School News and Information

STAGE 1 NEWS

Welcome to Week 5, Term One!

What a fantastic start to the year it’s been! Each morning we’re greeted with bright smiles and eager faces, and it’s wonderful to see our students’ excitement shine through. The enthusiasm and energy from our Stage One Magpies and Possums have made the beginning of the term truly special. Mrs McCathie, Mrs Corcoran, Mrs Williams, and Mrs Clyde-Smith are thrilled for the year ahead, filled with exciting learning opportunities and adventures both in and beyond the classroom.

English

The 1/2 Magpies have been working incredibly hard during our writing lessons! We’ve been exploring the book A Bag and a Bird by Pamela Allen, learning how to compare the places in the story with places we’ve visited in our own lives.

Students have also been identifying how characters can invite both positive and negative responses, and they even wrote character references for their own ibises — creative birds made from plastic spoons and paper plates!

Their writing and illustrations have been outstanding. Here are some delightful examples of their imaginative work!

Maths

In Maths, the Magpies and Possums have been working super hard to become place value experts! We’ve been learning all about two- and three-digit numbers and discovering that ten ones are the same as one ten. The students have been practising skip counting by tens — sometimes starting right on a decade and sometimes off the decade — and are getting faster and more confident each week! We’ve also been reading, writing, and ordering numbers, putting them in the right order from smallest to largest (and back again!). Some of our eager mathematicians have even challenged themselves by working with numbers up to six digits! We’re so proud of everyone’s effort and the amazing progress they’re making in Maths.

HSIE

In History, the Stage 1 Magpies and Possums have been exploring our amazing world! We’ve been learning about the seven continents, the oceans, and where Australia fits on the map. Using physical and a globe, students have been discovering how people are connected to places all around the world.

Athletics

Every Monday, the Magpies and Possums have been joining Mr Stone for Athletics — and what a fantastic time we’ve been having! Students have been learning special techniques to help them improve in high jump, discus, and shot put, while also working hard to build their overall fitness. Each week, our young athletes are showing great determination, teamwork, and enthusiasm as they practise their skills and challenge themselves to go a little bit further, higher, and stronger!

We’re so excited for the next five weeks of learning and can’t wait to see all the great progress our Magpies and Possums will continue to make! If you or your child have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re always here to help and support your child’s learning journey.

Mrs McCathie & Mrs Corcoran

Armidale Running Festival and Future Fundraisers - Don't forget to register

Run for Rory: Armidale Running Festival – March 14-15

We are thrilled to invite all our students and families to join the Run for Rory event at the upcoming Armidale Running Festival, happening from March 14th to 15th. This special event is generously supporting Rory, bringing us together for a fun and meaningful cause, the Save our sons Duchenne foundation.

Race Options for Students/families:

Free 1km fun run for children under 10 years old: Perfect for our younger runners to participate in a safe and exciting race experience.
3km race for children aged 11-12 years: An opportunity for older kids to challenge themselves on a longer course, making participation accessible for more families.
The 5km New England Toyota Run is designated as ‘Running for Rory’. Join team Rory when you register.

Race bibs and event t-shirts will be available for collection on Friday, March 13, the day before the races. This will take place when you pick up your race materials. T-shirts are a great way to show your involvement and unite all participants as part of the Run for Rory community with ALL proceeds from the merchandise going straight to Rory and his family.

Trivia Night Fundraiser – March 21 at Welders Dog

Following the festival, keep the momentum going by joining us for a fun-filled Trivia Night on Saturday, March 21, hosted by The Welders Dog. This event promises a night of friendly competition, laughs, and community connection, all in support of Rory.

Ticket Information: Tickets go on sale this Friday, February 20th. Available for purchase through Rory’s official Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as the Welders Dog website. Tickets can be bought individually or as a table of 10, making it perfect for groups of friends, families, or school teams.

Thanks to generous donations from local businesses and community members, there are many exciting prizes to be won throughout the night through raffles and auction. Your participation will directly contribute to supporting Rory.

Support can also be shown by donating to the Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation itself to help raise money for awareness and a cure. Save Our Sons Duchenne Foundation.

Flyer (1).pdf