Grade 1/2 | Term 2 Overview – 2026

Literacy 

In Grade 1 & 2, students engage in a two-hour Literacy block daily. This includes a consistent and integrated approach to Reading, Writing, Structured Literacy and Speaking & Listening. All components of the Big 6 areas—oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension—are carefully integrated and embedded into our comprehensive literacy program.  

This term students will participate in handwriting, explicit teaching of phonics, decoding and encoding practice and spelling through multi-sensory approaches. They will explore what subordinating conjunctions, pronouns and adjectives are and how to use themcorrectly. Students will participate in shared and modelled writing with a focus on narrative texts.  

Numeracy 

At Berwick Lodge, we provide children with an awareness of mathematics as it relates to the world in general. It is important that children use mathematics in situations, which are relevant for them. These situations provide opportunities for students to construct their own knowledge of mathematics through conversation, use of materials and thinking about and representing maths in their own way.  

Inquiry 

During our Inquiry lessons students engage deeply with Geography, Science, History and Civics and Citizenship studies. Students are prompted to explore fundamental questions that align with their thematic focus each term.  

This term Grade 1 & 2 students will explore the following units: 

Grade 1:  

Then and Now: Berwick – Looking at the history of Berwick and how it has changed over time to what it is today. Students will learn about some of the significant people and events that occurred that has shaped Berwick to what we see today.  

Think it, Build it, Fix it: – This topic is important because it aims to give students the opportunity to use creative, imaginative and inventive thinking to help them design, build and make changes to a simple machine. E.g. A toy that you can pull or a kite. They will understand that everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways and that push or pull affects how an object moves or changes shape. 

Grade 2: 

On the Move:  – Advances in technology have had significant impact on how we live. In this unit students will investigate the various modes of transport on land, air, sea, water and space as they explore the effect of changing technology on people’s lives. They understand why we need transport and look at how it has changed over the years. Students will be involved in a range of STEM activities to explore how force creates movement as they build models of various forms of transport. 

We look forward to another wonderful term, filled with learning and adventure.  

Grade 3/4 | Term 2 Overview – 2026

Literacy 

This term, our reading program will support students in becoming confident, fluent readers with a strong understanding of vocabulary. Students will read engaging, age-appropriate texts aloud to build fluency, expression and confidence. Vocabulary development will be a key focus, with students exploring new words in meaningful contexts. Our reading will link to focus texts on poetry and the environmental impact of rubbish on oceans and marine life, encouraging students to consider how they can make a difference. 

In writing, students will develop their skills in both information and persuasive texts. Linked to their Geography studies, students will learn to research, organise ideas and present clear, factual information. They will focus on explaining processes and concepts using appropriate language, while also developing their editing and proofreading skills. Students will also explore persuasive writing, learning how to structure arguments and express their ideas clearly and effectively. 

In handwriting, Grade 3 students will continue to develop correct letter formation with a focus on entry and exit points as they begin learning joined cursive. Grade 4 students will work towards transitioning from pencil to pen, building fluency and consistency in their handwriting. 

Students will also continue to build key literacy skills, including spelling patterns, root and base words, prefixes and suffixes, and verb tense (past, present and future), applying these skills within their writing. 

Numeracy 

Students will explore a range of key number concepts, including place value, number patterns, whole numbers, fractions and decimals, as well as strategies for subtraction. They will also develop their understanding of financial mathematics by recognising and using Australian currency in practical contexts. 

In addition, students will investigate measurement and data, including length, data collection and interpretation. They will explore chance by predicting outcomes of simple experiments and learn about 3D objects and their features. 

Students will participate daily in Fluency in Five, a short five-minute maths warm-up designed to build speed and accuracy with number facts. This regular practice strengthens mental maths skills and supports problem-solving across all areas of mathematics. 

Inquiry Learning 

In Geography, Grade 3 students will explore Australia’s natural and human features, the significance of ‘place’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and how Australia is divided into states and territories. 

In Science (Heating Up unit), Grade 3 students will investigate how heat energy is produced and transferred. They will explore heat through friction, identify different sources of heat, and examine how heat affects materials. 

Grade 4 students will explore geographical features of the world, focusing on continents and countries in the Southern Hemisphere, including Australia, South America and Africa. They will compare countries such as Madagascar and Brazil with Australia, examining landscapes, climate, vegetation and wildlife. 

In Science (Chemical Sciences), Grade 4 students will investigate the properties of natural and processed materials and how these determine their use. They will also explore sustainability by considering how materials can be reused or repurposed and why this is important. 

Respectful Relationships 

This term, students will focus on Positive Coping and Help Seeking. 

In Positive Coping, students will learn strategies to manage emotions and respond to everyday challenges. They will build resilience through techniques such as deep breathing, positive self-talk and problem-solving. 

In Help Seeking, students will learn how to recognise when they need support and how to ask for help safely and respectfully. They will identify trusted adults and develop confidence in seeking support when needed. 

