Welcome to Year 1!

Year 1 marks an important milestone for your child.  They are finally ‘big enough’ to put on a uniform and start their formal education in the classroom.  At Cornerstone, we recognise the significance of this time and are confident in the start your child will make under the expert guidance of class teacher, Miss Anthea Veitch.

Anthea is a relative newcomer to the College, but comes to us with over 30 years of teaching experience.    Anthea holds a Diploma of Teaching from Graylands Teachers College in Perth.   She is creative and highly competent – skills which blend to make your child’s first year of school valuable. 

In Year 1, a number of core areas are introduced and established which offer a great foundation for the future education of your child.  Anthea delivers a comprehensive program to help each child begin this journey.  During the course of the year, reading skills and the love of language are developed.  Literacy is an important tool for your child to develop and one that Anthea takes very seriously.  With this aim in mind, she endeavours to create a love for reading and delights in sharing her favourite books with her students.  

During this year, students begin to make progression in writing and taking pride in their presentation.  Correct letter formation is further defined and students are encouraged to share their own world and experiences in writing.

Anthea believes that it is necessary for each of her students to gain confidence and independence during the course of the year.  She lightheartedly commented that ”it is the student who is learning, not their Mum!”  Helping each child become responsible for small things and being proud of their achievements in learning is part of this process.  Part of the development in confidence also comes in the area of numeracy.  During Year 1, students will be progressing towards a greater understanding of numbers and have the confidence to manipulate them.  This foundational understanding can then be further developed in the years ahead.  Watching children  grow in the knowledge of their own ability is one of Anthea’s most pleasurable experiences.

All students in the Year 1 class have access to the Learning Support Centre if this may be of benefit.  Lynn Chapman, the College’s Learning Support Centre coordinator, works with small groups of students to better develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Anthea will refer students to Lynn for academic testing as she deems necessary.  The College’s desire through this program is to see all students achieve their potential in Literacy and Numeracy.  Alternatively, students who show great progression in their work will be provided with opportunities to step up and receive extension work.

Year 1 is unlike any other year in education, when significant changes occur in a child’s knowledge and understanding.  One of the greatest moments in Anthea’s classroom, is when she sees a child have the ‘lights come on’ and they realise that they CAN read, write or use numbers appropriately.    It is an exciting journey to take a child on, and one which Anthea recognises is both a privilege and responsibility.