Prep
Welcome
Welcome to Term Three!
This term, the Preps are eagerly awaiting their 100th day of school. We look forward to celebrating
all that they have learnt and the friendships they have made. We have an exciting term planned with
many new learning opportunities throughout. Thank you for all of your support at home!
Our Learning this Term
English
Literacy
In Term 3, we will continue our daily two-hour Literacy block, which is structured into two parts: one hour dedicated to Reading and one hour focused on Writing.
In Reading, students will continue to build on their letter knowledge by segmenting and blending small words. In our whole-class and small-group reading sessions, students will continue to develop their reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Each fortnight, we introduce a new storybook that explores interesting vocabulary and provides opportunities for class discussion. We use pictures to help guide these discussions and support students in making meaning from the text. We also do a Daily Writing Review session which enables the students to write these new vocabulary words in sentences.
Each child is regularly monitored to ensure they are reading texts that are appropriate for their level. This ongoing assessment allows us to tailor instruction and provide the right level of support for every learner.
In Writing, students will continue to develop their skills with a focus on correct letter formation and proper positioning on lined paper. They will be encouraged to incorporate focus vocabulary from our weekly storybooks, along with tricky words, into their written work.
A key goal this term is for students to construct simple sentences that include the essential elements of who, what doing and where.
The dingo (who) dashed (what doing) into the bush.(where)
Students will also continue using their Handwriting books to practise forming letters correctly and maintaining an appropriate pencil grip. This regular practice supports their fine motor development and reinforces correct writing habits.
Mathematics
An area of focus for Preps this term is Number. Students use manipulatives such as counters, blocks, dice and dominoes to assist with their number development. Lessons are made up of “hands-on” activities that allow students to discuss, share and reflect on their new learning.
Term 3 Units:
Number
- Addition and Subtraction - students will combine and partition objects to 10. They will also create number stories to match addition and subtraction.
- Sharing and Grouping- students will identify equal and not equal shares. They will also share equally between different groups and identify if there are any ‘left overs’.
Measurement
- Length, Mass, Capacity- students will use informal units to measure and compare objects in each area.
Space
- Location- students will describe the position of familiar objects in relation to other objects. They will also follow and give verbal directions to move an object to a new location.
Ideas for Maths at home:
- Count, Count, Count!
- Count forward and backward, starting at different points. Ask your child what the number before and after is.
- Ask your child to make a certain number as fast as they can using their fingers.
- While shopping, get your children to count out the fruits and vegetables as they go into the bag.
- If out for a walk, count the steps from one house to another. Notice the house numbers; guess what the next number would be.
- Compare the size of the two piles. Which one is bigger? Which one is smaller? Why? Are you sure? How do you know?
- Involve your child in cooking. Your child can help stir, pour, fill and mix. Get your children to count and measure. How many knives and forks? Do the amounts match?
Religious Education
Our Term Three Religious Education unit will focus on fairness, sharing and compassion in light of the story of Jesus. Students will interpret what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and reflect on how they could respond to the call of discipleship.
The students will engage in a variety of scripture readings and other stories that focus on compassion, fairness and sharing. They will explore how they can also show these values and be a disciple of Jesus. Students will draw ways that they can ‘live like Jesus’ and make good choices.
The Preps will learn about the ‘Golden Rule’, that Jesus taught us that loving one another, even people we don’t get along with, is really important and one way we do that is to treat others how we want to be treated.
Inquiry
Our Term 3 Inquiry unit is titled “Australia is a diverse country with special features”. Our learning focus will be on Geography. We will explore the unique features of Australia, our diverse landscapes, and native animals. Students will locate Australia on a world map and name its states and territories.
Students will recognise the First Nations land on which we are learning and understand the importance of conservation. They will investigate native animals and the diversity of Australia’s landscapes and compare and contrast Australia’s landscapes with other countries. Students will explore Australia’s famous landmarks and understand why Australia’s geographical features are so special. They will also examine various aspects of life in Australia and develop questions about what we still want to learn.
To reflect on our learning throughout the term the students will create a poster or travel brochure to highlight Australia’s unique features. The Preps will share this with you at our Learning Celebration at the end of the term.
SPECIALIST NEWS
Library News
We are looking forward to celebrating Book Week in Week 7 of this term! The 2026 Children's Book Week theme, "Symphony of Stories," celebrates the way stories bring people together, with every book adding its own unique voice to the wonderful world of reading.
