Terrific 2 

Term 4 Week 2 2025 

Dear Parents, Carers, and Students, 

 Welcome back! We hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break and is ready for an exciting and busy Term 4. We have lots of great learning experiences and special events coming up over the next few weeks! 

What have we been up to? 

In Literacy

We’ve jumped straight into our new writing focus for Term 4, Adventure Narratives! Students are exploring what makes a great adventure story by focusing on strong characters, exciting settings, and clear story structures. This week, we are planning and drafting our own adventure stories with plenty of imagination and creativity. We have also started a new Novel Study on Fantastic Mr. Fox by Ronald Dahl. Students will be reading the book in class and discussing key themes, characters and vocabulary as we go. 

📽️ At the end of the term, we plan to celebrate by watching the Fantastic Mr. Fox film (rated PG). Please ensure you return the permission form so your child can take part.

 👉 Readers and spelling words have been sent home this week. Please ensure students are reading every night and completing spelling words! Don’t forget to fill in your reading diaries! We have also sent home the novel Matilda as a reading extension; students are to keep this book for the entire term! 

The Syntax Project is a way for students to build their knowledge of how sentences work. We focus on word order, grammar, and how ideas are connected so that students can become stronger readers and writers. Through the project, students practise recognising different sentence structures, creating their own, and applying this understanding in their everyday writing. It helps them become clearer, more confident communicators.

In Phonics, we have been continuing to build our knowledge of the AR v A rule. We have also been working hard on the rules around using plurals (3rd person singular). 

In Maths

We have begun exploring fractions through hands-on activities and visual models. Students have been learning about halves, quarters, and eighths by dividing arrays and collections. This week, they’ll extend their learning by working with shapes, cutting and folding to see how fractions can be represented in different ways.

Science 

This term, our Science learning focuses on Indigenous perspectives and geography, exploring how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples understand and care for the land. Students will investigate how environments support different forms of life and how Indigenous Australians use their deep knowledge of nature to live sustainably.

Through hands-on activities, research, and discussion, students will learn about the ways plants, animals, and natural materials are used for food, medicine, and tools. They will also explore the importance of seasons and how Indigenous communities recognise and respond to changes in their environment, connecting these ideas to weather patterns and the concept of Country and Place.

This unit encourages students to see the land as a living system that provides for all living things, helping them build respect for our environment and appreciation for the wisdom of the world’s oldest living cultures.

To support this learning, our upcoming excursion to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne will give students the opportunity to participate in the Shared Country program. They’ll discover how the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung People connect to and care for the land, deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and its importance today.

Leader in Me and Respectful Relationships: 

Each student has chosen a personal academic goal focused on editing. After reviewing their writing books, students select an area to improve—such as finding mature vocab, spacing, spelling or neatness and will track their progress across the term.

Our 2A classroom WIG is focused on behaviour in specialist classes:

“By the end of Term 4, we will be able to respect people’s personal space in the classroom and in the line 80% of the time.” 

Our 2B classroom WIG is focused on minimising classroom disruption: 

 “By the end of Term 4, We will not call out during learning time, show respect when putting up our hand and show respect by waiting quietly and patiently.”

Home Readers and Spelling Words

Just a reminder: 📚 Home readers are changed every Monday. Students receive two books to practise throughout the week. Re-reading these texts supports fluency, comprehension, and confidence.

📖 Please continue to log all reading in your child’s reading diary

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child’s progress.

📅What’s Coming Up in Year 2

• Royal Botanic Gardens Excursion –  Thursday 23rd October We’re heading to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne to take part in the Shared Country program. Students will explore how the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung People connect with Country and discover how plants can be used for food, fibre, tools, and medicine. ➡️ Please ensure your child arrives at school on time as the bus will be leaving promptly at 9am, and please bring a fruit snack, lunch, and drink bottle in their bag.

   

• Grandparents’ and Special Persons’ Day – Thursday 24th October We warmly invite all grandparents and special people to visit between 2:45–3:30pm. Students will proudly share their Leadership Portfolios and show their visitors around the classroom. We look forward to celebrating this special afternoon with you all!

Important reminders:

• All students must be wearing a hat in Term 4. Please ensure your child comes to school each day with a sun-safe hat to protect them while outdoors.

• Specialist Days 
• Monday - AUSLAN, Art/Cultural Studies, PE & Music
• Wednesday - 2A Library
• Thursday - 2A & 2B Performing Arts, 2B Library 

Thank you for your support,

Kayla Mugford,  Hannah Jackson & Sam Downs

Here are some photo highlights