carwatha.p12@education.vic.gov.au

Newsletter Term 2 2026

1

Principals Report Term 2 2026

As we reach the end of another successful semester, it is a great opportunity to reflect on the many achievements and highlights across our school community.

Our preliminary NAPLAN results have recently been received, and early indications show improvement across most areas assessed. These encouraging results reflect the great learning taking place in our classrooms and the effectiveness of our teaching and learning programs.

Students have enjoyed a wide range of opportunities throughout the semester. These have included twilight and interschool sports competitions, the Year 9 Camp, VM Camp, and numerous Outdoor Education camps. Students across all year levels have proudly represented the College in interschool sport, achieving some outstanding successes.

One of the highlights of the semester was hosting the CFC Cup, which saw more than 300 primary school students participate from schools across the City of Greater Dandenong. We were particularly proud that our Grade 5 and 6 boys won their age group competition. In addition, students from every year level have participated in a variety of excursions that have enriched their learning experiences beyond the classroom.

Our annual Swimming Carnival was another fantastic event, with Blackburn House taking home the championship trophy. We are now looking forward to our Athletics Carnival, with preparations already well underway.

We have also recently received our preliminary Attitudes to School Survey results. While our results were already above the state average in every area measured, we have continued to improve across all domains. These results indicate that our students feel connected to the school, feel safe, have trusted adults who advocate for them, are motivated to learn, and genuinely enjoy being part of our school community. These are all essential cornerstones of a great school and something we are extremely proud of.

There have also been significant improvements to our facilities. The entire school has recently undergone a facelift, with all external walls repainted, giving the campus a fresh and vibrant appearance. Plans are now underway to recarpet the entire primary school and administration building. We will also be upgrading the upstairs playground in the primary school during the September holidays. We have also replaced our two older buses, both of which were more than 20 years old, with new buses that will better serve our students and community.

On the staffing front, we will be farewelling Thy Do from Prep at the end of the semester. We thank Thy for her contribution to the College and wish her every success in the future. We are pleased to welcome Karin Coles as her replacement. Karen Ji will also be leaving, with her replacement to be announced shortly.

Finally, Carwatha College is in the enviable position of being fully staffed for Semester 2, placing us in a strong position to continue delivering high-quality educational opportunities for all students.

Thank you to our students, staff, and families for their ongoing support throughout the semester. We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable break and look forward to another successful semester ahead.

Patrick Mulcahy - College Principal.

Secondary Report Term 2 2026

Blackburn Report – Term 1 and 2, 2026

It has been a fantastic start to the year for Blackburn House, with students embracing every opportunity to connect, participate and contribute to our school community.

Term 1

The focus of Home Group in Term 1 was the reintroduction of The Resilience Project, with students exploring the first element of the GEM model, Gratitude. Through a range of activities and discussions, students reflected on the importance of appreciating the people and opportunities around them while developing positive wellbeing habits.

A major priority at the beginning of the year was also getting to know our new Home Groups and warmly welcoming our Year 7 students into the Blackburn community. It was wonderful to see students quickly build connections and develop a strong sense of belonging.

Our annual Swimming Sports provided another highlight of the term. Blackburn students turned out in huge numbers, participating enthusiastically both in and out of the pool. Their energy, sportsmanship and house spirit paid off, with Blackburn taking home the overall victory. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to such an outstanding result.

Blackburn Week was another incredible success. Throughout the week, students participated in a variety of Home Group challenges, school-wide competitions and fun games that showcased teamwork, creativity and house pride. The final results were:

1st. Blackburn

2nd. Mabo

3rd. Cowan

4th. Chang

A huge congratulations to all students who took part and helped make the week such a memorable event.

We would also like to thank the entire school community for supporting our fundraising efforts throughout Blackburn Week. Together we raised nearly $1,000 for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, making a meaningful contribution to an important cause.

Term 2

During Term 2, Home Group activities shifted their focus to the second element of the GEM model, Empathy. Students explored the importance of understanding and supporting others through a variety of engaging activities conducted in both mixed year level and regular Home Groups.

This term also saw the introduction of Home Group versus Home Group challenges, which quickly became a favourite among students. The friendly competition created plenty of excitement and strengthened relationships across the school. The competition will continue into next term and we look forward to seeing which house and homegroup can win the most challenges.

