Classroom News

Foundation Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Dear Parents/ Caregivers,

What an incredible Term 1 it has been! Our Prep students have worked so hard as they settled into their very first term of school, showing enthusiasm, resilience and a wonderful willingness to learn each day. We are so proud of all that they have achieved and the growth they have shown already. We wish all of our families a safe and happy term break, wherever you may be spending it, and look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for Term 2.

Literacy 

This fortnight in Reading, our Prep students have been busy exploring more nursery rhymes and engaging picture stories as part of our literacy learning. We enjoyed familiar rhymes such as This Little Pig Went to Market and One, Two, Buckle My Shoe, building our listening and comprehension skills through rhythm and repetition.

In Writing, students have been practising modelled sentences and dictation, strengthening their ability to hear sounds and record them in simple sentences. 

Our Picture Story work included responding to How the Kangaroos Got Their Tail, where students began constructing their own sentences about animals, such as describing their features. Students completed a Sounds-Write assessment, allowing us to track their progress in recognising and applying the sounds we have been learning.

On Monday, we sent home the High Frequency Words we have been learning this term, in their homework folders. These are a great resource to practise and help cement your child’s understanding over the holidays. It has been wonderful to see students growing in confidence as early writers and enthusiastic participants in our literacy sessions!

Numeracy

This fortnight in Mathematics, our Prep students have been exploring how to break apart and make numbers 4 and 5. Through hands-on activities and number bond work, students have been learning the different ways numbers can be split and combined, building a strong foundation for addition and subtraction.

We have practised completing number bonds for 4 and 5, helping students understand that numbers can be made in different ways (for example, 2 and 3 make 5, or 4 and 1 make 5). Students also engaged in problem-solving tasks, such as sharing stories like “some for me, some for you,” to apply their understanding in real-life contexts. Throughout our lessons, we incorporated a range of fun maths games to reinforce these concepts and build confidence.

Students also completed a subitising assessment, where they practised quickly recognising small quantities without counting. Following this, we have been reviewing and re-teaching key concepts to ensure all students feel confident and supported in their learning. It has been fantastic to see students developing their number confidence and enjoying exploring maths in a hands-on and engaging way!

HASS

In HASS this fortnight, our Prep students explored the concept of celebrations and how they are an important part of our lives. We looked at a range of celebrations from around the world, helping students understand that people celebrate in many different ways depending on their culture, traditions and families.

Students enjoyed discussing their own experiences and sharing special celebrations they take part in with their families. As a follow-up activity, they created drawings of their favourite celebrations, allowing them to make personal connections to their learning.

It has been wonderful to see students recognising both the similarities and differences in how we celebrate, and developing an appreciation for the diversity within our community.

Harmony Day

We had a wonderful time celebrating Harmony Day at school! Students came dressed in cultural clothing or wore a touch of orange, the colour that represents inclusion and respect.

Throughout the day, students participated in activities to learn about what Harmony Day is all about, celebrating diversity, belonging and respect for everyone. We explored how our school and wider community are made up of people from many different backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to share, learn from one another and recognise that everyone belongs, making our school a welcoming and inclusive place for all.

Here are some Maths and Harmony Day photos from the last fortnight: 

 Warmest regards, 

Tegan Cochrane, Renee Kociski, Ashleigh Smith and Vanessa Stimar

Foundation Teachers

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Year 1 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Dear Year 1 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the first week of Term 2. 

Important Dates to Remember:

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, and we look forward to seeing the students next term!

Kind Regards,

Year 1 Team

Caroline Morrison, Rosie Robinson, Grace Vaelioja and Alison Sparks

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Year 2 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Dear Year 2 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the next two weeks. 

Important Dates to Remember:

Wishing you all a restful Easter break with lots of lovely family time!

Kind regards, 

Daniel Lewis, Thilini Marasinghe, Zhuang Bian, Rebeca Gomes 

Year 2 Teachers

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Year 3 Curriculum Newsletter -Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Dear Year 3 Parents and Caregivers,

Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 1. What a fantastic term it has been! We are incredibly proud of our Year 3 students, who have demonstrated outstanding resilience, patience, and responsibility, particularly in their use of laptops.

