Teaching & Learning Update 

Dear Families,

It has been such a pleasure welcoming our students back to school. The start of the year has been calm, positive and full of smiles, and we are really proud of how well our students have settled in.

Our 2026 Teaching & Learning team is excited for the year ahead. If you see us in the yard please say hello.

I would love to share a little about what has been happening across the school in Teaching and Learning.

A Positive Start for Everyone

Our staff have had a very smooth start to the year. A big focus has been on building relationships and getting to know your children and connecting with you as families. When students feel safe, known and supported, they are ready to learn and take risks in their learning.

Start Up Programs: Getting Ready to Learn

During the first two weeks of school, all classes have been completing Start Up programs. These programs were planned together by teaching teams and are all about helping students feel confident and connected. Teachers have spent time getting to know every student, helping them feel welcome, and supporting them to understand how learning happens in their classroom. Start Up programs also help students become empowered learners, learners who ask questions, try their best and take pride in their learning.

Routines Make a Big Difference

You may hear your child talk about classroom routines such as the 4 B's (Bag, Bottle, Box and (take home) Bag. These routines are very important. They help students know what to do and what to expect each day. When routines are clear, students feel calm and safe. They don’t need to worry about what comes next, and this frees up their thinking so they can focus on learning. 

Why Are Tables in Rows?

You may have noticed that many classrooms have tables set up in rows. This is something we have planned very carefully. When students are learning new ideas, fewer distractions help them concentrate and listen. This set-up supports teachers to use clear, step-by-step teaching, also known as explicit teaching. Students can see the teacher easily, listen carefully and understand what they are learning. As learning grows, students will still have many chances to work together, talk and collaborate during the day.

Taking Pride in Our Work

Teachers have also been focusing on Bookwork Standards. This means students are learning how to present their work neatly and carefully. Taking pride in their work helps students feel confident and shows that their learning is important.

What Makes a Great Learner?

Teaching teams have been talking together about:

• What makes a great reader
• What makes a great writer
• What makes a great mathematician

These conversations help teachers plan strong learning experiences for all students.

Learning About Your Child:

Some early assessments are happening in classrooms. They help teachers understand what your child already knows and what they need next. This gives teachers a great starting point for planning learning.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to learning together.

Warm regards,

Rebecca Richards

Assistant Principal - Teaching & Learning