FOUNDATION

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Term 2! We hope you all enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing break. It’s been wonderful to see our Prep students return with so much energy and enthusiasm, and we’re looking forward to another exciting term of learning and growth together.

This term, we’ll be exploring a range of engaging topics across all areas of the curriculum:

Reading: We will continue with our structured five-day reading program using a classroom Big Book. This approach allows us to explore important reading concepts throughout the week, such as print awareness, punctuation, fluency, vocabulary, and story retelling. We’ll also introduce two new comprehension strategies – Making Connections and Visualising – to support deeper understanding. Students will learn additional high-frequency words (HFW) and continue developing their knowledge of letter-sound relationships.

Writing: Our writing focus will begin with narratives and text innovations. Students will keep using their Special Writing Books to write sentences based on shared classroom experiences. Later in the term, we’ll introduce recount and procedural writing. We’ll also continue to support correct letter formation and encourage students to "have a go" at spelling by stretching out words and matching sounds to letters.

Maths: Our main focus in Mathematics will be Number Sense. Students will learn to match

number names and numerals with sets of up to 20 and practise estimating quantities within this range. We’ll explore different ways to represent numbers – through pictures, words, numerals, and hands-on materials. This term, we’ll also introduce new topics including Location, Capacity, and Money.

Important Dates for Term 2

Friday 23rd May – Education Week, Open Classroom 9.00am-10.00am (All families warmly invited into the Prep classroom)
Monday 26th May – Professional Practice Day (no school for students – individual assessment appointments available)
Friday 6th June – Curriculum Day (no school for students)
Monday 9th June – King’s Birthday Public Holiday
Friday 27th June – Celebration of Learning, 9.00am–10.00am (All families warmly invited into the Prep classroom)
Last Day of Term 2 - Early Dismissal 2.30pm

We’re looking forward to another wonderful term with your children. Thank you once again for your ongoing support. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Warm regards,

Nerissa and Celia

Prep Teachers

YEAR 1 / 2's

We are excited to share our learning journey for Term 2! Here’s a snapshot of the engaging topics and activities your child will explore throughout the term.

Reading: Students will develop word-solving strategies such as segmenting and blending phonemes in CVC words and longer words found in their ‘Just Right’ books. We will also focus on comprehension strategies, including identifying the text purpose of fiction and non-fiction texts, practising retelling skills, and applying questioning techniques as we read.

Writing and Spelling - Our Writing lessons will include weekly Writer’s Notebook entries, Quick Writes, and formal retells of mentor texts. In the first half of the term, pupils will craft Narratives, incorporating iconic Australian landmarks and animals into their stories. In the second half, they will write Procedural Texts, detailing simple daily activities with ingredients lists and step-by-step methods. Additionally, we will conduct weekly Spelling Investigations, exploring spelling patterns to strengthen literacy skills.

Maths: In our Maths lessons this term, we are covering basic Data collection and presenting, Place Value, Additive Thinking, Mass and Location & Transformation. Our main Number topic focus will be Additive Thinking, where students will be learning strategies such as counting on and back from the larger number, jump strategy on number lines and split strategy where numbers are broken into their parts when adding and subtracting.

Concept Inquiry: Adventure Around Australia - Our focus this term is Adventure Around Australia, where pupils will explore the diverse landmarks, states, and natural wonders of our country. To enrich their learning, we will embark on an exciting Yarra River Cruise as part of our city excursion, allowing pupils to experience Melbourne’s sights and landscapes firsthand.

If you have any questions, please let us know!

Hayley McManus (1/2M) hayley.mcmanus@education.vic.gov.au

Vicki Hajisava (1/2H) vicki.hajisava@education.vic.gov.au

Verity Dester (1/2 DR) verity.dester@education.vic.gov.au

Marta Rodrigues (1/2 DR)

marta.rodrigues@education.vic.gov.au

YEAR 3/4's

Welcome to Term 2! Below you will find a brief overview of what students in 3/4C and 3/4P will be learning throughout the term:

Reading:

Students are developing note taking skills and strategies to identify key language to support the creation of text summaries. They are exploring the structure and features of brochures, information reports, and realistic fiction texts about Australia. Students are also developing their oral reading fluency through found poetry, choral reading and reader’s theatre.

