Year One�Parent Information 2023

Mrs Sheree Knezevic and Mrs Tarma Neal

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This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

Welcome!

Our Lady of the Cape Dunsborough

Four Core Values  

• Compassion
• Appreciation
• Respect
• Excellence

WElcome

What a great start we have had with all of your children. It has been wonderful to get to know your child through games and activities. We have had time to establish positive teacher student relationships within the class, routines and expectations. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child be learning different curriculum when compared to each class?

Yes, both Year One teachers communicate daily and plan weekly.  We meet during shared DOTT time to plan the following week’s tasks and activities, so they mirror each class.  

In addition to teaching, student assessments will also be the same for each classroom. We will be reviewing the assessments, moderating and completing reports together. This will also inform our teaching for future lessons. We will ensure that we will continue to provide a detailed curriculum yet differentiated learning that caters for every child’s individual learning needs.  This is evident in all learning areas in every class.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Will there be opportunities for both Year One classes to interact and learn together?

At the start of the year both teachers plan out the year in all learning areas, including excursions and assemblies. Each teacher takes on learning areas per semester and plans for these.  

Each of the Year One classes will be attending an excursion and incursion together in the year as well as many other learning opportunities.

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General Business

See our ‘Welcome to 2023 Class blog’ 

• For information on: 
• Canteen days
• Uniform
• Crunch and sip
• Specialist days
• Homework and Home Reading
• Bell times
• Communication Book/ Email
• Late drop off/ Early pick up 

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•  To increase our sustainability at our school, we would love it if you were able to pack your children’s lunch in reusable containers - such as nude food movers.  

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• We are an ‘allergy' aware school so no nuts of any kind are to be brought to school. Additionally, we have a year 1 student who is highly allergic to eggs. If possible keep whole eggs before and after school. 

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• Parent interviews will be held at the end of Term 1, but please see us if you have any concerns. 

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• Prayer Assembly, Performance Assembly                                  or General Assembly every Friday                                                - please check the term Calendar for details. 

General Business

Absentee Notes

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If your child is away from school please either: 

• Fill out an OLC absentee note on the website https://ladyofcape.wa.edu.au/absentee-form/

       or

• Use the following template in an email to the teacher and Mrs Marrell at the front office:

Dear Mrs Neal,

Billy Smith  in Year 1N has been away from school due to eating too much of his Nonna’s lasagne on the dates 1/6/22 to the 3/6/22.

Best Regards,

Sally Smith

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Allergies/Medications

If your child has any allergies please let us know immediately.

If they are to take medication, it is only to be administered by the parent or kept in the office for Admin to access.

If your child has asthma and requires medication please make an appointment to discuss an administration plan.

Our Lady of the Cape is an allergy aware school.

Please be concious of what you put in your child’s lunch box

How Parents can help

• Help your child be prepared for school each day: correct uniform, all school materials and homework is completed each night.
• Establish routines at home: consistent time when homework can be completed, a nice quiet and/or spacious area for homework.
• It would be great if you could help your child learn the skill of how to tie their shoelaces up over the course of this year. 
• Ensure your child arrives at school each day on time: between 8.30am - 8.40am.
• Encourage your child to be responsible                                         for their work, both in class and at home. 
• Ask your child, “tell me one good thing 

about your day”.

Curriculum

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Learning Areas

• Religion – (CEWA/ MJR/ Godly Play)
• English - (Language, Literature and Literacy)
• Mathematics (Number, Geometry and Measurement and statistics and probability)
• L.O.T.E (Indonesian)
• Physical Education
• The Arts (Visual arts, Drama and Music)
• Integrated Studies (Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technologies and Health)

English Learning Area

• Teacher modelled, step-by-step experiences.
• Big book literacy based activities using the T4W program. 
• Handwriting and printing instruction (NSW Foundation font).
• Literacy groups - will be allocated according to reading and writing levels.
• Reading- All classes from Pre-primary to Year 2 will be following the comprehensive literacy program called InitiaLit.  This is a current research based program acquired from Macquarie University.  It aligns with the latest research of the science of reading and used in conjunction with our OLC’s current reading support program for Minilit, MultiLit and MacLit.  We are excited to be implementing this literacy program commencing this term.  
• Writing Process - We encourage the children to sound out their words and have – a- go using known graphemes. 
• Guided Reading Groups - We will be teaching a small reading group four times a week.  
• Spelling  – spelling strategies using a synthetic phonics program. 
• Handwriting – twice a week on dotted thirds. 

