Damascus Community

Dear Families,

In Week 7, students engaged in learning across a range of curriculum areas. In Religious Education, they explored different forms of Catholic prayer, including the Rosary, music, silence and gestures, and how these help people connect with God. In English, students investigated the suffixes -ive and -ish, developed vocabulary, and strengthened their fluency and comprehension using Parrot Detective. In Writing, they explored how authors show characters’ feelings through language, punctuation, illustrations, humour and exaggeration, before planning and writing persuasive letters using clear opinions and supporting reasons. In Mathematics, students identified, continued and created increasing and decreasing number patterns by adding and subtracting ones, tens and hundreds within 1000. Through Integrated Studies and Auslan, students explored how movement, expression, voice and signs can communicate stories, ideas, culture and traditions. In SEL, students learned to identify different types of harm, recognise body warning signs, and practise safe responses such as saying no, moving away and seeking help from a trusted adult.

Thank you to all our families for the wonderful Book Week costumes and for helping make the celebrations so special. We hope you enjoy the snapshots from our fantastic Book Week festivities!

During Religious Education, we were also very fortunate to have our Grade 6 students visit and share a presentation about the Sacrament of Confirmation, helping students deepen their understanding of this important part of the Catholic faith.

Learning for the Week 8/Term 3:

Religious Education:

For Religious Education in Week 8, students will explore how the teachings and stories of Jesus encourage people to live with love, forgiveness, compassion and inclusion. They will also learn about the Rosary as a traditional Catholic prayer that helps people remember important events in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Students will continue to explore different ways Catholics pray, including through music, silence, symbols and gestures, and discuss how these practices can help people feel connected to God.

English:

For Reading in Week 8, students will focus on the suffixes -able and -ible, learning that these suffixes often mean “can or able to be.” They will practise reading, spelling and building words using these suffixes, while exploring how adding a suffix changes the meaning of a base word. Students will also develop their vocabulary through words such as comfortable, memorable, incredible and indestructible, and apply their understanding by using these words accurately in sentences.

For Writing in Week 8, students will explore The Gentle Genius of Trees by Philip Bunting. They will use the title, cover and illustrations to make predictions about the text, then revisit and revise their predictions as they discover new information. Students will also develop their understanding of photosynthesis, explaining what trees need to make their own food and what they produce. Throughout the week, students will continue to practise correct letter formation, size, spacing and handwriting, and will also create a special Father’s Day card and gift.

Mathematics:

For Mathematics in Week 8, students will continue exploring additive number patterns within 1000. They will identify, describe, continue and create patterns that increase or decrease by a constant amount, including patterns involving ones, tens and hundreds. Students will use numbers, objects and materials to investigate how patterns change, identify missing elements, and record additive patterns in tables to explain the rule being used.

Integrated Curriculum:

For Integrated Studies in Week 8, students will explore how music, dance and drama can work together to communicate ideas and tell stories. They will work collaboratively to plan and create a short performance, developing skills in sequencing, storytelling, movement, music and dramatic expression. Students will also practise listening, cooperation and shared decision-making as they combine their ideas and present their performance to an audience.

Auslan:

For AUSLAN in Week 8, students will continue developing their knowledge of Unit 6 signs through a range of interactive games and activities. They will practise recalling and using signs with increasing confidence, use visual thinking to communicate ideas, and begin creating simple 1–2 sign phrases independently or with support. Students will reinforce their learning through games such as Memory, Fish, Rob the Nest, Stand Up/Sit Down and Pick a Card, Make a Phrase, while also recognising important features of Auslan that are shared across signed languages.

Social & Emotional Learning:

For Social and Emotional Learning in Week 8, students will learn about children’s rights, including the right to feel safe, be heard and have their voice matter. They will identify trusted adults they can speak to when they have a worry, question or something important to share. Students will also explore how it can feel to talk about a concern and develop confidence in seeking support and communicating their feelings.

What you can do at home

• Read together each night and talk about the message in a story. Ask your child what the author might want the reader to think, feel or learn.

   

• Practise maths in everyday life by noticing patterns at home or outside, such as patterns in tiles, clothes, blocks, counting, or nature. Ask your child to describe what repeats or what changes.

   

• Talk and share signs together by asking your child to teach you an Auslan sign or facial expression they have learned at school. Practising together helps build confidence and communication skills.

Important Classroom Reminders:

• Fidget Toys

  We kindly ask that students do not bring fidget toys to school unless their use is a planned adjustment in consultation with Allied Health Professionals. Students who bring fidget toys without an approved adjustment will be asked to place them in their school bag for the remainder of the day to take home. We appreciate your support in encouraging your child to leave fidget toys at home.

• Spare clothes/change of clothes

  Please pack spare clothes with a pair of socks and underwear to be placed in the front zip pocket of your child's school bag in case of a toileting accident or when they get muddy during recess and play time. 

• Please ensure that you are labelling all your child's belongings.
• Please remind your child to change their reading books when they need to. 

Important Dates to Remember:

• Friday 4th September - Father's Day Morning - 8:25am - 9:30am
• Thursday 17th September - Last Day of Term 3
• Monday 5th October - First Day of Term 4

Enjoy your weekend,

The Damascus Team

Contact us @Damascus

damascus@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au  (all teachers) or