Year 1/2

Welcome

Dear Families,

Welcome to Term Three! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break with your families. We look forward to working with your children and celebrating their achievements and progress throughout the third term.

Our Learning this Term

English

Reading - Year 1

In Term 3, we are continuing to build strong foundational literacy skills through a rich and structured literacy program. Our focus this term includes learning the difference between short and long vowel sounds, as well as how adding a Bossy 'e' can change the way a word is pronounced and its meaning - for example, from hop to hope. We will also be learning how to add suffixes such as ‘s’, ‘ed’ and ‘ing’ to base words to change their tense or meaning.

As part of our InitiaLit reading program, students will continue learning about digraphs such as th, oo, ai, and ay. These important letter combinations help students decode and spell more complex words like there, school, train, and play. We’re teaching students how to recognise and use the correct digraphs in different contexts.

In addition, new Tricky Words will be introduced throughout the term. These high-frequency words don’t always follow standard spelling rules, so regular practice helps students develop greater reading fluency and vocabulary.

Reading - Year 2 

This term, we are continuing to strengthen students’ literacy skills through a rich, structured literacy program. Our focus includes spelling, comprehension & fluency and grammar. 

As part of our spelling reading program, students will be learning about spelling choices such as ai, ay, and a_e to create the long vowel sound for a. These important letter combinations support students in decoding and spelling more complex words like rain, play, and place. We are helping students identify and apply the appropriate letters/graphs in different contexts.

During our comprehension and fluency lessons, we are learning about different types of texts and their features. For example, locating the headings, subheadings, maps or text boxes in informational texts. 

In our grammar lessons, we are learning the difference between a proper noun and a common noun. While also learning to use a capital letter for proper nouns.

In addition, students will be introduced to new Tricky Words throughout the term. These high-frequency words often don’t follow regular spelling rules, so consistent exposure and practice will support students in building reading fluency and expanding their vocabulary.

Writing

Our Writing focus for Year 1s and 2s in Term 3 is Narratives. Students will explore what makes a great story - interesting characters, a descriptive setting, a captivating problem, and a creative solution. Each week, students will plan one narrative element each day and then use their ideas to write a complete story on Fridays. This process supports students to build structure, detail and creativity in their writing.

Take-Home Reading

Take-home books continue to go home weekly. Please ensure your child’s Kluwell Reading Log is filled in each night after reading. Nightly reading plays a vital role in literacy development and has many benefits, including improving listening skills, spelling, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and overall confidence.

Parent Helpers

We look forward to welcoming Parent Helpers into the classrooms. Please ensure that you have a current Working with Children Check, as this is a legal requirement. If you are interested in assisting in the classroom, please contact your child's teacher. 

Mathematics

Topics covered throughout Term Three are as follows:

Weeks 1-2 Shape

Students were learning to make, compare and classify familiar shapes.  They also recognised familiar shapes and objects in the environment, identifying the similarities and differences between them.

Students recognised, compared and classified shapes, identifying the number of sides and used terms such as ‘opposite’, ‘parallel’, ‘curved’ and ‘straight’ to describe their features.

Weeks 3-6 Multiplication and Division

Students have been learning to share items equally into a given number of groups.  They will then create arrays and describe their visual representation using the statement: — groups of — makes —. 

Students will then investigate repeated addition and record a number sentence that represents their array.

Weeks 7 & 9 - Time

Students will learn to sequence events over weeks, months and years. They will also compare familiar events based on their duration. Students will also investigate the features of an analog clock and record the following times: to the hour, to the half hour and quarter of an hour.

They will also explore the features of a calendar and identify how many days, weeks and months from one given date to another.

PBL

We have been excited to welcome the new PBL Leaders into their roles, and they look forward to attending the Student Voice Meetings where they will share feedback from the individual class meetings about things they can address that are happening in the school. 

We began this term with a focus on Responsibility; following routines, helping others and speaking to a trusted adult to assist us in solving a big problem. 