We are very much looking forward to all that Term 2 will bring.

Wishing you a restful and enjoyable break!

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates for the rest of this week and into Term 2. 

Kind Regards,

Year 3 Team

Cassie, Harrison, and Lauren

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Year 4 Curriculum Newsletter -Term 1, Week 10, 2025

Dear Year 4 Parents and Caregivers,

Below is a snapshot of recent activities, alongside important dates. 

Term 2 Important Dates 

Kind Regards,

Year 4 Team

Sam Pallas, Katie Smith, Tim Maclachlan and Jessica De Angelis

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Year 5 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

As Term 1 comes to a close, we are thrilled to share all the incredible learning and achievements from our Grade 5 students! It has been a busy and rewarding term full of curiosity, growth, and creativity.

Animal Adaptations Project:

 Our class explored the fascinating world of animal adaptations this term. Students researched and presented their own “adapted creatures,” learning about structural, behavioural, and physiological adaptations. Their creativity and attention to detail were truly impressive, and it was wonderful to see them share their projects with pride.

NAPLAN:

This term, our students participated in NAPLAN assessments. They approached these tests with focus and resilience, demonstrating their growing skills in literacy and numeracy. We are proud of the effort they put in and the progress they are making.

Celebrating Hard Work:

Beyond assessments and projects, our students have shown dedication in all areas of their learning—from collaborative group work to independent tasks. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and support for one another make our classroom a positive and inspiring place.

We look forward to Term 2, with more opportunities for learning, creativity, and growth. Thank you for your continued support at home—it truly makes a difference in our students’ achievements.

Important Dates to Remember:

Science:  Students learnt about animal adaptations projects

Harmony week celebrations:

Kind Regards,

Year 5 Team

Vanessa Burke and Joshua Bretherton

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Year 6 Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1, Week 10, 2026

Term 2 is a busy and exciting term, beginning on Monday 20th April. Students will take part in a range of school and community events, including Project Rockit, the Mother’s Day Stall, a Curriculum Day and our weekly bake sale. There are several sporting opportunities such as the District Cross Country, the 3–6 Athletics Carnival, and the AFL Gala Day. Students will also be involved in the Year 6 Fundraiser (toy sale), helping to build leadership and teamwork skills. The term concludes on Friday 26th June at 2:30pm.

Year 6 Timetable 

Please note that the Year 3-6 Assembly will now be every second Wednesday afternoon. 

Our Learning Programme

Literacy:

In Reading, students will build their background knowledge of World War II before engaging with the novel A Night Divided. This powerful text follows a young girl living in East Berlin as she experiences the impact of the Berlin Wall and her family’s separation. Throughout the term, students will develop their comprehension skills by exploring themes of freedom, resilience and courage, while analysing characters, setting and historical context. Weekly fluency passages will support students in developing reading accuracy, expression and understanding across a range of nonfiction topics linked to history, science and current events.

In Writing, students will focus on developing their narrative skills through the creation of engaging and well-structured stories. They will learn to craft effective hooks, develop rich settings and characters, and use “show, don’t tell” techniques through imagery and sensory language. Students will also work on improving vocabulary choices and using dialogue purposefully to enhance their writing. Using a model text, students will explore narrative structure, plan their ideas, and progressively draft, edit and publish their own pieces. Throughout the term, literacy notebook and syntax lessons will support students in refining their sentence structure and overall writing quality, culminating in a published narrative.

In Spelling, students will explore morphology, focusing on how prefixes and roots help us understand the meaning of words. They will learn prefixes such as ex- (out or not), hyper- (over or excessive), and hypo- (under or less than), and apply these to a range of vocabulary. Students will also investigate Latin and Greek roots including spect/spec (look), quest (ask or seek), aqu (water), rid/rise (laugh), and migr (wander), building their ability to decode and comprehend unfamiliar words. Throughout the unit, students will apply their knowledge in reading and writing tasks, culminating in a morphology assessment on the morphemes studied during the term.

