Prep – BNPS

Year Level Information - Prep

Please click here for the Prep Welcome Newsletter.

On-line Numeracy & Literacy Interviews

At the beginning of the school year, all Prep children are required to complete the Maths and English Online Interviews. This is a requirement of the Department of Education and Training (DET) which provides baseline data about the student ability upon school entry. Importantly, the data from these interviews enables us to teach to your child’s individual needs.

A one hour time slot is allocated to your child during their Wednesday rest day where they are expected to attend their interview with a Prep teacher or during class time. We really look forward to spending this hour with your child as it is a valuable opportunity to get to know them one on one. These interviews are a non-threatening and enjoyable experience for your child.

Please ensure that your child arrives five minutes before their interview (in the Prep Learning Centre) before their interview time and that they are picked up promptly as interviews are scheduled back to back. Results will then be discussed with you during scheduled Parent Teacher Interviews.
Homework
Magic Words

Magic Words will be sent home. We would appreciate your assistance by helping your child learn the ‘Magic 100 Words’ by reading through the appropriate list together each day or using the helpful ideas for learning the words that will be sent home. The children should find learning these words enjoyable and fun and we stress that every child will show interest at different times and will learn them at their own pace. The Prep Team will integrate and reinforce these words through games, reading and literacy activities in the classroom.

The Prep Team will hear your child read their words and once they can confidently and independently recognise and read them, they will be given a certificate. Your child will then be asked to begin learning the next set of Magic Words. It is important that only concentrate on one colour at a time as too many words at one time can become quite overwhelming.

Students are also encouraged to practice their alphabet.

Reading

Take Home Readers will be sent home. We would like you to spend 10-15 minutes each night ‘sharing’ a book with your child. Some suggestions for you to help your child with their reading:

Find a quiet place to enjoy the book, preferably not too late in the day.

Read the book to your child first. Be sure that they can see the words, and point to each word as you say it.

Talk about the title, cover, pictures and characters.

Read the book together.

Be patient – give your child time to predict words.

If your child finds unknown words, can the picture and/or story line help them work out the words? If so, urge your child to use the pictures and context to find meaning. Otherwise, simply tell them the word without breaking the sense of the story.

Remember that the purpose of the reader is to foster enjoyment and build confidence. It shouldn’t be seen as a chore.

See Homework Guidelines.

Units of Inquiry - Prep

WHO WE ARE	WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE AND TIME	HOW WE EXPRESS OURSELVES	HOW THE WORLD WORKS	HOW WE ORGANISE OURSELVES	SHARING THE PLANET
CENTRAL IDEA Many people teach us how to be healthy and safe	CENTRAL IDEA Family histories provide an insight into culture	CENTRAL IDEA Senses help people express their ideas	CENTRAL IDEA Climate and the type of materials available determines the structures that can be built	CENTRAL IDEA Schools are organised to help us learn and play together	CENTRAL IDEA People's use of the sea impacts upon the creatures that call it their home
CONCEPTS Responsibility Form	CONCEPTS Change Connection	CONCEPTS Function Perspective	CONCEPTS Form Function	CONCEPTS Function Causation	CONCEPTS Causation Responsibility
LINES OF INQUIRY The things we can do to keep ourselves healthy and safe Personal physical and social health The many organizations and people that keep us healthy and safe Identifying dangers in our environment	LINES OF INQUIRY Features of a family The way we are influenced by cultural differences of families Changes in family life due to evolving technology	LINES OF INQUIRY The five senses The different ways in which we use our senses The way our senses help us function	LINES OF INQUIRY The different materials used to build structures The way these materials influence the design of the buildings and structures The effects climate has on the design of houses	LINES OF INQUIRY The school buildings and grounds Why people go to school The people who work at our school and their roles, routines and systems The ways we can get along with each other	LINES OF INQUIRY Human use of the Ocean Impact on creatures and their habitats Our responsibility to the environment
LEARNER PROFILE Knowledgeable Balanced	LEARNER PROFILE Inquirer Reflective	LEARNER PROFILE Open-minded Risk-takers	LEARNER PROFILE Communicator Thinker	LEARNER PROFILE Caring Principled	LEARNER PROFILE Principled Knowledgeable

You can assist your child with their studies by discussing relevant information at home. We are encouraging our students to take independent action in response to our Units of Inquiry. This may involve bringing to school any books, posters, etc., that may be of interest to the class. Please ensure all items are named.

Click here to find out more about the PYP and the six transdisciplinary themes.

Excursions and Incursions
Prep students participate in a variety of incursions/excursions related to our Units of Inquiry, for example:

Kids Car Education Incursion

Fire Safety Incursion

Local Tour Excursion

‘Under the Sea’ Drama Toolbox Incursion

Melbourne Aquarium Excursion

Resilience Program

Click here to find out more about our Excursions and Incursions procedure.
Specialist Programs
A significant feature of the Curriculum are our Specialist Programs which operate for all classes on a weekly basis; The Arts – Music, Physical Education and The Arts – Visual Arts.

Specialist News

A ‘Specialist News’ update for PE, Art, Music and Library will be provided each term (via Compass and the BNPS website). Click here to access Specialist News.

The Arts – Music

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Music.

Physical Education

In PE lessons, Prep Students:

Begin spatial awareness activities, whistle drills, equipment familiarisation and working within boundaries.

Participate in the Fundamental Motor Skills program (catch, kick, run, jump) and incorporate these skills into co-operative games.

Participate in an Intensive Swim Program.

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Physical Education.

The Arts – Visual Arts

For more information, see Specialist Programs – Art.

Library

Prep – Year 2 students also receive a weekly specialist Library lesson taken by a trained Teacher Librarian.

For more information, see Library.
Extra-Curricular Activities
BNPS Instrumental Music Program

Buddy Program

Circle Time

Lunch Clubs

Swimming Program

Wellbeing Programs
Special Events
Welcome Event

Mother’s Day Pampering

Grandparent’s Morning

Cubby Day

Old Fashioned Dress-up Day

100 Days of School Celebration

Student Disco

Father’s Day Morning

Carols Night

School Concert

For daily procedures, communication, reporting and assessment and anything else you would like to know about Beaumaris North Primary School, please refer to our A – Z Parent Guide.