Prep News

Learning Centre Three

A Wonderful First Week in Prep 

What a big and exciting first week it has been for our Prep students! We are so proud of how bravely the children have started their school journey. There have been lots of smiles, new friendships forming, and many moments of learning as students begin to settle into their new routines and environment.

Throughout the week, students have been learning how our learning space works by practising routines such as lining up, unpacking their bags, eating snack and lunch, and moving between activities. While starting school can feel tiring and overwhelming at times, the children have shown wonderful resilience and enthusiasm as they find their feet.

👩‍🏫 Meet the Team

Our Prep team is looking forward to working closely with your children and families this year. We are a warm and supportive team who are passionate about early years learning and helping each child feel safe, confident, and valued as they begin school. We value open and ongoing communication with families and look forward to working in partnership to support a positive and successful start to the year.

📚 Literacy

Each Prep class enjoyed a different story by author Joy Cowley, which led to some very engaging hands-on learning experiences.

• Prep Blue read The Monster Party, made jelly together, and later created their own imaginative monsters using playdough.
• Prep Orange read The Hungry Giant’s Lunch and had fun making their own mini pizzas.
• Prep White read Smarty Pants and designed their own creative “smarty pants”.

These activities supported students to listen to stories, talk about characters, and express their ideas through play and creativity.

🔤 Phonics

This week, students were introduced to their first two sounds: /m/ and /s/. Each time a new sound is introduced, students will meet a new character from the story Milo’s Birthday Surprise. So far, they have met Milo Monkey and Sally Snake.

Students will begin bringing home take-home books in Term 2, once all Stage 1 sounds have been taught. More information about the Little Learners Love Literacy phonics program will be shared with families soon.

🔢 Mathematics

In Maths, students have begun learning about patterns. They explored copying simple patterns and creating their own using a variety of materials. This learning supports early mathematical thinking, problem solving, and oral language as students explain their ideas.

💛 Wellbeing

A strong focus this week has been helping students feel safe, settled, and confident at school. Students have been getting to know each other, their teachers, the school environment, and the routines of the school day. They have also begun learning about our school values, starting with respect, and what this looks like in the learning space and on the playground.

✝️ Religion

In Religion, students have been learning about what prayer looks like in our learning space. They have learnt that we begin and end each school day by sitting in a circle and sharing prayer time together and have been practising making the Sign of the Cross. Students have also enjoyed exploring and identifying symbols of the Catholic faith around our school.

📌 Reminders for Families

• Please ensure all items are clearly labelled, especially hats, jumpers, and water bottles.
• If you have not yet booked a time for your child’s assessment and meet and greet, please do so via the QR code on Dojo.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make this a positive and happy start to school for your child. We are very much looking forward to another great week of learning ahead!

Thank you for your continued support.

Prep Team: Amelia, Dasanthi, Emma, Gillian, Jamie, Natasha, Rachael, Teagan and Tina (Prep Team)