YEAR 1/2 UNIT
TERM 1 NEWSLETTER
2015
Special points of
interest
Library Borrowing:
1/2AC: Monday
1/2FC: Friday
1/2KS: Tuesday
Art with Mrs MullenDavey: Wednesdays
Music
1/2AC: Friday
1/2FC: Thursday
1/2KS: Thursday
Italian
1/2AC: Monday
1/2FC: Monday
1/2KS: Monday
Mrs Gulley-Frith is on
Long Service Leave and
has been replaced by Mrs
Bernadette Mullen-Davey.
Bernadette works in
1/2KS on Fridays
1/2AC: Mrs Dudzinski
works Tues, Wed and Friday; Ms Thompson works
Mon and Thurs.
We welcome parents to
assist with listening to
reading in the morning.
Please catch up with your
class teacher for further
details.
Please refer to the
school’s website for all
relevant term dates and
events.
OVERVIEW OF TERM 1
Reminders
Welcome to the 2015 school year! We
hope you have all enjoyed spending time
with your children in the school holidays.
We look forward to an exciting year of
learning.
The Year 1/2 unit will work closely together to provide the students with a rich and
dynamic learning program.
We warmly welcome Natasha (1/2KS) and
Leroy Rossi (1/2FC) and their families to
St. Joseph’s. We hope the families have
many happy times and special memories at
our school.
If you would like to be a volunteer, Police
Checks are required. Please complete a
form ASAP to begin the process. Forms
are available from the office.
Please feel free to come and
discuss any concerns you may have during
the term.
Summer School Uniform is
worn Tuesday and Thursday.
Sports Uniform is worn
Monday, Wednesday and
Friday.
Brain Food occurs everyday.
The students need to bring a
healthy unprocessed snack.
Please arrive to school before the bell goes at
8:45am.
We are a nut aware school.
Students should not bring
nuts or products with traces of nuts to school. If your
child has a severe allergy, it
is essential that the school
has the appropriate medication in case of an emergency.
Please ensure that your child
is equipped with all necessary writing materials and all
equipment is clearly labelled
with his/her name.
Kathy Deegan, Fil Crescitelli,
Bernadette Mullen-Davey
Anne Dudzinski, Cynthia Thompson
Contact details:
Mrs Kathy Deegan -
kdeegan@stjotran.catholic.edu.au
Ms Fil Crescitelli
fcrescit@stjotran.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Anne Dudzinski
adudzinski@stjotran.catholic.edu.au
Ms Cynthia Thompson
cthompson@stjotran.catholic.edu.au
Circle Time
At the beginning of the staff year, all staff were involved in training in what is known as Circle Time.
Circle Time is a great way of helping students connect together as a classroom community through the
means of fun activities, games, sharing, working in pairs or small groups—all done in a circle and to a
specific script.
In the circle, students learn about each other, they learn how to communicate their feelings in a safe environment and how to discuss issues of concern through a respectful, engaging way within the circle.
Circles are a great way to develop self awareness, positive social behaviours, connection, collaborative
skills, resilience, problem solving skills and a sense of the positive.
We are very excited about using Circles in our classes this year!
Our Classrooms
This year you would have noticed that we have presented a different classroom environment for the students to learn in. Several staff attended a workshop early in the year which looked at how environment
affects learning—a positive, warm and friendly environment can improve students’ leaning outcomes.
Over the past few years many schools have begun to change aspects of classroom environment by introducing more homely touches such as couches, flowers, drapes, softer colours where possible, natural materials, neutral colours and interesting textures.
In our R-2 classrooms, we have all introduced new styles to our classrooms and hope to provide the students with a very inviting and friendly atmosphere in which to work and learn.
Please let us know what you think!
Morning Routine
Individual classes conduct their morning routines differently. However there are some things we all do the
same which include wanting the students to unpack their own bags, bring in their blue bags and put their
own notices into the Office Box. These small things help to foster and develop resilience and independence and give the students a sense of control over the management of their day. Please encourage your
child to do these small but important things.
Spelling and Reading
Over the next few weeks spelling will be introduced and students will also be taking home reading
material. More information to follow!
Curriculum Areas
Religious Education
School Culture
God and Revelation
MITIOG-Being Human
St. Joseph’s Day
Ash Wednesday
Holy Week and Easter
Liturgical Year of the Church
Mathematics
Patterns
Ordering numbers
Time
History
Past in the Present
Family Life
History of a special place in the
local community
Art
With Mrs Mullen -Davey
Aboriginal Art
Decoupage
English
Spelling/Sight words
Recount
Procudure
Premiers Reading Challenge
Narrative (Poetry and Asian Folk
Tales)
Reading
Music
With Ms Hull
Italian
With Signora Grande-Brown
Health and PE
Sports Day preparation
(30th April-Sports Day)
Keeping Safe
Ball skills
Tennis
Circle Time
Science - over the Semester
School Yard Safari