WOW! That wraps up our final week in Term 1! We can't believe how quickly it has gone and have loved making so many wonderful memories with our students. We hope all our students are able to have a safe and restful holiday break. We encourage you to keep on reading wonderful stories each night, to practise recounting days events and drawing pictures about what you've done and reviewing sounds that we have covered in school to help cement this knowledge into long term memory.Â
📚 Literacy
This week in InitiaLit, we met our final character for the term Fifi Flamingo who flaps her feathers. With our 7 phonemes introduced, students could make all sorts of words such as mat, sip, fit, pat and many more! It has been incredible to see them build the stepping stones to reading and writing.Â
We read the story "How to Catch the Easter Bunny" and loved being able to make our very own easter baskets!
Over the holidays we ask you to keep building words with your children through sounding out simple CVC words with familiar sounds, using tools such as playdough, LEGO, sand, sticks and more to make words and read LOTS of stories.
✨ Ask at home:
Can you tell me the sounds we learned this week?
Can you find something at home that starts with the /m/, /s/, /t/, /a/, /p/, /i/, /f/ sound?
Can you think of a word that starts with the same sound as your name?
✨ Practise at home:
Practise making words that have 3 letters using the sounds /m/, /s/, /t/, /a/, /p/, /i/, /f/. Such as fit, mat, pat, Sam, sip, etc.
Practise writing your name (starting with a capital letter)
Practise writing the date
Practise “three-star colouring” (neat, detailed, and filling the space)
Read a book together each night and talk about what happened
This week, we had a games week in maths and loved playing Snakes and Ladders as well as some other games. Games are a fantastic way to consolidate skills and show a practical use of learning. Feel free to download the Snakes and Ladders template and play over the holidays.
✨ Practise at home:
Practise counting from 1–20 (and beyond if ready)
Practise recognising and writing numbers 1–20
Use household items (e.g. toys, spoons) to make and count different numbers
Practise teen numbers by grouping 10 and some more (e.g. 14 = 10 + 4)
Practise using ten frames (draw them or use objects to fill them)
Sing or say the days of the week in order
Practise identifying the day before and after a given day
Play simple counting games (e.g. counting steps, toys, or snacks)
Play Snakes and Ladders!
This week in Wellbeing, we continued our learning through the Friendology program, which focuses on building positive, respectful and enjoyable friendships. Students were introduced to the idea of a “Friendship Fire” and what it might look like. We discussed how all friendships can have challenges at times and explored ways to respond. Students participated in role plays to practise how they could handle different situations.
In Inquiry, students began learning about families. We discussed where our families come from and how being from all different parts of the world and working together in Mitcham is a special bond to have.
Our weekly class meetings continue to provide a safe and supportive space for students to share their thoughts, wonderings and questions about school life. During this time, students also practise whole body listening when others are speaking.
✨ Ask at home:
What is a “Friendship Fire”? What can you do if one happens?
Can you tell me a way to be a good friend?
What would you do if someone was feeling left out?
Who is in your family?
What is your favourite thing to do with our family?
What did you share (or hear) in your class meeting this week?
✨ Practise at home:
Practise using kind words and including others in play
Role play friendship situations (e.g. taking turns, sharing, resolving small problems)
Practise whole body listening when someone is speaking
Talk about your family and what makes it special
Draw a picture of your family and talk about each person
Practise expressing feelings using words (e.g. “I feel sad when…”, “I feel happy when…”)
Friday 13th February: Teddy Bear Picnic
Friday 6th March: Pupil Free Day
Monday 9th March: Labour Day
Monday 16th March: Junior Athletics (at school)
Wednesday 18th March: Harmony Evening
Friday 27th March: Easter Bonnet Parade
30th March - 1st April: Parent/Teacher Interviews
Thursday 2nd April: Cross Country & Last Day of Term 1
Students are able to borrow one book from the Library each week. However, they can only do so if they bring their library bag. Please ensure you child remembers to bring their library bag to school on their allocated library day (shown below) to avoid disappointment.Â
If your child has a specialist class in the afternoon, that teacher will take the students out to the basketball court for dismissal. Â
Please note- Timetables change regularly for interruptions such as, NAPLAN, Camps, events etc. Teachers will update the website of any changes.Â
Art -Â Monday
Auslan - Monday
PE - Wednesday
STEM- Wednesday
Music - Wednesday
Library - Friday
Auslan - Monday
Art - Tuesday
PE - Wednesday
STEM - Wednesday
Music - Wednesday
Library - Friday
Art - Monday
Auslan -Â Monday
PE- Wednesday
STEM - Wednesday
Music - Wednesday
Library - Friday
School bag
A special toy to help with the transition (optional)
Named drink bottle with cold water only.
Named brain food container with cut up fruit or vegetable sticks (Eg. Cut up apple, berries or carrot sticks).
Named lunch box with a snack and lunch.
Named 'Sun Smart' hat.
A spare pair of clothes if needed.