Welcome to Learning Neighbourhood 1

2022 at Learning Neighbourhood One

The year began with great excitement for what lay ahead. The students and staff at New Holland Drive jumped straight in to the routines of getting to know new class mates and setting goals for their 2022 learning.

Teachers donned facemasks and the weekly delivery of RATs became the norm. We hosted a pop-up clinic for Covid vaccinations and practiced high levels of Covid safety across the campus.

As well as a strong focus on teaching and learning, the staff prepared to move into new, temporary accommodations. The clearing out and packing up of the old spaces commenced with everyone lending a hand. A big “Thank you” to our dedicated Education Support staff who ensured every room and storage cupboard was emptied ready for the imminent demolition.

Term Two saw the relocation of our portable classrooms to the oval at the rear of the school. But we couldn’t move the Year 1/2 students in just yet! It would take another few weeks to prepare the buildings for the students. In the meantime, the staff and students continued with what they do best…they carried on regardless and demonstrated great resilience and patience.

Finally, we moved into the renovated classrooms and picked up where we left off, accessing engaging programs and activities, just in time for the colder months drawing in. It would be safe to say that we underestimated the fun that could be had when rain mixes with grass and dirt! The students discovered a whole new medium to satisfy their sensory needs. Mud was a lot of fun!

Excursions to “My Puzzle House and “Inflatable World” provided the students and staff with moments of light relief away from the noise of the demolition of the old corridors. The swimming program was well attended and a great success with all students at New Holland Drive gaining more confidence and skills in the water.

A highlight from Term Three was “One Hundred Days of Prep”. The students enjoyed a fun-packed day of activities and fairy floss while dressed as a One-hundred-year old person. Book Week was great and again, book/reading themed activities and dress ups gave the week a great focus. The term’s literacy focus culminated in a higher than normal participation rate in this year’s Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Term Four began in style as we marked Halloween with a wonderful dress up with all proceeds going to Flood Relief. We introduced focused reading strategies to build consistent and collaborative teaching and learning across the whole school with great success. In mid-November, our Leadership team embarked on a new learning journey, they attended a training day for a new phonics program, Read Write Inc Phonics. We are extremely excited to adopt this program at Marnebek School next year. The whole staff will be trained in the program during Term One 2023 and we will roll it out across the school in Term Two.

We end the year with great anticipation as we look ahead to 2023 and the imminent completion of our new learning neighbourhood buildings. Thank you to our entire community at New Holland Drive for your dedication and fantastic efforts in what has been a remarkable year. Have a fabulous holiday and we look forward to seeing you all back for what promises to be another jam-packed year of learning in 2023.

Best wishes,

Ruth & Mandy

Ruth Cameron | Assistant Principal

Mandy Thomas | Acting Assistant Principal