This Term in Learning, Term 1, 2026

The following is only an approximation of the learning undertaken this term, far more learning occurred than was recorded here. Whilst my notetaking was a little more diligent this term, their was work undertaken but not recorded.

The children also grew and learnt alot about life this term. Their grandfather’s dementia came to a crisis point, and just prior to lessons resuming, he was committed to the Dementia Ward following the crisis. Finally, a home was found for him, but following another crisis, it didn’t work out.

Most tragically, in late February, my nephew, the children’s cousin, was stillborn. In amongst supporting their cousins, baby boy’s siblings, and preparing our home for a wake, a great deal of life lessons occurred that were not academic, but were life altering.

The children showed incredible compassion, kindness and love. I was incredibly impressed with them.

Swimming Carnival:

This year, only Siena attended our annual Swimming Carnival; the boys and I were too sick. Siena was accompanied by two of her sisters, and they did a terrific job in assisting with running the carnival. Siena placed third in all her races and more importantly, enjoyed herself.

Group Work:

Morning Basket: Daily selection of Poetry and Literature

During this time we read through our books of History, Science and Faith Reads, and our Read Aloud.

History Core: 

Ignatius, Sebastian & Siena: Christ the King Lord of History by Anne Carroll. Read 10 sections. Covered The Renaissance: Revival of learning, art, and classical ideas and Growth of humanism, The Protestant Reformation: Causes of the Reformation and spread of Protestant ideas and The Catholic Reformation/Counter-Reformation: Reform within the Catholic Church. After the Protestant bias in Our Island Story last year, I felt it was important to correct the misinformation presented during the persecution of the Faith during the English Reformation. Once again discussing slant in history and the importance of reading multiple and primary sources.

Science Core:

Sebastian & Siena:  The History of Chemistry by John Hudson Tiner. 8 chapters. We covered: Definition of chemistry, Matter and its properties, Ancient ideas about matter, Early attempts to understand substances, Alchemists and their goals, Work of Robert Boyle, Law of conservation of mass, Development of atomic theory, work of John Dalton, Elements and compounds, Chemical Reactions.

Ignatius  – ?

Faith Core: 6+ Lessons. Our Goal and Our Guides. Divisions of the Liturgical Year: How the Church Year is divided, the Temporal Cycle, Advent, Christmastide, Eastertide etc This reading was mostly through Lent and Holy Week so rather applicable.

Read Aloud: 4+ Chapters. Come Rack, Come Rope by Mgsr Robert Hugh Benson. Ties in with our Study of the English Reformation. A bit of a stretch for Siena but she is keeping up with the boys.

Weekly Writing Club – WC continues to be a success, loving the synergy as always.

All three children continue to enjoy WC and show terrific progress as writers.

Monthly Book Club – Book Club continues to be a huge success, we now have 70 children who have joined the Library! I love how the children are motivated and keen to read.

The Book Club Reads for our children were:

February: Ignatius read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and S & S read Swiss Family Robinson by Johan Wyss

March: Ignatius and Sebastian read Animal Farm and Siena read The Black Stallion by Walter Farley