Prep News

Learning Centre Three

We’ve had a great start to the term, with students settling in well and showingfantastic enthusiasm. There’s a lot to look forward to this term, including MulticulturalDay, the school disco, and the always-exciting Colour Run!

Phonics

Students have been demonstrating increased knowledge and understanding inrecognising sounds. Our recent focus has been on reading, writing, and spelling CCVC and CCVCC words and phrases. Students are now reading connected texts containing these words with developing fluency.

We have also introduced new Heart Words: come, love, with, then, and shop.

The books your child has read in class are also available online - just scan the QR code inside their reading journal to access a digital version. This week, your child will continue to bring home their reading journal and a new decodable book in their book bag. We encourage you to read with your child each night and return the decodable book, reading diary and bag every Thursday. A new book will be sent home each Friday. We are keeping track of the amazing reading your child has been reading and want to say a big congratulations to the following students:

75 nights: Meher, Krishav, Ella Rose, and Roselee.

100 nights: Irene, Rishaansai, Kaylen, Thomas, Alisha, Xavier, and Serah.

125 nights: Raphael, Dhaksh, Nithilan, Hartegh, Chaneli, Shriyu, Skylaa, Teo, Elias,and Sheyas.

Literacy:

Last week in Literacy we read the story ‘Wombat Stew’ by Marcia K. Vaughan about a dingo intent on making wombat stew. He receives cooking suggestions from the other animals, unaware that they are protecting their fellow creature. The students recalled the parts and sequence of a narrative and expanded a simple sentence by adding an adjective to their writing. 

This week the students are learning about dingoes and Australian animals, writing about them and learning to complete a sentence by adding “because.” Students’ independent writing has been particularly impressive,and we are seeing clear progress in their learning as the year continues.

Maths: 

In Weeks 1 and 2, students have been learning about data. They began by sorting collections of objects into two clearly distinguishable groups, such as by colour or type. They ensured the objects were lined up with equal spacing to make them easy to count. Building on this, students were then given questions and asked to collect data to answer them. 

This week, they had the opportunity to create their own yes/no questions and gather data by surveying their classmates using tally marks. Once their data was collected, they used it to complete a graph. 

Students thoroughly enjoyed this hands-on approach to data collection and loved interacting with each other to learn more about their peers’ likes and dislikes.

Religion:

Last week, students explored the important roles of mothers and grandmothers. They reflected on their characteristics, why they are special, what they do for them, and how they would describe them. The week concluded with students writing heartfelt prayers dedicated to their mothers or grandmothers.

This week, the focus shifted to learning about Mary. Students discussed how Mary is like their own mothers or grandmothers, explored her qualities, and considered how she is a mother figure to all of us. To finish the week, they created beautiful artwork inspired by Mary, which will be displayed in the learning space.

Inquiry:

This term, students will be exploring the topic of Biology, focusing on living things and their needs. Last week, they learned about the five senses and how these help us observe and understand the world around us. Students explored a range of objects connected to each sense and drew pictures of things they can touch, see, hear, smell, and taste.

This week, we introduced our focus for the term: plants and animals. Students began investigating what living things need to survive, how they grow, how to ask scientific questions, make hypotheses, and use their senses to make observations. As part of a hands-on activity, they planted seeds in clear containers and discussed the best location for growth, as well as how much water to give them. Over the term, students will observe the progress of their plants and record their findings in a Plant Journal.

Discovery Play:

This term, students will participate in a discovery play session based on our inquiry topic, biology. Each fortnight, students will have the opportunity to choose a hands-on activity based on plants or animals, such as vet pretend play, nature art, mini beast investigations and much, much more.

Special Events:

Last week, part of our school hall transformed into a book fair. Students were very excited to explore the fair and make a list of books that they would like to read. Some of these books may also be available from the Wyndham libraries for families to enjoy together.

Thank you to the grandparents and other family members who joined us this morning for Grandparents Day. It was lovely to see so many faces visiting the learning space and enjoying time together.

Thank you for your continued support.

Prep Team: Dasanthi, Emma, Gillian, Jamie, Natasha, Rachael, Sarena, Teagan and Tina