Learning Space News

Year 1/2

Excursion to the Movies - The Magic Faraway Tree

During Term 1, students thoroughly enjoyed exploring the group novel, The Magic Faraway Tree. They loved making connections to the characters, sharing their predictions, and eagerly discussing what they thought might happen next in the story.

At the beginning of this term, students travelled to Dandenong Reading Cinema to watch the live-action adaptation of the movie. It was exciting to see the much-loved characters come to life on the big screen! Students especially enjoyed seeing Saucepan Man, with his funny habit of muddling up what he heard, the wise Moon-Face, and the kind and gentle Silky.

After returning from the cinema, there were some wonderful discussions comparing the book to the movie. Students noticed several differences and were quick to share their opinions. Some were disappointed that the Land of Topsy-Turvy was not included in the film, while others noticed that one of the main characters, Rick, was missing. Many students shared that they wished Rick had been included, as his mischievous adventures always brought lots of laughter to the story!

Students loved this story so much that some learning spaces are now eager to read the third book in the series! 

If your child loves the adventures of the Magic Faraway Tree, please come and speak to a teacher. We would be happy to lend you a copy of the first book so you can read together and discover where the magic first began.

Cultural Language Incursion

Students participated in the 'Building Language Leaders Incursion' that was led by the Year 5/6 Mandarin Leaders. They learnt and practised some simple Mandarin game phrases, such as 'congratulations', 'your turn' and 'I won'. They also practised their counting skills from 0 to 10. 

Students played games in a small group with the Year 5/6 leaders. They excitedly played Mandarin Dominoes and had a fantastic time learning a new game to play with their friends.

Nightly Reader Reminder

All students are encouraged to read every night to help build their confidence and English skills. Reading for 10–15 minutes each day makes a big difference. 

Your child can read their take-home reader, look at the pictures and talk about the story, or listen to you read. It is also helpful to talk about the story in your home language—this supports your child’s understanding and learning. Please support your child by asking simple questions like “What is happening?” or “Who is in the story?” and by praising their efforts. 

We also encourage your child to fill in their nightly reading record after reading, with your support if needed, and to complete the sentence: “I like the book because…”. Please remember to return readers and reading records to school each day so they can be updated. Thank you for your support! 

RSPCA Incursion

Last Monday,  students enjoyed a visit from educators at RSPCA Victoria. This incursion provided an opportunity to learn about animal welfare in a fun, engaging, and age-appropriate way.

During the incursion, students participated in a short presentation and a range of interactive activities designed to build their understanding of how to care for pets responsibly. They explored what chickens as pets need to stay healthy and happy, including food, shelter, exercise, and love. They did this via an app called ‘Cheeky Chooks”, which was a highlight for many of the children.

The program also encouraged students to think about empathy and making good choices when it comes to animals. They learned how their actions can impact the wellbeing of pets and other animals in the community.

We thank RSPCA Victoria for providing such a valuable learning experience. It was wonderful to see our students so engaged and enthusiastic about being kind, responsible pet owners.

SEL

Students have been reading My Body’s Power Pack and exploring the idea of 'battery chargers' and 'drainers', the activities and events that increase or decrease their energy and readiness to learn. They have developed strategies to help 'recharge' their batteries and be prepared for learning. Students have also created their own avatars and are using a whole-class battery board as a check-in system. This learning strongly aligns with the RRRR (Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships) curriculum, as students are developing coping strategies to use when they feel overwhelmed. We have also continued our URStrong program, learning and focusing on monthly themes such as empathy and diversity. 

Inquiry

Students are exploring the concept of place through the lens of Aboriginal culture. They are learning that a place is more than just a location on a map—it is deeply connected to identity, history, and the stories of the land. Students are investigating how Aboriginal peoples understand and care for Country, and what this teaches us about respect, connection, and belonging. As part of this learning, students are also looking into the history of our school site through an Aboriginal perspective, considering who the Traditional Custodians are and how the land was used and valued long before the school was built. This inquiry is helping students develop a deeper appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Australia and the importance of honouring and respecting Aboriginal perspectives of place.