Welcome Back!

We hope you had a wonderful break and are ready for an exciting new year at Herdsmans Cove Primary! We're thrilled to announce that we are launching a new approach to reading in 2024, and we can't wait to share it with you.

Introducing UFLI: University of Florida Literacy Institute

This year, we are adopting the University of Florida Literacy Institute's structured synthetic phonics program. This innovative approach to reading instruction has been shown to be highly effective in helping students develop strong literacy skills.

What is UFLI?

UFLI is a comprehensive phonics program designed to systematically teach students the sounds of letters and letter combinations, enabling them to decode words with ease. By focusing on the foundational skills of reading, UFLI provides students with the tools they need to become confident and proficient readers.

What to Expect

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more information about UFLI and how it will be implemented at Herdsmans Cove Primary. We'll also be providing tips and resources for how you can support your child's learning at home. We will be sending home decodable texts that you can use to support your child to learn to read. Decodable texts are specifically written for beginning readers as they are developing their skills and their knowledge of the alphabetic code.

Parent Sessions

We understand that parents play a crucial role in their children's education, which is why we will be offering parent sessions here at school. These sessions will give you the opportunity to learn more about UFLI and how you can help reinforce what your child is learning in the classroom.

Get Involved

We're excited to embark on this new reading journey with you and your child! Stay tuned for more updates and information about UFLI. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Here's to a fantastic year of learning and growth!

LiL

Our Launching into Learning (LiL) program begins this week. LiL is a free program for young children (birth – 4 years old) and their families. It helps parents/carers and their children get to know their local school and meet other families. If you know of any families with young kids in the area please encourage them to get along. This year we are developing strong connections with tagari lia Child and Family Centre and kutalayna collective. LiL programs support children with their development in an atmosphere of fun and creativity and helps children transition into Kindergarten.

Bikes and Scooters

Being active is an important part of every day. Students who are riding to school must have a helmet and put their bike/scooter away once they arrive. We understand that riding brings joy, however, students riding around corners and past class doors is an accident waiting to happen. Please support our students to be active and safe.

Warm regards,

Tobin McColl, Principal