Next week, to highlight the importance of Bullying No Way Week, the students will complete an activity about everybody belonging and feeling accepted in the school environment. All students are unique, and everybody has something positive to offer to others.

Following on from this, the focus will be Respect and the lessons will be about taking care of school property, following staff directions and finding a number of ways to work through challenges, including using our words and actions calmly and speaking to adults when we need assistance in solving larger problems.

Towards the end of the term, we will focus on determining what makes a problem “small” and “big”, and we will end Term Three with reminders to speak kindly to our classmates and teachers. This strategy is effective when working with others and also in our friendships.

Religion

This term in Religion, students will be exploring the themes of forgiveness and compassion, inspired by the teachings and actions of Jesus. Through key scripture stories, students will reflect on how they can follow Jesus’ example in their own lives.

We will read and discuss stories such as The Prodigal Son and Zacchaeus, focusing on how Jesus showed love, understanding, and mercy - even to those who had made mistakes. These stories help students recognise the importance of making positive choices, saying sorry, and showing kindness to others.

Students will also reflect on how their actions can impact those around them, both within the classroom and the wider community. These discussions encourage empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of how we can live out our school values each day.

In August, we will join together as a school to celebrate Mary MacKillop Feast Day – Honouring Australia’s first saint and her legacy of service, compassion and education.

These celebrations provide rich opportunities for prayer, reflection, and community connection as we grow in faith together.

Inquiry Learning

Our topic for this term is ‘’CHANGE OVER TIME.’ We will look into the world of History and explore the essential question -

What impact does change have on our daily lives?

Students will learn about the differences and similarities between students’ daily lives and how these have changed or remained the same over time.

We will explore and compare the ways in which St Andrew’s Primary School and the local community of Clayton have changed over time. We will also consider why these changes have taken place, e.g. technology.

Students will also discover and compare the ways in which they live their daily lives compared to their parents and grandparents. Thank you so much for completing the family questionnaire and sending in photos for the ‘Family Tree’.

We are looking forward to our upcoming excursion to Ripponlea Estate. We will investigate and compare life in the past to our life in the present.

Classroom Organisation

The students in Year 1/2 need to continue to develop independence. Students are encouraged to develop this at school through such things as being responsible for:

• Unpacking bags at school

• Organising their personal belongings

• Handing in any notes

• Bringing back library books and bags on their assigned day

• Being punctual to class and ready for learning

After 8:50 am, students must report to the office to be registered as late for the day.

If your child is absent from school, we must receive notification of this in writing, either via the Audiri app, an email to the classroom teacher, or a note handed to the teacher.

All 1/2 students will participate in the Specialist Program on Wednesday: Italian, Art, Performing Arts, and PE. Please remember that every Wednesday, the students are expected to wear their runners and P.E. uniforms to school for Physical Education. 

On all other days of the week, students should wear their school shoes and full school uniform.

Library Sessions have commenced this term. Please remember to return all Library books and bring a Library bag, before or by the day of your child’s lesson. Class lesson days and times are noted below. The library sessions are fortnightly and on Tuesdays. Please see below for individual time:

8.45-9.45 a.m.:   1/2L

9.50-10.50 a.m.: 1/2W

12.30-1.30 p.m.:  1/2K

2.15-3.15 p.m.:    1/2G

Key Dates

August

• Friday 8th - Feast of Mary MacKillop Whole School Mass @ 12.00 p.m

• Friday 15th - School Closure Day

• Wednesday 20th - Book Week and Pyjama Day

• Thursday 21st - 1/2K and 1/2W - Excursion to Ripponlea

• Friday 22nd - 1/2G and 1/2L - Excursion to Ripponlea

• Monday 25th - 1/2 Swimming begins (this is not on Fridays)

• Friday 29th - Assembly @ 9.00 a.m                   

September 

• Thursday 4th - Father’s Day Stall

•                           - Father’s Day and Special Friends’ Morning @ 8.30 a.m

• Friday 5th - School Closure Day

• Sunday 7th - Father’s Day

• Wednesday 10th - School Production Mary Poppins

• Thursday 11th - School Production Mary Poppins

• Friday 12th - Assembly @ 9.00 a.m

• Monday 15th - Parent Teacher Student Meetings @ 2.30 p.m

• Thursday 18th - Learning Celebrations @ 2.45 p.m

• Friday 19th - End of Term 3 @ 1.30 p.m.

