School News and Information

STAGE 1 NEWS

K/1 Magpies

It’s hard to believe we are already in Week 9! This term has been a busy and exciting one for our K/1 Magpies. The students have been working so hard in all areas of their learning and we are very proud of their efforts.

In English, we have been reading Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae. Our focus has been on using rich Tier 2 vocabulary to describe how Gerald felt and explain why he felt that way. Students enjoyed exploring different words to build stronger sentences and deepen their understanding of the story. These are their rough copies, and we are very excited to see their wonderful work when it is published!

In Maths, we’ve been learning all about fractions – halves, quarters, and even eighths! The children have enjoyed using hands-on activities to explore these concepts and apply their knowledge in different ways.

Also over the past two weeks in Maths, students have been learning about patterns. They have explored how patterns repeat, with the repetition being called the “core,” and how some patterns can grow or shrink by the same amount each step. On Tuesday, their challenge was to work out and create their own patterns using paddle pop sticks. This was a tricky task that got everyone’s “sweaty brains” working hard, and I was so impressed that no students gave up and all tried their hardest to solve the problem!

We’ve also been learning about the past and present in History and making connections to our own lives. The students have loved talking about how things have changed over time. In addition, our daily fitness and sports sessions have kept us active, helping us build teamwork and coordination skills.

Outside the classroom, the Magpies have loved taking part in so many special experiences this term. We enjoyed our gymnastic sessions, dressing up for the Book Week parade, performing confidently at assembly, joining in the Father’s Day BBQ, and participating in the UNE Science Discovery Day – just to name a few! These opportunities have given the children wonderful memories and chances to shine.

We are so proud of the way the Magpies are showing persistence, kindness, and courage in their learning. Keep encouraging your child to share their learning at home – they love showing off what they know!

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a wonderful finish to the term.

Jess Corcoran and Emma McCathie

2 Possums

What an exciting time it has been in Year 2! We are so incredibly proud of our amazing students and their wonderful performance of The Day the Crayons Quit. Every child worked so hard to learn their lines, practise their expressions, and bring their character to life. On the big day, they shone like true stars, performing with confidence in front of a packed audience! It was lovely to see so many family members in attendance at the assembly!

Alongside our performance preparations, we have also been continuing our Sustainability unit. Students created some beautiful whale artworks inspired by one of the stories we have been studying in class called The Mess We Made. These artworks sparked thoughtful conversations about looking after our oceans and protecting sea life. Our seeds are also slowly growing, and we are hoping to add them to the aeroponics tower this week now that the weather has warmed up a little!

In English, we are continuing to work on our powers of persuasion as we learn about the features of a persuasive text. The students have been experimenting with strong words, emotive language, and convincing arguments—so don’t be surprised if they try to persuade you at home too!

In Maths, we have been exploring patterns. The students have enjoyed creating patterns with colours, shapes, numbers, and even through body percussion! It has been lots of fun watching them discover how patterns exist all around us.