Dear Primary Families,

The second term is flying by, with a flurry of activities taking place in the past two weeks. Year 3 recently showcased their learning through the How We Express Ourselves unit of inquiry with a vibrant Cultural Festival. Year 6 also had an exciting trip to Sungei Buloh as part of their Sharing the Planet unit, despite the rainy weather. In addition, we enjoyed some wonderful musical performances at our Primary Recitals, which were a true pleasure to watch.

This week, our focus has shifted towards caring for ourselves, with each year group discussing this topic in their News from the Year Groups. Please take a moment to read through these updates.

With only three weeks remaining in the semester, we are beginning to notice some tired learners. At this time of year, we ask for your support in sticking to consistent routines at home to help children stay rested and regulated for school. Regular bedtimes and nutritious snacks play a key role in your child’s wellbeing and ability to engage positively at school.

On a bittersweet note, we are saddened to share that some of our primary teaching team members will be leaving us at the end of this semester. Mr. Steve, our Deputy Head of School; Mr. Aaron, Year 3 Lead; Ms. Serena, from our Music Team; and Ms. Ebony, one of our Early Years Classroom Assistants, will all be moving on to the next chapter in their careers. We want to express our deepest gratitude to them for their dedication and contributions to our school community. We will miss them and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

We are fortunate to have some excellent staff members stepping into their roles. Mr. Allan will be taking over as Deputy Head of School, while Mr. Danish Aminudin will join Year 5, teaching 5B. Ms. Siti Salmah will be teaching 3B, and Ms. Karen Orlowski will join the Music Team. We are also in the final stages of appointing a replacement for Ms. Ebony. Families in Year 3 and Year 5 have received separate communication regarding these changes.

We understand that transitions can sometimes be unsettling for learners, but please rest assured that we are committed to ensuring a smooth handover and maintaining the high standard of teaching and support your child has come to expect.

Finally, we’re excited to share that both Ms. Katharina (2P) and Ms. Jessica (6R), who have been on maternity leave this semester, will be returning to their homerooms at the end of this term and the start of next term, respectively. We look forward to welcoming them back.

Thank you for your continued support. As always, we remain committed to providing a nurturing and enriching learning environment for all our learners.

Have a lovely weekend.

Ms Fiona

Head of Primary

The Nursery children have settled into the routine this term and the environment continues to be a place full of energy and activity. Every day is exciting and busy and we think carefully about time where children can calm their bodies and minds. Building strong relationships with peers, teachers, and families is the foundation of what we do and helps to create a sense of safety and belonging where children can thrive. As part of our ‘Care for Self’ week, the aim is to encourage the children to take responsibility for their own learning, emotions, body and actions. We have focused on managing self-care by developing routines, healthy eating, hygiene, and mindfulness. We continue to model and  support children to take on small tasks, such as blowing their nose, washing their hands, dressing themselves, or filling up their water bottle. These everyday skills build confidence and fosters independence. The outdoor space provides opportunity to be immersed in nature and where children can develop their gross and fine motor skills. They experience running, jumping, climbing, and stretching, which not only boost physical health but also reduce stress and improve mood and sleep. Daily mindfulness sessions are an important part of our day and teach essential life skills which help to manage stress. Our cosy, quiet corners in Nursery are intended to create a calming space for children to practise deep breathing or take a moment to self regulate and reset. Building these habits early are crucial in managing children’s emotions. Together, we can support these essential self-care skills to help our children grow.

Kindergarten has been buzzing with activity since returning this term. Learners have been actively delving into our unit of inquiry, which launched with the discovery of a mystery spacecraft in our outdoor area. We have been developing mathematical concepts through shape explorations as well as using our mathematical language. We are learning to read and write new phonemes and sight words almost every day. We actively and independently explore our environments and lead our own learning through play. On top of all of these skills, we also attend specialist lessons and assembly throughout the week. Phew, it’s busy and exhausting! Finding balance in our days is an integral part of our Care for Self Movement. We intentionally set aside time after lunch each day to engage in Mindfulness. This is a time when we focus on ourselves and find a quiet time in our day. During these sessions, learners focus on relaxation and self-awareness, using breathing exercises, gentle movements, and simple stretching. This time not only helps us reset after our busy day of learning and play but also introduces self-regulation tools that we hope our youngest learners will carry with them throughout their educational journeys. They are beginning to demonstrate these by recognising when a break is needed and independently seeking out quiet or safe spaces within the learning environment or using a breathing strategy. Our mindful time allows us to re-centre and be ready for an afternoon of learning.

‘Our choices can change our environment,’ has been guiding our Year 1 learners to understand the impact of human choices on the world around them. They have been investigating ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, becoming passionate eco-warriors in the process. As part of their learning journey, the learners scoured the school to examine how we, as a community, help the environment. To inspire change, they created their own superheroes, designed to raise awareness. They are actively embodying the qualities of being reflective, balanced, and caring as they navigate the complexities of our big idea. These learner profile attributes of reflective, balanced, and caring are becoming evident through the actions our learners exhibit. In discussions about influencing not just their own behaviours but also inspiring change in others, they suggested practical ideas such as turning off lights, taking shorter showers, and up-cycling and repurposing old clothes. These insightful suggestions showcase their growing awareness of the impactful actions they can take. Using a variety of research tools, and through thoughtful discussion, they have been building a deeper understanding of climate change and its implications for their future. 

One learner poignantly shared, “This is the only planet we have, so we should take care of it.” 

All the excitement of being eco warriors and saving the world, we made sure we take time for self-reflection and to care for ourselves. The practice of various mindfulness techniques, sharing their appreciation for moments of happiness, deep breathing exercises, stretching as well as relaxing to calming music, are all part of our usual daily routines to help support us to be grounded and ready for learning. This is also a reminder that we need to look after ourselves before we are ready to look after others – something adults can often forget. 

