Year One

Dear Year One Parents and Guardians,

We are excited to share with you the wonderful learning experiences your children have been part of this week. It’s been a busy and productive time in Year 1, filled with exploration, creativity, and growth. Here’s a glimpse into what we’ve been up to:

Reading

Our young readers have been diving into the world of illustrations through our Picture Talk sessions. These discussions are designed to help students understand the importance of illustrations in storytelling. They’ve learned how pictures can convey emotions, set the scene, and provide context beyond the words. Additionally, we've explored the differences between fiction and non-fiction texts, helping students identify key characteristics of each genre and fostering a love for a wide range of literature. We’ve also focused on phonics, particularly the letter 'Y', teaching its various sounds to enhance their reading skills.

Writing

In writing, our students embarked on an imaginative journey by recounting a space flight. Each child pretended to be an astronaut, describing their adventures among the stars. This creative exercise not only improved their narrative skills but also allowed them to express their ideas vividly and enthusiastically. The children’s stories were filled with excitement and wonder, showcasing their developing ability to correctly structure and add detail to their writing.

Maths

Maths lessons have been full of excitement as well, with students learning about addition through fun and interactive methods. They explored the concept of doubling, discovering how to quickly add numbers by simply doubling them. We also introduced vertical addition, teaching them to stack numbers and add them column by column. These activities have helped build their confidence and proficiency in basic addition, setting a solid foundation for future mathematical learning.

Inquiry

In Inquiry, students used art as a medium to express their feelings. Through various art projects, they explored different emotions and how to represent them visually. This exercise not only nurtured their artistic talents but also encouraged them to think deeply about their feelings and how to communicate them effectively. The resulting artwork was both beautiful and insightful, reflecting the students’ growing emotional intelligence.

Wellbeing

Our wellbeing sessions focused on understanding trust and identifying trustworthy people in our lives. Students discussed different relationships and the qualities that make someone trustworthy. They learned to recognise and appreciate the importance of trust in building strong, healthy, relationships. These discussions have been invaluable in helping students navigate their social environments with greater confidence and understanding.

Reminders:

• Students are expected to bring their satchel to school every day filled with their take-home reading books, diary, and homework book.
• Students are expected to bring their iPad to school every day fully charged. 
• Late arrivals (8:40 am onwards) require a late pass from the office.
• If your child is absent, please ensure the reason is entered on XUNO; if you need support with this please reach out to the office staff or your classroom teacher.
• Our weekly homework has slightly changed. Please refer to SchoolBox for the updates. The Year One SchoolBox page is updated every Monday and homework is due every Friday. Students receive their spelling words in their homework books every Monday and will be tested every Friday. 

Kind regards, 

The Year One Team.