Our Lady of Victories Primary School Shortland eNewsletter

Class News

KINDER

Thank you to all the wonderful teachers at home who are doing my work for me. I miss the children and would much prefer to teach face to face. The children bring so much joy into a teacher’s day - there is no joy in interacting with a computer. Hopefully we will meet again soon. Until then, we battle on, some better than others, but I am happy if you at least try to have a go and ask for help if you need it please.

I understand that not all children have access to a device for online learning. I am using three online sites: Starfall for Alphabet and calendar, Studyladder for Literacy and Numeracy and Epic for Reading, drawing, and fun activities. To date, 92% of Kinders are accessing Studyladder while only 34% are using Epic. Engaging with stories is necessary to develop Skills in Literacy so please spend some time on Epic. I have added songs with a drawing focus for children who like to be creative. Adding a sentence to their illustration will build skills in writing. I would like you to send me some completed work please for my records.

I completed the drawing of the cement truck with two students at school today and have included their work to stimulate ideas around drawing and writing.

For children without devices there are work booklets to complete. Some still need to collect these from school. Add some hands- on activities such as forming the numerals to ten using playdough or writing sight words in the sand. Do some craft using recyclable materials around the home.

Term 2 will be more focused on developing skills in Reading and Spelling. I will be adding two more online sites: Spelling City and Matific for Maths.

Working this way is challenging for both parents and teachers. We are still finding our way and need to keep communicating and supporting each other.

YEAR 1

Thank you to all the Year 1 parents and carers who have been so supportive as we've started our home learning experiences this week.

We hope the Year 1 children are finding that their assigned activities are engaging and motivating. We posted a suggested timetable for parents on Compass yesterday, to help you create a flexible 'routine' for your child's day. Please don't feel pressured to do every single activity every single day. Work at a gentle pace. Families are currently under a lot of stress. Devices in your home may need to be shared with siblings who are trying to do their own online learning and parents who are trying to work remotely from home. Enjoy spending time with your child and having them share some of their learning with you. We look forward to being in touch with families to gauge how the home learning experiences are working for you. Take care everyone, and we wish you all a happy, peace-filled Easter.

YEAR 2

Congratulations to everyone for being so flexible with online learning. We have had a few problems along the way but hopefully all is sorted now.

Your balloon powered car videos should be all sent to me by Wednesday afternoon. Once they are all in I will share with the class on our Compass page.

It is wonderful to see so many wonderful recipes being used to show fractions. Keep up the great work.

Keep using Study Ladder, Matific, Spelling City, Epic and Typing Tournament. I can see exactly what the children are doing. Keep up the great work.

Next week I will try and phone each family but I will put more information about this on our class Compass page.

It is extremely important that the children are getting out and doing some physical activities so please encourage them to take breaks and do activities such as checking the mailbox, getting the clothes off the line and weeding the garden just to mention a few.

It is extremely important to also have some family time. Please organise to play a board game or set up a jigsaw puzzle, playing family cricket, making a tick tock video just to keep the peace.

Good luck everyone and keep safe.

YEAR 3

Hi everyone. I hope you are all well and safe in your homes. It seems odd, writing ‘News’ for the class when we haven’t been together for almost 3 weeks. As you will be aware, I have set up work for children to do at home using a device. There are activities for Matific and Spelling City as well as Typing Tournament. Mrs Spencer also organised for children to listen to some stories being read online and complete the activities. (This information was sent home via compass and email earlier this week.)

Also, remember to get exercise every day and stay well.

YEAR 4

What an unusual time we are experiencing! I hope everyone is well and happy in your home!

As you know, I have sent you information over the last few days, regarding the types of activities that can be done each day by Year 4. It is great to see that everyone has started working on these activities.

I have added below an outline of how the Learning Day at home might look. There is no need to adhere to this timetable if it does not suit your household.

I encourage you all to be gentle with yourselves and to develop a work pattern that is suitable for your family situation.

Suggested Year 4 Day Plan for the Remainder of Term 1

Suggested Year 4 Day Plan

Suggested Year 4 Day Plan 222.66 KB

YEAR 5/6

It has been so wonderful to ‘see’ everyone in our Zoom meetings. Yesterday we had 15 from the class ‘attend’ and we were able to discuss the tasks that were set and some expectations and deadlines.

Thank you to all of the parents who have enabled their children to access to online platforms such as Spelling City, Matific and Typing Tournament, as well as Zoom, email and OneNote.

There are plenty of tasks for your child/children to be completing.

It is not suggested that they sit in front of a screen from 9-3pm each day, but on a Monday, if they look at what is required, and organise their OneNote, they can then sit with you and devise a schedule for the week that allows them time for outside play, creativity and helping around the house as well. Some tasks have due dates and others don’t, but need to be completed within the week.

If you are experiencing difficulty with any of these things, call me at school and we can sort it out.

Thanks.

Stay safe.