Year 1 & 2 - 2025

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Information

Acting Principal:

Mrs Karen Butler

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Assistant Principal:

Mrs Meriden James

Teachers and Support Staff

Shanae Stevens

Jocelyn Pfander

Hazel Van Loenen

Andrew Smith

Rachel Grogan

Narelle Hurley

Carly Hall

Luella Schultz

Erica Boxall

Kerry Graham

Drew Graham

Reading at YRPS

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Learning to read is the most critical accomplishment in a child’s early school career. We teach reading using an explicit and systematic phonics program. In the classroom we use decodable readers, matched to student’s ability.

Teachers incorporate the five components essential to an effective reading program into their daily lessons: *phonemic awareness, *phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Students learn to decode, that is to look at the written word and to ‘sound it out’ in order to read it. They also have a lot of practice at encoding – which is saying the word and working out the sounds that are in it in order to write it. When students become proficient decoders, they will have increased comprehension of what they have read.

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*Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify and manipulate the phonemes (sounds) in a word.

*Phonics are the sounds that match letters.

Reading and Writing

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Home Reading

Students will bring home a photocopied SPELD decodable book at their level with an accompanying activity or two to complete. We would like them to read this decodable book at least 2 times during the week, as this will help develop reading fluency.

Proficient readers who no longer read from decodable books will bring home a “Book Life’ reader/or a passage to read and will have comprehension questions to answer based on the book.

All students will also have 2 or 3 of the traditional take-home books. These will go home on a Tuesday in their purple or black take-home book folders and need to be returned to school the following Monday. All reading is to be recorded in their Green Reading Diaries.

Home reading needs to be an enjoyable experience! Please encourage your child to read at least 4 times a week.

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In the classroom students have book boxes where they keep their guided reading book and some fiction and nonfiction books for Independent reading time. They are learning to choose ‘just right’ books using the 5 finger strategy.

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Writing:

During our writing sessions this year students will learn how to write recounts, narratives, poetry, information reports and persuasive pieces. They are learning to recognise complete sentences and to add detail to make them more interesting. They will learn when to use upper case letters and how to use punctuation effectively. Each student has a Literacy book that they will use to write and store ideas as well as for planning and drafting written pieces. Some writing pieces will be typed on their Chromebooks and students will learn how to find and insert images to complement their writing.

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Handwriting: Students have formal handwriting lessons where they are taught the correct posture, pencil grip and formation of letters and numbers. They each have their own handwriting book.

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Library sessions

1A: Wednesday

1B: Friday

2A: Tuesday

We encourage the children to borrow 2 books each week to read at home or to share with an adult.

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Speaking & Listening

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We frequently use cooperative learning strategies for students to converse and share ideas with their peers. Students participate in group and class discussions. They are encouraged to share their feelings, predictions and connections with stories read to the class.

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Circle Time is another regular activity. The students share their news, discuss friendship issues and things that happen in the yard. Circle time helps build a safe and supportive environment in the classroom.

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We will have times during the year when we will be encouraging the students to make brief oral presentations. Students are also encouraged to bring in books from home to share.

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We have a microphone in the classroom to help ensure that all students are easily heard.

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Mathematics

• In our Numeracy lessons, we follow a similar approach as we do in Literacy. We begin with a Mini Lesson where the teacher explicitly teaches, the students then practise the skill with a partner, then they move into individual work.
• We may begin our lessons with a game or a review of previous topics. This allows us to revise concepts or introduce a new topic or strategy.
• We also use open ended tasks to enhance the learning.
• We use concrete materials (hands on materials) such as 100s charts, bead frames, unifix, MAB blocks, counters etc.
• We Pre test and Post test the students using Essential Assessment to determine starting points, show growth and any concepts that need to be revisited.
• We make connections with other subject areas to show Numeracy in everyday situations.

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Topics covered this year - Number and Place Value, Counting, Graphs and Data, Addition and Subtraction, 2D and 3D Shapes, Time, Measurement, Location, Multiplication and Division, Money, Fractions and Patterns.

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History - Term 1 and 2

Personal history

• There are many different types of families all around the world.
• All families are different and are all valued
• Differences and similarities between their childhood now and their parents and grandparents childhoods in terms of traditions, leisure activities, technology and communication.

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Community History

• Technology then and now
• Identifying changes in local places of significance over time
• Historical significance of people and places in the local area including Indigenous Australian perspectives
• Considering how daily life has changed over time

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Geography - Term 3 and 4

Describing Places & Using Spaces

• Places that have features that make them unique.
• Natural features compared to constructed features.
• Observing and describing features of a new place.
• Symbols and keys used in maps.
• Indigenous stories that explain features of places.
• Some places are very special and need to be cared for.
• How spaces at school, home and in the community are used

Environmental Features.

• Seasonal weather and what it is generally like in Croydon North.
• Measuring and recording the weather.
• Indigenous Australian seasonal calendars.

