Prep News

Important Reminders!

All important dates and events are on our Compass Calendar, please check the calendar regularly to stay up to date!

Take-home books: Next week is the last week students will take books home to read.
Library: The library is closed for the remainder of the year. Please return all books to school.
Grade 1 Orientation: Tuesday 10th and Friday 13th of December

Learning in Action

Literacy:

We have been looking at the persuasive genre with a focus on stating our opinion and using the word ‘because’ to explain why. Students listened to a range of texts and shared their thoughts about whether they liked it or not and why. In Writing, students wrote their opinion about their favourite animal, school subject and hobby. Through word work sessions, students practised reading and writing words with four sounds, including consonant digraphs such as ‘ng’, ‘ch’ and ‘sh’. Some of the weird words we looked at included: what, too, two, into.

Preview- Preps will continue stating their opinions about topics.

Maths: As our year is coming to an end, we are revising all the Number concepts we have learnt this year. Students have had a great time engaging with hands-on materials and participating in fun addition and subtraction games, which have been a fantastic way to reinforce their mathematical skills.

Additionally, the students have refreshed their understanding of length by searching for and comparing items around the classroom that are either longer or shorter.

We have been practising our Maths Masters goals, with some of us very close to completing their current belt!

Preview - Students will continue engaging in revision activities for all the number concepts we have learnt this year.

Inquiry:

This week, our students took a deep dive into the world of waste sorting as part of our ongoing sustainability efforts! Through a hands-on learning experience, the children discovered which items belong in each bin and why it’s important to sort waste correctly.

We began by learning about the different coloured bins: red for general waste, yellow for recyclables, and green for organics. Our students were eager to understand the role each bin plays in keeping our environment clean and sustainable. We discussed the types of items that go into each bin and why proper waste disposal is crucial for the planet.

To make learning more engaging, we turned it into a fun sorting game! Each student had the chance to sort various items into the correct bins, testing their knowledge and working together as a class. It was an exciting and interactive way for them to practice making the right choices when it comes to waste.

By the end of the session, the children had a better understanding of how they can make a positive impact on the environment by sorting their waste correctly. It was a great opportunity for teamwork, problem-solving, and learning about the importance of sustainability. We’re excited to continue these lessons and see how our students apply this new knowledge in their daily lives!

WELLBEING:

Over the past few weeks, our Prep students have been making the most of their "Brain Breaks" and wellbeing sessions, enjoying a range of activities designed to promote mindfulness, creativity, and connection. These sessions have provided our young learners with valuable moments to pause, recharge, and develop essential skills for their emotional and social growth.

Meditation sessions have helped our Preps explore mindfulness, teaching them simple techniques for calming their minds and developing emotional awareness. These moments of stillness provide a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of the classroom.

But it’s not all about individual activities! Our students have also enjoyed connecting with their peers through board games. These fun sessions have encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills as the children work together to share in the joy of play.

Overall, these wellbeing initiatives are helping our Preps build stronger connections to themselves and each other while developing important life skills. We look forward to continuing these sessions in the coming weeks and watching our students grow emotionally and socially.

It sounds like the Prep students had an exciting and educational day at the zoo! Here's a revised version of your text that you might find useful:

Melbourne Zoo:

The Prep students had a fantastic time on their excursion to the zoo, where we learned all about animal features and habitats. We had the chance to get up close and personal with a tortoise, with the help of a knowledgeable zoo keeper. The students also explored the zoo's play-based learning center, where they saw skeletons, fur, and even different types of animal poo! A big thank you to all the parent helpers who joined us on the day and made it such a memorable experience.