Term 3, Week 2

Welcome to a look into Week 2!

This week in Literacy, we reviewed the long vowel digraphs ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, and ow and we also introduced the sound -y (as in cry). We also revisited homophones, listened carefully to long vowel sounds, read words aloud, and had fun playing a sentence-making game using our focus sounds. To strengthen our reading fluency, we practised our tricky words, read a short paragraph together, and went on a word hunt to spot words we’ve been learning.

During story time, we revisited the book Captain Jack and the Pirates. We summarised the story together and explored new vocabulary words such as abandon, spy, and holler. To finish, we completed some story-based activities to help consolidate our understanding of the text.

During writing, our focus was on planning a recount using time connectives. We explored important time words such as first, next, then, after that, and finally. We practised identifying time words and how they help us sequence events clearly. Students then practised retelling their recount plan for our shared event, Visit to the Library, using these time connectives.

To apply their learning, students completed a hands-on picture sequencing activity, using time word cards to retell the event in order.

In Maths, students are recognising, copying, and continuing repeating patterns, identifying the unit of repeat as they build their understanding of how patterns work. This week, we also explored how music has patterns. We made our own patterns using actions to the popular song We Will Rock You.

In Religion, students are learning how the Church community welcomes new members through the sacrament of Baptism. They are exploring the key people involved and recognising important symbols used in this special celebration.

In Health students are learning to name and label parts of the body using correct terms. They are also exploring how we use different body parts, helping them to build self-awareness and understand how to care for their bodies respectfully.

 

In HASS, students have been learning to identify and sort features in their environment. They explored the log park and learned to recognise natural, managed, and constructed features by drawing and labelling their observations.

 

 

 

In Design and Technology, students generated and communicated ideas by drawing bird’s eye and front/side views of a cubby house. They then brought their designs to life by building their cubby houses using recyclable materials! Have a look at our creative work.

We look forward to seeing the children return to school on Monday the 4th of August.

Request for Small Cardboard Boxes for Our Technology Project

Dear Parents and Carers,

As part of our upcoming Technology project, we will be designing and building miniature cubby houses in class. To help us bring our creative ideas to life, we’re asking for donations of small cardboard boxes.

We’re specifically looking for items such as:

  • Cereal boxes

  • Jatz/cracker boxes

  • Tissue boxes

  • Small packaging boxes (shoebox size or smaller)

These will be perfect for shaping and constructing our cubby house models. If you have any at home, we’d greatly appreciate it if your child could bring them in over the next week or two.

Thank you for your support and for helping us make learning hands-on and fun!

Below is an example of what we will be making!

Many thanks,

Emily and Irene

Term 2, Week 8

Welcome to Week 8!

 

In Literacy, we are learning that a noun is a word that means a person, place, or thing. The students practised identifying and naming nouns in words and sentences. We also are learning to read two-syllable words by breaking them into parts using VC/CV syllable pattern and learning to read and spell words with the ‘ay’ and ‘ai’ vowel sounds.

In Maths, we continued our work on subtraction by revising strategies such as using fingers, counting backwards, drawing and crossing out objects, and using a number line. We also practised solving worded problems using subtraction.”

 

Carlo Acutis

This week, we learned about Blessed Carlo Acutis, a young boy who used his love for computers to share his faith. He had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and is remembered for saying, ‘The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.’ We were very lucky to have a first-class relic of Blessed Carlo—a piece of his hair—visit our school. The students listened to a special presentation about his life, had the opportunity to say a prayer and ask the relic for something, and were each blessed on the forehead with the relic.

 

SANFL Clinic

MISSION DAY PREPARATION

 

MISSION DAY

Mission Day was a wonderful success!
The students thoroughly enjoyed the day—from creating a heart-shaped sculpture with the donated cans to exploring and purchasing the many fantastic items made by each class. We’re excited to share that all of our play dough sold out!

All funds raised will go directly to our nominated charities.

A big thank you to all the families who contributed—whether by donating ingredients for the play dough, bringing in cans, or supporting the stalls with generous purchases.

It truly was a joyful and meaningful day for everyone involved.

 

 

1IA and 1EJ Assembly | Week 10 Friday 2:10pm

Hi Families,

 

On Friday the 4th of July we will be showcasing our learning on stage for our Assembly.

 

If able, we invite you all to join us over in the Hall at 2:10pm. 

Attached below are the two songs we will be performing. If the children would like to practice at home they are more than welcome! Reading parts will be glued in the Home Learning Journals over the next few coming weeks.

