PREP 2019

INFORMATION EVENING

WELCOME!

Dr Kim Dray

Principal

Mrs Kathy Verbi

Assistant Principal

2019 Prep Team Prep J Miss Jess Bruce (Prep PLC Leader)

Prep W Miss Jen Wake

Prep K Miss Kate Williams

Prep A Miss Alicia King

Prep B Mrs Eden Ralph and

Ms Jenny Simmons

2019 Specialist Classes and

Teachers

Art – Mrs April Farlow

Music – Ms Naomi McKenzie

PE – Ms Rachel Yue and Mr Ed Connor

Library – Mrs Wendy Keogh

Spanish – Senora Kylee Mason

The Prep Curriculum

What is my child learning?

In Prep, the children certainly learn a lot -

academically, socially and emotionally.

As well as English, Maths and the

mentioned specialist subjects, we also teach

Geography, History, Civics and Citizenship

and Science.

The Prep Curriculum – A brief overview

English

Preps learn about:

• how language can be used in different ways

• the letters and sounds of the letters of the alphabet

• syllables, rhyming words, initial, medial and final sounds in words

• high frequency words – Oxford words

• sentences and basic punctuation.

• the difference between fiction and non-fiction books

• reading simple texts and responding to these

• writing and recording their thoughts and using the correct grammar

Oral Language

Preps also learn to retell the stories and rhymes they have heard, listen while

others speak, the importance of appropriate voice level, body language,

gestures and eye contact and how to present to their peers.

What does this look like in the

classroom?

How Reading is structured in the classroom

Each week there is a specific reading focus.

Children are grouped based on need and are involved in reading tasks to

develop their reading skills.

Children participate in Guided Reading sessions each week and read with

the teach individually on a regular basis.

How Writing is structured is the classroom

Weekly focus on 2 or 3 letters following a Phonological Awareness program

suited for the Foundation year. This incorporates the letter name, sound and

formation.

Modelled writing, shared writing, guided writing and independent writing

with lots of talking about their thinking.

Variety of genres; recount, procedure, letters and lists

Reading at home

• Take home books provide the children with the

opportunity to practice the skills taught at school and

to develop fluency and confidence.

• These books are NOT meant to be challenging and will

be borrowed books from the school’s ‘Take Home

Book Collection’.

• Nightly reading at home should be enjoyable.

• Always praise your child for the attempts they make.

• Your child's Take Home Book bag should be returned

to school each day.

• All children are expected to read every night at home

and complete the record of reading in their reading log

book (Yellow).

Sight Words at home• Knowing how to read sight words is important as it takes away

processing demands at the letter and word level so readers are

free to focus on meaning

• Oxford words – based on research of the most frequent words

used in young children’s writing and reading

• Take home ‘word’ book goes home daily (Green) for children to

practise. Please don’t write or draw in this book, the table is for

teacher use only.

• Each day, the teacher will hear the child read the words and will

take if they can read them instantly. Once they can read them

all 4 times in a row, they will move to the next level.

The Prep Curriculum – A brief overview

Maths

Key focuses:

• counting to and from 20 – moving from any starting point

• connecting the names of numbers to their quantity and numerals

• Adding and subtracting from a group of objects

• Sorting and classifying objects and creating patterns

• Measurements - comparing objects to say what is longer, shorter, heavier or

lighter

• Naming common 2D and 3D objects

What does this look like in the

classroom?

We use a lot of concrete materials, such as counters,

unifix cubes, pattern blocks, ten frames, etc.

We teach through games and hands on activities.

The children will participate in targeted focus groups for

support and extension based on need.

We use an online assessment tool regularly, during one

to one conferences to determine individual and group

needs.

The Prep Curriculum – A brief overview

If you would like to find out more about the

Prep Curriculum and what will be covered

this year, there is a great resource online

from the Department of Education.

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/learning/schoolmate/Pages/default.as

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A day in the life of a Prep

8.50am – children may start entering the classroom to unpack

and be ready by 9am.

