Year 1 News

From Yolanda Andrews, Year 1A teacher

Thriving with practice and determination

The Year 1 students have had a fantastic few weeks at school. From exploring fascinating Australian animals, such as the Tasmanian devil and the vibrant Galah, to collecting data and creating bar graphs, they have approached every task with enthusiasm and determination. No matter the challenge, these students are eager and ready to learn.

Wellbeing

Students have been learning about the Catastrophe Scale and exploring the difference between small problems and big problems. They have engaged in thoughtful discussions about strategies to manage minor challenges independently—such as what to do if they cannot find their glue stick—as well as recognising situations that require adult support, such as leaving a lunchbox at home or when someone is repeatedly hurting their feelings. The students particularly enjoyed contributing their ideas to our class display by adding post-it notes, demonstrating both enthusiasm and a growing understanding of problem-solving strategies.

Mathematics

We have been developing our growth mindset and exploring how our thinking influences our achievement. Students have been learning to reframe negative thoughts such as “I’m not good at Maths” into more positive and proactive statements like “If I practise my skip counting, I will improve.” We are supporting students to understand that through effort, persistence, and effective strategies, they  can overcome challenges and strengthen their skills. Our goal is for students to recognise that success in Mathematics is not a fixed trait, but something that can be developed with practice and determination.

Literacy

A key focus has been establishing our classroom libraries—and we are proud of how far they have come. The students have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the process, developing a strong sense of ownership and pride in their learning environment. It is wonderful to see the growth they have made as they transition from Prep into Year 1.

In class, we have been creating informative reports focused on Australian animals. The students have written engaging introductions and developed detailed sections on habitat, diet, and appearance. They have also produced carefully labelled diagrams, including close-up illustrations that highlight interesting features.

In Reading, students are becoming increasingly familiar with our Reading Rotations and are developing their ability to work independently in small groups. Each day, they engage in a different task, with a focus on comprehension, phonics, handwriting, and building independent reading stamina.

During Guided Reading sessions, students work closely with the teacher to demonstrate their reading skills and comprehension, while also discussing and monitoring their individual reading goals.

A friendly reminder that students are expected to change their home reader daily and complete their yellow reading logbooks independently. Class teachers will check logbooks periodically to monitor progress and celebrate achievements.

It has been wonderful to see students embracing their daily reading routines with such enthusiasm.

Thank you for joining us on your child’s learning journey so far. We look forward to sharing more exciting news with you next time.