As we head into the final week of term, we are excited for Mabo Week and hope to continue Blackburn's strong performances. With the enthusiasm and spirit shown so far this year, we are aiming for another successful week.

Congratulations to all Blackburn students who received GPA and GPA Star awards throughout Semester One. These awards recognise the consistent effort, achievement and positive contribution of our students, and we are incredibly proud of all recipients. Below are the award winners from Blackburn.

Cycle 1 (VCE/VCE-VM students only): GPA of 3.2 or more - An average of Behaviour, Attitude to work and Academic Progress across all subjects. Maximum GPA is 4.0.

Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Ranasinghage Amarasekara Indie Bateson Logan Bateson Amelia Grace Reyansh Jha Samuel Johson Ammar Khan Rebecca Nai Moe	Adam Chamberlain Tiana Chamberlain Kareem Dib Dionysios Georgiadis Lakota Harris Hiral Kamboj Natalie Vo	Riley-Kate Clarke Sonam Dema Joshua Grace Connor McDowell Jasmyne Meegoda Gamage Mischitha Nithin Shankara Bailey Parsons Emily Ryan

Cycle 1 (VCE/VCE-VM students only): GPA Stars – Achieved a GPA of at least 3.2 in three consecutive cycles

Year 10	Year 11	Year 12
Ranasinghage Amarasekara Indie Bateson Logan Bateson Amelia Grace Samuel Johson	Tiana Chamberlain Natalie Vo	Sonam Dema Joshua Grace Mischitha Nithin Shankara Bailey Parsons

Cycle 2 (Year 7 – 12): GPA of 3.2 or more - An average of Behaviour, Attitude to work and Academic Progress across all subjects. Maximum GPA is 4.0

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Sophie Bateson

Alyssa Carter

Kayden Chinery

Danieli Dela Cruz

Jasselyn Herman

Jimba Jamtsho

Nitheesha Sasmitha Konara Mudiyanselage

Ailya Laksmana

Hendrix Peters

Sanuli Tisse Appuhamilage

Btaniya Zeray

Harrison Montgomery

Ciara Tour

Marley Rajapaksha

Ziwei Yang

Cilicia Ona-Ariki

Jassebelle Herman

Hung Cung

Tonu Evile Peni

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Ranasinghage Amarasekara
Indie Bateson
Logan Bateson
Amelia Grace
Samuel Johson

Nicholas McDowell
Rebecca Nai Moe

Alepha Taramai

Madhulika Balijepally

Adam Chamberlain
Tiana Chamberlain
Kareem Dib
Dionysios Georgiadis
Lakota Harris
Hiral Kamboj

Tsongtsen Tenzin
Natalie Vo

Riley-Kate Clarke
Sonam Dema
Joshua Grace
Connor McDowell
Jasmyne Meegoda Gamage
Bailey Parsons

Cycle 2 (Year 8 – 12): GPA stars – Achieved a GPA of at least 3.2 in three consecutive cycles

Year 8

Year 10

Year 11

Year 12

Harrison Montgomery

Ziwei Yang

Ranasinghage Amarasekara
Indie Bateson
Logan Bateson
Amelia Grace
Samuel Johson

Tiana Chamberlain
Natalie Vo

Sonam Dema
Joshua Grace
Bailey Parsons

Finally, a sincere thank you goes to our dedicated Blackburn Home Group teachers (Mrs Rentzis, Ms Herridge, Mr Collings, Mrs Russell, Mr Joannides) for their ongoing commitment and support of our students throughout the semester. We also acknowledge our Blackburn Ambassadors (Indie Bateson, Adam Chamberlain, Josh Grace, Rebecca Nai Moe, Mischitha Nithin Shankara, Natalie Vo, Kai Andrews, Cilicia Ona-Ariki, Alyssa Thompson, Ally Carter, Moscho Karamoschos and Khiann Singh) for the outstanding work they have done assisting with the Home Group program and helping to organise and run Blackburn Week. Their leadership and enthusiasm have played a significant role in making this semester such a success.

We look forward to another exciting and rewarding semester ahead for Blackburn House.

