Term 1 Highlights

Congratulations to all our wonderful Prep students on completing their first term of school! It has been fantastic to see how much the students have grown in confidence as they have settled into their new learning environments and built friendships with their peers and teachers.

The First Term

Throughout the term, students have become increasingly familiar with school routines and expectations. They are learning to organise themselves, care for their belongings and take responsibility for their learning spaces. Students have been managing their locker and tub areas and working together when packing up play equipment after recess.

We have had many conversations about classroom and playground expectations, how to stay safe at school, our interests and experiences, and how being at school makes us feel. It has been wonderful to see students building new friendships and strengthening connections with one another.

Emotions

Starting school is a big and exciting milestone, and it is normal for children to experience a range of emotions throughout the term. While many students are now feeling more settled and confident at school, there may still be days where they feel tired or need extra reassurance.

Throughout the term we have been supporting students to recognise, express and talk about their feelings. We have also been exploring strategies to help manage big emotions and support self-regulation. We will continue to build these skills with the students as the year progresses.

Transition

We would like to thank you, the parents, for your support throughout this important transition from kinder to school. Your encouragement and partnership have helped make the students’ first term such a positive experience.

Investigations

The Prep students have had a wonderful first term exploring our Investigations spaces. This term they enjoyed Little Engineers, Writers’ Den, Marvellous Mathematicians, Sea Life, Camping, the Movement Space, APS Vet and the Art Studio.

Students have also been introduced to the Reporter and Photographer roles, helping them reflect on and share their learning. Next term we will begin Focus Children, where each child will have the opportunity to share a special item with the class and work with their teacher to investigate a wondering.

Take a look at the photos below to see what the students have been creating and exploring. We already have many exciting requests for our Term 2 spaces!

Harmony Day – Sophie Beer Read Along

Students enjoyed listening to a special read-along of Kindness Makes Us Strong and You Are Fabulous As You Are by Sophie Beer. Together we explored messages of kindness, inclusion and celebrating what makes us unique. Students shared examples of kind things they have done and discussed the things that make them feel fabulous.

Dance Performance

Our students performed the ‘Bachata’ dance at the Harmony Day assembly, celebrating the diversity of our school community. They spent many of their Arts sessions learning the steps and practising together, and it was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they performed on stage!

Gardening with Anna and Sally

We have loved our gardening sessions this term. As a class we worked with Anna to plant radishes, beans, cucumber and beetroot. We also visited the Worm Hotel and created a list of what worms can and can’t eat.

In small groups with Sally, students have been busy planting and caring for different plants in our garden beds. We even planted acorns in the ground and are excited to see if they grow into a tree!

Cooking with Karen

The Preps enjoyed their first whole class cooking session. Students worked in four groups across the kitchen to prepare different dishes including fruit salad, bruschetta, fried rice lettuce cups and ants on a log. These dishes allowed students to practise their knife skills as they involved lots of chopping. After cooking, we set the table together and enjoyed sharing the food as a class.

Buddies

This term, students were introduced to their Year 5/6 buddies. They have begun getting to know each other through a few shared sessions and activities. The buddy program helps our Prep students feel welcomed and supported as they settle into school life, and we look forward to continuing to build these connections throughout the year.

Easter Bonnet Parade

The Preps were excited to show off their creativity in the Easter Bonnet Parade. Look at their fabulous hats!

We have also loved jumping this term to raise money for Jump Rope for heart! Have a great break everyone and we look forward to Term 2's highlights.

Warm Regards,

Alyssa and Ruby

Prep Team

Alyssa.Thermos@education.vic.gov.au

Ruby.Cohen@education.vic.gov.au

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