Welcome

S1/2W

We are a partnership…….. where we all work together for the benefit

of the child. The most important part of our school.

Each child is a unique individual, developing at his or own rate. Children learn to crawl, walk and talk at different ages. It’s the same with learning at school.

S1/2W is a Year 2 and Year 3 multi staged class, with 25 students. The transition for your children is becoming serene and calm. Each child is reminded of the different responsibilities that we each have to keep our classroom a safe ,fun and happy place to stay and learn. My role this year to is foster self-reliance in your child and to help them become independent. We are also focusing on RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, CARE and CONSIDERATION– the 4 values of the school.

Thank you to the parents who have already purchased the requirements for our classroom so that we can start using them.

Class Routines

Monday 9.00am School Assembly

Tuesday 12.55-1.55pm RFF

Mrs Adams

Music and recorder

Wednesday 9.00 am School Assembly

9.15-9.45 am Scripture

11.55-12.55pm RFF Mrs Payne Library

Thursday 9-00-11.00- technology-

Library

Whole school assembly at 2.30 alternate weeks

School Parliament

for YR 3-6

Friday Sport

Homework Children will be given their homework on a Monday. The children need to complete this work and hand it

back in on the Friday of the same week .

This year Mathletics will also be part of your child’s homework. If for some reason your child is away on a Friday, please leave the homework until the following week.

Reading Within our classroom all types of reading occur.

We have group, individual, shared, modeled and individual learning programs.

The children who working with Mrs Henry have been assessed and their program has been running for the last couple of weeks. They see Mrs Henry on a Tuesday and Wednesday morning starting at 9.00am.

Premier’s Reading Challenge Year 2 and Year 3 students will be taking part in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. Bob Carr started this program to encourage a love of reading. The students who take part need to read 20 books from now until August. Year 2 children need to be read 30 books. This will happen in the classroom. Year 3 children need to read 20 books -15 of these books must be from the Premier’s Reading Challenge List. Students in Year 3 will fill out a Reading record at school as they complete each book. Year 3 will enter their reading online whilst Mrs Payne or myself will enter Year 2 online. Mrs Payne has compiled the list of books at school. The list is quite extensive and therefore it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least 15 books from the list. The other 5 books that they need to read need to be of a similar quality to a book on the list. Or it can simply be 20 from the list. A certificate will be issued to each successful student. If you wish to know more you can log onto http:www.schools.nsw.edu.au/premiersreadingchallenge/rules34.htm

Spelling All Year 2 and Year 3 children have been assessed using the Single Word Spelling test. This ensures that the lists that your children are exposed to match their capabilities. We are using the Spelling Conventions Text Book which caters to individual student learning. Also I have purchased a subscription to Spelling and Vocabulary City. http://www.spellingcity.com/

Your child has been given a username and password and the activities on the site are in line with the spelling words for the week.

Writing Writing encompasses writing different text types –information reports, procedures, narratives, explanations, discussions, recounts, as well as handwriting , spelling and grammar. At the moment we as a class have been concentrating on persuasive texts and will soon start information reports for our Dinosaur theme. This year all students in my students in Year 3 will be taking part in

NAPLAN. Students are assessed using common national tests in Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation) and Numeracy. These will take place on : Tuesday 10th May– Language Wednesday 11th May– Reading Thursday 12th May– Numeracy We have been told that the text type to focus on will be a Persuasive Text . You can find out more information at http://www.naplan.edu.au/

The children are also taking part in blogging. They have a blog set up at kidblog. http://kidblog.org/MrsWestwoodsClass/ Everyday A1/2W write a journal entry. Some children will write on their kidblog. This is also accessible at home.

Talking and Listening– Our weekly news timetable develops confidence within the children to speak in front of their peers. We have a time keeper and a person to choose the best listener. There is also a time for questions or comments about a person’s news. Something that will be fostered this year is when children have completed an activity we will share what we have done. Sometimes with a small group and sometimes with the whole class. Talking and most especially the listening aspect are very important to children's’ learning. Students will also record their news some days to add to our blog.

Maths: This year the school has again purchased the rights for 12 months to Mathletics, It is a great program that supports the K-6 maths syllabus. I am setting your child's homework from here. If you do not have internet access no child is disadvantaged, as I give them time in the classroom to do this part of their maths homework.