Mrs Rentzis & Mrs Farrington-Williams

What an incredible first semester it has been for Chang House! We would like to celebrate the outstanding efforts, achievements, and positive contributions of all our students who have proudly represented Chang throughout the year so far.

Chang House Ambassadors

Our Chang House Ambassadors have shown exceptional leadership, commitment, and school spirit this semester. A huge thank you to Atilla Coskun, Andrew Souvatzis, Rochelle Richter, Hanuj Baliepally, Lauran Singh, Lawrence Ng, Han Nguyen, Soubin Phal, and Liyana Ali for their dedication and hard work.

From helping organise major events to encouraging participation and fostering a strong sense of community within our Learning House, our ambassadors have been fantastic role models. We greatly appreciate everything they have contributed this semester.

Swimming Carnival Success

The annual Swimming Carnival was a fantastic day filled with energy, enthusiasm, and House pride. Chang House proudly finished 3rd overall, with students demonstrating outstanding teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the day.

A big congratulations and thank you to every student who participated in both the competitive swimming and novelty events. Your willingness to get involved and support your House made a huge difference.

Home Group Focus

Throughout the semester, Home Group sessions have focused on Gratitude as part of The Resilience Project. Students have explored meaningful ways to recognise and appreciate the people around them, expressing gratitude towards friends, family members, teachers, and fellow students.

It has been wonderful to see students from all year levels connecting with one another, building positive relationships, and creating a supportive and welcoming Chang House community.

Thank You

A special thank you goes to our Home Group teachers for their ongoing support, encouragement, and commitment to our students. We would also like to acknowledge every Chang student who has contributed to House events, activities, and the positive culture of our Learning House.

Keep showing your Chang pride, supporting one another, and striving for excellence. We look forward to an exciting and successful Term 3

Mr Dawson & Mr Jogaratnam - House Leaders.

Semester One has been a fantastic start for Cowan Learning House, with our students embracing every opportunity to get involved, represent the house with pride and contribute to our positive Learning House culture. We would like to thank all Cowan students for their enthusiasm and congratulate them on their many achievements throughout the semester.

Swimming Carnival

The Swimming Carnival was a fantastic day, with many Cowan students stepping outside their comfort zones to compete in both swimming and novelty events. Thank you to everyone who participated and represented Cowan with enthusiasm and school spirit.

A special congratulations goes to Sabina Handley, who was named the 15-Year-Old Age Female Group Champion; a wonderful achievement.

Cross Country

Congratulations to the following Cowan students who achieved a Top 10 finish at the Cross Country event earlier this semester. Your determination and effort should be celebrated:

Jaril Sides
Dominic Galluccio
Thomas Doleman
Mee Asi
Hope Witherdin
Narah Eti
Viktor Bejatovic
Ethan Li
Xanderfer Sam
Samrawit Habteslassie

Cowan House Ambassadors

Our House Ambassadors have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment throughout Semester One, playing an integral role in supporting a range of Learning House events and initiatives. Sabina Handley, Ozkan Coskan, Kathryn Batdorf, TeAta Manga, Mikayla Newton, Rian Abaker, Arthur Nai Moe, Jessica King, Samrawit Habteslassie, Thomas Doleman and William Manga all made a valuable contribution to the success of our Swimming Carnival through their enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to assist.

We look forward to seeing our ambassadors once again take the lead during Cowan Week in Week 10 next term, where they will plan, coordinate and facilitate a range of activities for the Learning House. Their leadership and dedication continue to make a positive impact on the Cowan community.

House Points

Congratulations to the 116 Cowan students who earned Learning House points throughout Semester One. Every point reflects a student's positive contribution to our Learning House community through participation, teamwork and school pride. We encourage all Cowan students to get involved next semester, challenge themselves to earn points and continue strengthening Cowan's standing in the Learning House competition.

Special recognition goes to our highest point earners:

Ozkan Coskun – 130 points
Kuachluach Chol – 110 points
Hifazatullah Quraishi – 100 points
Aeres Lazuriaga – 85 points
Kevin Phoung – 85 points

Home Group

Throughout Semester One, our Home Group program has centred on Gratitude through The Resilience Project, providing students with regular opportunities to reflect on and appreciate the people around them. These sessions have also played an important role in our pastoral care program, creating a safe and supportive environment where students can connect with their peers and build positive, professional relationships with staff. It has been wonderful to see students across different year levels developing a strong sense of belonging, supporting one another and contributing to the inclusive and welcoming culture that makes Cowan Learning House such a positive community.

