Last week, our school was buzzing with excitement as we celebrated Public Education Week. At our Open Day Assembly, we were treated to outstanding performances by our Choir and presentations by our Cultural Group, Multicultural Group and Student Leaders, showcasing the diversity and talent of our students. 

A huge congratulations to our FLAME Award recipients:

Ivy H, Kiran H, Jett W, Kyah H, Avah M, Elizabeth M, Aiden M, Lachlan M, Scarlett N, Archie R, Trinity N, Koby W, Mila B and Trinity B.

The following students were recognised for their physical potential in sport: Maddison B, Carolyn H, Lawson C, Finn H, Karim O and David V.

Billie T and Amelia B were recognised for their creative potential in visual art. 

I am pleased to share our sausage sizzle raised $212.15, with all proceeds generously donated to Stewart House.

This week, I have commenced the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check and it has been pleasing to see students confidently applying their phonic knowledge. This reflects the impact of the explicit teaching taking place in our Kindergarten and Year 1 classrooms. 

Here's another phonics activity you can try at home or even when you are in the car:

Rhyme time

Take turns at saying a word and coming up with a word that rhymes. For example, if you say ‘bag’ the next word could be ‘flag’. Remember words that rhyme sound the same at the end of the word.

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Stage 3 (Year 5 & 6)

Education Week Highlights and Classroom Learning Updates

We recently celebrated a fantastic Education Week, which was a wonderful opportunity to welcome so many parents into our Stage 3 classrooms. It was inspiring to see students take the lead, guiding their parents through engaging activities and sharing their learning journeys with pride.

In Mathematics, our focus has been on understanding area. Students have been developing skills to estimate, round, and measure square metres confidently. We are now beginning to explore larger units of measurement, such as hectares, expanding their practical understanding of area in real-world contexts.

In English, students have been honing their writing skills by creating descriptive pieces. Emphasis has been placed on using precise vocabulary, writing from a first-person narrative perspective, and incorporating figurative language to bring their stories and descriptions to life.

We also had an exciting 2-6 Athletics Carnival, where students demonstrated great enthusiasm and sportsmanship in a variety of events. It was fantastic to see their energy and team spirit on display throughout the day.

Thank you to all the parents who joined us during Education Week and continue to support your children's learning and participation in school activities.

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Stage 2 (Year 3 & 4)

What a Fabulous Fortnight!

We have had such a wonderful two weeks of learning, fun, and community connections!

Our students thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Years 2–6 Athletics Carnival. It was fantastic to see every student showing great skill, effort, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

In Week 3, we celebrated Education Week with students and families. Stage 2 students proudly showcased their learning in mathematics, English, and technology. Parents, grandparents, and family members joined us for some engaging, hands-on activities, which created lots of smiles and laughter. The art gallery was a highlight, displaying stunning student artworks inspired by the theme “How Students Ignite Their Passion.” We were incredibly proud of the creativity and originality in each piece.

In English, Stage 2 students have been building their writing skills with a special focus on punctuation, using our new Punctuation Pyramid to explore different levels of punctuation. We have also continued reading The Callers, creating character descriptions and inferring the meaning behind characters’ actions to better understand their emotions and personalities.

In Mathematics, we have been exploring two-dimensional shapes, symmetry, and transformations. Using the MathsOnline program, students have completed fun activities to reinforce their understanding of how shapes can translate, transform, and transition between positions. They have also enjoyed hands-on tasks to recreate images and demonstrate their learning.

It has been an exciting and productive fortnight, and we are looking forward to continuing to grow, learn, and share more wonderful experiences in the weeks ahead.

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Stage 1 (Year 1 & 2)

• Last week, our school joined together to celebrate Education Week, recognising the importance of learning, growth, and community. Students, staff, and families participated in a range of activities that showcased our students’ talents and achievements, while highlighting the joy of learning. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how education shapes our future and to celebrate the dedication of our teachers, the curiosity of our students, and the support of our community. 

• Stage 1 students have been exploring growing and shrinking patterns in Mathematics, learning to represent these sequences in tables and use them to make predictions. They have also been developing their understanding of two- and three-digit place value, building confidence in reading, writing, and partitioning numbers.

• In English, students have been engaging with the text Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley to identify and use subordinating conjunctions in their own writing, creating more complex and detailed sentences. They have also been analysing the story through the lens of perspective and context, considering how characters’ viewpoints and background information influence meaning.

• During PDHPE, students are learning about how their bodies change over time and the factors that make each person unique. They are exploring the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur as they grow, and celebrating the qualities and characteristics that make them special. 

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

During Public Education Week, our classrooms came alive with excitement and discovery as we opened our classrooms to families and friends, hosted a vibrant Art Expo, and launched our new Ninja Warrior course. We enjoyed welcoming you all back for Open Classrooms to witness the inspiring learning environments across Kindergarten. Since the unveiling of the Ninja Warrior Course, Kindergarten students have enjoyed being taken to have a turn during sport and will be invited to use it during breaks on Mondays. 

Our learning themes this week focused on deepening students’ understanding across key subject areas. In Science, students explored the fascinating worlds of Earth and space, investigating natural phenomena and our place in the universe. History lessons invited students to delve into personal and family histories, helping them connect with their roots and appreciate the stories that shape their identities. 

Mathematics classes focused on recognising and creating patterns, as well as building strong foundational skills in addition and subtraction. Meanwhile, English lessons immersed students in the art of narrative writing through the exploration of fairy tales, with a special emphasis on constructing compound sentences to enhance their storytelling abilities. Last week, students enjoyed exploring recipes during writing and wrote out a recipe for fairy bread. As a treat, teachers organised for the students to create their own fairy bread and they enjoyed eating their creations.

Looking ahead, we are excited to visit Healthy Harold next week where students will focus on friendship and social skills. We are also waiting in anticipation to see the wonderful Book Week costumes during our Book Parade next week.

A massive congratulations to all our students who took part in Monday's Athletics Carnival! Every competitor gave their absolute best, displaying fantastic sportsmanship and team spirit throughout the day. The smiles were big, the cheers were loud, and by the end, there were definitely some tired legs making their way home on the buses!

Next Monday, we will be completing our 800m track event on our school oval. The following Tuesday, August 26th, we will be running our 1500m event. 

The Zone Athletics Championships are on September 2nd & 3rd at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. Mr Earnshaw and Miss Duggan will be taking our Appin squad to compete against our local schools.