Junior School Newsletter

Junior School Newsletter: Term 4, Week 9

CONNECT WITH YEAR 1/2

Learning and Teaching

We have been busy planning, making and creating our 'maths games' over the past two weeks and can't wait to share them with you all on Friday. Grandparents, parents and special friends are welcome to join us on Friday 2nd December from 11:30am - 12:30pm. 

We encourage visitors to bring games from their childhood or games they enjoyed playing to share with the children.  Photos and stories would also be appreciated as this will enrich their knowledge of the past which has been a focus in our Unit of Study this term.

Please join us for our Carols on Friday December 2nd 6.00pm-8.00pm. on the school oval. Bring along a picnic and enjoy the singing and dancing which the children have been learning in the classroom and through the STOMP Program.

IN LEVEL 2 WE ARE LEARNING TO: (WALT)...

READING/WRITING:  

Week 9

Grade 1 & 2:  discuss the characters and settings of different texts and explore how language is used to present these features in different ways

Week 10: 

Grade 1:  respond to texts drawn from a range of cultures and experiences 

Grade 2: discuss different texts on a similar topic, identifying similarities and differences between the texts. 

SPELLING & HOMEWORK:

Grade 1 & 2: Homework will cease at the end of this week, however students will continue Spelling activities in class.

MATHS:

Week 9

Grade 1:  represent and solve simple addition and subtraction problems using counting on strategies

Grade 2: solve simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of mental and written strategies.

Week 10

Grade 1 : recognise and classify familiar two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects using obvious features

Grade 2 : describe and draw two-dimensional shapes and describe the features of three-dimensional objects.

 UNIT OF STUDY: 

Week 9 & 10

Grade 1 & 2: compare the past and present using oral histories.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Olympathon

Thank you for your ‘Olympathon’ donations. We have raised more than $4500 which is a fantastic effort and we appreciate your support.

Working With Children Check

PLEASE REMEMBER TO ENSURE YOUR WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK IS CURRENT FOR 2017.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH ALL OUR FANTASTIC VOLUNTEERS IN THE COMING YEAR.

All parents/guardians, visitors & volunteers to the school MUST sign in & out of the school and display their WWCC in a lanyard, which is available at the school office.

The Department of Education requires any person involved in an activity where children may be present to have a current WWCC or have supplied proof that they have applied for a WWCC with the Department of Justice. All schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005.

Volunteers are expected to carry the WWCC card on their person at all times when working or volunteering at the school or during school related activities.

There is no fee for this check. Apply now by visiting: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

The Junior School encourage and appreciate Parent helpers!

V.C.O.P BIG WRITE

Thank you for taking the time to chat about the topics given to your child on a Wednesday afternoon. As a result, students are excited and prepared for the Big Write session on Thursday and eager to write and share their ideas. 

Just a reminder: a note will come home with a new topic on Wednesday afternoons after classroom discussion in preparation for their ‘Big Write’ on Thursday. The note includes the text type, topic and prompts for discussion. The aim of this is to encourage children to verbally discuss their opinions and consider those of others, expand their knowledge of language through talk and to elaborate on ideas. The ‘Big Write’ is a celebration writing session of the lessons learned during literacy and an opportunity for students to show off their writing skills. It is not a test and is set in a relaxed and calm environment.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property (now located in the Kids’ Cafe') is overflowing with unnamed school jackets, jumpers, lunchboxes and lots of casual clothing. Please remember to label your child's items and to double check lost property if anything is lost.

IMPORTANT DATES

2nd December - grandparents / special friends / parents visit 

                        11:30am - 12:30pm

2nd December - Carols Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm

9th December - House Sports Day

14^th December – class parties

16^th December – student Reports sent home

16^th December – final assembly 2:45

20^th December – early dismissal 1:30pm

                           SNAPSHOT OF OUR FORTNIGHT

Junior School Newsletter: Term 4, Week 5

Junior School Newsletter: Term 4, Week 7

CONNECT WITH YEAR 1/2

Learning and Teaching

IN LEVEL 2 WE ARE LEARNING TO: (WALT)...

