Foundation

The Foundation students are becoming familiar with the procedures, routines and expectations of the classroom. It is so rewarding to watch them enter the classroom with a smile each day and say “Good Morning!” Each day we have a song to begin our day by Pevan and Sarah. Ask your child if they can say and do the actions to my favourite part … “I can’t wait to start my day. I’m going to try my best. I’ve got my brain switched on. I’m ready to learn. I’m feeling strong!”

I have now nearly completed the beginning school online testing. Parent Teacher Interviews are next week and it is perfect timing to have a chat regarding your child’s transition to school. Please ensure you have filled in your time on the website for this. If you have any concerns, you can email or call to make alternative arrangements.

Last week I attended Professional Development at Congupna Primary School. It was delivered by an educational group called Little Learners Love Literacy. I have always been a very strong advocate of explicit teaching of Phonics, and this has endorsed my professional Literacy pedagogy in the Early Years. Many children enter school knowing alphabet letter names. However, it is the sounds they can make that are essential to learn in order to read and write.

I have had a couple of parents ask me about “Sight Words.” At this stage, the most important thing you can be doing at home is the reading of the take home books that are in their blue plastic pocket. It is a non-negotiable practice that they use their “bossy finger” to point to each word as they read. This develops eye tracking with the concept of print, left to right and top to bottom. It also ensures that they are focusing on each word as they read. A display book with sight words addressed in the classroom will be sent home in their plastic pocket tomorrow. We can chat about these in our Parent Teacher Interviews next week.

I would also like to “THANK YOU” for your support with your child’s Home Reading Log. I’m sure this habit demonstrates your value, as well as the importance of the home reading to support your child’s literacy development. I enjoy your comments!

Many children are loving the app Reading Eggs on the i-Pads at school during our Literacy block. From discussions, they are enjoying it at home as well. The Fast Phonics component is perfect for learning, as well as consolidating letter sounds.

Looking forward to talking with you next week in Parent Teacher Interviews! :D

Swimming

On Friday the 25th of February, Carter, Teagan R, Cassin, Lachy H, Siarn, Scotty, Mitch, Nyla and Sophie all went to Aquamoves for a swimming carnival. Cassin got a 2nd for Mixed medley, Sophie got a 2nd for Backstroke and Mixed medley, Carter got a 3rd for Backstroke, Nyla got a 2nd for Freestyle and Mixed medley, Siarn got 6th in Girls relay and Freestyle, Scotty got 2nd for Backstroke and Mixed medley, Teagan R got 6th for Girls relay, Lachy H got 5th for Freestyle. Sophie, Scotty, Cassin and Nyla went to regionals on Wednesday the 2nd of March we all went really well and all got 4th for Mixed Medley and Nyla got 5th for Freestyle, Sophie got 5th for Backstroke and Scotty got 6th for Backstroke. It was an AMAZING day!

- Sophie B

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