Numeracy:

This term in Mathematics, students will focus on key learning in fractions, decimals and problem solving. They will develop their understanding of fractions by finding equivalent fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, and applying their knowledge to addition and subtraction, including working with unlike denominators and solving word problems. Students will also explore the connection between fractions and division. In decimals, students will build skills in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals, as well as estimating solutions to check reasonableness. Additional topics include time, where students will calculate duration and interpret timetables, and the Cartesian plane, where they will plot points and create shapes. Throughout the term, students will engage in problem-solving tasks and participate in assessments to monitor their progress.

Wellbeing:

In Wellbeing, students will focus on building positive relationships, resilience and personal responsibility. Through the Respectful Relationships program, students will develop their understanding of help-seeking, including recognising when they need support, identifying trusted people, and practising effective communication. In Cyber Safety, students will explore online boundaries, consent, privacy and strategies to stay safe in digital environments. The Bounce Back program will support students in strengthening social skills such as making and maintaining friendships, managing conflict, and being respectful in both winning and losing. Through SWPBS, students will continue to develop respectful behaviours across different school settings, including classrooms, outdoor spaces and transitions, promoting a safe and inclusive school environment.

Physical Science:

Our Physical Science unit for Term 2 explores the properties and behaviours of light and energy. Students will investigate how light from a source forms shadows and can be absorbed, reflected, or refracted. They will also explore different sources of energy and how it can be used to generate electricity. Through hands-on activities with electric circuits, students will learn how energy can be transferred from one place to another and transformed into different forms, deepening their understanding of energy in everyday life.

Homework Expectations

We understand that students have busy after-school schedules with sporting and extra-curricular activities, so we do not aim to set large amounts of homework each night. However, students are expected to complete small tasks each week to help develop their time management and organisational skills. Homework will be handed out on Monday and is expected to be returned by Friday.

Homework:

Reading: nightly reading for 20 minutes. The page numbers and time read need to be recorded in the back of the student's homework book and signed by a parent/ carer.

Mental Maths: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 

These tasks should be able to be completed independently. If your child is unsure of how to answer a question, please ask them to circle it and move on. 

Essential Assessment- My Numeracy tasks or Times Tables Rockstars ( 10 minutes daily)

CAMP- Term 3 - Mount Buller Ski Camp 

Ski camp will take place from Wednesday, 5th to Friday, 7th August; more information will be provided in Term 2.

Healthy Eating/Allergies

In line with Toorak Primary School’s Healthy Eating Policy (available on the school website), we encourage students to bring healthy snacks for recess and lunch. Each day at 10 am, students will have the opportunity to enjoy a fruit or vegetable snack. We greatly appreciate your support in reinforcing these healthy choices at home. For safety and hygiene, we also ask that students not share their lunches or recess snacks.

We would like to remind all families that there are students in Year 6 who are at risk of anaphylaxis due to exposure to sesame, peanut, macadamia, pistachio, cashew, and shellfish products. For their safety, we kindly ask that you avoid sending any food containing these ingredients in your child’s lunch or snacks.

Please also take a moment to remind your child of the importance of not sharing food with classmates. While sharing is a kind gesture, it can pose a serious and potentially life-threatening risk to students with anaphylaxis. We greatly appreciate your support in helping keep all students safe.

Phones/Devices

As part of Toorak Primary School’s Mobile Phone Policy, students are required to hand in mobile devices or smart watches that receive messages and calls at the beginning of the school day (including those that can be turned on school mode). Teachers will lock these devices up securely and will return them at the end of the day. Students have been asked not to have their devices out on school grounds, both in the morning and in the afternoon. 

Laptops will be required every day. Please assist your child to ensure that their device is coming to school fully charged each day. 

Bell Times

• Start of Day: 8:55 am 
• End of Day: 3.30 pm
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At the start of each day, we will share important information and outline the day’s schedule. To ensure your child is informed and receives all notices, please make sure they arrive at school on time. Year 6 students have Specialist classes on Monday and Thursday mornings, so punctuality for these sessions is especially important.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like further information. We are very much looking forward to working with you and your children this term.

Warm regards,

James Thomas, Natasha Williams and Emma Heron.

Year 6 Teachers