Foundation 

Spotlight on Learning

Dear Families,

Week 7 has been a busy and successful week in Foundation! Our students have continued to build their skills across all learning areas and are becoming more confident and independent each day. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for learning, their willingness to have a go, and the way they are working cooperatively with their classmates. We are so proud of their efforts and the positive energy they bring to our classroom!

This week was also very special as many of our students attended their first school Mass. They did a wonderful job showing respect and participating in this important part of our school community. It was lovely to see them beginning to understand what happens during Mass and to experience it together.

Religious Education Focus:  

This week in Religious Education, we listened to the Caritas story – Aloma (Philippines) and learned about how Caritas helps people in different parts of the world. We talked about the places where these communities live and how their lives might be similar to or different from ours. We also learned why clean water is so important and how Caritas supports communities who do not have easy access to safe water. We reflected on how we can show kindness, compassion, and care for others, no matter where they live.

English focus:

We read "My 2 Blankets” by Irena Kobald, a heartwarming story about a young girl who moves to a new country and learns to feel safe and connected while navigating change. Students explored themes of friendship, belonging, and adjusting to new experiences, and discussed how small acts of kindness can help someone feel at home.

If you would like to read the book with your child, please see the link below.

Phonics:

During explicit phonics instruction, we focused on the /b/ and /h/ sound/s.

We introduce sounds based on the Little Learners Love Literacy book, ‘Milo’s Birthday Surprise’.

Mathematics focus:

This week students explored patterns and number sequences. We learned that adding one moves us to the next number in the counting sequence and practised counting forward. Students also worked on copying and continuing three-part colour patterns, such as red–blue–green, and identifying patterns to work out what comes next. It was wonderful to see students using their thinking skills to recognise and continue different patterns.

SEL:

This week students learned about different coping strategies to help their bodies feel calm. They practised trying a range of calm-down strategies and talked about how their bodies felt after using them. Students also began to think about which strategies work best for them and how they can use them when they need help to feel calm and ready to learn.

Integrated Curriculum: Geography 

This week in Integrated Studies, students learned about the concept of location and what it means. They practised using location words to describe where things are and worked on explaining locations clearly to others. Students enjoyed describing different places and giving directions to help someone find where something is.

AUSLAN: 

This week we learnt the signs: please look (at me), look at that, look at each other, please listen, come here, go there and repeat all together.

Next week we are learning about... 

Religious Education: Students will learn about Caritas story and how we might connect to places in the world.

Integrated Curriculum focus: Next week we will learn about caring for places.

English focus: Next week we are reading the book: Are We There Yet? by Alison Lester, a book about a family travelling around Australia and exploring many different places, landscapes, and experiences along the way.

Mathematics focus: Next week, we will continue practicing how to make patterns. 

SEL: Next week we are learning about trusted adults. 

AUSLAN Focus: Students will learn excuse me, can I have a drink?, right or wrong, copy me, Lord here our prayer, Amen.

Ways to engage with the newsletter:

• Read or watch the weekly book with your child at home (there is often a read aloud on you tube). Talk about what the book's most important ideas are. Point to words that begin with this week's sounds.

• Ask your child to retell the story using their own words.

• Talk about who the characters are, where the story is happening.

• Practise handwriting using the visuals provided.

• Take the idea around Mathematics and ask students to repeat an activity they did at school, with you.

Important Reminders

• Please ensure that you are labelling your child's belongings.

• Can we please ask for a socks and underwear to be placed in the front zip pocket in case of a toileting accident. 

• Comprehension questions to ask when reading with your child to support early reading development.

  "Point to where it shows...." the .......sound

  “I wonder why…”

  "what makes you think...."

  “This reminds me of…”

  "Show me where it says"

  “I didn’t understand that part, so I’ll reread it.”

  Use a mix of Who, What, When, Where, Why, How questions based on the book.

Important Dates

TERM 1 KEY DATES — 2026

• Thursday 2 April - Holy Thursday — Last Day of Term 1

   

  TERM 2 START DATE

• Tuesday 21 April - First Day for Students

Contact Us 

galilee@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au  all teachers