Professional Learning in Numeracy and Literacy

Over the past few weeks, our stage teams of teachers have been engaged in professional learning focused on deepening our collective understanding of additive thinking and its foundational role in student numeracy development. 

Through data-informed discussions, hands-on strategies, and high-impact teaching practices such as Number Talks, teachers are working to enhance student outcomes and confidence in mathematics across the school.

Maths Myth Buster (For Parents!)

“Some kids are just not ‘maths people.’”

🚫 Myth! Research shows that every child can be successful in mathematics when given the right strategies and opportunities to explore. Just like learning to read, mathematical thinking develops step by step, with additive thinking forming one of the most important building blocks.

💡 Fun fact to try at home: Ask your child how many ways they can make the number 10.

Encourage them to think beyond “7+3” or “5+5.” (For example: 20–10, 2+2+2+2+2, half of 20). This simple game grows number sense, flexibility, and confidence — and it’s fun to see how creative children can be with numbers!

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

English: We have been working closely with Mrs Partridge on a high impact reading strategy - Reader’s Theatre. Using our mentor texts, we create scripts and add a new layer of focus each session, including verbal expression, body language, facial expression, and sound effects. Each week, students perform their scripts in front of the class, building confidence and enhancing their reading fluency and comprehension skills.

The stage final for the public speaking competition showcased confident and passionate speakers who impressed the audience with their clear delivery and engaging topics. Congratulations all of our students for presenting a speech, and to our finalists for their outstanding efforts and excellent communication skills.

Mathematics We have been continuing to strengthen our understanding of converting between units of length (millimetres, centimetres, metres, kilometres) and mass (kilograms and tonnes). A highlight was measuring the perimeter of various buildings around the school, applying our conversion skills in a real-world context.

Peer Support: Sessions have been thriving, with students growing their leadership capabilities and fostering strong connections throughout the school community. It’s wonderful to see our learners supporting one another and developing valuable life skills.

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

Over the past two weeks, Stage 2 students have been busy learning, creating, and achieving in many areas of their learning.

English

Students in Year 2, 3 and 4 have been participating in class speeches as part of the Regional Public Speaking competition. Each student worked hard to meet the requirements of structure, voice projection, and persuasion. Two students from each class were selected to represent their peers, and we congratulate all students on their efforts and confidence in presenting their speeches. We have also begun exploring the mentor text The Little Refugee by Anh Do. Students have been learning how an author’s perspective and context can shape a story and create a deeper connection with the audience. They have also been identifying themes within the text and discussing how colours and images help to convey meaning. Working in groups, students have provided evidence from the story to justify their interpretations of theme.

Creative Arts, 

Students have been exploring tone and levels in music through The Sound of Music. They have been discovering how tempo influences movement and have used this understanding to guide the dances they create.

History

Students have been learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and culture. They have explored the importance of symbols in artwork and how these are used to share stories and record history.

Technology 

The students of Stage 2 have been fortunate to receive new laptops, moving us closer to a 1:1 device ratio. With these devices, students have been developing their word processing skills and consolidating their mathematical learning through the Maths Online program. The activities are carefully designed to meet the differentiated needs of each student, with tasks aligned to their current learning within the teaching and learning cycle. 

Stage 2 students have shown fantastic focus and creativity across all subject areas, and we are proud of their continued growth and enthusiasm for learning.

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Stage 1

• Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students had a fantastic time participating in the Athletics Carnival. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship on display throughout the day. A big thank you to our staff, families, and helpers who supported the event and cheered on our students – your encouragement made the day so special! 

• Students in Years 1 and 2 continue to participate in a child protection lesson focused on understanding personal safety. These lessons help students identify safe and unsafe situations, including understanding that private parts are private, recognise trusted adults they can turn to, and practise ways to say “no” if they ever feel uncomfortable. Through stories and role-play, students explore the importance of speaking up and learned strategies to keep themselves safe in different environments.

• During CAPA stage 1 students have been enjoying their weekly dance lessons, developing confidence, coordination, and rhythm through movement. The sessions focus on building fundamental skills, exploring creative expression, and working together as a group. Students have loved learning new routines and using dance as a fun and energetic way to stay active. 

• During STEM stage 1 students have been introduced to the basics of coding through fun, hands-on activities. They have been learning how to create simple sequences, spot patterns, and use logical thinking to solve problems. Coding lessons encourage creativity, teamwork, and persistence as students explore how digital technologies work and how they can use them to design their own interactive projects. 

• Students across stage 1 have been engaging in paired reading to help improve their reading fluency. Working with a partner, they take turns reading aloud, supporting each other to practise expression, accuracy, and pace. This strategy builds confidence, encourages collaboration, and helps students develop a deeper understanding of the text while becoming more fluent, independent readers. 

Stage Snapshot – Learning in Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten)

What a busy fortnight it has been in Kindergarten! With so many wonderful events and learning experiences, time is flying by and we can hardly believe how quickly the end of term is approaching. Our students have shown enthusiasm and resilience as they participate in activities both inside and outside the classroom.

We were delighted to celebrate the success of our recent K/1 Athletics Carnival! It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic students participating with great energy and sportsmanship. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents and community members who attended and supported the children throughout the day. Your encouragement truly made the event special and memorable for everyone involved.

Last week, our students also enjoyed an incursion about electrical safety. Through interactive demonstrations and discussions, they learned important safety tips like staying away from power outlets and not touching electrical cords. We encourage families to remind students about these important safety rules while at home to help keep them safe. 

In English, our focus has been on developing narrative skills through exploring picture books rich in imagery. Students have been learning to use time connectives to sequence events clearly in their writing, helping their stories to flow smoothly. Additionally, we continue to build strong phonic knowledge, which supports confident reading and spelling.

In Mathematics, Number Talks have been a key part of our learning, encouraging students to develop mental strategies for solving problems and to articulate their thinking clearly. For our Kindergarten learners, we have been exploring the concept of length, comparing objects to understand measurement in a hands-on way.

Thank you again for your ongoing support—we look forward to more exciting learning experiences ahead!