Prep
Welcome
Welcome to Term Three.
This term, the Preps eagerly awaited reaching their 100 days of school. It was a wonderful celebration on Thursday 31st July, highlighting their new learnings and friendships within our school community. We have an exciting term planned with many new learning opportunities throughout. We wish you all a lovely and safe term ahead. Our doors are always open to support you and your child's education journey at St Andrew’s.
Literacy
In Term 3, we will continue our daily two-hour literacy block, which is structured into two parts: one hour dedicated to Reading and one hour focused on Writing.
In Reading, students will continue to build on their letter knowledge by segmenting and blending small words. In our whole-class and small-group reading sessions, students will continue to develop their reading skills, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Each week, we share a storybook that introduces new vocabulary and provides opportunities for class discussion. We use pictures to help guide these discussions and support students in making meaning from the text.
Each child is regularly monitored to ensure they are reading texts that are appropriate for their level. This ongoing assessment allows us to tailor instruction and provide the right level of support for every learner.
In Writing, students will continue to develop their skills with a focus on correct letter formation and proper positioning on lined paper. They will be encouraged to incorporate focus vocabulary from our weekly storybooks, along with tricky words, into their written work.
A key goal this term is for students to construct simple sentences that include the essential elements of who, doing what, and where.
Students will also continue using their Handwriting books to practise forming letters correctly and maintaining an appropriate pencil grip. This regular practice supports their fine motor development and reinforces correct writing habits.
Religious Education
In Religious Education, we start our term by learning about Jesus’ grandparents, Anne and Joachim. This ties in with our Grandparents Day on Friday, 25th July.
We learn about compassion and fairness through the scripture readings of the Good Samaritan and Jesus in the Temple.
Mathematics
The Mathematics focus for Prep students is Number.
Students use manipulatives such as counters, blocks, dice, and dominoes to assist with their number development. Lessons are made up of “hands-on” activities that allow students to discuss, share, and reflect on their new learning.
Term 3 Units:
- Place Value, Counting & Addition - Combining and Partitioning to 10
- Sharing and grouping
- Measurement - Length, Mass, Capacity
Ideas for maths at home:
- Count, Count, Count!
- Count forward and backward, starting at different points. Ask your child what the number before and after is.
- Ask your child to make a certain number as fast as they can using their fingers.
- Going shopping? Get your children to count out the fruits and vegetables as they go into the bag. Going for a walk? Count the steps from one house to another. Notice the house numbers; guess what the next number would be. Setting the table? How many people?
- Compare the size of the two piles. Which one is bigger? Which one is smaller? Why? Are you sure? How do you know?
- How tall are you? Measure your child using a string, blocks, etc. Do it every week and see how your child grows! Compare the length or how many you need -see if they get bigger!
- Involve your child in cooking. Your child can help stir, pour, fill and mix. Get your children to count and measure. How many knives and forks? Do the amounts match?
Inquiry Learning
Our Term 3 Inquiry unit is titled “Little Historians, Big Stories “. Our learning focus will be on History, in particular, our own family history. We will explore who makes up our family, as well as certain events or people from the past.
Positive Behaviour for Learning
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is a whole-school organisational framework for supporting behaviour and creating safe and positive learning environments.
The Preps are learning to become responsible learners by independently unpacking their bags as they enter the classroom in preparation for the day ahead. They demonstrate being responsible learners by helping to keep our areas clean and safe, both in the classroom and outside the classroom.
The Preps have been learning about allowing others a chance to learn by respectfully raising their hands, listening to the speaker and following directions. They are developing skills to keep their hands and feet to themselves to respect others' personal space.
They are also learning to be resilient learners, always having a go and taking ownership of their feelings. They are developing skills to help them assess if a problem is a small problem that they or their friends can solve, or whether it is a bigger problem that needs a teacher's assistance. They are developing language to assist in communicating with others when they need help.
Classroom Organisation
Every week, the Prep students will attend the following Specialist programs. These lessons will take place on Mondaysand Tuesdays
Please remind your child to wear their sports uniform and runners on the appropriate day.
Specialist Teachers and Timetable
Italian – Signora White
P.E. – MissPuetz
Music - Mrs Cooper
Art - Mrs Santoro
Prep M
Monday - Italian and Performing Arts
Tuesday - Art and PE
Wednesday - Library
Prep R
Monday - Italian and P.E.
Tuesday - Performing Arts and Art
Wednesday - Library
Prep S
Monday - Performing Arts and Art
Tuesday - Italian and P.E.
Wednesday - Library
Library
Students must return their library books on a weekly cycle. For example, all Preps borrow on Wednesday and return their books by the following Wednesday.
Take-home books - pouches
Every Monday, your child will take home decodable books that support the learning that is happening in the classroom. These books are to be read multiple times throughout the week to help develop your child’s letter-sound knowledge and ability to sound out words and blend them back together. By reading the books multiple times, they will also build other reading skills such as comprehension, fluency, pace and expression. These books are to be recorded in their Home Reading Diary and returned in their blue pouch on a Friday. Within the Home Reading Diary, there are additional activities for your child to complete that will be set by your child’s teacher.
School Uniform and Hat
Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly marked with your child’s name, preferably in a permanent marker.
School hats are required to be worn in Terms One and Four. During Terms Two and Three, students may wear hats if they choose.
The Winter uniform is now required to be worn during Terms Two and Three.
Meet and Greet
Please note that classrooms are open from 8:30 - 8:45 am for our Meet and Greet time. This is an important time for students to get themselves organised for their day of learning. It also gives students the opportunity to establish and maintain relationships with peers. Please ensure that you arrive during this time to give your child the best possible start each day.