 

 

Thankyou for your support!

Emily and Irene

Mission Week

Just an update of Mission Week’s Timetable:

  • Students are asked to bring cans of soup/food to donate to Fred’s Van.  The donations can be made from now until Thursday 19th June and to be given to your child’s teacher.
  • Wednesday 18th June – Mission Week Mass at 11.30am in St Pope John Paul II Hall, all welcome.

Buy Campbell's Country Ladle Soup Can Creamy Chicken 500g | Coles

 

Does Canned Food Really Deserve a Bad Rap? | HowStuffWorks

 

Mission Day Lunch:

Students will be able to order a Mission Day lunch of Pasta Bake and water/fruit box ($5) through the canteen via the QKR! App or usual lunch order process.   The normal canteen menu for lunch orders will NOT be available on Mission Day, however, the canteen will still be open at Recess and Lunch for other snacks.

 

Term 2, Week 7

Welcome to a look at Week 7.

In literacy, we explored the concept of compound words and how to use them in sentences. We also looked at nouns and gave examples of people, places and things.

In Writers Workshop, the students finished their first information book about thier chosen animal from the Mudla. Students proudly shared their books with a peer who wrote about a different animal, giving each other feedback and learning new facts along the way.

In Maths, students explored subtraction. They learnt that the operation of subtraction means taking away some things from a group to find out how many are left.We practiced strategies such as using our fingers, crossing out objects, and using concrete materials to solve subtraction problems within 0–20.

SANFL Clinic
This week marked the first week of our 4-week AFL clinic at school. The children really enjoyed learning new skills and playing football with their peers. Take a look at the fun we had!
Reminder: Every Wednesday, children can wear their PE uniform.

In Science, students observed the growth of their bean plants and learned about the stages of plant development—from seed to mature plant. They drew their plants, described their current stage, and reflected on what the plant needs to grow strong and healthy. Students were given their plants to take home with a care note. We encourage families to support this ongoing project so students can continue watching their plants grow and eventually enjoy the beans they produce!

In HASS, we continuing exploring how life has changed from the past to the present. Students practiced identifying and showing the differences between the two time periods using drawings and words. Students also worked on explaining what life was like in the past compared to how it is now, building their awareness of history and change over time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Art, students explored different types of shapes—both geometric and organic. Using these shapes, they created their own “shape creatures” by drawing and coloring.

 

Congratulations to Sonny for reading 25 nights!

 

Mission Week Donations

Dear Families,

Hope you are all well. You would have received information regarding our upcoming Mission Week activities in Week 8.

 

Mission Week will be held in Week 8 Term 2 (Monday 16th June to Friday 20th June) with our Mission Day being held on Friday 20th June.  This is always a great day where we raise money for local, community and global charities.  This year we will be supporting Catherine House, Catholic Charities and Fred’s Van.

 

Each class will be organising an activity or stall on the day.  Students will only be able to use tokens to purchase items and participate in the activities, as we do not take money at the stalls.  To purchase tokens for your child please use the QKR! App(ensure you have the right class for each child).  The teacher will issue the tokens to your child on Mission Day.

 

Tokens are available in 50c increments.  We recommend a minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15 (non-refundable).  All money raised for Mission Week will go to Fred’s Van, Catherine House and Catholic Charities.

 

Both 1EJ and 1IA will be making and selling playdough on Mission Day. We are asking families for any donations of items to assist us to make the playdough. If you are able, can you please bring in any of the following items either this Friday or next Monday.

 

  • Plain flour
  • Vegetable oil
  • Table salt
  • Small zip lock bags

 

Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

 

Kind Regards

 

Emily Jackson & Irene Anibaldi

Term 2, Week 5

Welcome to Week 5! We are halfway through Term 2 already.

This week we celebrated Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Bridging Now to Next, encourages all Australians to come together, look to the future, and keep moving forward, using the lessons of the past to guide us.

Each student created a handprint and decorated it with words and images that represented what reconciliation means to them. We then planted the handprints along the garden beds near Kiss and Drop, forming a vibrant and meaningful ‘Sea of Hands’.

 

In English, we practised reading and writing CVCC and CCVC words (consonant-vowel patterns). The students also continued developing their information books, focusing specifically on describing their chosen animal’s appearance. They began adding labels to their illustrations, identifying and naming different parts of the animal.

 

In Maths, we continued working on our addition strategies to solve problems using numbers within 20.