Special recognition

A special thank you to Mrs Barth, who served as Cowan House Leader during Term 1, and to Ms Toul for her outstanding work as Cowan House Assistant Leader. Their leadership, dedication and commitment have been instrumental in supporting our students and fostering a strong sense of belonging within Cowan Learning House.

As I transitioned into the role of Cowan House Leader this term, I have been incredibly grateful for the warm welcome and support shown by both staff and students. As a new member of the school community, I have appreciated the kindness, encouragement and willingness of everyone to assist me in settling into the role. I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships and working together to support the success of every Cowan student.

We would also like to sincerely thank our Cowan Home Group teachers: Mr Radcliffe, Ms Hofman, Mr Hem, Ms Meng and Ms Toul, for their ongoing support, encouragement and commitment to our students throughout the semester. Their dedication plays a significant role in making Cowan Learning House such a positive and supportive community.

We look forward to another successful semester and seeing even more Cowan students getting involved in Learning House activities.

Mr Williams & Ms Toul - House Leaders.

A great first semester for the Mabo Learning House! We would like to acknowledge all the achievements of our Mabo Students and thank them for all their contribution to the Learning House Points so far this year.

Mabo House Ambassadors
Our Learning House Ambassadors have been hard at work this semester. Lil Joven, Keziah Embido, Blessing Rotimi, Tashi Yanke, Shayyan Rezawi, Jo Hai Far, Elijah Miranda, Chan Yoon and Aaron Hettige have worked tirelessly to help organise swimming carnival and Mabo Week events. Thank you to all our ambassadors for their hard work and contributions.

Swimming Carnival
A huge success for Mabo, coming in second at the swimming carnival. A big thank you to all the students who participated in the swimming and novelty events. Congratulations to the following students on being age group champions!

Dexter Koumides
Julie Kloth
Eliza Chew
Chan Yoon
Taj Damon

Cross country
Congratulations to the following student who finished top three in cross country, you should be proud of your efforts!

Julie Kloth (first place)
Ganicus Ropiha (third place)
Adem Dzevlan (first place)
Evie Bury (third place)
Dorian Cerovina (first place)
Ammar Dolic (second place)
Edin Dzevlan (third place)

House Points
Congratulations on all the students who have contributed to the Learning House points! The following students have earned the most house points in Mabo:

George Kazazis
Jennifer Chhun
Eliza Chew
Keziah Embido
Vipheavy Rong

Home Group

In Home Group we have been focusing ‘Gratitude’ as part of the Resilience Project. Students have been able to express their gratitude in a variety of ways including to staff, students and family.

It’s been great to see students from different year levels building strong relationships and supporting one another!

Thank you’s
A big shout out to our Home Group teachers, Ms Andrew, Ms Cooper, Mr Amante, Ms McAcleer and Ms Duncan for supporting our Learning House. A big thank you for all Mabo students who have contributed to the learning house over the year, keep up the good work and let’s have a great Term 3!

Ms Go - House Leader.

PE at Carwatha is very well supported and enjoyed by the majority of our students from Year 7-10 as core and we have Senior Physical Education at VCE which will lead our students into areas of Sport, Recreation, Coaching and Teaching careers.

The 7-9 students have been concentrating on Territory Games, Net & Wall Sports as well as improving their fitness by focusing on Training and Fitness Goals this semester.

The Year 10s have been organizing their own tournament play each week in a range of sports and have been reflecting in their PE Folios in English classes, ensuring they maintain their focus on the important dimensions of social, mental and physical health.

A highlight of the term has been the World Cup Athletics Challenge where Year 7-9 students are competing for a range of countries for some end of term prizes!

The Year 9s have a greater emphasis on Leadership skills and demonstrated their maturity and communication skills teaching a skill to the grade 5/6 students. This has become an annual Assessment Task for our Year 9 cohort who always rise to the challenge when given extra responsibility. The primary kids love being a part of the unit also and it’s very satisfying for the PE teachers to see the Year 9s role modelling our college values and behaviours.
Mr Collings - PE/Sport Teacher.