Writing: 
Week 7: Structure rhyming patterns and words to create poetry
Week 8: write a response to any given text

Spelling:

Week 7:

Grade 1 – 'ch' as in chair

Grade 2 – 'oi' as in coin (homework will not go home for Grade 2 due to RSL visit)

Week 8:

Grade 1 – 'a' as in ball

Grade 2 - 'i-e' as in kite

Reading: 

Week 7: Synthesising information in a text by using clues and prior knowledge to create a new idea
Week 8: Determining important information in texts to best support understanding

Maths:

Week 7: Time

G1: Reading digital and analogue clocks to the hour and half past

G2: Reading digital and analogue clocks to the hour, quarter past, half past and quarter to

Week 8: Addition and Subtraction

G1: Representing and solving simple addition and subtraction problems using counting on 

G2: Solving simple addition and subtraction problems using a range of mental and written strategies

UNIT OF STUDY: 

Recognise the differences in family structures and roles today, and how these have changed or remained the same over time.

ICT: Identify and explore digital systems (hardware and software components) for a purpose.

WELLBEING: Practise our peer helping and support skills

IMPORTANT NOTICES

OLYMPIC-A-THON REMINDER

The Olympic-A-Thon was held on Wednesday November 16 at Glenelg Park (Duck/Yabby Park). We are raising money for urgently needed replacement of our basketball posts and backboards. Notices have been sent home with a sponsor sheet and more information. 

SunSmart Term 4

Term 4 is a SunSmart term which requires ALL students to wear a school hat when outside. As of week 2, any student without a hat will be restricted to shaded play areas. Please note that we do not lend/share hats for health reasons.

Reading Fun!

We are very excited in the Junior School to have started an adventurous quest into encouraging more reading. 

Quest Information

Thank you for accepting the challenge to save Worgon Island. Worgon Island is situated in the Midworld Sea off the coast of Pendria and is home to Worgon the Dragon. Books are Worgon’s passion and he spends most of his time in his enormous cave which sits on the side of a volcano in the centre of Worgon Island. Worgon’s library contains many mysterious and exciting adventures and it would be a tragedy if these precious books were destroyed. 

The volcano beneath Worgon’s home is becoming more volatile each day and he needs your help to stop a volcanic eruption, to save his home and his precious collection of books.  The volcano has been dormant for centuries thanks to a precious collection of jewels that contain magical powers that control the volatile boiling lava beneath the mountain. An evil wizard by the name of Cazbah became threatened by the knowledge and power that Worgon was gaining from his books. He stole the jewels in the volcano in an attempt to destroy Worgon’s book collection and his source of knowledge. 

Cazbah hid each of the jewels in cities around Worgon’s mythical world thinking that he would never be able to find them BUT Cazbah did not bargain on you helping Worgon. He did not know how brave, adventurous and curious you are. To defeat Cazbah the wizard and help Worgon the dragon you must embark on a long and dangerous journey through Worgon’s mythical world. You must follow the designated flight path, entering each country and landing in each city in search of the treasure that is required to save Worgon Island. 

Your quest will begin on Worgon Island and you will travel on Worgon’s back. Before you can embark on this journey you must obtain a Dragon Flying Licence to ensure your adventure is a success and that you have the skills to obtain all the necessary treasures you will need to save Worgon Island. To obtain your licence you must read at least 2 books about a dragon and fill out the licence application listing 5 facts about dragons. If you are successful you will be issued with a Dragon Flying Licence and your quest will begin. 

To complete each stage of the journey you must read Take Home Books at your level. It will take you 5 nights of reading, signed by your parents, to arrive at each destination and receive the jewel that you need to have your passport stamped. You must also complete an activity from the back of your passport from the activity destinations marked with a picture of Worgon.  

You have accepted the challenge, will you have the courage and strength to read your way around Worgon’s mythical world and save his precious collection which contain mystery, excitement and adventure? Good luck!

