School of Foundations
Infants Carnival – A Celebration of Community and Joy
We were blessed with beautiful weather for our Infants Carnival last Friday, and the day was filled with vibrant colour, smiling faces, and energetic activity. Our Kindergarten to Year 2 students enthusiastically took part in a range of rotational events, including running, jumping, and throwing.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Year 12 House Leaders and the Year 9 Sport and Fitness class for their outstanding leadership and support. Their efforts in facilitating each station helped ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all involved.
On the day, it wasn’t about who won or who was the fastest. Rather, it was a celebration of participation, encouragement, and the strong sense of community that defines our school.
Year 2 Excursion to Sydney Zoo
On Tuesday this week, our Year 2 students enjoyed an exciting and educational excursion to Sydney Zoo. They returned full of enthusiasm and eager to share stories of their adventures throughout the park—particularly their encounters with lions, reptiles, giraffes, meerkats, and the crowd favourite, the capybara!
This excursion supports the learning students are undertaking as part of their Science unit. This inquiry explores how animals change over time through their life cycles, how they may look similar or different from birth to adulthood, and what plants and animals need in order to live, grow, and thrive.
Random Acts of Kindness – Living the Good News
Further to my message in last week’s Parent Need to Knows (PNTKs), I’m thrilled to share that even more students have come forward with stories of kindness and thoughtfulness shown to them by their peers.
Our school motto, "Live the Good News," is being brought to life each day here at SOF. It’s truly heartwarming to hear of the initiatives our students are proposing—small yet powerful gestures designed to bring joy to others, both within our school community and beyond.
These moments remind us that kindness is contagious and that our young people are capable of making a meaningful impact through even the simplest of actions.
Semester 1 – Parent Student Teacher Conferences
As we approach the end of Semester 1, students are preparing to share their learning journeys with their parents during Parent Teacher Student Conferences in Week 10 of this term. These conferences will highlight key areas of growth and achievement, as well as identify goals for continued development.
Students are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to share, alongside their teachers, the learning goals they have been working towards with dedication and focus.
Further information regarding interview bookings and dates will be shared with parents shortly.
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, filled with kindness, joy, and connection.
Nicole Emerton
SOF Head of School (Acting)
The Net Kindergarten, Term 2 Week 6
English
Over the last few weeks, Kindergarten has been exploring informative texts. Informative texts are texts that tell us real information. We have been learning about kangaroos, ants and bats, and we have been learning about how to write informative texts as well.
Mathematics
Kindergarten has been learning about how to make equal groups. The students have been exploring this concept by using concrete materials such as counters, animals and fruit. The students have been working on making sure their groups are equal and are able to explain their thinking.
Religion
In Religion, Kindergarten students have been learning about appreciation—what it means to be thankful and how we can show gratitude in our daily lives. We began by thinking about the special people around us, like our family and friends, and the ways they help and care for us. Students reflected on their own day and chose something they are thankful for.
The Athletics Carnival
The Kindergarten students had so much fun participating in their first ever athletics carnival at St Luke’s. The students participated in the 50 metre sprint, jumping and throwing events. The students had a blast watching each other and cheering for their friends! We even had a dance party at the end of the carnival that was so much fun!
Science
This term the students have been exploring materials in science, and have presented what they have learnt by designing and creating a chair. This chair encouraged the students to explore what materials are strong enough to make a chair for a toy. The students had so much fun creating their chairs!
The Net Stage 1 Term 2 Week 6
English - Wizards
This term, our Year 1 students have been busy exploring the world of animals through our informative writing unit. They have been ‘building the field’ by attending masterclasses and watching factual videos, talking and gathering key information about a variety of fascinating creatures. With their chosen animal in focus, students have been drafting, editing, and refining their reports—learning how to share knowledge clearly and confidently to others. We’re excited to showcase their hard work and growing expertise at the upcoming Student-Led Conferences at the end of term.
Mathematics - Tinmen
In the last few weeks Year 2 students have been developing their skills in the areas of Data and Time.
They have learned how to collect and organise Data using tally graphs, picture graphs and Venn Diagrams. They have also learned to identify and describe trends, and interpret data to make informed decisions. Students explored how data can help us describe and understand the world around us, using real-life examples to make predictions and discuss outcomes.
In our Time unit, students practised reading and describing time on an analog clock, focusing on half past, quarter past, and quarter to the hour (e.g. quarter to 4). They also learned how to estimate and compare the durations of everyday tasks using seconds, minutes, and hours. Using reasoning and reflection, students sorted activities into time categories and explained their thinking using appropriate time language, deepening their understanding of how time is measured, experienced, and used in daily life.