Fruit Break
The Prep students will have a Fruit Break to ‘refuel’ on fruit, vegetables, yoghurt or cheese, and ‘rehydrate’ with water. Please pack something extra in your child’s lunchbox for them to eat during this time. Students who are not hungry and are well hydrated perform better in the classroom and show increased concentration.
Key Dates
Friday 25th July - Grandparents and Special Friends Day
Thursday 31st July - 100 Days of Prep
Saturday 2nd August - Working Bee
Friday 8th August - Mary Mackillop’s Feast Day mass - whole school 12 pm
Friday 15th August - School Closure Day
Wednesday 20th August - Book Week, Pyjama dress up
Monday 25th August - Prep swimming starts
Thursday 4th September - Father's Day and Special Friends Morning
Friday 5th September - School closure day
Friday 12th September - Incursion: past in your class
Monday 15th September - Parent Teacher Student interviews
Thursday 18th September - Learning Celebrations
*As dates can be subject to change, please check either the school newsletter or notifications on the Audiri App.
How to Contact Us
Fiona MacNally: fmacnally@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Rosemary Restaino: rrestaino@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Bridie Slater: bslater@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Natalie Arhontis: narhontis@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
We politely request that there is an understanding that emails will be responded to within a 48 hour time frame and within the hours of 8.00am-4.45pm.
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
Library
This term in Prep , we’re setting off on a reading adventure as we explore the shortlisted books for Book Week 2025! With this year’s theme, “Book An Adventure”, students are discovering how stories can take us on exciting journeys and teach us big ideas.
Each book we read opens up a new adventure – whether it’s travelling to imaginary lands, meeting brave and curious characters, or solving fun problems. We’ve been discussing the themes of each story, such as friendship, kindness, resilience, and imagination.
To bring the books to life, students have been engaging in:
🎨 Creative art based on story settings and characters
📚 Retelling parts of the story in their own words
🧠 Thinking about the characters – who they are, what they do, and how they change
💬 Talking and writing about the message or theme of the story
🌟 Sharing their favourite part and explaining why they liked it
L.O.T.E. Italian
Dear parents, welcome to Term Three.
Ciao a tutti,
This Term in Prep, the focus will continue to be on the introduction of the Italian language and on the development of the students’ speaking and listening skills. The students will begin the term by revising the language of greetings, colours and numbers and will continue to be exposed to new language and vocabulary through the text ‘Pinocchio.’
They will learn the Italian words for various parts of the body and will learn how to say which part of the body hurts. The students will be exposed to some common Italian expressions of surprise and will learn how to follow simple instructions and understand basic classroom language. Using modelled language, the students will create and write a special message to their father for Father’s Day.
During the lessons, the students will be participating in singing songs, playing games, reciting chants and completing varied classroom activities to reinforce and deepen their knowledge and understanding.
Le parti del corpo Espressioni
Gli occhi – eyes Mamma mia!- Oh my gosh!
Il naso –nose Ahi mi fai male!- Ouch, that hurts!
La bocca –mouth Le gambe-legs
Le mani- hands
Cordiali saluti
Signora White
Physical Education
Welcome to term three!
During this term in Physical Education, prep students will engage in a variety of fitness activities, as well as cooperative games. Students are continuing to develop their understanding of positive teamwork and how to work together in groups. We will emphasise this throughout the term through different games - as well as an introduction unit into volleyball and basketball. Prep students will be completing their swimming program this term! Starting on 25th August until 4th September (excluding Fridays), students will have a 30-minute swim lesson at Aquastar Moorabbin. We are excited for another fun term ahead!
Miss Puetz
Art
Dear Families,
Welcome back to the art room for Term 3! Although it's a shorter term, it's certainly a busy one, packed with exciting and creative projects for our young artists to enjoy.
We’ve already started the term by preparing some beautiful artwork to celebrate Grandparents Day. The students put great thought and effort into their pieces, and couldn’t wait to share them with you.
We’re also thrilled to be contributing to the Mary Poppins production at the end of the term. Each student will have the opportunity to design and decorate their very own carousel horse to be used as part of the décor – a truly magical experience!
With Father’s Day and Book Week fast approaching, we’ll be diving into themed art activities that celebrate these special occasions. Students have also been introduced to a variety of tools and materials in the art room, helping them explore new techniques and bring their creative ideas to life.
It’s going to be a colourful and fun-filled term, and we’re so excited to see what the students create!
Warm regards,
Mrs Milena Santoro
Performing Arts
Welcome back Prep families to Term 3. I’m really excited to take the preps through another term of Performing Arts. It’s great to see so many keen singers and dancers!!
This term, we’ll be focusing on rhythmic notation and how to either build it using paddle pop sticks or draw it. The preps will learn how the notation works and how you use it to write a rhythm and then play it on our percussion instruments. They’ll also learn some drumming patterns, specifically how to keep the beat and how to play a rhythm at the same time.
Students will also be starting to learn about pitched notes using both the glockenspiels and the boomwhackers. Boomwhackers (see picture below) are played by gently tapping a long tube (tuned to a specific note) on the ground gently to create an echoing noise. The preps love playing along to the boomwhacker tutorials, and we’ll learn a fun song for Father’s Day coming up in September.
The preps will also be helping me create some fun dance moves to the song Wellerman as part of an upcoming performance we hope to do in Term 4! Keep your eyes peeled for more information in due course.
Lastly, we hope you will come and see Mary Poppins Jr on either 10th or 11th of September, we’d love to see you and your preppies there!
Thanks,
Mrs Emma Cooper
Performing Arts Teacher