Interschool Sport Celebrations

Carwatha College has enjoyed another outstanding term of interschool sport, with students demonstrating exceptional skill, teamwork, commitment, and school pride across a wide range of sporting competitions.

This year to date, more than 40 Carwatha College teams competed at the Greater Dandenong Division level, representing the College with enthusiasm and determination. We are especially proud of the many students and teams who progressed to represent Carwatha at the Southern Metropolitan Region level, showcasing their talents against some of the strongest competition in the region. Special mention to the following teams for winning the GDD championship and progressing to the SMR events:

Year 8 Boys Tennis
Intermediate Boys Netball
Year 7 Boys Netball
Carwatha XC and Swimming Teams

Our annual Swimming Carnival and Junior Cross Country Carnival were both tremendous successes. These events continue to be highlights of the school sporting calendar, providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves, support their peers, and contribute to the vibrant sporting culture of our school. A huge thank you to Mai Vu and her father Mr Bang Vu for coaching our GDD/SMR Swimming team to unprecedented success!

Congratulations to Blackburn House, who were crowned champions of the 2026 Swimming Carnival, and to Chang House, who claimed victory in the Junior Cross Country Carnival. Both houses demonstrated outstanding participation, enthusiasm, and competitive spirit throughout their respective events.

A sincere thank you must go to the many staff members who generously gave their time to coach teams, supervise events, and support students throughout the year. Your dedication and commitment make these opportunities possible and are greatly appreciated by the entire school community. Thank you to the following coaches for taking multiple teams: Mr Stephens, Mr Palermo, Mr Pieta, Mr Hammond, Miss Go, Mr Chan, Miss Toul, Mr Dawson, Miss Herridge, Mr Hem, Miss Weller and Mr Dakis, Mr Skadins Miss Farrington-Williams.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank our student coaches, whose leadership, encouragement, and willingness to support younger students have played a significant role in the success of our sporting programs. Their efforts exemplify the values of teamwork, responsibility, and service.

Special recognition must be given to the PE Department, House Leaders and Sport Crew volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to organise events, coordinate competitions, manage equipment, and ensure our carnivals ran smoothly. Their contribution is invaluable and greatly appreciated.

Finally, a massive thank you and congratulations to all of our Year 12 sportsmen and sportswomen. Over the years, you have made a remarkable contribution to sport at Carwatha College through your participation, leadership, coaching, and positive example. Your legacy has helped strengthen our sporting culture, and we wish you every success in your future endeavours.

Well done to all students, staff, and volunteers who contributed to another fantastic semester of sport at Carwatha College.

Mr Collings - Pe/Sport Teacher.

Carwatha College Shines at Greater Dandenong Division Year 7 Soccer Tournament

Tattersall Park, Keysborough

The Carwatha College Year 7 Boys Soccer Team delivered an outstanding performance at the Greater Dandenong Division Soccer Tournament, producing one of the strongest results in the school’s recent football history and proudly representing the college both on and off the field.

Drawn into a challenging group, Carwatha began the tournament against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Dandenong High School, a team supported by Melbourne Victory Academy coaches.

From the opening whistle, our players displayed intelligence, determination, teamwork, and belief. Through disciplined defending and confident football, Carwatha secured a memorable 1–0 victory, setting the tone for the remainder of the day.

The second group match saw Carwatha take on Noble Park Secondary College. Building on the confidence gained from their opening success, the team produced an exceptional all-round performance. Strong contributions from Mason in midfield and Ganicus in both defence and breaking lines , outstanding goalkeeping from Hendrix, and a commanding defensive display from Dexter , not to mention the outstanding contribution from Harley , Vincent & Cory up front helped the team record an impressive 4–0 victory.

With two wins from two matches and an aggregate score of 5–0, Carwatha finished top of Pool 3, progressing to the finals stage unbeaten and without conceding a goal.

The semi-final/finals round showcased the character and resilience of the squad. In a tightly contested match, Carwatha battled courageously to a 1–1 draw, creating several opportunities and pushing strongly for the winning goal.

