Welcome back to the new school term. This newsletter is to help keep you informed about the curriculum for the grade and the day-to-day activities of the grade.

Please be aware that due to the current COVID restrictions, this year parent information sessions will take a different format. This newsletter highlights all the necessary information for your child, however, if you have any questions or would like to engage in a “meet and greet” phone call with your child’s teacher please follow the link below and they will be in contact with you as soon as possible. 

A “meet and greet” conversation is a ten minute phone conversation to discuss your child’s start to the year and for your child’s class teacher to clarify any questions you may have about your child’s school year.

https://forms.gle/XudZQQcxfWboycWAA

This term the following teachers will be supporting learning in Year 2. 

*Teachers work under the structure of an Enterprise Agreement that includes a number of entitlements. One of these is the engagement in Profession Planning Time (PPT) where they are released from class to carry out other professional responsibilities. Each full time teacher is entitled to the equivalent of 2 hours PPT each week, or a pro-rata therefore for part time teachers. Therefore, all students operate across the school week with at least two teachers engaging in the classroom program of learning.

This Curriculum Outline is designed to communicate what your child is learning so you can support them at home this term. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the partnership between you as parents and our teachers are the most important influences on your son’s or daughter’s education.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for setting and monitoring quality teaching, learning, assessment and school standards across NSW public, Catholic and independent schools. NESA also develops Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabuses for NSW schools. Syllabuses identify: the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to develop at each stage; what students are expected to know and do; Learning across the curriculum areas: cross-curriculum priorities, general capabilities and other important learning for all students.

At Good Samaritan we have a K-6 Scope & Sequence of learning which supports the implementation of the NESA Syllabuses. Below, is an outline of the Key Learning Area content & skills being taught this term.

All students take part in Religious Education Programs. The school also provides other opportunities for students to express and deepen their Faith through school Masses, liturgies, prayer and in Christian service and witness within their school environment and the wider community. 

Religious Education follows a curriculum set and approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office.

This term in Religious Education, Year 2 will study three units:

1. The Good Samaritan - This unit focuses on the spiritual history and foundations of our school. As an introduction to the new school year, the students will revise the Parable of the Good Samaritan and reflect on ways they can be like the Good Samaritan in their daily lives.
2. Images of God - This unit introduces and explores a variety of biblical images of God that tell something of what God is like. The unit also introduces and explores the Genesis account of human beings made in the image of God.
3. Lent and Holy Week - This unit looks at the events of Jesus’ life that are celebrated during Holy Week.

English is the Key Learning Area where students develop knowledge, skills and understandings about English language and literature. The students will be actively engaged in the development of skills through:

This term in English, Year 2 will be involved in the following components:

Speaking & Listening - Students will be given a day where they will be expected to talk about a topic. 

Reading & Viewing - Students will respond to a range of literature and discuss the purpose and audience. Different roles of readers will be explored focusing on – decoding words and punctuation, making meaning, understanding the purpose of texts. Students will be exposed to a widening range of texts for enjoyment and pleasure and discuss reasons for their choice

Writing & Representing - Daily writing will consist of modelled, guided and independent writing and reading activities.

Spelling - Letters & Sounds programme will be the focus for our spelling. Lessons will focus on using various spelling rules and strategies including oral segmenting and blending of familiar words. They will learn new graphemes and alternative pronunciation for these. 

Grammar, Punctuation & Vocabulary - Formal lessons on grammar, punctuation and vocabulary which will be consolidated during writing activities.

Handwriting & Digital Technologies - Students will practice handwriting skills during explicit lessons as well as focusing on using the correct NSW Foundation handwriting in their everyday book work. 

An essential component of Mathematics is the development of students’ ability to Work Mathematically. This includes the skills of Communicating, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Understanding and Fluency. 

Students’ ability to work mathematically is development through the achievement of outcomes and working with content of the Mathematics K-6 Syllabus. Content is organised within the following content strands: 

This term in Mathematics:

Students will be encouraged to investigate, problem solve and develop ways to record understandings. Practical activities and open-ended tasks will be the basis of learning experiences. Our mathematics lessons will have the following elements: Number Sense, Modelled instruction, Guided Practice, Independent Practice. 

During Term 1  Year 2 will be involved in the following components:

Number & Algebra - Whole Number (Number sequences from 100 by 1s from any starting point, Recognise, model, represent and order numbers to 1000), Addition & Subtraction (Connections between +/-, the jump strategy)

Statistics and Probability - Data (Posing questions and collecting data)

Measurement & Geometry - Length (Compare, order length of shapes and objects), Time (Months, weeks, days, seasons), Position (Maps), 2D Space (Describing and drawing 2D shapes)

The objectives and outcomes of the Geography Syllabus are based on courses of study across Kindergarten to Year 6. The organisation of content for the stages in primary school is as follows:

Students will be participating in Geography in Semester 2.

The outcomes, concepts and skills of the History Syllabus are based on courses of study across Kindergarten to Year 10. The organisation of content for the stages in primary school is as follows:

This term in History, Year 2 will:

Focus on the impact that technology has had on people’s lives in their home and community. They will investigate the similarities and differences from the past through a range of sources and sequence them over time. Students will explain one form of changing technology and the impact it has had on people’s lives.

