Learning News 3/4

Term 1 Classroom Update 

Welcome to our first newsletter for the year.

We have had a very positive start to Term 1. Over the past few weeks, students have settled well into classroom routines and expectations. I am pleased with the way they have approached their learning — showing focus, cooperation and a willingness to do their best.

Throughout the year, we look forward to continuing to build students’ confidence and leadership through our community connections. Each fortnight, we will visit the preschool during our literacy block, where students will read and discuss stories with the younger children. This provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen oral language and leadership skills. We will also continue our visits to Richardson House across the year, maintaining our valued relationship with residents through shared stories and activities.

🌏 Geography & Creative Arts – Exploring Indonesia

This term, our learning focus is on the culture of Indonesia. Students have been exploring how places can be similar and different, while developing an understanding of the traditions, geography and artistic practices of one of Australia’s closest neighbours.

Mapping Indonesia: Students have located Indonesia in relation to Australia and examined its many islands, volcanic landscapes and tropical climate.

Wayang Kulit: In Creative Arts, students have been learning about traditional shadow puppetry known as Wayang Kulit. They have explored how light and silhouette are used to tell stories and examined the intricate designs involved in this art form.

Batik Art: Students have also explored the traditional art of batik. After learning about “resist” techniques and the importance of pattern and symmetry, they created their own repeating designs inspired by Indonesian textiles.

✏️ English – Fractured Fairy Tales

In Writing, students are working on Fractured Fairy Tales, adapting well-known stories by changing key narrative elements.

They are learning to:

• Retell a story from a different character’s perspective
• Change the setting to a new time or place
• Modify character traits and explore how this influences the plot

It has been wonderful to see their creativity and engagement with this unit.

Alongside this, students have been setting independent reading and writing goals. Using self-evaluations in literacy, they have reflected on their strengths and identified areas they would like to improve. This process encourages ownership of learning and helps students to work purposefully towards clear goals.

🔢 Mathematics – Position and Place Value

In Mathematics, students recently completed a unit on Position, where they used grid references and compass points to describe locations and pathways.

We are now focusing on Place Value, working with numbers up to five digits. Students are learning to partition, regroup and understand the value of each digit within a number.

Supporting Learning at Home

You may wish to try the following simple activities:

• Target Number Game: Use playing cards or dice to create four digits and ask your child to form the largest and smallest possible number.
• Real-World Numbers: When you see a large number (for example, on a price tag or odometer), ask:“What is the value of the 7 in this number?”
• Expanded Form Practice: For example: 4,325 = 4,000 + 300 + 20 + 5.

📚 Library Reminder

Library day is Thursday. Please ensure your child brings their library bag and any books to return.