The learners will have a learning showcase as part of the Year 1 Sustainable Christmas Exhibition on 5th December, 8:30-10am. Come ready for festive cheer and an opportunity to share in their learning journey.

At the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Year 2 learners began their inquiry journey with the "Who We Are" transdisciplinary theme. This unit focused on how individual choices impact overall health and well-being. We continue to reference this unit throughout the year in our vibrant learning hub, where academic growth is balanced with holistic development and well-being. Together, each homeroom establishes an Essential Agreement outlining learners’ rights and responsibilities. These agreements are consistently reinforced alongside the Nexus RECIPE, ensuring all learners feel included and safe—key elements of well-being.  

Mindfulness practices and self-care strategies are naturally woven into our daily routines, such as during morning circles and transitions between lessons. Year 2 learners have observed how engaging in various activities with a calm mindset promotes self-care. Painting, meditating, reading, and playing games are some ways learners nurture themselves and feel good. We also explore mindfulness through activities such as mindful colouring, breathing exercises on the mat, and browsing a curated mix of books selected by teachers and learners. Playing games like UNO with friends and creating designs with Hamma beads remain popular choices, fostering relaxation and social connection.  

This week, we used conversation starters to boost social connections. Questions included:  

- What’s your favourite game to play?  

- If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?  

- What is the best holiday you have ever had?  

We read I Am Human by Susan Verde, making connections with a growth mindset. This linked nicely to a short clip featuring Ormie the Pig, a cartoon character persevering to get a cookie from a jar on top of the refrigerator. The clip brought plenty of laughs from the learners while reinforcing the value of perseverance.  

The interpersonal skills of Year 2 learners continue to grow daily. We are grateful for their efforts in leading balanced lifestyles and look forward to seeing how strong well-being practices support their potential to create a collaborative and conducive learning environment.

Year 3 has been buzzing with activity! Last week, we dedicated hours to rehearsing for our Cultural Celebration in the auditorium. On Wednesday, we performed not once but twice! For many learners, this was their first experience preparing for a performance of this scale, which involves plenty of movement and waiting. Despite the challenges, our learners were incredible, demonstrating excellent self-management and focus, even as other classes practiced on stage.

The performances were a proud moment as we showcased the learning from our Unit of Inquiry (UOI), How We Express Ourselves. The central idea, Culture is reflected through the Arts, was brought to life on stage. Our presentation included musical instruments, traditional dances, quilling art, and segments in Mandarin and French, culminating in a beautiful whole-Year 3 song.

Throughout the past fortnight, learners had many opportunities to practise the Learner Profiles. Performing on stage required risk-taking and open-mindedness, particularly for those stepping onto the stage for the first time. It also demanded strong communication skills, both during the performance and in class, as learners shared their inquiries. This unit emphasised being inquirers—exploring other cultures while reflecting deeply on their own. It was truly a Learner Profile-rich experience!

The teachers couldn’t be prouder of the learners’ achievements on stage. We hope this experience inspires them to embrace similar performances in the future!

This week, we’ve also focused on Care for Self Week, emphasising wellbeing. In Year 3, this means creating a safe, calm, and supportive environment. To promote this, we’ve been building skills to ensure safety—both emotional and physical—in our community.

At our weekly Year 3 assemblies, we choose a key skill to focus on, exploring it through engaging stories that we unpack and discuss together. Recent topics have included showing integrity, sharing your worries, and adopting a growth mindset. These assemblies have also been filled with music, and our group singing sessions have quickly become a highlight for the children!

As we conclude our unit of inquiry, Year 4 learners have explored the rich cultural tapestry of Singapore by inquiring into our Indian, Chinese, European, and Malay communities. They have deepened their understanding of the reasons these groups migrated to Singapore and how they continue to maintain strong connections to their unique cultural identities. Through this inquiry, learners have developed a greater appreciation for the diversity within Singapore and our Nexus community. They identified key aspects such as food, holidays, celebrations, architecture, traditions, and languages. Learners will have the opportunity to share their collaborative presentations with their peers and families.  

As part of the Care Movement, Year 4 learners are encouraged to care for themselves throughout each day. Mindfulness moments are incorporated to help calm nervous systems and provide opportunities for quiet reflection. Activities learners enjoy during these moments include breathing techniques, colouring, reading, or practicing savasana—a deep relaxation technique of lying peacefully on the floor. Learners also understand the importance of taking responsibility for their well-being by eating during break times and staying hydrated throughout the day. Additionally, spending time with friends and building connections fosters a sense of belonging and helps everyone feel valued within our community.

Our current Sharing the planet unit of inquiry has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm, as learners explore the interconnectedness of living things and the importance of protecting our natural world. One of the highlights so far has been the Year 6R and 6W assemblies, where learners presented their learning about the transfer of energy through food webs. This assembly showcased their understanding of how energy flows within ecosystems, emphasising the delicate balance that sustains life. It was inspiring to see the learners confidently articulate their ideas and creatively engage their audience. The field trip to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve added an exciting, hands-on dimension to our learning. Learners had the unique opportunity to observe wildlife, such as crocodiles, monitor lizards, and mudskippers, in their natural environment. This experience deepened their appreciation for biodiversity and reinforced the importance of conserving such vital ecosystems. 

In the classroom, learners have been consolidating their data handling skills, learning how to collect, organise, and interpret data effectively. This has been particularly relevant as they analyse real-world examples to draw meaningful conclusions about environmental patterns. Additionally, they have been honing their persuasive writing skills using the PEEL paragraph structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link). This approach is helping them craft compelling arguments, encouraging critical thinking and clear communication about important issues related to sustainability and environmental responsibility.