9.00am – 10.40am 2x 50 minute sessions

10.40am- Recess

11.10am – 12.50pm 2x 50 minute sessions

12.50pm- Lunch

1.50pm – 3.30pm 2x 50 minute sessions

3.30pm- finish

*Absences*

Independence Now that your child has started school, a little

independence goes a long way. The sorts of things that

you can do at home to assist are:

- Have your child dress and undress themselves (Please

note swimming is in Term 3 and they will need to be able to

do this). Teach them to tie shoelaces.

- Making sure your child can open and close any

containers they use in their lunch box

- Carrying their school bag on their back to and from the

classroom

- Packing and unpacking their own school bag

Extras

Labelling- please make sure all uniform and belongings are labelled.

Lost property- is located in the office. Items are moved to the shelter shed if

uncollected.

Uniform- please make sure your child is wearing the correct uniform to school

each day. There is a Summer and Winter uniform and hats must be worn from

the 15th August until the 30th April.

Sleep- prep students need between 10 and 12 hours sleep please have a

routine for your child.

Lunch orders- every day except Tuesdays and can be ordered online through

classroom cuisine. There is a link on our website under ‘our community’.

Assembly- Fridays at 2.40pm in the hall. Student of the week certificates will be

handed out to one child in each class and you will be informed prior.

Healthy snack- After lunch we encourage students to have a healthy snack-this can be fruits or vegetables and they will have story time

Throughout the Prep Year there are many opportunities for parents to

assist e.g. swimming, excursions, classroom helper, local walks.

To be a volunteer you do require a Working with Children Check.

These can be obtained online. Just visit

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/

Parents must have attended the Parent Helpers Course that take place

during Term 1 to assist in the classroom.

Look out for the dates in the newsletter!

Volunteers

Communication

SkoolBag App - Find on the App Store and Play Store

Please download the skoolbag app for your smartphone.

Reminders and alerts are sent out using the app and you can

also add school events to your calendar from it.

Very rarely you may receive an SMS from the school. Please

treat these seriously as these are used as part of our emergency

response.

NewsletterHave you subscribed to the Newsletter?

http://www.laburnumps.vic.edu.au/

The key source of information is the school newsletter. It usually comes out on

Thursdays. Please make sure you read it each week.

Prep BlogHave you checked out our Prep blog? Have you subscribed?

http://www.laburnumps.vic.edu.au/

http://preplaburnum.global2.vic.edu.au/

You will find updates about Prep activities on the Prep blog. It is found on the school

website. Notices will from time to time be placed on the blog. Please print these

out and send them back with your child where requested. You can set up an

email alert when blogs are updated.

Communication

Communication

Each class will have one or two Parent Representatives.

These classroom representatives will at times email you with

information and requests from the school. Please make sure

you read all emails from the class representatives.

If you wish to contact your class teacher,

please call 9898 5811 or email using

laburnum.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au

Please make sure your contact details are up to date with the

office to ensure you receive all forms of communication from

the school.

Buddies

• The Laburnum Buddy program will be beginning

in March.

• Each Prep student is paired with a student

‘buddy’ from Year 6 who will become a ‘friendly

face’ in the school grounds.

• Each term the children enjoy planned activities

together.

Prep Picnic7th March from 5.30pm

Parents, grandparents and other family members of our prep students

are invited to join us for a picnic in Black’s Walk.

BYO food and drink.

This is a great opportunity for you to meet the families of your child’s

Classmates.

Teachers will be there from 5.30pm-6.30pm.

Cyber Safety

Essential Parent Information Evening

with Susan McLean (Cyber Cop)

Tuesday 5th March 7.00pm in the LPS Hall

Further resources

Additional information can be found on the school website,

under Our Community

http://www.laburnumps.vic.edu.au/index.php

• The A-Z of Starting at Laburnum

• 201 Literacy and maths tips to help your child

Thank you

for your attendance