This year the 1/2 classroom teachers are Mr. Tim Cleeland, Mrs Emily Chappell, Mrs Jess Watson, Mrs Claire Hayes and Miss Diana Cevallos. Throughout the week, we will be joined by our wonderful ES staff members Mrs Romano and Mrs El Hout with special appearances from other ES staff throughout the week.
The 1/2 team works together closely in the BER building, providing a comprehensive and stimulating curriculum within a warm and caring learning environment. We recognise that all learners are different, with a range of experiences, interests and needs. The rooms are well-resourced, vibrant and a safe environment for the students to reach their full potential.
Student Learning
The students engage in high quality learning tasks that support their individual points of need. Lessons commence with our Learning Intention which provides students with a clearly understood purpose for their learning. The class is supported to understand what ‘success’ for the lesson looks like, sounds like and/or feels like through a Success Criteria. Learning experiences are effectively differentiated to allow all students to access the curriculum and their point of need and to support all learning styles and needs. Teachers support children to reflect on their learning, celebrate their success and develop learning goals to achieve further growth. In 1/2 we are further developing the foundation skills, knowledge and understandings established in the first years of school, in preparation for the demands and expectations of future learning.
Parent Involvement
We welcome parental and community support with the children’s learning journey. Families are encouraged to set time aside in their daily routine for reading with (and to) children and to have discussions about what is being explored and talked about at school.
Also, throughout the school year, children have an opportunity to share their learning with their parents and families and to demonstrate their new skills and understandings. Many community events are open to families and friends and from time to time parent assistance is requested (please note a current Working With Children’s Check is required). We promote family involvement in learning by encouraging parents and special adults to attend our Family Fun Nights, Important Person Nights and Grandparents Days; as well as the Whole School Assembly held each Friday afternoon in the Gym.
Specialists
Each week children in each grade receive expert tuition from our team of specialist teachers.
The Arts – Mr. Ben Gibson
Japanese (L.O.T.E) - Mrs Lucy Matthews
P.E - Mr Ben Gibson & Mr Fred Lundstrom
STEM – Mr Fred Lundstrum & Mrs Lucy Matthews
Integrated Inquiry
Term 1: I Am Special – Health & Physical Education, Personal & Social Capability
Term 2: Water – Science
Term 3: Times are Changing – The Humanities
Term 4: Fairytales - English
1/2 Sport
In addition to weekly Physical Education sessions, the Grade 1/2 students participate in sporting activities, which help to improve hand-eye coordination, balance, fine motor and gross motor skills. Research shows that this helps to improve learning, cooperation and teamwork.
Digital Technologies
Students use digital technology to enrichen learning experiences across the curriculum. Reading Eggs, Writing Legends, Mathletics and Minecraft Education are some examples of the highly engaging electronic learning resources that provide a personalised approach to learning for our year 1/2 students.
SEAL
Every Thursday afternoon we undertake a Social and Emotional Awareness Learning (SEAL) subject, which is linked to the ‘Resilience Project’, ‘Respectful Relationships’, ‘Zones of Regulation’ and ‘Berry Street’. Our students are also encouraged to use ‘Pause, Plan and Proceed’ to help them to manage a range of different situations.
Developmental Curriculum
This program is a natural addition to the children’s learning development. Students are provided with choices for their learning and they can investigate their big questions, by utilising their teachers’ support and the appropriate curriculum materials and digital technologies. The Developmental Curriculum (DC) program also supports the students’ speech development and confidence; as they are encouraged to share their designs, products and their new learnings with others.
Library
Students have access to a session in the Library to browse, borrow and return books, each week with their class. These sessions may include using the computer lab and familiarising ourselves with the components of a desktop computer.
Welfare
Our school’s welfare officer is Rosalie Scott. Rosalie helps to support and educate all students and families at Bell Park North Primary School. Rosalie will work in the 1/2 area over the year. Rosalie is available for questions and support around concerns. Please make a time to see Rosalie through the General Office.
Incursions/Excursions
Educational programs such as Robotics and Life Education enhance the learning opportunities within the school setting. Similarly, excursions outside of school further develop understandings and knowledge of key concepts and ideas. Excursions are planned to complement the learning that occurs within the class programs.
Swimming Program
Each year children across all stages in the school will participate in an intensive swimming program. The aim of the program is for the children to experience tuition and build their skills and confidence in the water.
COMPASS
Parents are encouraged to utilise Compass. Important information, permissions, events, weekly focus, learning plans, pieces of work and end of semester reports will be uploaded to Compass.