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Home Reading

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• Reading time should always be a positive and                 supportive experience for your child that should take no more than 10 minutes.  Please ensure they are reading aloud to you, no matter what reading level they are e.g. picture or chapter book.  This is important to monitor comprehension and develop their fluency and expression reading skills. Please note that Oral reading and reading with comprehension are different skills that children develop. Students will be bringing home comprehension packs from week 3. Books are distributed each Wednesday and need to be returned by following Tuesday (the label tells you this.)  Read the book to your child, ask them questions from the questions sheet (please don't mark the question sheet) and please return these packs each Tuesday to be issued another pack. If your pack does not return by Tuesday you will receive an sms from our Librarian. 
• From week 3 of term one, your home folder will have your child's RED reading folder to be read every night (if possible) Please complete the reading log accordingly as this assists future book selection.  

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Homework

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• Children in Year One are encouraged to               complete 10- 15 minutes of homework each night. 
• This includes:
• Reading their home reader (please fill out the reading diary).
• Comprehension packs
• Fluency Grid reading 
• Spelling – practice writing unseen/read aloud spelling words in sound circles & graphemes (written sounds)

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Homework

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Mathematics Learning Area

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• Encompasses Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry and Statistics and Probability.
• Numeracy dedicated time each day.
• Hands on, meaningful activities.
• Maths pencil cases will be used throughout the year once they have been made.
• Maths will be hands on, fun and engaging. Often, we will play math games that will target the skill we are focusing on. 
• Start with whole group introduction to concept, children will then participate in math activities and games and then return to whole class setting to share their mathematical findings.
• Mathletics and other numeracy iPad apps – Will be completed in class.

Kimochis and Friendology

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Kimochis

• Kimochi’s are a Social Emotional program that is implemented at OLC in the Early Years
• They help children by communicating feelings and emotions that they may be feeling in relatable books and songs for the children to join in with.
• It helps them develop positive relationships and provides skills for communicating between peers.

Friendology

• URSTRONG’s Friendology 101 is a skills-based social and emotional learning program that helps build children’s skills in fostering and maintaining healthy friendships.
• It is an 8 week program that aims to assist children in years 1-6 in developing the skills, language and self-confidence to be better friends and develop a solid foundation for future healthy relationships.

KEEPING SAFE

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Within the Keeping Safe Program the children in class will begin to explore Two themes of:

• Theme 1: We all have the right to be safe

• Theme 2: We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust

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Within each of these themes there are four focus areas which will teach your child about:

1. (We all have) The right to be safe
2. (Building positive) Relationships
3. (When they may be) Recognising and reporting abuse
4. (Developing) Protective strategies

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KEEPING SAFE

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Focus Area 1 The right to be safe covers age appropriate areas such as:

• Feelings

• Being safe

• Warning signs

• Risk-taking and emergencies

• Psychological pressure and manipulation

Focus Area 2: Relationships covers age appropriate areas such as:

• Rights and responsibilities

• Identity and relationships

• Power in relationships

• Trust and networks

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KEEPING SAFE

Focus Area 3: Recognising and reporting abuse covers age appropriate areas such as:

• Privacy and the body

• Touching

• Recognising abuse

• Secrets

• Cyber safety

• Domestic and family violence

Focus Area 4: Protective strategies covers age appropriate areas such as:

• Strategies for keeping safe

• Persistence

• Network review and community support

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KEEPING SAFE

You can help your child by:

• � Actively listening
• � Talking together
• � Encouraging the development of respectful relationships
• � Supporting and monitoring children's’ developing networks
• � Monitoring safe online use
• � Supporting your child to practise problem solving strategies

If you would like more information about the program and its content, brochures are available on the DECD website:

http://tiny.cc/DECD-KSCPCParentInfo

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Start of the day

• Gathering time is between 8.30am-8.40am. When the first bell rings, kiss your child and leave them to their learning. 
• This is a time for children to set up their work area including water bottles, chair and crunch’n’sip. No new learning will take place during gathering time.
• This is a chance for your child to settle into class and get them ready to start the day, which can help their wellbeing for the remainder of the day. 

