Junior Class News
Welcome to the Junior School Newsletter!
It has been a very busy and exciting term so far, and we can’t believe we are already halfway through! We are so proud of the positive way all students in the Junior School have settled into their learning routines and approached all areas of the curriculum with enthusiasm, resilience and a willingness to always try their best each day.
It has been wonderful to see students growing in confidence as they develop new skills, build friendships and support one another within our classroom community.
All students thoroughly enjoyed the recent excursion to Melbourne Zoo and were very excited to take part in the different activities throughout the day. It was wonderful to see their curiosity, enthusiasm and positive behaviour while representing our school so proudly. A highlight of the day for the Juniors was roaring at the lion and hearing the lion roar back at us!
We look forward to continuing our learning together for the rest of the term.
MATHS
In Mathematics, students have been learning about addition and subtraction and using a range of strategies to solve mathematical problems. Students have also been exploring different ways to make 10 and using part-part-whole models to develop their understanding of how numbers can be broken apart and combined in different ways. Through hands-on activities, games and problem-solving tasks, students have been building confidence with number combinations and developing their mathematical thinking.
The Junior students have also been learning about Time. The Prep students have been learning the days of the week and discussing the different activities and routines that happen on each day. They have been developing their understanding of sequencing events and using everyday language to describe time and familiar routines. The Year 1 and Year 2 students have been learning to tell the time to the hour, half hour and quarter hour.
ENGLISH
In English, the Prep students have been participating in the UFLI program, where they have been learning letter sounds and developing their understanding of how sounds and letters work together to form words. Students have been practising reading and blending words with up to four sounds and building confidence in their early reading skills. They have also been focusing on forming letters correctly, responding to literacy tasks and reading in small groups to further develop their confidence and fluency.
The Year 1 and Year 2 students have also been participating in the UFLI program and have been working on developing their phonics knowledge, reading fluency and spelling skills. Students have been practising blending and segmenting sounds, reading more complex words and applying their understanding of sounds and spelling patterns during reading and writing activities.
In Writing, the Junior students have been learning about information reports and writing factual texts focusing on an animal’s habitat, appearance and diet. The Prep students have been using their sound and letter knowledge to have a go at writing words and short sentences about animals. The Year 1 and Year 2 students have been researching their chosen animals, finding interesting facts and using these ideas to create information reports. Students have thoroughly enjoyed Writing sessions and sharing their learning and ideas with others.
RELIGION
In Religion this term, students have been learning about Jesus as a friend and exploring Bible stories that show how Jesus cared for and helped others. Students have been discussing the ways Jesus teaches us to be kind, caring and inclusive friends, while also identifying ways they can be a good friend to others in their everyday lives.
INTEGRATED
In our Biological Science unit, students have been learning about living things and exploring the external features of plants and animals. They have been learning about different animal habitats and how living things survive in places that meet their needs.
As part of their learning, students grew snow peas and watched them grow in the classroom before planting them in our garden. They explored the different parts of plants and discussed how each part helps the plant grow and survive.
Students also engaged in a celery experiment to observe how water travels up through the stem. Before beginning the experiment, they hypothesised what they thought might happen when the celery was placed in coloured water. They then observed the coloured water move through the celery over time and discussed how plants absorb and transport water to different parts of the plant.
Students have been highly engaged in their learning about animals and plants, and it has been wonderful to see their curiosity and enthusiasm throughout their activities.
SEL
In our Social Wellbeing unit, students have been learning about emotions and exploring the different things that can make people feel angry or fearful. Through class discussions and activities, students have been learning safe and respectful ways to express their feelings and manage emotions appropriately. Students have been identifying situations that may cause feelings of anger or fear and discussing positive coping strategies to help manage these emotions. They have also been practising calming strategies and exploring ways to feel calm, safe and supported in different situations.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to working with the Junior students throughout the rest of the year and supporting them as they continue to learn and grow.