Writing:

Students are applying their knowledge of the features of brochures and realistic fiction by creating their own texts, based on Australian geography. They are developing their voice by borrowing writing styles from Australian authors and enhancing their sentence fluency when revising their writing to improve the richness and detail of their ideas.

Mathematics:

Students are developing their statistical literacy skills through the creation and identification of different graph types. This unit connects closely with our Concept unit, which involves students reading graphs from an Atlas. Students are engaging in an in-depth unit on Additive Thinking, where they develop reliable strategies and a rich understanding about ways to solve addition and subtraction problems.

Concept: Students are taking a Trip Around Australia this term in our Concept unit. Each week, students learn about a different state or territory by reading informative texts or watching supporting videos. Students develop researching skills in this unit, and a rich understanding about the major geographical features of our country.

Social and Emotional Learning: Students are developing their social and emotional skills through our weekly lessons that are guided by Respectful Relationships. Students will be developing a strengthened understanding of strong emotions and ways to cope positively with them and learn strategies to solve problems or seek-help appropriately.

We look forward to a brilliant Term Two with all students in Year 3/4!

Thank you,

Tom Penberthy, John Carr, and Alicia Pearce

YEAR 5/6's

Dear Families & Guardians,

Welcome to Term 2. Our Year 5/6 students are engaging in exciting learning experiences across all areas of the curriculum. Here’s a snapshot of what we are focusing on this term.

Reading - Students are developing their summarising skills by identifying key ideas and determining the main idea of a text. We are also using the Cornell note-taking method to support research tasks and enhance comprehension. A major focus this term is synthesising information from multiple sources as part of our Concept Inquiry work.

Writing - Our writing focus this term is informative texts, specifically scientific reports linked to our concept investigations. Students will learn to write for different audiences and adapt their scientific reports to share with their Prep buddies in an engaging, age-appropriate way. We are also exploring sentence structure and how visual features such as timelines, diagrams, and flow charts enhance communication.

Mathematics - Students are working on identifying, measuring, and drawing angles, as well as using problem-solving strategies to find unknown angles. They are also developing multiplicative thinking, solving division problems with context-based remainders, and multiplying/dividing decimals by powers of ten. In addition, we are exploring statistics and data interpretation.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) - This term, students are identifying personal and cultural strengths, understanding the impact of words, and learning positive coping strategies. They will also develop problem-solving skills and reflect on how their actions contribute to a respectful and inclusive classroom environment.

Concept Inquiry - ‘One Health’ - Our students are investigating the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. As part of this inquiry, we are excited to collaborate with the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) to explore the question: "How healthy is my local environment?"

Learning Goals & Homework - Please keep an eye out for your child's individual Reading, Writing, and Mathematics goals on Compass. These goals align with our curriculum focus and can be incorporated into homework tasks. We encourage you to ask your child about their goals.

We look forward to an engaging and enriching Term 2.

Thank you,

Michael and Rebecca

SPECIALISTS

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The Specialists will continue to teach a wide range of subject areas this term. Listed below are the main focuses and skills your child/children will be engaging in and building on in the coming weeks.

ART

In Prep, students will be:

Learning how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use art to show connection to people, culture and Country
Noticing shapes, lines and colours around them and using these to make creative artworks like collages and drawings
Listening to music and using colour, shape and movement to show how it makes them feel, using materials like crayons, paint, string and paper.

In Grade 1/2, students will be:

Asking questions about artworks to help them think of ideas for their own art
Looking at how Australian artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, use colour, pattern, and symbols to tell stories
Using natural and recycled materials like mud, leaves, sticks and playdough to explore texture and create interesting artworks.

In Grade 3/4, students will be:

Exploring how artists use different materials and techniques to share ideas, including artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Trying out a range of tools and materials like collage and mixed media to create creative artworks
Looking at how artworks from different places and times can tell stories or share messages.

