Welcome to our final news update of Term 3. The early start to spring weather has made for wonderful mornings learning ball safety and soccer skills with Coach Tim on Tuesdays, hanging out with horses on Wednesdays, exploring popping corn kernels in science and taking full advantage of our interactive playground environment at break times. The students have loved the water play station and investigating what happens when sand and water are combined in different amounts. Our daily shared reading lesson has entertained us with funny stories that include our unique Australian wildlife and students have become quite competitive at being the first to find the animals on the PODD page.

Thank you, families, for sending at least one piece of fruit in each day. We are really enjoying the 10-minute fruit snack break at 9.15 and we are noticing that some students, who previously chose not to eat their fruit when it was part of our main break, are making different choices when it is the only option. With wobbly teeth in the past few weeks, bananas are definately a crowd favourite.

Since our last update we have reconfigured our room to make spaces available that tie in with the zones of regulation program. Each morning we remind ourselves that our feelings change throughout the day and use the different colours to help us identify how we are feeling at check in. Since the Book Week Parade the “Yellow Zone” has been a busy space for dressing up and being a little bit silly, while others have chosen to spend a few minutes in the “Red Zone” (angry, out of control) to read a book or cuddle a soft toy in a quiet space. Jack chooses “angry” to describe his feelings every morning, gives us a scary frown then laughs all the way to the Red Zone to read a book for a few minutes of “me time”. The “Blue Zone” located near the “Green”, Ready to Learn space, allows students who are sad, tired or overwhelmed to rest while still participating. This is Indi’s favourite place and she is using it to draw wonderful characters on a mini whiteboard between floating to and from learning activities.

The upcoming holiday break is the time to take stock of supplies needed for water safety for swimming lessons next term. Consistency is so important for our students. If they’ve had a growth spurt, try to familiarise them with new togs, towels etc. over the break, and, if they use arm bands, life vests or swim caps we encourage you to send them in to help make the swimming education program a positive one for all.

Stay safe and stay tuned for more news soon from Miss Jodie, Miss Nairda and the EY3 teaching and learning crew