Learning Community 1

Jane Guy - Prep

In Prep Guy in Literacy, we have been learning about fiction text features and retelling a fiction story, including the beginning, middle and end including characters, setting, the problem and solution. We have also been working on comprehension strategies so we understand what we are reading. In Numeracy we have started a new topic; making equal groups. We had a lot of fun using natural materials outside to make these groups. In Digital Technologies we have been learning to use Word, typing our name, changing the font, size, colour and highlighting. We loved seeing Davina Veenstra on Thursday, listening to her new story and sharing Zooper Doopers!

Remember our classroom doors are open to you on Friday afternoon if you would like to come in and see what your child is learning about.

Please ensure your child has a named, navy blue, wide brimmed hat for next week. If they do not have a hat they will need to play undercover.

We loved having Davina come into our Library to share her new book about Henry the Bunyip and Zooper Doopers! We then enjoyed Zooper Doopers donated by Davina. Thank you so much for coming to Bunyip Primary and inspiring us to write a fiction story of our own

Meet Our Preservice Teacher – Mrs. Tanya Nel

Dear families,

My name is Tanya, and I’m absolutely thrilled to be completing my teaching placement in your wonderful classroom with Mrs. Guy as part of my Master of Teaching degree. Getting to know your children and learning alongside them each day has been a privilege. I'm already inspired by the curiosity, community spirit, and joy that shine through in this class. 

Originally from South Africa, I speak Afrikaans at home and now live in Drouin with my husband, our two beautiful young children, and our golden retriever, Coby. I have a deep love for picture books and am especially excited to share the joy of Book Week with the students. I'm passionate about creating a classroom environment where every learner feels capable, valued, and successful, particularly when building confidence in mathematics.

Thank you for welcoming me so warmly into your school community. This placement is a wonderful opportunity to grow under the guidance of an incredible mentor and to step more fully into the rewarding work of teaching.

I am excited to be part of your children's learning journey and look forward to the many moments of growth and celebration ahead.

Warm regards, Mrs. Tanya Nel

Prep Guy Students Of The Week

Congratulations to Noah D and Roy who were recently voted in by their peers to be our Students Of The Week. Students vote each week for those students who have been showing our school values of respect, responsibility and resilience. We are so proud of you both. 

Gardening Cooking Club

This week we pulled out weeds and fed them to our chooks. We also watered our new plants which will be going into our sensory garden. Students enjoyed fresh oranges from the orange tree. We get together every Tuesday lunch time and everyone is welcome.  

Kate Stoll - Prep/ One

Our Learning 🍎

🔤 In English, students have been exploring a variety of text types, with a particular focus on identifying the differences between fiction and non-fiction texts. They’ve been learning how to recognise and compare the unique features of each, and have enjoyed reading and discussing a wide range of books across both genres. Students have been reviewing double consonant sounds such as ff, ss, ll, zz, dd, tt, and gg, as well as consonant digraphs including ck, sh, ch, tch, th, ng, ph, and wh. These important sounds are being reinforced through reading, writing, and spelling activities. Students have also been diving deeper into narrative elements, particularly characters and settings. They’ve been analysing character features and attributes, and creating their own imaginative stories by designing interesting characters and describing creative settings. This has been a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their phonics knowledge in context while developing their creative writing skills.

🔢 In Mathematics, students have been consolidating their understanding of place value, a foundational concept that helps build number sense. They’ve been learning to recognise, represent, and order numbers, exploring how numbers can be made and broken apart using tens and ones. We’ve also been revisiting key strategies for addition and subtraction, including counting on, making ten, using number lines, and simple fact recall. These skills are being practised through hands-on activities, games, and problem-solving tasks that support the development of mental computation and flexible thinking. As we move into the rest of the term, we’ve begun our unit on multiplication, division, and patterns. Students will explore equal groups, repeated addition, skip counting, sharing, and pattern recognition and creation. These concepts will run throughout the term, with other key mathematical concepts, such as measurement, time, and data, woven into our lessons.

🍃 In Integrated Studies, students have been exploring the concept of families and how life has changed over time. They’ve enjoyed learning about different family structures and discussing their own family trees, helping them make personal connections to the past. A key focus has been on using the language of "past," "present," and "future" to describe changes in family life, daily routines, and traditions. Students have shared stories and reflected on how things like hobbies, technology, toys, and homes have evolved over time. These discussions are helping students build a deeper understanding of history and how it relates to their own lives. In Auslan, students have been building their everyday vocabulary with a strong focus on school-relevant signs. They have been practising and mastering key commands and concepts such as sit, stand, toilet, quiet, wash hands, play, and line up. These signs are used daily in the classroom to support routine and inclusion, and students are developing confidence in using Auslan to communicate and follow instructions in a respectful and engaging way.

Reading Nights 📖 

Congratulations to Jackson, William, Esme and Lexi who are our current Reading Night leaders, each achieving their 175 Reading Night certificates and already reading beyond. 

We celebrate reading milestones in our classroom with a special board - each time a student progresses to a new Reading Night goal, we colour a box.

