Primary School
Kindergarten
Learning is well underway in Kindergarten, particularly within our PLD literacy program. The children have been busy practising their pre‑writing patterns, including side‑to‑side lines as well as tall and short strokes. We are also strengthening our fine motor muscles through cutting, gluing, sticking and other hands‑on activities that support pencil grip and control.
We are feeling very clever as we begin tuning in to the sounds in words! The students are learning to hear syllables and represent these using body beats, helping them develop strong early phonological awareness skills in a fun and engaging way.
Pre-Primary
We have had a wonderful and very busy fortnight in Pre‑Primary as the students continue to settle into school routines. We are so proud of how confidently they are approaching each new experience!
This term, we have begun learning our initial sounds, with a strong focus on the SATPIN letters over the past two weeks. The classes have enjoyed hands‑on activities, games and investigations to help them recognise and use these sounds. A highlight this week was making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday, which linked perfectly to our p sound; lots of pouring, mixing and, of course, tasting!
We have also been observing changes in the weather and noticing how these shifts affect our day. The students are becoming more aware of planning for sunshine, wind and rainy moments and discussing how our routines may change depending on the conditions.
Our All About Me inquiry is continuing with a special focus on being safe. Together, we are exploring what being safe looks like, sounds like and feels like. The students have been thoughtful and expressive as they consider ways to look after themselves and each other.
Pre‑Primary B has been especially excited to explore Lunar New Year, investigating its meaning, the traditions celebrated around the world and enjoying vibrant lion dance performances. The colours, music and movement have sparked rich discussion and imaginative play.
Year One
Students have taken home their first-ever spelling homework, and they were so excited about it! Home readers will follow next week. The class has also enjoyed visiting the Entomology Lab in the role‑play area, where they have begun exploring the external features of minibeasts by creating their first labelled scientific diagrams.
In HASS, we have continued investigating the concept of the past. The students have shared some wonderful ideas about past events, ranging from last night’s dinner to Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, even sparking a lively discussion about the age of Mickey Mouse!
Year Two
Last week was certainly eventful! Mrs Ranger delivered a mysterious letter warning us to keep an eye out for a wild creature on the loose in Albany. Not long after, we were surprised by an unexpected classroom visit, followed by strange powdery footprints and the discovery of two mystery eggs! The excitement grew when the eggs hatched and two baby dragons appeared in our classrooms. Inspired by these magical events, we are now learning how to trap a dragon and are writing our own detailed procedures, using our imaginations while developing our writing skills along the way.
Year Three
This week, we continued our investigation into collecting data by recording the variety of car makes in the staff car park, and we noticed there are some very clean cars!
In writing, students enjoyed creating imaginative narratives inspired by a picture of the Amazon rainforest, exploring the exciting adventures that might take place there.
We also investigated the celebration of Chinese New Year and designed our own colourful door signs. It was very mouth‑watering learning about the delicious foods enjoyed during the festival, including the super‑long good‑luck noodles.
It was a busy and engaging week of learning across the classroom!
Year Four
This week, students explored magnets and non‑contact forces, investigating attraction, repulsion and everyday uses through hands‑on experiments.
In Mathematics, we completed our place value unit, with students confidently reading, representing and explaining the value of digits in numbers.
In English, both classes mastered the Talk for Writing recount Journal of the Icebound Voyage, learning its structure, language features and vocabulary through retelling and rehearsal. Students are now ready to apply these skills as they plan and write their own imaginative voyage journals with increasing confidence and independence.
Year Five
This week, Year Five has left the launch pad and begun its galactic voyage of discovery. We started with a stations‑carousel activity, jumping from planet to planet to gather ideas for our end‑of‑term inquiry project.
On Thursday, students modelled the solar system using beads and string to accurately represent planetary distances. To finish the week, we created our own mnemonic strategies to help remember the eight planets, a fun way to cement new learning (and yes, we’ve now exhausted the jokes about that planet!).
It’s one small step for each child, but one giant leap for Year Five… alright, we’ll stop there.
Year Six
This week, we have split into our spelling groups and begun exploring explanation texts in writing. We are enjoying our hands‑on Mathematics program and applying our understanding through Mathspace as part of our individual learning journeys.
In Science, we are investigating all things Earth and applying our knowledge through an eight‑group experiment based on the inquiry question: How does the amount of vinegar or baking soda affect the eruption height? Students worked collaboratively to test variables, observe changes and record their results.
French Club
French Club is up and running on Tuesdays from 7.45am to 8.30am in the Languages Office in the Primary School building! Join us for a game-based session where you can revise your French, extend your skills, or discover more about the French-speaking world. Whether you would like a little extra practice, missed a class, or simply enjoy learning languages, come and give it a try. This is a drop-in club, so you can come along on days it suits you. Late arrivals are fine. Students arriving before 8.10am will need an adult to sign them in. À bientôt!
Horizons
For ALL students (not just ECC), please indicate in the diary each week if your child is attending Horizons. This helps with sorting ECC students out at the end of the day for bus, pick up or the Horizons classroom for supervision.
Upcoming Events
Week Three
- Friday 20 February, Primary School Assembly run by Year Six Leaders, in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex, 9.00am
Friday 20 February, P&F Primary School Meet & Mingle, ECC playground,
3.30pm to 5.00pm
Week Four
Friday 27 February, Assembly Year Four A, Mr Hardey, in the Multi-Purpose Sport Complex, 9.00am, all families welcome.
Week Five
- Monday 2 March, Labour Day Public Holiday (Whole School closed)
- Friday 6 March, Years Three to Six Interhouse Swimming Carnival, ALAC, 9.00am to 2.30pm (House shirts and House swim caps, please).
Have a wonderful weekend.
Ms Leah Field | Head of Primary and
Mrs Hayley Ranger | Head of Early Childhood