Our Book Week celebrations begin the week before Book Week with a very special visit from one of Australia's much loved illustrators. On Tuesday 18 August, students in Prep to Grade 2 will have the exciting opportunity to meet Sarah Allen. During her visit, Sarah will share her journey as an illustrator, talk about the inspiration behind her stories and artwork, and give students an insight into the creative process behind her much-loved books. Students are welcome to bring a favourite book from home to have it signed by Sarah Allen. The book does not need to be one of hers—it can be any book they love.
Book Week festivities will continue throughout Week 7 with a variety of exciting literacy activities, finishing with our much-loved Book Week Parade during Friday morning assembly on 28th August. We encourage all students to begin planning a costume based on a favourite book character or story. Costumes can be simple, and even sports clothing can be used if it connects to a book.
We can't wait to celebrate the joy of reading with our students and see all of their wonderful, creative costumes!
Library lessons will incorporate:
🎨 Creative art based on story settings and characters
📚 Retelling parts of the story in their own words
🧠 Thinking about the characters – who they are, what they do, and how they change
💬 Talking and writing about the message or theme of the story
🌟 Sharing their favourite part and explaining why they liked it
We look forward to our Book Week Parade on Friday the 28th of August
Best wishes,
Mrs Milne
LOTE-Italian
Ciao a tutti e bentornati a scuola.
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Term 3.
This term in Prep, the focus will continue to be on the introduction of the Italian language and on the development of the students’ speaking and listening skills. The students will begin the term by revising the language of greetings, colours and numbers.
The students will continue to be exposed to new language and vocabulary through the text ‘Pinocchio.’ They will learn the Italian words for various parts of the body and will learn how to say which part of the body hurts.
The students will also be working on their art activity for the Art Show.
During the lessons the students will be participating in singing songs, playing games, reciting chants and completing varied classroom activities so as to reinforce their knowledge and understanding.
Le parti del corpo Espressioni
Gli occhi – eyes Ho male al dito- my finger hurts
Il naso –nose Ho mal di denti- My teeth hurt
La bocca –mouth Ho mal di testa- I have a headache
Le mani- hands Ho mal di stomaco- I have a stomach ache
Le gambe-legs Sedetevi per favore! –Sit down please!
Cordiali saluti
Signora White
Art
Welcome back to Term 3! I hope all of our Prep families enjoyed a relaxing and enjoyable holiday break.
Last term was full of colourful creativity as our Prep students explored the element of colour. They experimented with a variety of colours, learnt how colours can be mixed, and used them to create bright and imaginative artworks. It has been wonderful to watch their confidence and enthusiasm grow in the Art Room.
This term, our focus will be on the element of line. Students will discover how different types of lines—such as straight, curved, wavy and zigzag - can create movement, tell stories and even express different emotions. We are also excited to create something special for Father's Day, giving students the opportunity to make a heartfelt gift for someone special.
We are eagerly counting down to our School Art Show in September! Families are warmly invited to our Opening Night on Tuesday 1 September, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where our Prep students' wonderful artwork will be proudly displayed alongside artwork from every year level. We can't wait to celebrate the creativity and talent of all our students with our school community.
A big thank you to all of our families who have generously donated newspapers and paper towel rolls to the Art Room. Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated and help bring many of our creative projects to life. If you have any spare newspapers or paper rolls at home, we would love for you to continue sending them in throughout the term.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to another exciting and creative term in the Art Room!
Warm regards,
Milena Santoro - Art Teacher
Physical Education
Welcome to Term Three!
During this term in Physical Education, the prep students will engage in a variety of fitness activities, as well as cooperative games. Students will continue to develop their understanding of positive teamwork through structured games and in our units of AFL and basketball. They will also develop their kicking and handball skills (AFL) and their dribbling, passing and shooting skills (basketball). In addition, the students will also be participating in the swimming program which will begin on Monday 24th August.
Miss Grace Accetta
Performing Arts
Welcome back Prep families to Term 3. I’m really excited to take the preps through another term of Performing Arts. It’s great to see so many keen singers and dancers!!
At the start of this term, to celebrate NAIDOC week, students have begun learning an Acknowledgement of Country in Auslan (Australian sign language). We’ve also been learning about the Kingfisher, and how Indigenous people use stories and dances to represent this beautiful bird. Students are learning Sesere Eeye, a song and dance about a Kingfisher, from the Torres Strait Island.
Musically this term, we’ll be focusing on rhythmic notation and how to identify it using syllables in words. Students will also be learning through a game called Apple Tree, which initially focuses on keeping the beat, but throughout the term stretches to include learning pitch through hand signs, colours and notes as an introduction to reading music.
Please encourage your child to dance or sing whenever they can, including carpool karaoke, my favourite way to practice singing!
Happy performing!!