It provides a fun and stimulating way to learn their maths. It is also from there that I can monitor how well students have grasped different maths concepts. Some children are exceptionally good at number, some at space and measurement, and some with patterns and algebra. At this stage there is a lot of revision happening. One aspect that has shone through is the need for their times tables. This will be practiced every day in the classroom.

At the moment we are also busy assessing the children with Maths assessments to see where each child needs extra help with their learning. Also due to the nature of the classes with so many composites, Maths textbooks have been purchased. Thank you so much to the parents who have purchased their books, But we cannot use them successfully until each child has their own book. Due to copyright reason we cannot photocopy any book.

Music Mrs Adams as part of her RFF program teaches music to the students. She also teaches recorder. Please ensure that your child brings their recorder on a Tuesday.

Parent Helpers. Parents are most welcome to help in the classroom with reading, working on the computer and art. There is a Parent helper’s sheet that is at the back of this information sheet. You are most welcome to come and join in our fun with learning.

Some Useful Things to Know

Absences. This year if a child needs to leave early or arrives late you must report to the front office and fill out a leavers book. A small yellow slip with your child's name, class , reason and time are entered onto this slip. This goes into the class roll. If a child is absent a note must be returned to the school within 7 days of the child’s return to school.

Assembly Every second Thursday at 2.30pm. You will be let know when it is our time to perform. Awards are also given out at these assemblies. If you can please come and watch. Awards. Awards are given out at assemblies. Please keep all awards in a safe place as your child might be eligible for a Gold, Silver or Bronze award at the end of the year.

Birthday Cakes Birthday cakes are most welcome at our school. Due to not wanting to have a knife in the classroom could they please be either cupcakes or already precut?

Class Requirements. Thank you for your prompt response to these. Please don’t let your child bring in rubbers. Clean Up Australia Day ~ 4th March Dance2bFit- Term 4 Enquiries If you have any concerns regarding your child please contact me. If the matter needs to be discussed at length a suitable interview time can then be arranged. Straight after school I am responsible for bus

duty. On a Monday , Wednesday And Friday the bus comes at 3 o’clock, but on a Tuesday and Thursday it comes late. If you wish to see me after school, please be patient until I have completed bus duty as the children's; safety is very important. Excursions Yr 3- Morriset Sport and Recreation 8th -9th September Yr 2- Oakvale Farm 16th September Home Reading ~ Starts term 2

Lunch Orders These must be handed into the canteen before school. Please provide a paper bag with your child’s name, class, money and order written clearly on the bag. Don’t forget the canteen is closed on a Wednsday.

Labels Please label all belongings, especially pencils, has, raincoats etc…. Library Library borrowing is on a Wednesday. The Year 3 children are extremely excited as they can borrow above the Yellow line .If possible children should have a cloth bag so that the books can be protected. Medicines.

the office . If your child needs to have medication at school please have it labeled and take to Newcastle Show Day Holiday ~ 18th March News Your child knows when their news day is. Unfortunately due to time constraints if your child is away and misses their news day they will need to wait till the next week. Please limit your child to 1 item. Please don’t let your child bring in valuable items as sometimes accidents do occur. Planning Room Sometimes things happen out in the playground and we need to sort out what has happened. Therefore your child might be asked to attend the planning room. It is a place where they can go and talk with Mrs Westwood about what has happened and work out a plan to try and stop it from happening again. Sometimes children are asked to go there as witnesses and to sort things out.

Parent/ Relative Helpers. We love to have you in our room. You are most welcome. Return of the Bully – 9th March

School Bulletin This goes home every Tuesday to keep you informed of special events. You can also find a copy on our school website. School Photos. Wash the hair. Put on your Sunday best. The photographer is here on 29th March

Scripture This is non denominational. It is held on Wednesdays at 9.15-9.45 am. The Year 3 Catholic children are invited to attend Catholic scripture in the library. Sport Friday is Sport day. Children wear sport uniforms. Staff Development Days Day 1 Terms 1,2,3. Children are not to attend school on these days. Uniforms. Thank you for the way your children look in their correct school uniform. Well Done. Red school hats should be worn everyday, Regards Stephanie Westwood