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Student Wellbeing

• We do weekly lessons for Wellbeing, using Positive Education, Friendology and Respectful Relationships programs.
• Some of the topics we will cover this year include discovering Personal and Cultural Strengths, Emotional Literacy, Help-Seeking and Navigating Friendships.
• This year we will also be introducing the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Framework to create a consistent, supportive learning environment for all students.
• If you have a concern regarding your child’s wellbeing, please get in touch with your classroom teacher via Compass.

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Our School Values

Students are encouraged to continually strive for personal improvement.

Each classroom has the motto of being:

Respectful

Kind

Safe

At the start of the year, students work together and decide on

rules for the class charter.

Students are reminded to ‘fill others buckets’ by being kind,

caring, thoughtful, compassionate & by offering encouragement.

Performing Arts

Hello, I’m Ashleigh Smith, and I am delighted to be part of the Yarra Road Primary School community!

I have been teaching since 2013 and joined Yarra Road Primary School in 2024.

I am passionate about Performing Arts, I love inspiring students through music, drama, and creative expression.

My goal is to create an engaging and inclusive environment where every child can shine.

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What �is Performing Arts?

Performing Arts is an essential part of a child’s development, fostering creativity, confidence, and teamwork.

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Your child will engage in:

Singing & Choir Performances – Encouraging vocal expression and teamwork.

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Drama & Storytelling – Building confidence and communication skills.

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Dance & Movement – Promoting coordination and self-expression.

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Learning about different styles of music and theatre to broaden artistic appreciation.

Physical Education (P.E)

Tutoring

Hello, I am Narelle Hurley and I am excited to continue my role as the P.E. teacher and tutor this year at Yarra Road. I have been teaching Physical Education for many years on and off and have also been tutoring for years.

Hello, I am Grace Smith and I am excited to be back in the Yarra Rd community after being away on maternity leave. I have been at Yarra Road for just over 10 years. I am here on a Friday to take Preps and Grade 3/4s for PE.

Our goal is for every child to develop a love for movement, build confidence in their physical abilities, and enjoy being active. We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can learn, improve, and have fun while developing lifelong skills.

Physical Education (P.E)

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This year, students will have the opportunity to develop and refine a variety of fundamental movement and sports skills, including:

Locomotor Skills – Running, jumping, hopping, skipping, and dodging�Ball Skills – Throwing, catching, dribbling, and kicking�Teamwork & Sportsmanship – Learning to work together and respect others�Balance & Coordination – Gymnastics, agility exercises, and flexibility training�Hand-Eye Coordination – Striking, rolling, and aiming activities�Strength & Endurance – Fitness exercises to build stamina and resilience

We look forward to a fantastic year of movement, learning, and fun in P.E.!

STEAM

My name is Rachel Baum, and I’m excited to introduce myself as the coordinator of our new STEAM program!

I’ve been part of the Yarra Road community for 12 years, teaching across Foundation and Grade 1/2, as well as working as a tutor.

For the past two years, I’ve loved teaching Visual Arts, nurturing creativity and self-expression.

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Mrs Baum

What �is

STEAM?

STEAM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics

STEAM encourages hands-on learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Through exciting projects like coding, building, and artistic design, students will explore how these disciplines connect in the real world.

I look forward to sharing this journey with our students and can’t wait to see their creativity and innovation shine!

Feel free to reach out if you’d like to learn more.

LOTE (Indonesian)

Hi, I’m Rachel Grogan and I’m enthusiastic about all things Indonesian and Indonesia.

I have taught Indonesian at Yarra Road for 10 years now with my trusty sidekick Bongo the orangutan.

My goal is to inspire students to develop a love for language learning and an appreciation for Indonesia’s rich culture.

Bu Grogan

What �is

LOTE?

LOTE

Languages Other Than English (in this case, Indonesian)

In Indonesian classes, students engage with the language through various interactive activities, such as games, songs, actions, chants, role-plays, and conversations.

We explore a variety of topics that allow students to discuss their own experiences and compare them to life in different parts of Indonesia. Through this, they develop an understanding of both the language and the rich cultural diversity across the country's many regions.

Communication

Compass

• This is our main source of communication.
• Excursions/Incursions need to be paid/permission on Compass, on or before the due date.
• Any problems, please see the office.

Weekly emails

• Usually sent on a Friday afternoon.
• Important information given about the upcoming week regarding learning and any timetable changes.
• Important dates.

Newsletter

• Published every second week.
• Photos and work from our students.
• Stars of the Week for the next week’s assembly.

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Catering for all students academic needs

Every student, regardless of their academic ability, is catered for.

In Years 1 & 2, some students still need further assistance with recognising their sight words, reading and writing letters/sounds and numbers, comprehension and speech.

Parents of students who are participating in any type of support program or lessons would have already been contacted or will be in the near future. Eg, Tutoring, MiniLit and Nessy Reading and Spelling.

Students who are working above level are challenged and extension work is provided.

We always want the students to feel a sense of accomplishment, so at times their work may be slightly different.

We also encourage the students to share their work with the class so we can celebrate their success.

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If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

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Year 1/2 team