Excursion - Glindas
On Tuesday, 3rd June, Year 2 were lucky enough to go on an excursion to Sydney Zoo. The students were so excited to see all of the amazing animals. They also participated in a lesson with the Zoo educators who taught them about different animals habitats and physical features.
Keep your eyes peeled for Year 1’s excursion next term…
Science
In Year 1 Science, we have been learning about how sound is made using different materials. Students are discovering how sound moves by asking questions and working with their classmates. They explore different materials to see what kinds of sounds they can make. Through this, the students learn that sound comes from vibrations and that these vibrations can change depending on how we use the materials. Students also think about how sound is used in music and stories to share knowledge. Here are some photos of students making music and exploring different sound pitches using materials in the classroom.
Stage 2
English
This term in Stage 2, students are developing their ability to compose informative texts by examining their key features and purpose. They are learning to understand the function of informative writing and how to effectively communicate factual information to an audience. While each class has explored a different focus area, students in Diagons have concentrated on researching animals.
Each student has selected an animal of interest and is gathering information from reliable sources. They are learning to organise their findings under structured subheadings such as appearance, habitat, diet, and interesting facts. Students are also being explicitly taught to incorporate key structural and language features of informative texts, including headings, labelled diagrams, and factual, subject-specific vocabulary.
Through modelled writing, the use of anchor charts, and opportunities for peer feedback, students are progressively building the skills required to craft clear, engaging, and well-organised informative reports, in line with the outcomes of the NSW English syllabus.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, Stage 2 students have been engaging in learning experiences focused on multiplicative relationships. They have been solving multiplication and division problems using a range of strategies, including known number facts, doubling, skip counting, and the use of visual representations such as drawings and concrete materials.
Students have been encouraged to extend their thinking by justifying their answers through multiple methods, promoting a deeper conceptual understanding. Reflective discussions have supported students in analysing their own strategies as well as those of their peers, fostering flexible thinking and the ability to approach problems in different ways.
Additionally, students have been participating in regular Mental Maths warm-ups, which are helping to strengthen their mental computation skills and improve their overall fluency and confidence in mathematical thinking.
Religion
Stage 2 students have had the meaningful opportunity to attend Mass in the school’s sacred space, celebrated by Father Gayan. This experience allows students to engage with the key elements of the Catholic Mass and deepen their understanding of its significance in nurturing a personal relationship with God.
Participating in Mass within the sacred space offers students a unique and reflective way to encounter God, reinforcing the spiritual dimension of their faith journey. Throughout the service, students demonstrated reverence, respect, and active participation, fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth in line with the values of our Catholic tradition.
Science
This term, Stage 2 students have been investigating various types of forces and their applications in the real world. Through hands-on experiments, students have explored concepts including gravity, air resistance, push, pull, and friction, developing a practical understanding of how these forces operate in everyday contexts.
Physical Education (Sport)
This term, Stage 2 students have been focusing on developing dodging and evading skills, which are fundamental to a variety of team sports. These skills have been practised through engaging activities such as Oztag and Stuck-in-the-Mud, allowing students to apply techniques in dynamic, game-based contexts.
Collaborative team play has also enhanced students’ ability to formulate and implement strategic approaches toward achieving shared objectives. The emphasis on outdoor learning has fostered enthusiasm for skill acquisition and cooperative play.
Additionally, Stage 2 students have benefited from the support of Year 9 mentors, who have assisted in refining existing skills and introducing new techniques during sport lessons, further enriching the learning experience.
CAPA Spotlight: Exploring Music and Drama Across the Stages!
This term in CAPA, students across the school have been diving into the exciting worlds of music and drama, developing creativity, confidence, and performance skills.
ES1 – Stepping Into StorybooksOur Early Stage 1 students are exploring the magical world of drama through the story, Room on the Broom. They are learning how to use their bodies, voices, and facial expressions to transform into different characters from the story. This imaginative work helps build empathy, communication, and creativity—all through play and performance.
Stage 1 – Budding Keyboard PlayersStage 1 students have been working hard to improve their keyboard skills. After mastering the basics, they are now learning to play familiar favourites such as Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb, and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The focus has been on building good technique—from correct hand positioning to finger control and rhythm. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they play with more fluency and expression. Be sure to ask your child to perform at home!
Silver Tinmen playing Hot Cross Buns
Stage 2 – Bringing Stories to LifeStage 2 students are diving into drama by exploring Jack and the Beanstalk. They are focusing on how to use their voices and body language to become different characters and act out a range of scenes. Students are learning how to change tone, movement, and expression to bring their roles to life, gaining valuable skills in performance and storytelling.
It’s been a vibrant and engaging term so far in CAPA, with students across all stages growing in confidence and creative expression. We look forward to sharing more of their artistic journeys as the term continues!