ICY POLES! 

To raise money for the Grade Six Graduation Ceremony, icy-poles will be sold every Tuesday in Term 4 at RECESS.

Working With Children Check

All parents/guardians, visitors & volunteers to the school MUST sign in & out of the school and display their WWCC in a lanyard, which is available at the school office.

The Department of Education requires any person involved in an activity where children may be present to have a current WWCC or have supplied proof that they have applied for a WWCC with the Department of Justice. All schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005.

Volunteers are expected to carry the WWCC card on their person at all times when working or volunteering at the school or during school related activities.

There is no fee for this check. Apply now by visiting: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

The Junior School encourage and appreciate Parent helpers!

Lost Property

Lost property (now located in the Kids Cafe) is overflowing with unnamed school jackets, jumpers, lunchboxes and lots of casual clothing. Please remember to label your child's items and to double check lost property if anything is lost.

IMPORTANT DATES

Tuesday 8th November - STOMP starts
Friday 11th November - Grade 2 visit to Mentone RSL for Remembrance Day
Wednesday 16th December - DISCO and Walk-A-Thon

Friday 2nd December - Carols Night

WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

Jasmine and Lewis have new jobs as pilots!

Amy had a go at flying the plane

We had a great time at the Moorabbin Airport Museum

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

1A 
Natsumi for the creativity she showed in her haunted castle narrative this week, very scary!
Phoenix for the great effort he has put into learning to tell the time and for believing in himself.

1O Holly C for working hard to reach her writing goals and achieve her best. Well done, keep up the fantastic work!
Mitchell for having a growth mindset to improve his writing by creating a story about giants and fairies with a beginning, middle and end.

2P Theophania for challenging herself to speak up in class.
Isabella for her fantastic Big Write and always trying her best

2UO Lewis M for improved classroom behaviour. Keep up the good work!
Allegra for her incredible resilience and ability to bounce back after difficult times.

Junior School Newsletter - Term 3, Week 9

Junior School Newsletter: Term 3, Week 9

CONNECT WITH YEAR 1/2

Learning and Teaching

Wow! What a busy and exciting end of term we are having!

The swimming program has been an absolute success. Students have developed their swimming abilities and now have a greater understanding of water safety. An enormous thank you to all parents who have supported us and the children by coming on the bus and helping out at swimming. The program could not run without you. Thank you!

The Whole school concert, 'Alice's Adventure,' is fast approaching. Mrs Cheers has done a fabulous job getting the students prepared and everyone is very excited!

Finally, we hope you all have a very safe and happy holiday with your families and loved ones. Please be aware that school finishes at 2:30 on Friday 16th September. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school and ready to learn at the beginning of Term 4.

SCHOOL START TIME REMINDER

Thank you for assisting your child with the smooth transition to these times

Doors will be opened by 8.50am so parents and students can come in if they choose. When the bell rings at 8.55am, parents are asked to leave the corridor and classrooms to allow all students to come inside and prepare for learning time to begin. Students who are not in class when the 9am bell rings are late to school and must report straight to the office for a late pass.

IN LEVEL 2 WE ARE LEARNING TO: (WALT)...

Reading: 
Week 9 & 10: Pose & answer questions to gain a greater understanding of the text

Spelling:

Week 9:
Grade 1 –‘oo’ as in moon
Grade 2 – ‘re’ as a prefix

Week 10:

Grade 1 & 2 - revision 

Writing: 

Week 9: Publish a persuasive piece using correct structure
Week 10: Revision and consolidation of Term 3 text types

Maths:

Week 9 & 10:
Grade 1:  Give and follow directions to familiar locations 

Grade 2: Interpret simple maps of familiar locations and identify the relative positions of key features

UNIT OF STUDY: understand that spoken, visual and written forms of language are different methods of communication with different features and their use varies according to audience, purpose, context and cultural background.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Concert

All students have been rehearsing super hard with Mrs Cheers and their classroom teachers ready for the concert next week. If your child has not had their costumes checked by their teacher, please send them in with your child as soon as possible. Once costumes have been checked off, students can take them home.