Thanks,
Mrs Emma Cooper
Performing Arts Teacher
PBL - Positive Behaviour for Learning
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school organisational framework for supporting behaviour and creating safe and positive learning environments.
The Preps are learning to become responsible learners by independently unpacking their bags as they enter the classroom in preparation for the day ahead. They demonstrate being responsible learners by helping to keep our areas clean and safe, both in the classroom and outside the classroom.
The Preps have been learning about allowing others a chance to learn by respectfully raising their hands, listening to the speaker and following directions. They are developing skills to keep their hands and feet to themselves to respect others' personal space.
They are also learning to be resilient learners, always having a go and taking ownership of their feelings. They are developing skills to help them assess if a problem is a small problem that they or their friends can solve, or whether it is a bigger problem that needs a teacher's assistance. They are developing language to assist in communicating with others when they need help.
Classroom Organisation
Every week the Prep students will attend the following Specialist programs.
Please remind your child to wear their sports uniform and runners on the appropriate day.
Specialist Teachers and Timetable
Italian – Signora White
P.E. – Miss Grace Accetta (term 3)
Performing Arts - Mrs Cooper
Art - Mrs Santoro
Library - Mrs Milne
The Specialist timetable is as follows:
Prep D
Monday: Italian and Art
Tuesday: Performing Arts
Thursday: P.E, Library (fortnightly)
Prep S
Monday: Performing Arts and Art
Tuesday: Italian, Library (fortnightly)
Thursday: P.E
Prep W
Monday: Italian and Performing Arts
Tuesday: Art, Library (fortnightly)
Thursday: P.E
*Library: Students will need to return their library books on a weekly cycle.
e.g. Prep S and Prep W borrows on a Tuesday and they will return on the following Tuesday. Prep D borrows on a Thursday and will return the following Thursday.
Take Home Reading Books and Pouches
Each week, your child will take home a decodable book that supports the learning that is happening in the classroom. These books are to be read multiple times throughout the week to help develop your child’s letter-sound knowledge and ability to sound out words and blend them back together. By reading the books multiple times, they will also build other reading skills such as comprehension, fluency, pace and expression. These books are to be recorded in their Home Reading Diary and returned in their blue pouch on your child’s Reading Day. Please ensure your child brings their reading pouch on their assigned day, as this allows time for your child to read with their teacher. Within the Home Reading Diary, there are additional activities for your child to complete that will be set by your child’s teacher.
School Uniform and Hat
Please ensure that all clothing items are clearly marked with your child’s name, preferably in permanent marker. School hats will be left at school each day. Students are required to wear a hat when the UV rating is 3 or above, so please ensure they still have their hat at school during Term 3.
Morning Routine
The school gates will be open from 8:25am. If your child is at school between 8:25-8:40am, they are to place their bag in their class line outside their classroom. Classrooms will open from 8:40am so that students can put their bags away and complete their morning routine. Once the bell rings at 8:45am, the school day will begin and we ask that all families leave the classroom at this time. Students who arrive after the bell has rung at 8:45am need to sign in at the school office. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time to give them the best possible start each day.
Brain Food Break
During the morning teaching block, the Prep students will have a Brain Food Break to ‘refuel’ on vegetables, salad, fruit, or dairy and ‘rehydrate’ with water. Please pack something extra in your child’s lunchbox for them to eat during this time. Students who are not hungry and are well-hydrated perform better in the classroom and show increased concentration. This is a friendly reminder that we encourage a nut-free environment in the school.
Key Dates
Wednesday 29th July - 100 Days of Prep
Friday 31st July - Sports Day
Wednesday 5th August - Prep D Class Mass
Saturday 8th August - Working Bee
Friday 14th August - School Closure Day
Tuesday 18th August - Sarah Allen Illustrator Visit
Wednesday 22nd August - Book Week Starts
Monday 24th August - Prep swimming starts
Friday 28th August - School Assembly Book Week Parade
Tuesday 1st - Thursday 3rd September - Art Show
Wednesday 2nd September - Prep W Class Mass
Thursday 3rd - Friday 4th September - Father's Day Stall
Wednesday 9th September - Prep S Class Mass
Monday 14th September - Parent Teacher Student Interviews
Thursday 17th September - Learning Celebrations
Friday 18th September - End of Term 3
*As dates can be subject to change, please check either the school newsletter or notifications on the Audiri App.
How to Contact Us
Karen Williams: kwilliams@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Martina Duong: mduong@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Bridie Slater: bslater@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
We politely request that there is an understanding that emails will be responded to within a 48 hour time frame and within the hours of 8.00am-4.45pm.