We’ve had a busy and exciting Term One! The students in 1/2M have settled in beautifully, establishing positive classroom routines and behaviours. They’ve also adapted well to the days when Mrs Mac takes the class while I have completed Sounds Write training. It has been wonderful to see how they’ve grown in confidence and independence as the term has progressed.

In Literacy, the students continue to build their Sounds Write skills. Our Grade 2s have focused on the sounds /ue/, /oy/, and /ar/, and enjoy their Morphology Monday lessons, where they’ve been learning how prefixes and suffixes, like -able, -er, and -out, help unlock word meanings. We’ve explored texts like The Very Cranky Bear and The Imagineer, which enhanced vocabulary and introduced alliteration. The students are now spotting alliteration in other books, too! Additionally, they have been working on developing their writing skills practicing sentence structure, handwriting, and creative storytelling. Their ability to express ideas through writing is improving steadily as is their handwriting with our daily practice.

In Maths, we’ve been measuring objects informally using items like dinosaur feet, unifix cubes, pencils, hands, and feet. A highlight was working with 1/2L to outline each other with chalk and measure our heights. This helped students understand that smaller objects take a longer amount of time to measure. We’ve also explored mass and capacity by comparing the weights and volumes of different containers and objects.

In Respectful Relationships, we’ve focused on the Zones of Regulation, helping students identify emotions and use strategies to manage them. They are learning to recognise when they are in different zones and apply these techniques, such as deep breathing, positive self-talk and boosting their energy levels through exercise when needed.

In Inquiry, through our Launching Learners program, we have discussed school values and ways to stay in touch with our emotions. We have also learnt about special days like Clean Up Australia Day, St Patrick’s Day, and Harmony Week.

In Specialist Classes, the students loved practicing with Mr King for Polwarth Sports Day and are having a blast in the Gaga pit. Mrs Ritchie has introduced them to different greetings in Indonesian, they’ve been learning about plant growth and soil in STEAM, and they always look forward to their creative time with Mrs Williams in the Art room.

Thank you to all the parents who participated in Parent-Teacher Conversations. Your support in setting achievable goals and raising expectations has been invaluable. Your involvement plays a vital role in your child's educational journey, and I appreciate your ongoing support. Looking forward to a productive end to Term One.

- Miss McLaren