Grade 5/6 | Term 2 Overview – 2026

Numeracy 
In Term 2, Grade 5 and 6 students are developing their mathematical understanding across key areas including fractional thinking, decimal fractions, 3D objects, multiplication and division algorithms, probability and transformations. 

Students build strong conceptual understanding while learning to apply efficient strategies when solving problems. A key focus is on making connections between different areas of mathematics and applying this learning to real-world contexts. Students also engage in regular retrieval practice to consolidate prior learning and strengthen long-term memory, alongside daily opportunities to develop number fluency, such as multiplication of facts. 

Through this learning, students are encouraged to think flexibly, explain their reasoning, and use mathematics confidently to solve a range of problems both in and out of the classroom. 

Literacy 
This term in English, students will continue to develop their reading, writing and language skills. As part of our novel study, students will explore Music for Tigers, examining characters, themes and key ideas, as well as how the author uses language to create meaning and connect with the reader. This will support students in strengthening their comprehension skills and ability to discuss and respond to texts in depth. In writing, students will focus on journal writing, using the novel as inspiration to reflect character perspectives, events and themes.  

Students will continue to practice reading fluency each day, with a focus on developing smooth, expressive and confident reading. These regular sessions will help strengthen both fluency and understanding of texts. In spelling, students will extend their knowledge of how words are built by investigating morphemes, including prefixes, suffixes and base/root words, supporting greater accuracy and a deeper understanding of vocabulary. 

Inquiry  
In inquiry, Grade 5/6 students will explore the development of Australian democracy, including preferential voting and the structure of government at local, state, and federal levels. This learning will be supported with a parliament incursion for all students in Term 2. In science, they will focus on irreversible changes in states of matter, and in geography, they will compare living conditions in Europe and North America with those in Australia. 

Respectful Relationships  
In Term 2, students will focus on: 
Topic 3: Positive Coping – Students will identify and practise personal coping strategies they can use when faced with challenges or stress. They will also learn to recognise how different strategies impact wellbeing and relationships. 
Topic 6: Help-Seeking – Students will explore when and how to seek help, identifying trusted people they can turn to and strategies for seeking support in various situations. These lessons aim to build resilience and reinforce the importance of looking out for one another.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities 
Grade 5/6 students have attended Somers School Camp. Through outdoor and group-based activities, students will build resilience, independence, and friendships with peers from across their cohort.  

All students will also compete/participate in Winter interschool sports competitions. Students will have the option to compete at a district level or take part in a friendly gala day competition.  

Zance will continue as a popular lunchtime club, offering a creative and energetic space for students to connect and move. Other lunchtime clubs will also be available to students including  Library, Art, Mandarin and STEM clubs.  

Students involved in the State School Spectacular will begin rehearsals during Term 2, preparing for their performances later in the year. 

Visual Arts | Term 2 Overview – 2026

This term in Visual Arts, students will explore a variety of artistic techniques and materials while responding to themes from the natural world, important cultural events, and personal creativity. Across the school, students will develop their skills in drawing, collage, construction, and mixed media, while building confidence in expressing ideas through art. 

Students will begin the term by creating artworks to commemorate ANZAC Day, using visual elements such as colour, silhouette, and line to reflect on remembrance and respect in age-appropriate ways. As the term progresses, students will explore themes inspired by nature, including birds, flowers, and imaginative creatures, while experimenting with different textures, patterns, and construction techniques. 

Prep 
In Prep, students will continue to build confidence in the Art room while exploring a range of hands-on, creative activities. They will create a poppy collage for ANZAC Day, followed by artworks inspired by birds and nature, including paper plate birds and beaded pipe cleaner flowers. Students will also experiment with paper weaving and dot-pattern painting, developing fine motor skills and an understanding of pattern, colour, and texture through playful exploration. 

Grade 1 / 2 
Grade 1 and Grade 2 students will explore a range of creative techniques while responding to both real-world and imaginative themes. They will begin with sunset silhouette artworks for ANZAC Day, using contrast and colour to create atmosphere. Students will then create paper owls and layered patty pan flowers, exploring shape, texture, and construction. They will also develop their drawing skills through landscape line drawings, focusing on detail and composition. 

Grade 3 / 4 
In Grade 3 and Grade 4, students will expand their artistic skills through a variety of techniques and materials. They will explore shading using line, inspired by the work of ANZAC soldier and artist Ellis Silas, learning how artists can create depth and tone through mark-making. Students will also create collage flamingos, tissue paper flowers, and a mixed media creature eye, encouraging creativity and experimentation. A nature weaving project will allow students to connect with the environment while exploring texture and construction. 

Grade 5 / 6 
Grade 5 and Grade 6 students will focus on refining their technical skills while exploring both observational and conceptual artmaking. They will develop their drawing skills through detailed owl studies, focusing on proportion, texture, and shading. Students will also engage in paper flower construction, exploring form and structure in three-dimensional artworks. Inspired by Indigenous Australian astronomy, students will create geometric constellation flower designs, combining cultural understanding with pattern and design to produce meaningful and visually striking artworks. 

