Learning and Teaching
Chess Club in Term 2
We have opened an online portal for parents, so you can now express your interest and enrol for our classes beginning Term 2. You can access this via the QR code on the digital flyer or by using this link - Naomi Crawford - Chess Mates Victoria
Literacy
What a fantastic Term 1 we’ve had! Throughout Term 1, students have settled into their new classrooms, built positive relationships and engaged enthusiastically in their literacy learning. A key focus this term has also been assessment and tracking student progress to guide teaching.
Students in Years 3 and 5 participated in the recent NAPLAN assessments, completing tasks in reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. We are proud of the calm and positive way students approached these tests and the effort they demonstrated throughout the assessment period.
Some of our Year 5 and 6 students have been working on their entries for the ‘What Matters?’ Writing competition. This is an opportunity for students to showcase their writing skills, creativity and ability to express ideas clearly.
Entries may be fiction, non-fiction, persuasive writing, poetry or prose, giving young people the freedom to express their views on any issue they care about. Students still have time to enter the writing competition, please see Isaac in 5/6 or Mrs Webb for more information.
School Holiday Fun
Keep reading and writing these holidays with these ideas:
Visit the local library
Swap books with a friend
Read a recipe and help cook something
Play a word game (Scrabble, Boggle, etc.)
Write a postcard or letter to a friend or family member
Create your own short story
Make a comic strip
In Term 2 we will commence the 2026 Premiers Reading Challenge. More information to come early next term!
Nicole Webb
St John’s Literacy Leader
Maths News
What a great term of learning at St John’s! The Teachers have been busy gathering data through various types of Maths assessments which have been carefully analysed by our teaching staff, reflecting our culture of collegiality and shared responsibility for the success of every student. Teachers are using this information to plan targeted learning sequences that cater for the diverse needs and abilities of all students, ensuring each learner is appropriately supported and challenged.
In classrooms, consistent daily review practices are embedded, helping students to consolidate and retain key knowledge and skills. The use of whiteboards and other opportunities for students to actively respond during lessons has become a regular feature of teaching and learning. Importantly, the routines and expectations around these practices have been explicitly taught, supporting students to engage confidently and effectively.
Our Leadership Team has also been actively involved in professional growth, attending the MACS Flourishing Learners Improvement Network led by Bronwyn Ryrie-Jones. Through this work, we have been exploring high-impact strategies such as increasing opportunities for student response, refining assessment cycle lengths—particularly shorter cycles—and strengthening responsive teaching practices.
These priorities continue to be a strong focus within our professional learning meetings and facilitated planning time. Together, we are committed to building our collective expertise and continuously improving outcomes for all students in Mathematics.
Strengthening number sense at home
The Victorian Mathematics Ambassadors, in partnership with the Department of Education and Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA), have created a suite of mathematics video resources to promote consistent teaching approaches between school and home.
Included in these resources are some practical, easy-to-follow videos for parents and carers of Foundation to Year 2 students, aligned with evidence-informed teaching practices to reinforce classroom learning. The videos offer clear explanations and practical demonstrations designed to boost students’ confidence, fluency and understanding.
I will continue to share these resources with you throughout Term 2.
Here is something to get you started over the holidays. It’s a great skill to practice with your pre-schoolers at home too!
Strengthening number sense at home - Introduction
If you have any questions or ideas about how we can further support your child’s Maths learning at home, please come and speak to us.
Strengthening number sense at home - One-to-one correspondence
BEBRAS
Earlier this term, 19 students from Years 3-6 participated in the main round of Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge. Bebras is a fun and engaging computational thinking challenge that involves over 2.9 million students from 60 countries.
DID YOU KNOW…???
Bebras is Lithuanian for beaver. Bebras was the name chosen by the founder of the challenge, Professor Valentina Dagiene from the University of Vilnius, in honour of the animal’s collaborative nature and strong work ethic.
Well done to our students who definitely showed a strong work ethic and persisted through the challenging tasks. They will be presented with a certificate at the assembly on Thursday.
Anna Hendy