St James Learning and Teaching 

YEAR 2  Writing

This week, the Year 2 children have been reading ‘The Snail and the Whale’ by Julia Donaldson. During our writing session, the children wrote about where they would travel on a whale’s tail.

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to Cairns. I want to watch the Cairns Taipans play basketball. (Bailey)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to my cousin’s house to see my friend. I can play with my friend. We can play mermaids. (Matilda)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to the North Pole to visit Santa’s workshop to see the elves. I want to see the elves make toys for Christmas. (Mareen)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to the Easter Bunny’s house. I can get free chocolate and maybe the Easter bunny will have a ride on the whale too. I would climb on the whale’s tail so I can go to Tasmania so I can live there in a cosy cabin with Alessandra. (Grace)

I would climb on the whale’s tail and go anywhere cold. I hate the hot weather unless I get to go swimming. (Alessandra)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to Candyland. I would bounce on the jelly trampoline and eat it at the same time. (Issy)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to Santa’s workshop. I would ask for presents for Christmas. (Sofia)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to Bali, Vanuatu, Queensland and Hawaii. I really like Queensland because it is hot. I love Bali because it has lots of swimming pools. I haven’t been to Hawaii yet but I just want to visit it. I also want to go to Bali because it has lots of yummy lollies. I like all of them because they are relaxing and wonderful. (Mila)

I would climb on the whale’s tail and go to Disneyland. I would go on the rides and eat the yummy food. (Antonio)

I would climb on the whale’s tail and go home.  I would play with the sparkly Monster High dolls, especially Cleo. (Nadia)

I would climb on the whale’s tail to go to Hawaii Candyland.  I could be in the hot spring eating yummy lollipops dipped in sherbet. (Mary)

I would climb on the whale’s tail and go to the North Pole to visit Santa.

I would love to meet him. (Annabelle)

I would climb on the whale’s tail, to go to Bali. I love Bali!  The beach looks beautiful there and the buffet is amazing.  I would be sitting by the pool drinking a banana smoothie.

It is cool because it has a slide.  (Chloe)

Mrs Cathy Busch

Year 2 Teacher

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students are held in March each year. In 2024, the NAPLAN test window is between Wednesday 13 March and Monday 25 March. 

Below is a schedule of when the students will complete each test.

A public demonstration site is available for schools, teachers, parents/carers and students to familiarise themselves with the online tests https://nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site 

All eligible students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. Catch up tests will be available for individual students who are absent on test days up to and including Monday 25 March 2024.

Support can be arranged for students with disabilities, if the student regularly uses similar support for classroom assessment tasks.

Exemptions may be granted to students with significant intellectual disabilities and to students who have been learning English for less than one year. 

If your child is eligible for support due to disability or exemption, you should discuss this with their teacher prior to the tests. Parental consent is required before any support due to disability or exemption is granted.

Students may be withdrawn from NAPLAN by their parent or carer. This is a matter for consideration by parents and carers in consultation with the principal. If, after consultation, you decide to withdraw your child, you must sign a student withdrawal form. These forms are available at the school.

Later in the year you will receive your child’s personal NAPLAN report. The report will describe your child’s particular skills in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. 

For more information about the tests, please visit the VCAA website at: www.vcaa.vic.edu.au or the NAP website at: www.nap.edu.au.

SPORT

Beachside Swimming Carnival-On Friday 8th March we wish all students who are representing the Holt Sports District at the Beachside Swimming Carnival at the Oakleigh Recreation Centre, good luck! We are sure that it will be a wonderful experience for you all. Please remember parents are to take their children on this day. Make sure you have referred to the Operoo for further information including the event listing and what your child will need to bring on the day. Please find me once you arrive. I will be at the HOLT flag and will be handing out yellow caps to students. 

Our next major sporting event will be the St James Athletics Carnival to be held on the last Tuesday on the last day of term at Sandringham Athletics Track. An Operoo will be sent home soon with all the information you will need for the day. All students are involved in this day. There will be two carnivals. A junior which will involve the Prep-Year 2’s. And a senior carnival for Year 3-6’s. A copy of the timetable will be attached to the Operoo. 

If you are able to volunteer we would love to see you there. Please sign up via Operoo and a list of job allocations will be sent prior to the day. 

Mrs Georgia McNamara

Deputy Principal-Student Wellbeing/Sport Co-Ordinator/ Senior Physical Education Teacher

LITERACY

English as an Additional Language

As we start school there is a significant focus on our reading and writing ability. English is important, but it is also important for children to learn their parents’ language. Your child will learn English faster if you speak, read and write with them in the language you know best – your home language. 

Speaking two or more languages will make your child a better thinker and communicator, giving them advantages at school and in life.

One of the greatest privileges we can give children is the opportunity to speak a language that ties them closely to the ethnic background and cultural experiences. 

Mrs Mandi Joplin

Literacy Leader