Art Club 
Art Club is on Tuesdays at lunchtime, providing students with an opportunity to further explore their creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment. 

Physical Education |Term 2 Overview – 2026

Prep: The Prep students will participate in a wide variety of physical activities, on their own and with their peers in a range of movement environments. They will focus on building their skills and following rules through positive participation and play. Students will be introduced to and practise fundamental motor skills such as throwing (underarm & overarm), rolling and bouncing. They will participate in a gymnastics unit where they will work on body control, flexibility, balance and core strength.  

Grade 1&2: The Grade 1/2 students will participate in a wide variety of physical activities, on their own and in groups in a range of movement environments. They will focus on building their skills and following rules through positive participation. Students will practise and refine fundamental motor skills such as bouncing, throwing (underarm and overarm) and two hand strike, and incorporate these into modified sport situations. Students will begin a gymnastics unit where they will work on body control, flexibility, balance and core strength.  

Grade 3&4: Students are refining more complex motor skills and applying these skills when learning the rules associated with modified sports such as netball and football. Students begin to combine strategic thinking and positive attitudes when participating in both minor and major games. They will begin a gymnastics unit where they will work on body control, flexibility, balance and core strength. Students will continue to focus on the importance of healthy relationships with physical activity.  

Grade 5&6: Students will be given the opportunity to participate in student directed winter sports whereby they take on the roles of coach, captain, umpire, scorer etc. They will continue to refine more complex motor skills and apply these skills in sport situations. A positive understanding of teamwork, sportsmanship, tactical knowledge and healthy relationships with physical activity will be the focus. Students will begin a gymnastics unit where they will work on body control, flexibility, balance and core strength.

Mandarin |Term 2 Overview – 2026

PREP  

In term 2, students will expand their Chinese vocabulary further, concentrating on words, Chinese characters, songs, and dances related to family members. They will explore the legends and traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival and have the chance to create related handcrafts. 

G 1-2 

In term 2, students will expand their Chinese vocabulary, focusing on learning words, sentences, Chinese characters, songs, and dances related to animals. They will also learn about the legends and traditions of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and have the opportunity to create related handcrafts. 

G 3-4 

In term 2, students will expand their Chinese vocabulary, concentrating on learning words, sentences, Chinese characters, and songs related to weather. They will also learn about the legends and traditions of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and have the opportunity to create related handcrafts. 

G 5-6 

In term 2, students will continue to expand their Chinese vocabulary, focusing on words, sentences, Chinese characters, and songs related to school subjects. They will also learn about the legends and traditions of the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival and have the opportunity to create related handcrafts. 

STEM and Digital Technologies | Term 2 Overview – 2026

This term in STEM and Digital Technologies, students will take part in a range of hands-on and technology-rich learning experiences designed to build curiosity, creativity, problem-solving and confidence when using digital tools. 

Students will continue developing important STEM skills such as planning, testing, debugging, improving, collaborating and explaining their thinking. Across the program, there will be a strong focus on helping students understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, especially when coding, designing, building and problem-solving. 

Prep students will develop digital literacy skills on the laptop devices and desktop computers. They will practise basic physical interaction with hardware, such as mouse control, touchscreen navigation and locating the essential typing and control keys on a computer keyboard. They will explore the importance of Cyber Safety and will learn the basics of being safe, kind, and responsible online. A key focus will be on teaching children to differentiate between private and personal information, so they can begin to understand things that can be shared online and what must not be shared online. Students will build a lever using Lego and learn that it can be used to change the force that is applied (effort), alter the direction, and change the distance of movement. Students are encouraged to show their understanding by demonstrating the correct use of tools and devices and explaining their reasoning throughout the design process. 

In Grades 1 and 2, students will continue building their early coding and computational thinking skills through Bee-Bot activities and online simulations. They will practise creating longer algorithms using clear step-by-step instructions, turns and waypoints. Students will learn how to predict where their Bee-Bot will move, test their program, identify mistakes and make changes to improve their algorithm. 

In Grades 3 and 4, students will explore digital systems and creative problem-solving through a series of activities including Minecraft Education. They will use the software as a learning tool to design, build and explain their ideas while developing their understanding of algorithms, digital environments and collaborative problem-solving. Students will be encouraged to think carefully about planning, sustainability, design choices and how digital tools can be used to represent and solve real-world problems. 

In Grades 5 and 6, students will be introduced to micro:bits and coding through Microsoft MakeCode. They will explore how hardware and software work together by learning about inputs, outputs and simple programming structures. Students will create and test basic programs, investigate how sensors and buttons can trigger actions, and begin using coding to design practical and creative solutions. 

Throughout Term 2, students will be encouraged to work like designers, engineers and digital creators. They will ask questions, test ideas, debug problems, give and receive feedback and improve their work over time. The program aims to support students in becoming confident, thoughtful and responsible users of technology, while developing the STEM and Digital Technologies skills they will continue to build on in future years.