                   

*As dates can be subject to change, please check either the school newsletter or notifications on the Audiri App.

How to Contact Us

Jordan Longergan             jlonergan@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Sally Kuszner                      skuszner@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Rachel Gurvich                  rgurvich@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au 

Karen Williams                   kwilliams@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

L.O.T.E. Italian

Dear Parents, Welcome to Term 3!         

Ciao a tutti,

The students in Years One and Two will begin the term by revising the vocabulary for the months of the year, the days of the week, the date and the seasons through scaffolded activities. 

They will be introduced to the topic ‘Il compleanno’- the birthday. Vocabulary and phrases will be based on ‘a birthday’ and specifically, the planning of a birthday party. They will make connections to their own culture and the way they celebrate a birthday party. 

The students will participate in group work and will be presented with everyday Italian language including conducting interviews, looking into the date of their classmates’ birthdays and will use this information to complete a bar graph. 

They will learn how the Italians also celebrate their name day with its significance and importance. During the lessons, the students will be participating in singing songs, playing games, reciting chants and completing varied classroom activities so as to reinforce their knowledge and understanding.

Cordiali saluti

Signora White

Physical Education

Welcome to Term Three!

During this term in Physical Education, 1/2 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. 1/2 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 Kayla Puetz

Art 

Dear Families,

Welcome to the art room for Term 3! Although it’s a short term, it’s jam-packed with exciting activities and creative opportunities for our students.

One of the highlights this term will be contributing to the Mary Poppins production by designing and decorating our very own magic carpet bags. We can’t wait to see the students’ imaginations come to life as they create these special pieces to help bring the stage to life.

In preparation for this, students have been introduced to a new form of art – weaving. They’ll be practising this technique using a range of materials, including paper and felt, which will help develop the skills needed for their carpet bag creations.

We’re also looking forward to celebrating Father’s Day and Book Week, with themed art activities that allow students to express their ideas in fun and meaningful ways.

It’s going to be a vibrant and busy few weeks in the art room. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful creations your children will bring to life!

Happy Art and Crafting!

Mrs. Milena Santoro 🎨

Performing Arts

Welcome back 1/2 Students and families! I’m looking forward to another fun term of Performing Arts. 

This term, we’ll be looking at cultural dance, and students are exploring the style of dance that belongs to their own cultural background as well as that of other classmates.  We’ll be looking at the associated moves and styles with that culture and how they come about through cultural celebrations. Students have learned a dance to Debka Lahat, affectionately known as the “Bing Bong” dance. See if your students are willing to show you the moves (music can be found on Spotify or YouTube by searching Debka Lahat by the Shenanigans).

Later in the term, we’ll be progressing from notation to writing a melody.  Students begin by writing a sentence and use their knowledge of syllables to set it to a rhythm.  They will then use their knowledge of the treble clef notes to compose a short melody to their rhythm and document it on the treble staff.  My favourite part of this unit is playing the “song” that the students create by combining their melodies and playing them back to the students on the piano, as the kids have a great giggle and love hearing their final product. 

Finally, the 1/2‘s 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 the 10th or 11th of September; we’d love to see you and your children there!

Happy singing and dancing! 

Mrs Emma Cooper

Library News

This term in 1/2 , 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

We look forward to our Dress Up pyjama day in Week 5 ( 20th August) !!

Best wishes,

Mrs Daniella  Polites