 

In Religion, we listened to the Gospel story, ‘The Poor Widow’s Offering’ and discussed how we too can be generous without necessary offering money to others. We can be generous be showing kindness, caring for others and helping others.

In Technologies, we explored the concept of a bird’s eye view and examined examples of simple maps. Students then applied their understanding by creating their own maps from a bird’s eye perspective.

In Science, we are learning about how a bean plant grows and changes. We discussed the different stages in its life cycle and the students arranged these using pictures and words.

In HASS, students are exploring how people communicated in the past compared to today. They are learning to explain what communication is, give examples, and show how it has changed over time using pictures and sentences.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term 2, Week 4

Welcome to a look at Week 4!

In Literacy, we have been reviewing the digraph sounds ‘wh’, ‘th’, ‘oo’ and ‘ay’. We are identifying, spelling and using words with these digraphs in our reading and writing.

We visited the the MUDLA this week so that students can choose an animal to research and write up an information text. The students were so excited to visit the MUDLA and view the many animals that reside there. We are looking forward to working on these information books in the coming weeks.

In Maths, the children have been exploring addition to 10, using helpful strategies like drawing pictures, counting on from the larger number, and learning rainbow facts to ten.

In Health, we have been describing strategies requires to develop respectful relationships. The children drew a picture to represent a positive relationship demonstrating at least one right and responsibility.

 

In Religion, the students viewed and discussed the story of Mary. They drew a picture of her and then wrote everything they know about her.

 

In Technologies, the children created the masks they designed last week of their favourite character or animal, using their designs to help guide their creations.

Visiting the MUDLA– for our Information Text writing.

National Simultaneous Story Time

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is an annual event in Australia and New Zealand where a children’s book is read simultaneously in various locations around the country. This year, marks the 25th year that this event is happening. This Wednesday we celebrated by reading “The Truck Cat” by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell.

The cat's out of the bag: announcing the National ...

In Science, the children planted their own broad bean plant after discussing what plants need to survive. We will look after them and document their growth in a plant diary over the next few weeks.

Congratulations to Isabel for reading 25 nights!

In HASS, we are learning to identify the differences between the past and the present. This week, we explored how toys have changed over time. We learned that toys in the past were often handmade from materials like wood or metal. They were usually operated by hand, with wind-up or turn mechanisms. In contrast, toys today are generally made from plastic and are often electronic. This allows for mass production, making toys more widely available and less expensive.

In Art, the children created their own artwork using what they have learnt about Line Elements of Art. Their photo was was stuck on a piece of paper and they used black and coloured markers to draw ‘crazy’ hair using curly, wavy or zig-zaggy lines. They then filled in teh swirls and curls with different Line and pattern combinations.

Term 2, Week 3

Welcome to Week 3! We started off the week with a special Liturgy dedicated to our amazing mothers in our lives.

In English, we explored the ‘ng’ and ‘ay’ sounds and the children identified, spelled and used words with ‘ng’ and ‘ay’ in their reading and writing. In Bookmaking, we continued our learning in information texts; exploring the differences between imaginative stories and informative texts. We also compared different types of real and imaginary images and discussed when we would use each type when creating different texts.

This week in Maths, we introduced a new topic: addition and subtraction. We explored what both operations mean, what they look like, and practiced drawing their symbols (e.g., plus (+) and minus (–)).

We also learned an important concept — that a number stays the same when you add or subtract 0 (zero).

In addition, we began using bar models to help us explore the concept of number bonds to ten (also known as friends of ten — pairs of numbers that add up to 10). The children had a go at identifying different combinations, using the bar model to visualize how two parts come together to make a whole.

 

 

 

In Arts, we explored and experimented with the visual art elements of shape, colour, line, space and texture. The students filled each circle with different types of lines, using a fine black texta to draw the lines. They also drew line patterns on leaf shapes.

In Religion, we viewed The Visitation (Luke 1:39-56) and then discussed who Mary visited and what happened when Mary spoke. The students then drew a picture of what happened in the story together with some words to describe the experience.

In Technologies, we revisited the design process and the students were asked to design their own mask. They drew their mask design and labelled and listed materials needed to create their mask. They will make their mask next week.

In HASS this week, we continued exploring the differences between the past and the present. We focused on how life was different in the past and how people completed everyday tasks without modern technology.

To bring this concept to life, we made our own butter in class — just like people did in the past! The children enjoyed tasting their homemade butter.

In Art, we explored lines. We experimented with a variety of lines – using broken, jagged, dashed, vertical and horizontal.