Foundation News

Over the past 2 weeks, Foundation students have been exploring shapes in math sessions. We have played shape games and explored the features of basic 2D shapes; such as circles, triangles, squares, rectangles and ovals. Once we learned what these shapes look like, we went exploring, looking for them in our school environment. Students discovered that there are shapes all around us! Our fun continued when we used pattern blocks to make different pictures and created our own creative pictures out of shapes.

GRADE 1/2 NEWS

Over the past 6 weeks, the grade 1/2 cohort have been learning about Place Value. We have enjoyed using concrete materials to understand concepts such as partitioning, regrouping, renaming and making two, three and four digit numbers.

In reading sessions, we have explored picture story books about Australia. We have read The Three Legged Kangaroo from Uluru by Michelle Worthington and Our Country Ancient Wonders by Mark Greenwood & Frané Lessac. The students have been exploring different places around Australia through illustrations and text. They have discussed the different landmarks and learnt the historical importance of each place. They have been sequencing the stories in order, finding facts stated in the book and using different vocabulary and discussing the meaning of these words.

3/4 News:

Welcome to an exciting new year of learning! We are thrilled to have your child in our class and are looking forward to all the amazing things we will achieve together. This year, we have a wide range of engaging topics planned that will help your child develop important skills and knowledge.

Here’s a brief overview of what we've be focusing on these last 6 weeks:

Mathematics: We've be exploring numbers into the tens of thousands, enhancing their understanding of place value and number operations. Additionally, we've dived into graphing and time, which will help improve both their analytical and practical math skills.
Literacy: Our reading focus right now is on persuasive texts, teaching your child how to analyze and create compelling arguments. We previously worked on recount writing, helping students express events and experiences clearly and effectively.
Social Studies: Your child is gaining a deeper understanding of our country and the neighbouring countries, fostering a sense of global awareness and appreciation for diversity.
Science: We are exploring fascinating topics like Earth and Space, sparking curiosity about our world and the universe beyond.
NAPLAN Preparation: As part of our ongoing learning, we will also be preparing for the upcoming NAPLAN assessments. This will include focused activities and strategies to ensure your child feels confident and well-prepared.

5/6 News:

The 5/6s have continued their great start to the year, with a very successful few weeks in interschool sports. Over the last two weeks, we have played against Pakenham Springs Primary School and Pakenham Primary school. The results were as follows:

- Our cricket team has been undefeated so far! Well done!

- Our tennis team won against boths schools!

- Our basketball team has won majority of their games, but have really shown how much they have improved each week.

- Our Volleyball team has also had a great last few weeks with some wins and a draw.

- Our softball team got to play their first game against Pakenham Springs, which was a

close game! They just fell short with the scores being 19-16.

In science, the students have been looking at electricity. They all loved making their own circuits, which involved them making sure their circuit was complete so the light bulb would turn on!

STUDENT LEADER NEWS

On Tuesday 4th March, our school captains, Lucas, Nithu, Jennifer and Lyla, attended a Student Leadership Conference at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in the city. We all met bright and early at 7am at Pakenham Station and caught the train in to the event. When we arrived at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, there was a big toy exhibition on so we had fun taking photos with Minions and other characters. The leadership conference was super fun and totally engaging. Primary leaders from all over Victoria learnt about being a leader, how to be a good leader, friendship and bringing ideas into their school. I know that everyone left the day with lots of ideas to take back to school. We had our lunch at Pollywoodside and enjoyed meeting student leaders from other schools.

March
10th March	Labour Day - Student free day
14th March	5/6 District Sports
24th March	Harmony Day
12-24 March	NAPLAN

April
4th April	Last Day of Term 1
21st April	Easter Monday- Student free day
22nd April	First Day of Term 2
25th April	ANZAC Day- Student free day

PHPS Calendar