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Class Management

• Each class has their own positive rewards system where smart and good choices are encouraged. 
• Tokens and Spirit of Jesus Awards– will be awarded throughout the term to encourage positive behaviours. 
• Merit Awards: Each child will have an opportunity to receive a merit award throughout the year and parents will be given a notice by text message for when this will occur. 

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Behaviour at OLC

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The children have helped to formulate a set of classroom rules. The children are reminded of these regularly and children are encouraged to refer these back to our school values.

Positive reinforcement is encouraged in the class however the whole school policy is:

1. Verbal warning – the child is always informed about why they are getting a warning.
2. Second verbal warning – a private discussion is had between the teacher and the child. This behaviour may be noted in the teacher’s behaviour book.
3. Third warning (or for a more serious behaviour) – The child is required to spend 10 minutes at lunch with the teacher (either in the admin office, or out on duty), discussing the behaviour and what needs to occur for this behaviour to change.

OR

The child receives a related consequence that is Respectful, Related and teaches Responsibility for their behaviour.

“Own it, Fix it, Learn from it!” – Babara Colorosso

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Specialist Teachers

• Mrs Melinda Kartana: Indonesian 
• Mrs Jane King: Music 
• Mrs Mandy Sinclair: Sport
• Ms Anne Coltrinari: Science 

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• If you would like to contact any of these teachers, they can be emailed with firstname.lastname@cewa.edu.au

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CRUNCH AND SIP/Brain Breaks

• Children are encouraged to bring in a single serve or fruit or vegetables to have as a mid-morning break. They can bring this in a small container which they can leave on their desk or in a special area.
• To accompany this healthy eating, we are big believers in whole body learning using a website called GoNoodle.com
• Using physical activity challenges in the classroom helps children be ready to learn and remember information.
• Please note that yoghurt, crackers, cheese, pretzels etc are not a part of this initiave but can be included in their recess snacks instead.

Birthdays

• We love celebrating birthdays in Year One!
• If you would like to bring in something to share, cupcakes, chocolates, fruit kebabs or iced biscuits are preferred and work best.
• If your child has certain dietary requirements, it is encouraged that you supply an alternative that we can store in the cupboard or fridge so your child doesn’t miss out.
• Birthday invitations – we ask that you please hand them out discreetly or contact other parents outside of school.

Parent/Teacher Communication

• Please email either of us directly if something has happened which will affect your child’s day at school or send a written note with your child to school. However, please keep in mind that emails are not checked once classroom doors open.
• Often drop off is not an effective time for detailed parent/teacher discussions. If you have any concerns or queries please email us or arrange a time to discuss further or let us know of any issues.
• Parent Communication diary is located outside the classroom each day to write down if your child is being picked up or going home with someone else. Pick up lane and bus lists are up outside the ECC entrance for Year One only.
• General communication will be put onto the OLC classroom blogs.
• Please ensure contact details are up to date with administration as sms texts are sent when there is a new blog post available.

Collecting Your child

• Our bell goes at 3.00pm for all children and we will exit the classroom with the children each day to assist collection.
• In order to support us in getting the children organised and settled, we ask that you wait in the courtyard area outside (1K) and on the grass or verandah outside of 1N. We ask that you do not wait inside the gated area/bag area of the 1K as this is a bus collection zone for early years students and it is difficult to move groups of children to drop off lanes. 
• This will minimise distractions for the children and ease congested areas at 3.00pm.

Other Information

Class Reps:

• We are looking for 1-2 for each class. Please email if you are interested in this role. 

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Questions?

Please feel free to email your child’s teacher if you have any questions regarding the presentation and the upcoming year.

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Mrs Sheree Knezevic

Sheree.knezevic@cewa.edu.au

Mrs Tarma Neal

tarma.neal@cewa.edu.au

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Thank you

Thank you for reading through this presentation for supporting your child’s learning!

We look forward to working in partnership with you for a fun and fabulous year of learning! 

This presentation will be available on class blogs for your to view at your leisure.

Thank you

Sheree & Tarma