In the final game the school meet Sirius collage who has 5 pre YSL division 1 players in the team yet narrowly going down 2-1 and after missing a penalty to equalise, our team has been outstanding in every aspect of their play and player development.

Despite narrowly missing out on the tournament title, the players could hold their heads high after remaining undefeated throughout the entire competition.

What made the day particularly special was the recognition received from other schools, teachers, and students.

Throughout the tournament, many opposition staff and players congratulated the Carwatha team on the quality of its football and the remarkable progress of the school’s football program. Several schools expressed interest in organising future friendly matches, with contact details exchanged between Carwatha staff and other participating schools.

The success of the day was not solely due to the players. Assistant Teacher Mr Alex Palermo, assistant coach Luka, and our support and first-aid staff Kai played a vital role in creating a positive and professional environment for the team. Their commitment, encouragement, and support throughout the tournament were invaluable.

Most importantly, the tournament has inspired many of our students to continue their football journey and participate in regular training and development opportunities.

The enthusiasm shown by the players following the event demonstrates the growing strength of football within our school community.

This tournament performance is widely regarded as the best result achieved by a Carwatha College football team in the past seven years, with the team finishing 2nd overall in the Greater Dandenong Division and now awaiting confirmation from tournament organisers regarding potential progression to the next stage of competition.

Carwatha College is extremely proud of every player, coach, staff member, and supporter involved. The team represented the school with excellence, sportsmanship, and pride, and has firmly established Carwatha College as a respected and emerging force in school football.

Mr Dakis - Head Coach – Year 7 Boys Soccer Team

Students’ First Steps in Our English Learning Centre

Students at the English Learning Centre (ELC) typically spend a semester with us as they begin learning English. For many, this is also their first time in an Australian school. Along with learning a new language, they adapt to a different education system and classroom routines than those they knew in their home countries.

In the ELC, students meet classmates from many countries and quickly become part of the rich multicultural community that makes Carwatha College P–12 special.

Here are a few reflections from our ELC graduates about their time in the Centre:

REFLECTIONS

“The first day was actually hard with me> I was very scared about going to school. However, my teacher always cheers me up, let me feel comfortable in the classroom. I am very happy with ELC.” – Aginah

“I find new friends in this class. My experience is very good.” – Warid Abbas Akbani

“I was happy in this class. I learn everything in this class.” – Harazat

“In ELC too much study English. I’m ready for mainstream now” – KJ

“In ELC you need to talk more English with friends. Don’t talk your language (it will help you learn English better.)” – Ciry

“In the ELC, I learned many things and new English, and I also made much friends. They are kind. This makes me happy. Mr. S is the best teacher and soccer player in the world.” - Max

“Studying in the ELC help me a lot of things. I can improve my English with a comfortable environment and happy. Mr. S is a helpful teacher. He always help me and explains things to me.” - Hang

Mrs Leventakis - International Student Coordinator.

Primary Report Term 2 2026

Wow! Term 2 has flown by and the students in Prep P have been busy learning, exploring and having fun!

Students have continued to work hard during Literacy and Numeracy, developing their skills and confidence across many areas.
In Reading, students have been focusing on their letter and sound knowledge, making predictions, inferring, making connections, answering questions and summarising texts.

In Writing, students have been enjoying personal writing and learning how to express and justify their opinions.

In Mathematics, students have been building their understanding of addition and subtraction, as well as exploring and creating patterns. It has been wonderful to see their confidence grow as they apply these skills in a variety of learning activities.

Our Integrated Studies unit this term has focused on Geography. Students have been learning about where they live and identifying places that are important to them. They have enjoyed sharing their own experiences, exploring maps and discussing why different places are special and meaningful in their lives.

The highlights of the term for many students were our Swimming Fun Day and our excursion to Melbourne Zoo. Students had a fantastic time developing their water confidence and enjoying a range of swimming activities. At Melbourne Zoo, they were excited to see a variety of animals up close.

Another exciting highlight was our Pyjama Day, which students earned as a class reward for consistently following our school rules and classroom expectations. Students were thrilled to come to school in their pyjamas and enjoyed celebrating their hard work and positive behaviour.
It has been a busy and rewarding term filled with learning, growth and memorable experiences.

We are very proud of all the students and look forward to another exciting term ahead!

