Welcome to our Prep Information Evening Special welcome to the new families to Holy Name. Prep teachers: Belinda Iudiciani and Jo Furness

Holy Name School Prayer We are happy and proud to belong to Holy Name School. Bless our Parish Priest, Staff, Parents and Families. Help us to do our best at school and to do what is right. May we show kindness and respect to each other, and may we be good and true friends to one another. Then Holy Name will continue to be a happy place where we can live and grow in your love. Amen

Overview of the evening Vision Statement Our Philosophy Typical morning in Prep Daily Timetable Prep FYI Important Dates Supporting your child development General Business & Questions

Holy Name Vision Statement We are... faith centered We are... lifelong learners We are.... a supportive community We are... happy We are... Holy Name.

We believe...

We believe...

Our Philosophy We foster the development of the whole child We teach concepts in a variety of ways We empower children to take risks and learn from mistakes We encourage independence We understand every child is unique We create a happy inclusive environment

A typical morning in Prep- Term 1 Gates open at 8:30am. The bell rings at 8:40am. Where students are welcomed to enter the classroom and settle into an activity. Students can select from a variety of activities, such as reading, puzzles, construction blocks or sensory experiences. This provides students with opportunities to develop and strengthen peer friendships and oral language skills. Parents are welcome to walk their child inside, however we encourage children to unpack and organise themselves independently for their day ahead.

Daily timetable 9am - Reading Block 9:50am - Brain food break (Please pack your child fruit/vegetables to eat) 10am - Writing Block 10:50am - Eating time 11am - First Lunch - outside play

Daily timetable 11:50am - Meditation 12pm - Maths Block 12:45pm - Religious Education/Sport 1:20pm - Eating Time 1:30pm - Second Lunch -outside play

Daily timetable 2:00pm - Sport/Religious Education/Buddies/Inquiry/Specialist program 3:25pm - First bell rings (Prep students are dismissed at this time during the first few weeks) 3:30pm - All students dismissed **Assembly is currently every Monday at 3pm in the School Hall

Prep FYI: Prep students attend Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday for the first four weeks. Students attend full time from Week 6 Prep students have four specialists classes these include; * Visual Arts * Performing Arts * Physical Education * Italian. Students will visit the library each week and can borrow one book. This book is another great opportunity for you to read to your child. Please ensure all your child’s clothing and stationery are labelled.

Prep curriculum - Reading

Prep curriculum - Writing

Prep curriculum - Mathematics

Prep curriculum - Religious Education

Important Dates Tuesday 30th January and Wednesday 31st January 2018 Preps will attend testing during this days, keep a look out for the confirmed day and time in the mail. Thursday 1st February 2018 -Students first day (8.40-3.25) Monday 5th March 2018 - Students start full time (Monday-Friday)

How can I support my child’s development? Read to your child EVERY SINGLE NIGHT (even when they start reading themselves). Have discussions about the information or story shared and link understandings to real life. Share different experiences, play board games and solve problems together, such as jigsaw puzzles, shopping lists, cooking and showing them how to look things up on the computer/in a book to find answers.

How can I support my child’s development? Have conversations with your child that are reflective. Use words such as, ‘how’, ‘why’ or ‘what if’. Allow them to be bored/left alone to be by themselves or have down time to develop their own interests. Working in partnership with your child’s teacher to support your child’s learning.

For more information, visit: http://www. kidsmatter. edu For more information, visit: http://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/ starting-school General business Medical - Please let your child’s teacher know and submit relevant documents and devices (asthma spacer, epipens etc) to the school office. Newsletters - Please download the ‘Flexibuzz’ app to access the school newsletter and be updated with other relevant information. Class reps - One parent from each class will be required to organise termly social events etc for the Prep level. Toileting accidents - Please keep one clean pair of underwear and socks in your child’s school bag at all times.

Any questions? Thank you very much for attending this session. We look forward to working with you and your child throughout their time here at Holy Name Primary School.