In Grade 5/6, students will be:

Learning how visual art can keep cultures strong and help share important stories, especially through the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples during Reconciliation Week
Exploring how artists use colours, patterns, symbols and materials to show who they are and where they come from
Looking at how art can teach us about history, identity and connection to Country
Creating their own artworks that reflect cultural ideas, and thinking carefully about the meaning behind their artistic choices.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

In Prep, students will be: Applying fundamental movement skills to manipulate objects and space in a range of movement situations

Using personal and social skills to engage in fair and inclusive play
Recognising the benefits of being physically active
Demonstrating personal and social skills to interact respectfully with others.

In Grade 1/2, students will be:

Investigating different ways of moving their body and manipulating objects and space, and drawing conclusions about their effectiveness. Eg, speed, direction and timing
Developing and applying rules while cooperating with others in a range of movement contexts
Applying strategies to work cooperatively when participating in physical activities
Demonstrating personal and social skills and describing strategies to develop respectful relationships.

In Grade 3/4, students will be:

Refining and applying fundamental movement skills and demonstrating movement concepts across a range of situations
Performing movement sequences using fundamental movement skills
Applying movement strategies to enhance movement outcomes
Participating in a four week basketball clinic.

In Grade 5/6, students will be:

Participating in Inter school Sports
Participate in a four week basketball clinic
Refine and modify movement skills and apply movement concepts across a range of situations
Transfer movement strategies between situations and analyse the impact on movement outcomes.

SPANISH

In Prep, students will be:

learning to produce the language with support by introducing themselves with the phrase ‘me llamo’ (my name is) and exchanging greetings according to the time of day
Creating simple sentences and responses using modelled language. For example; asking each other how they are, expressing their feelings in response to this and asking and saying their age.

In Grade 1/2, students will be:

Learning to produce the language with support by introducing themselves with the phrase ‘me llamo’ (my name is) and exchanging greetings according to the time of day
Creating simple sentences and responses using modelled language. For example; asking each other how they are, expressing their feelings in response to this and asking and saying their age
Recognising that Spanish is spoken in communities and regions around the world, comparing their home to a Hispanic City and culture.

In Grade 3/4 students will be:

Understanding how aspects of language and culture contribute to their own and others’ identity by watching a Spanish music video and analysing it
Learning to research their own Latin American music styles in groups and presenting their findings to the class
Exploring modelled language to participate in spoken and written activities
Using Spanish to initiate structured interactions amongst peers
Comparing their home towns with Hispanic cities.

In Grade 5/6, students will be:

Describing how aspects of language and culture contribute to their own and others’ identity by watching a Spanish music video and analysing it
Researching their own latin american music styles in pairs and presenting their findings to the class
Using modelled language to participate in spoken and written activities
Using Spanish to share information related to the classroom and their personal lives such as where they are from.
Comparing and contrasting their home towns with Hispanic cities.

STEM

In Prep, students will be:

Exploring and modeling planets within our solar system
Identifying the four seasons and describing the typical weather and events associated with the climate
Developing some scientific vocabulary to communicate observations, findings and ideas
Identifying and showing familiarity with digital systems and their purposes

In Grade 1/2, students will be:

Identifying a variety of celestial objects in space
Exploring the difference between climate and weather, then comparing our climate with that on Mars
Using the basic features of digital devices to create and share content for an audience.
Solving simple problems using software applications such as Scratch Jr on a digital device.

Grade 3/4, students will be:

Exploring how digital technology has advanced over time
Designing a simple user interface for coding and programming
Creating simple algorithms to solve problems in robotics and coding applications
Communicating observations, findings and ideas using scientific vocabulary and digital tools.

Grade 5/6, students will be:

Defining problems within society and suggesting ways technology could assist in finding a solution
Creating algorithms that include a complex selection of codes to solve a problem
Designing a user interface to address a specific need using digital tools
Describing examples of advances in science and technology achieved by individuals or teams in society.

Student Awards

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