School News and Information

STAGE 2 NEWS

Term 4 is flying by at a rapid rate and Stage 2 is cramming as much learning as possible into our final term for 2025! Here is a snippet of just some of the many activities and learning that has been occurring in Stage Two.

Transition

We welcomed Year 2 into our room this week as part of our transition program. They learnt about Remembrance Day and created a quilt using poppy designs. We were really impressed with the Year 3 students who ‘stepped up’ to be our stage leaders and the Year 2 children who transitioned into our stage so smoothly. What a great Stage 2 they will be next year.

Visual Art

This term in Stage 2, the students embarked on an exciting art unit all about symmetry – a concept that blends creativity and mathematics to create stunning works of art! We have explored symmetry in nature through a visit to our Nature Area. The students returned to class and then created their own symmetrical artworks. Using vibrant colours and varied shapes, the children expressed their unique creativity while learning symmetry.

English - ‘Survivors: Inspiring true stories of survival’ by Ben Hubbard

As part of reading this term, we are reading about the lives of famous survivors around the world. The children have been highly engaged in these stories, asking thoughtful questions and making insightful connections with their own lives or the real world. Once we have finished our persuasive texts, the children will write a factual story based on a real-life event.

Maths

This term, our Stage 2 students have been diving into an important maths unit focused on addition and subtraction. These foundational skills are key to building confidence and success in mathematics, and our students have been working hard to master them in a variety of fun and engaging ways. The students have been learning how to solve word problems, which helps them apply their skills to everyday situations — such as shopping, sharing, and measuring.

Science/Technology and Aeroponics

Our plants are growing very quickly in our aeroponics tower with the bean and tomato plants now in flower, fingers crossed we will be munching on fresh tomatoes and beans real soon. It was a real buzz to show Costa our aeroponics garden, which happens to be a growing method that he had never seen before!

Jane Townsend and Karen Dunham

Peaceful Kids

During Terms 3 and 4, a selected group of Stage 2 students participated in our inaugural round of the ‘Peaceful Kids’ program. The students have enjoyed being part of the program, and we hope it will have a positive impact on their lives.

‘Peaceful Kids’ is a program based on mindfulness and positive psychology designed to reduce anxiety and stress while enhancing resilience in children. It provides students with the skills, practice, and support needed to apply coping strategies that alleviate symptoms of anxiety and stress. This program aims to strengthen children’s emotional resilience, helping them better manage the everyday challenges and pressures they face.

Helen Bull

What our Year 3 and 4 students thought about the program:

I loved ‘Peaceful Kids’ because it helps me calm down.
We made glitter jars and that was really calming and fun to make.
I loved ‘Peaceful Kids’ because I loved doing all the activities and it was peaceful and fun.
‘Peaceful Kids’ showed me the best way to help myself. I loved make the bands.
I loved learning about coping strategies and I now use my coping strategies all the time.
The coping strategies helped me when I’m anxious or stressed. I liked that we did fun activities in ‘Peaceful Kids’ and they’ve helped me at home.
‘Peaceful Kids’ gave me lots of strategies and it helped me. I loved making the grass head and watering it everyday.
I loved 'Peaceful Kids' because I could do stuff we normally don't do. I helped me with my anxiety a lot. I'd do it again, everyday.
I learnt to share my feelings and no one would judge me. Mrs Bull is the best. I loved peaceful kids and I enjoyed everything.
I liked that it helped me and I use lots of the strategies everyday.
I learnt how to breath and calm down, if something is wrong and to just close my eyes and just meditate. My favourite part was the glitter jar. I make me feel like I don't have to worry as much.