Keep up the reading, students and families! Regular and consistent reading makes a powerful impact on your child’s learning across all areas of the curriculum, as well as supporting their confidence and wellbeing.

Reading Groups 📖 

Your support during our morning Reading Groups is greatly valued and provides students with additional opportunities to practise and build confidence in their reading skills.

However, I kindly ask that if your presence causes your child to become upset, distracted, or display any behaviours that interfere with their ability to settle into the day, I respectfully request that you leave promptly. It’s important that students develop independence and confidence in their classroom routines, and extended goodbyes can make this transition more difficult for some children. Being that we are now over halfway through the year, students need to focus on separating and becoming prepared for the school day as independently as possible. Following reading groups, we begin our Morning Yarn and then move swiftly into our English block, which is one of the most content-rich parts of our day. These first two hours are critical for establishing routines and maximising learning time, so maintaining a calm and settled environment is essential for the success of all students.

Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support. 

Leo's Journey 🐆

Over the last few weeks; Ava, William,  Zoe took Leo home! We love seeing the fun adventures Leo shares with his friends each week. We love seeing and hearing about one another's turn with Leo each week!

A reminder to students and families: each Monday, we randomly draw a name from our ‘Leo Tub’ to decide who will take Leo home. As a class, we agreed this was the fairest way to ensure everyone gets a turn.

Student Achievers 🌟

Our Student Achievers over the last few weeks have been Zach, Alayha and Arlo. I am so proud of all of your efforts, both in and out of the classroom. Keep making good choices, helping others in need, focusing on your learning and following our school values of being a Respectful Wren, Responsible Ringtail and Resilient Red Kangaroo!

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If you would like to discuss anything relating to your child's learning, well-being, growth or development, please come and see me to chat or organise a time, Alternatively, you can email me at kate.stoll@education.vic.gov.au

Thank you,

Kate (Miss Stoll). Prep/ One Stoll.

Michelle Murphy - 1/2

Our Learning

We have been super busy in all areas of our learning over the last couple of weeks.

In History, we are learning about the Past and Present, and how things have changed. We asked students what year they thought the past was, and one of the answers we got was 1980!! I explained to the class, we needed to take at least another 100 years off.

We were very lucky to have Shannon (Rivah's mum) come and speak with 1/2M and Prep/1 Stoll about her Family. Rivah is part of 7 Generations. Below are some photos Shannon shared with the classes.

Digital Technologies

In Digital Technologies, we have been learning about hardware, software, programs and digital systems.  The students did a walk around the school to see what different digital systems we use in our school. We went and visited Kate, where Kate explained to the class, her computer system, the EFTPOS machine, the printer we even looked at the sound system, for how music goes at recess and lunch. The students had so many questions for Kate, and she loved sharing her answers with our class. Thanks Kate!

Reading Groups

Since the start of Term 3, we have made it a major focus as part of our Literacy Block to hold Reading Groups four mornings a week. We rotate each morning between different groups, so all students are exposed to: New vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, learning new strategies and interacting with others. One of our favourite activities has been being detectives during reading time and looking for clues.

In Literacy, we have been focusing on Nouns, Verbs, Adjectives and Adverbs in our writing.

In Numeracy, we are now focusing on a variety of  Math topics in a week. We have been learning place value, odd and even numbers, skip counting, sharing groups and how to write a division equation, and money.

Lego Masters Challenge Thursday's

On a Thursday afternoon, when some of our friends go to Glee Club, we have created our own Lego Masters Challenge.

Students are working in teams, and our current challenge is to build a house, building or structure that goes straight up. This allows for students to work together in a team, which promotes team work, problem solving, resilience and perseverance, creativity and this is also great for their fine motor skills.

Friday - Special Share Day

On Friday's we will now be having special share day, this will be replacing the daily show and tell. If your child has something special they would like to share with the class or a special story they would like to share, we will be doing this now on a Friday.

Something special could be a photo they want to tell us about, or something they have been given, they would like to share. They do not have to bring something in, just if they would like to share. 

Student Achiever Awards

Last Week's Student Achiever was Mya. Well Done Mya, you have been an Amazing helper, and you have been a good role model to your class. You have shown Respect, Responsibility and Resilience. This Week's Student Achiever is Archie. Archie, you are a good role model to the students in your class. This week, as a student achiever, you have been up front when the music is going, sitting and ready to learn. You have role modelled how to get straight to work and not be distracted by others. You have been an Amazing helper. Well Done, Archie. 🤩

Parent Teacher Interviews

If you have not yet booked your time slot, there are still availabilities for Tuesday, 12th August and Tuesday, 19th August.

Hats - Monday 11th August

Please note that from Monday, students are required to wear a hat again for recess and lunch play.

If you would like to discuss anything relating to your child's learning, well-being, growth or development, please come and see me to organise a time. Alternatively, you can email me at michelle.murphy4@education.vic.gov.au

Thank you,

Michelle (Mrs Murphy). 1/2