The outcomes and content in the Science and Technology Syllabus are organised in the following strands and substrands:

This term in Science & Technology, Year 2 students will:

Identify ways everyday materials can be physically changed (e.g. mixing; stretching; heating; mixing) for a specific purpose in everyday lives. The students will also investigate changes that are made to our food through hot and cold temperatures. Furthermore, looking at solids, liquids and gas through the process.

The Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus is organised within the following strands: 

This term in Creative Arts, Year 2 will:

• Learn various techniques in Visual Arts focusing on making and appreciating and experimenting with a variety of mediums including - paint, oil pastels, clay, lead and charcoal and paper.

Students at Good Samaritan have Physical Education/Sport each week. All students participate in the School Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals. Eligible students participate in the Swimming Carnival. After these carnivals squads are chosen to represent the School at Regional and Diocesan Carnivals. Students can then be selected to compete at MacKillop and State levels. Good Samaritan has a clear policy regarding student participation in sporting gala days and representation at competitive sports. Parents are asked to become familiar with this policy. 

This term in PDHPE, Year 2 will participate in:

Physical Education - The practical component comprises sessions where students will be learning fundamental movement skills (FMS) incorporating ‘Passing’ and ‘Catching’ within a Netball context. They will be practising the skills and playing individual, small sided and group games. 

Personal Development/Health-

Weeks 1-5: PB4L Classroom Expectations

Weeks 6-10: Personal Identity/ Relationships/ Mental Health & Wellbeing

Social Emotional Learning - Self Awareness

Oral Presentations - Students have been allocated a specific day to present an oral presentation to the class which will help develop confidence with speaking and listening skills. An overview for the term will be sent home outlining the topics for each week. Students will present a 2 minute presentation focusing on a specific listening and speaking focus.

Home Reader - The students will be given a home reader to take home daily. Students are encouraged to read to an adult for 10-15 minutes every day and parents are encouraged to complete their child’s reading log daily. Home readers need to be returned to school every day. Use this opportunity to ask your child questions about their book to help and improve their reading and comprehension skills.

Sight / Spelling Words - A list of high frequency sight words and spelling words will be sent home each week to assist the students build speed and fluency when reading. Accuracy, speed, and fluency in reading increase reading comprehension. Sight words should be recognised without sounding out the letters.

• Developing independence in your child. Where possible make them responsible for putting or checking that their lunch box, library bag (Tuesday), hat and/or reading folder is in their bag

• At home asking your child to follow two step instructions such as asking them to take their clothes to their bedroom and put them away in their drawers. 

• Where possible, arrive at school on time by 8:45am as it helps the children settle into the day.

Please support your child to be Ready to Learn each day by ensuring he/she has the following:

• Headphones/Ear Buds in a labelled bag
• 6 Glue sticks
• A4 reading folder
• Ruler 30cm (with markings in cm)
• Paint shirt, clearly labelled with name
• 1 box of tissues/non allergy baby wipes
• Library bag
• Pencil case
• Sharpener (with case to catch shavings)
• Coloured pencils/Zoom Crayons
• 1 Pack of white board markers 6 pack
• Scissors
• 6 Lead pencils HB

Please ensure all your child’s belongings are marked clearly with their name and class.

Students in year 2 receive verbal praise and acknowledgement when they make safe, respectful and responsible choices. In 2 Blue, students earn dojo points and are able to choose a small reward when they have reached a goal number.

• Our Term focus is “Love of Learning”
• Mission Behaviours

All students are expected to be neatly dressed in their school uniform or sports uniform each day. Classroom teachers will monitor the wearing of the uniform on a day-to-day basis and inappropriate dress will be brought to the attention of the student and, where necessary, parents. 

This term students are to wear the correct Summer/Winter uniform.

GOOD SAMARITAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM

Students are also expected to wear the correct Sports Uniform on sports days:

ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME

Ongoing communication between school and home is essential. The school aims to work in partnership with the home and recognises that parents wish to be informed of any problems. Likewise, there is a need for parents to keep the school informed of any events that may impact on the life of their child at school.

Through this mutual communication we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.

1. If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. 
2. Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are welcome to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.

Middle Leaders 2021

3.If the issue remains unresolved beyond the Middle Leader then please address your concern/s to the Assistant Principal or the Principal. 

4.Parents may contact teachers by email via the school office (info@gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au) but are asked to understand that a response may not be immediate and certainly cannot be expected beyond the regular hours of the school day or week. 

At Good Samaritan, we believe it is important to speak with parents either in a face-to-face meeting or over the phone when responding to emails that may be of a sensitive nature or, that may require a lengthy response. Therefore, the email response you receive may be of a generic nature. 

5.Parents are asked to understand that teachers primary responsibility throughout the school day is towards the students. Therefore, teachers are unable to engage in discussion when they are in direct supervision of students.

For any absence the school must receive notification of the reason for the absence within 7 days of the return to school. This applies for partial absences as well as whole day absences. Please supply the reason via Compass. In the event that a notification is not supplied the absence will be recorded as Unjustified/Unexplained.

Year Two will be using the SeeSaw App for communication and information about your child's progress throughout the year.