Grade 1: Green top and green pants/shorts/skirt AND black top and black pants

Grade 2: Red top and green pants/shorts/skirt AND black top and black pants

Tuesday 13/9 - Full dress rehearsal at school in the afternoon. Please LABEL all costumes.

Wednesday 14/9 - Rehearsal at Parkdale S.C. No costumes needed. Students will be transported to and from the venue by bus. Permission forms must be returned. 

Wednesday 14/9 & Thursday 15/9 - Concert nights! Please ensure your child is at the venue at 6.30pm.

*Please ensure you have returned all permission slips so your child can participate.

Junior Engineers

ICY POLES! 

To raise money for the Grade Six Graduation Ceremony, icy-poles will be sold on the following dates:

1. Tuesday 6th September at RECESS & LUNCH

2. Thursday 15th September at RECESS only

3. Every Tuesday in Term 4 at RECESS

Swimming 🏊

- Our Prep to Grade 4 Swimming Program concludes Friday 9th of September.
- Friday will be a Fun Day to celebrate the end of the swimming program.

Please remember to label all clothing.

Level	Depart MPPS	Lesson	Depart Pool
Grade 4 H	9am	9:30	10:45
Grade 4 W	9am	10	10:45
Grade 3 G	10am	10:30	11:45
Grade 3 S	10am	11	11:45
Grade 2 P	11 am	11:30	12:45
Grade 2 UO	11am	12	12:45
Grade 1 A	12:30pm	1	2:15
Grade 1 O	12:30pm	1:30	2:15
Prep S	1:30pm	2	3:15
Prep B	1:30pm	2:30	3:15

Due to the timetable, Grade One students will require an extra snack - preferably a healthy one.

Homework Week 8-10

Due to the upcoming Swimming Program and School Concert, Homework will not be sent home for the remainder of the term. Spelling will continue as usual in class time as will the Big Write sessions.

Working With Children Check

All parents/guardians, visitors & volunteers to the school MUST sign in & out of the school and display their WWCC in a lanyard, which is available at the school office.

The Department of Education requires any person involved in an activity where children may be present to have a current WWCC or have supplied proof that they have applied for a WWCC with the Department of Justice. All schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005.

Volunteers are expected to carry the WWCC card on their person at all times when working or volunteering at the school or during school related activities.

There is no fee for this check. Apply now by visiting: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

The Junior School encourage and appreciate Parent helpers!

WANTED! Can you please help?

The Marine Ambassadors and Green Gang, along with Miss Oates are searching for some items that either can be recycled or donated to help assist with some AMAZING programs that the students are developing. Do you have any of the following items around the house that could please be recycled or donated??

-                    Old clothes for scarecrows

-                    Children’s gardening gloves

-                    Children’s gumboots

-                    Herbs (seeds or seedlings)

-                    Vegetables (seeds, seedlings or plants)

-                    Fruits (seeds, seedlings or plants)

Lost Property

Lost property (now located in the hallway) is overflowing with unnamed school jackets, jumpers, lunchboxes and lots of casual clothing. Please remember to label your child's items and to double check lost property if anything is lost.

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday 9th September - Last day of swimming (Fun Day)

Friday 9th September - Footy Day! Please dress in your footy team's colours. Please label all clothing so it doesn't get lost at swimming.

Wednesday 14th September - School Production

Thursday 15th September - School Production

Friday 16th September - Last day of term, early dismissal at 2.30pm

Monday 3rd October - First day Term 4

WHAT'S MAKING NEWS

Grade 1s posing questions to gain a greater understanding of the text

Grade 2s playing fraction dominoes

 

 


 

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Congratulations to the following students who worked hard to receive an Achievement Award!
1A: Molly
1O: Stratos & Dexter
2P: Luke & Lachlan
2UO:  Isaak & Vincent