from Compass School Documentation or ask your child to collect one from the Front Office.
• There is an option for a 4 week, 10 week or special 20 week challenge (for 2026 only).
• Students must have their record verified by a parent, caregiver or teacher.
• Pass on the completed Student Record to the Front Office by late Term 3.
• Receive an award in late November.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

Brett Middleton

Campus Sports Coordinator & Pilgrim Wellbeing Coordinator

Premier's Reading Challenge 

The Premier's Reading Challenge for 2026 is underway. All Pilgrim students are encouraged to participate in this year’s challenge! 

What do I need to do? 

To complete the Premier’s Reading Challenge students need to read 12 eligible books including e-books, audio books, class or shared reading, non-fiction books, books read as research for assignments or books in another language. Students in Foundation to Year 6 must read 8 books from the Premier’s Reading Challenge Booklist and 4 personal choice books between now and 4th September 2026. 

Every student will need to submit a completed Student Reading Record supplied to your child last week. Spare records are available from Mrs Chesterfield or your class teacher. 

Where do I find books from the list? 

For a full list of books or to download a spare student record see the following link Premiers Reading Challenge on Compass.   

Look for the coloured stickers in the Campus Library or your local public library. 

What if my child is still learning to read? 

Students may read books, listen to audio books or have someone read a book to them. This includes reading books to your child in languages other than English. If you need help completing the form or checking which books are on the list, please see your child’s class teacher. 

This year we are offering a prize to the first class to return all their completed forms. As each child returns their completed student record they will write their name on one of the book spines and add it to the bookshelf display outside Mr Harris's class. 

Happy reading! 

Yiota Chesterfield 

Premier's Reading Challenge Coordinator 

SASTA Oliphant Science Awards

The SASTA Oliphant Science Awards are held annually in August and involve many scientific disciplines and ways of presenting student understanding and discovery. The projects will be displayed during the Science Alive weekend exhibition at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds. The categories are Posters, Photography, Science Writing, Science Investigations, Games, and Models and Inventions. Students have already collected information and registration forms to discuss with parents and caregivers.

Foundation - Year 6 students can enter, both individually or groups of 2-3.

How do I take part? Once a category is decided, students work on the project in their own time at home and check in with Mr Harris for extra support and guidance. If working as a group, parents need to coordinate with each other and be available to share hosting their child’s group on weekend timeslots to be successful, or set aside time to work with their child on their individual project. The entry fee can be paid using the Qkr! app ($13 individual, $19 per group). Group payment is best arranged through a designated parent who collects the shared amounts and then pays on behalf of the group.

Why try it? It is a wonderful opportunity for students, through self-directed learning, to further develop critical and creative thinking through exploring and applying their understanding to an area of science they are curious about. It develops their science knowledge and understanding, shows their work to a broader public audience, motivates students to complete a project and work collaboratively with others if in a group (except for Posters), receive a certificate and be considered for cash prizes.

Key Dates:

Term 2

• Friday 8th May - Please return the registration form to Mr Harris via the Front Office.

• Friday 29th May - Science Writing and Inquiry online submissions due -email file (PDF or Word document) to Mr Harris for submission.

   

Term 3

• Friday 24th July -Models and Inventions report (PDF or Word document include image of entry) and risk assessment to be emailed to Mr Harris.
• Wednesday 5th August - Games, Models and Inventions, Photography, and Poster entries due to Mr Harris to deliver to the showgrounds.
• Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August - Open Day at Science Alive! Entrants will be able to access discounted tickets to this amazing event.
• Monday 10th August - Project collection by Mr Harris. Students to collect projects in Science lessons.
• Sunday 16th August - Presentation ceremony for invited winners. 

How can I find out more? Mr Harris will have copies of the category fact sheets available in Science lessons for students to collect and bring home. If you need any further information, please email: harrisa@pilgrim.sa.edu.au  and

visit https://www.oliphantscienceawards.com.au/ for everything you need to know!

Andrew Harris

Year 3/4 Class Teacher, Specialist Science Teacher