School of Foundations
Message from School of Foundations Head of School
The Net
Week 9, Term 4
Over the past few weeks, there has been so much to celebrate at St Luke’s. From the Creative Arts Archie Awards in honour of our St Luke’s Day celebrations….
...to students achieving Gold in the Premier’s Reading Challenge (recognising four years of committed participation)....
to the announcement of our 2026 Portfolio Leaders, joy and pride have filled our learning community. In addition, many of our SOF students have been acknowledged for their achievements through Pillar Bricks, highlighting their ongoing growth, effort and contribution.
These moments remind us just how much there is to enjoy, honour and commemorate at St Luke’s, and how proud we are of our students and their accomplishments.
SOF Portfolio Leaders Announced
Last week, we proudly announced our SOF Portfolio Leaders for 2026 — an important milestone in our renewed Student Leadership Structure. This announcement follows several weeks of preparation, where our current Year 3 students were invited to apply for one of the leadership roles that form part of our “Next Generation of Leaders” initiative.
As shared in our earlier update, students engaged in a reflective application process supported by our newly appointed Year 12 2026 Student Leaders. They considered what it means to lead with integrity, drafted persuasive texts highlighting their strengths, and articulated how they could contribute meaningfully to their chosen portfolio areas.
After carefully reading and discerning each application, we were delighted to recognise the students who have been selected to represent and lead within our SOF Portfolios next year. Their applications demonstrated thoughtfulness, creativity, and a genuine commitment to serving our community.
We congratulate our 2026 SOF Portfolio Leaders and look forward to the positive impact they will have as they guide, inspire, and collaborate with their peers throughout the year.
Roll Up to 2026
Last Wednesday, our Kindergarten to Year 5 students took part in the Roll Up to 2026 session, visiting their new learning spaces and meeting their 2026 teachers and classmates. There was a wonderful sense of joy and eagerness as students began forming new connections and preparing for an exciting year ahead.
We are pleased to share the 2026 teaching teams for Kindergarten to Year 6 below.
2025 Wrap Up
With only a short time left in the 2025 school year, our teams are busy wrapping up learning cycles, finalising end-of-year celebrations, and preparing for a smooth transition into 2026.
We thank our students, families, and staff for the ongoing partnership that continues to make St Luke’s a dynamic and supportive learning community. We look forward to finishing the year with joy, gratitude, and a shared sense of accomplishment.
Wishing all families a calm and positive end to Term 4 as we conclude the 2025 school year together.
Nicole Emerton
SOF Head of School (Acting)
Kindergarten
Term 4 Week 9
English
In Kindergarten, students have been learning how to write recounts. A recount helps children retell events in the order they happened, using time words and simple sentences. Over the past few weeks, the students have practised this skill by writing about our Geography incursion, where they explored how their actions impact the world around them. They also wrote recounts about St Luke’s Day and their weekend experiences.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, Kindergarten have been exploring teen numbers and developing a strong understanding of how these numbers are made. Students have been learning that teen numbers are “10 and some more”, and that all teen numbers begin with a 1 when written. The children have also been using hands-on materials such as unifix cubes and counters to build teen numbers, showing 10 as a full group and then adding “some more” to make numbers from 11 to 19. They have also been practising how to explain and model teen numbers using objects, drawings, and verbal reasoning.
Religion
In Religion, Kindergarten have been exploring the Catholic belief that each person is a special gift from God to the world. Through stories, discussions, and hands-on activities, students have been learning that we show we are God’s gifts by using kindness, compassion, and care in our everyday actions. To help the children understand how we can share God’s love within our community, the class learned about the wonderful work of the Ignite Food Store.
On Friday 21st of November, Kindergarten celebrated their very first St Luke’s Day. We began our day with a whole school mass, to celebrate our St Luke’s community. We then continued the day with a Talent showcase, where we saw amazing talented acts, and then we had so much in the Amusement Zone! Kindy had a fantastic day and had a lot of fun!
Stage 1
Term 4 Week 9
English
This week in Writing, we have been learning how to write and follow a procedure. The children have been amazing! They can now identify the parts of a procedure, plan their writing by thinking about the goal, materials and methods. They are able to use dot points to list the materials, order each step clearly, and use strong action verbs in their method.We love seeing their confidence grow,well done!
Mathematics
In Maths, Year 2 has been exploring the properties of two and three-dimensional objects. Students have been investigating what two-dimensional shapes can be found in three-dimensional shapes. We have been looking at the number of faces, edges and vertices each shape has. Students have also been determining the volume of three-dimensional objects.
Religion
In Religion, Stage 1 have begun exploring the liturgical season of Advent. Students are learning about the significance of Advent as a time of preparation and anticipation for the birth of Jesus. As part of this learning, classes have started setting up their prayer tables with a purple cloth, an Advent wreath and a Nativity scene to help create a reflective space during this sacred season.
Through discussions, stories and shared prayer, students are developing an understanding of the four key themes of Advent: hope, peace, joy and love and considering simple, meaningful ways they can prepare their hearts for Christmas. This hands-on experience is supporting students in recognising the importance of waiting, kindness and acts of love as we journey towards the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Others News
Stage 1 created thoughtful Christmas cards for nursing home residents, hospital patients, and staff. Students wrote kind messages, decorated their cards with care, and focused on bringing joy to people who may feel lonely during the festive season. This activity helped students learn empathy, practise kindness, and understand the importance of giving back to their community during Christmas which reflects our religion learning this term on how to be a peacemaker.
Stage 2
Term 4 Week 9
English
Over the past few weeks, Stage 2 students have been deeply engaged in learning about poetry. They have explored different types of poems, including haiku and limericks, and have learnt how poets use structure, rhythm, syllables and creative language to express ideas. Students have been reading, analysing and discussing poems, then using these skills to create their own original pieces. As part of their Poetry Assessment, students experimented with imaginative word choices, descriptive detail and clear structure to show what they’ve learnt. We are proud of how confidently they are beginning to share their poems, reflect on their writing, and take ownership of their learning.
Science
During Science this term, Stage 2 is learning about how our Earth changes over time and investigating how this impacts humans. In week 6, students visited our school’s science labs to complete an experiment using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to erupt a volcano. Students are continuing to explore natural disasters that affect our world and how humans have developed sustainable methods and dealing with this natural disaster. They are developing an understanding of how these changes through natural processes shape the land around us over time and how this can affect how and where people live.
Maths
In Mathematics, Stage 2 has been learning about angles. Students have explored angles in different pictures and investigated angles in the environment. Stage 2 students have been tasked with creating Santa’s workshop with various rooms, all having different requirements like an electrical workshop that only has 3 acute angles or a chocolate workshop that has 4 sides and 3 different angles. This tests not only their angle knowledge but also their shape knowledge. Stage 2 have continued to work on their Mental Maths workbooks to reinforce concepts being taught and provide repeated practice. These work books have a wide range of questions that test students problem-solving skills with focus questions and daily practice columns. Students have enjoyed the repeated practice of these skills.
Religion
In Religion, Stage 2 focused on deepening their understanding of the WITNESS pillar, exploring what it means to live the teachings of Jesus, show hope for the future, and serve others with love. Students examined the cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, fortitude, and justice, as well as the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity (love), learning how these are expressed in Scripture and woven into the Christian way of life.
They were also challenged to consider what it means to live as disciples today—embracing practices, attitudes, and choices that reflect a genuine call to holiness.
