Term 3: A Season of Excitement and Change

It’s hard to believe how quickly Term 3 has flown by! From excursions to creative arts and sporting achievements, it’s been a term packed with energy, learning, and memorable moments.

Our Grade 5/6 students enjoyed a fantastic excursion on Tuesday, filled with hands-on experiences and plenty of fun. Across the school, many students have proudly represented us in various sporting events, showing great teamwork and school spirit.

In staffing news, we’re thrilled to welcome Heidi back to our Teacher Assistant team. Heidi will be working across the school, providing valuable support to our students. Her return is a wonderful boost to our learning community.

At the same time, we say a fond farewell to Ms Foley, who has been inspiring our students through art this term. Her creativity and passion have led to some truly stunning student masterpieces. Ms Foley will be heading off to teach in Far North Queensland for the remainder of the year, and we wish her all the best in her new adventure.

As we look ahead to Term 4, we’re excited for what’s to come. Thank you to our students, staff, and families for making Term 3 such a success!

Stay Connected:
Keep up with all the happenings at school by following our Facebook page and checking your child’s Seesaw regularly. It’s a great way to stay informed and celebrate the wonderful things happening in our classrooms.

Literacy News:

We are committed to helping every student become a confident, capable reader. That’s why we use a structured and evidence-based approach to teaching literacy, built around what’s known as the Big Six.

The Big Six are the essential foundations of literacy. They work together to support students as they move from learning to read, to reading to learn—and beyond. These six areas are taught explicitly and in a clear, sequenced way to ensure all students, no matter their starting point, can grow and succeed.

What are the Big Six?

1. Oral Language – The ability to speak, listen, and understand the sounds we use when we talk.
2. Phonological Awareness – Recognising the sounds in our speech.
3. Phonics – Understanding how letters and sounds work together.
4. Vocabulary – Knowing and using a wide range of words.
5. Fluency – understanding the meaning of words and sentences as they are being read.
6. Comprehension – using the other five skills to understand what is being read.

The Big Six are not just skills for early readers or young students. They continue to be important throughout your child’s education.

How can families support literacy at home?

You play an important role in your child’s literacy development. Talking with your child, reading together, playing word games, and asking questions about stories are all powerful ways to support what your child is learning at school.

If you’d like to know more about how the Big Six are taught in our classrooms or how to support your child’s literacy at home, please contact to your child’s teacher.

Together, we can help every student thrive as a reader, writer, and thinker.

Warm regards

Cath Burgess

When asked what teacher aides do for our students at Herdmans Cove these are some answers that students came up with.

Mason 5/6R - They're good, nice and caring.

Lilly 5/6R - They're helpful, nice and respectful.

Dayne 3/4A - They are good and they are brave.

Lola 3/4A - They are really nice and help us with our work.

Haylee 3/4A - They help me with my work when I am struggling.

Matilda 1/2H - They are good and they help me learn.

Sofia Prep - They play and help me with learning my sounds.

Dakotah Prep - They help me write.

On the 9th September both 5/6 classes went to the Sustainability Centre at Mount Nelson. Students had a fantastic time exploring and learning new things.

We are very grateful to have a wonderful canteen team. Every Thursday and Friday they come in, cook, prepare and serve food. Students and staff would like to say thankyou to Cat, Mel, Adam, Jerry, Mel, Krissy and John.

Our little ones thrive on interacting with the ‘Big kids’ at school. Our Family Space fosters opportunities for socialisation and play, helping children of all ages develop essential social and emotional skills and role model school expectations and behaviours.