Ms Pritchett - Classroom Teacher.

Prep/1D has had such a busy fun filled term! A highlight was our exciting zoo excursion last week as part of our Geography unit for Integrated. We loved learning how to read a map to go and see so many amazing animals up close. There were plenty of smiles, questions, and memorable moments throughout the day!

Back in the classroom, we have been working hard on learning all of our letters and sounds and blending them together to read and spell! It has been wonderful to watch their skills grow each week. Our learning has also taken us into the world of non-fiction texts.

We have been exploring books filled with real-life information and discovering lots of fun and fascinating facts. The children have enjoyed learning about snails, spiders and ants, asking questions, and sharing new knowledge with their classmates! In Mathematics, we have been developing our understanding of addition, subtraction and patterns.

We also enjoyed participating in our simultaneous storytime event. It was exciting to read Luna Roo altogether. The experience sparked great discussions, laughter, and a love of reading. We are so proud of the enthusiasm, curiosity, and effort shown by all of our learners. We can't wait to see what exciting discoveries and adventures we will have next term!

Ms Do - Classroom Teacher.

What an incredible start to the school year for 1/2A! I am so excited to be teaching our awesome students this year. They all look so smart in school uniform and have settled in quickly to the routines at school and our very new classroom. They are feeling safe and happy at school and are building strong friendships.

We’ve had many exciting learning experiences in our classroom this semester. We started with a huge focus on getting to know each other and our school values. I am so proud of our students who are doing their best to show excellence, commitment, teamwork, and respect.

I’m so impressed with how our students have been using the reading strategies they are learning, and the reading routine they are developing at home. They love writing stories, recounts, acrostic poems and opinion writing. They are so proud of their remarkable efforts. Our students have amazed me with their Mathematics abilities in Number, Place Value, Addition, Subtraction, Time and Patterns.

They also love singing our songs and listening to stories.
The highlights of the term for many students were our Swimming Fun Day and our excursion to Melbourne Zoo. Students had a fantastic time developing their water confidence and enjoying a range of swimming activities. At Melbourne Zoo, they were so excited to see a variety of animals up close.

Thank you, parents and carers, for your continual support in our learning programs and activities. We’re really looking forward to many exciting activities and learning next term.
Enjoy the term break!

Mrs Abraham - Clasroom Teacher.

It has been a smooth start to the year in the 2/3 unit!

We have welcomed some amazing new students who have made new friends and enjoyed getting to know our classroom routines.

We have set up a positive reward system to work towards where students can accumulate popsicle sticks and gain a reward. We also have a class reward that we all work towards, and we have celebrated with ice-cream and a pyjama/movie day.

We spent the first few weeks of the year learning about each other, building relationships and supporting each other through the start of a new school year!

In Literacy, we have been focusing on recounts about special events and weekend activities. We have developed characters and created a setting to write a Narrative. Students have enjoyed writing persuasive texts. Writing to persuade the teachers to allow them to bring their pets to school. Students have particularly enjoyed writing reasons for banning homework and doing chores.

Reading activities have focussed on making connections to a text and ourselves. We have also been learning to predict what will happen before we read, during reading and what will happen at the end of the story. Everyone has been focussing on learning new vocabulary and improving spelling skills. We have chosen ‘Just Right’ books and discussed the importance of a daily reading routine.

In Numeracy, we have been learning how to problem solve, looking for the important parts of the problem. We have also been working towards understanding the value of each digit in a number and the importance of place value when we are adding or subtracting numbers. We have been playing many games to consolidate our learning, and our daily times table challenge is a class favourite.

Integrated Studies has focussed on getting to know each other in our new classroom at the beginning of the year. Students have learned about the roles and responsibilities of the three levels of Government in Australia and how democracy works. We have been learning about Geography this term. Understanding the different environments in our community, our state and the wider world. We have been learning about man-made and natural environments, then locating them on a map. We have particularly enjoyed studying animals and their habitat, then finding out where they live in our world.

Students have been very diligent during Mandarin lessons, learning how to introduce themselves to others and learning new vocabulary associated with sports, clothing and siblings. We are always learning new words and phrases.

Loads of fun, learning and growth to come!

Mrs McPhie and Mrs Clarke - Classroom Teachers.