Exploring the Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Inspired by Mr Weinert’s Chapel talk on new life and butterflies, the Year 1 students at St Peters Campus created a vibrant butterfly display and explored the fascinating life cycle of this delicate insect.

Through their learning, students discovered that a cycle is a repeating pattern found in many living things. They reflected on how all creatures grow and change, just like butterflies do—from caterpillars to chrysalises to beautiful winged creatures.

The students also shared thoughtful insights about how our differences make us unique and beautiful, just like butterflies. They discussed how we grow and change from babies to children and eventually adults, and how God lovingly watches over each stage of our journey. They were reminded that God helps us grow into the image of His Son, Jesus.

As part of our 'Sharing the Planet' unit of inquiry, students have been joyfully engaged in learning through play and hands-on exploration. Using puzzles, crafts and seed experiments, they investigated the fascinating world of plants—focusing especially on apple trees.

Through inquiry-based activities, students developed their understanding of how plants grow, what they need to thrive and the important role they play in our environment. Their curiosity and creativity were on full display as they asked questions, made observations, and shared their discoveries with one another.

National Reconciliation Week in Year 1

Reconciliation Week was an invitation for students to boldly ask questions about our First Nations people; wonders we might otherwise feel scared to ask. We looked at maps of all the different Aboriginal tribes throughout Australia and discussed their own unique language and culture shaped by their environment. We asked the question, 'What is Reconciliation Week and why do we need it?' This curiosity sparked a lesson about colonial England and a land white people once called Terra Nullius. We used Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing's book Somebody's Land to understand this history more. We discovered that symbols and not letters were how First Nations people communicated a message if they couldn't tell each other. This realisation sparked a bookmaking lesson full of oral language stories and symbol making in clay.

Olivia Livingston and Nicolle Jakube
Year 1 Teachers — St Peters Campus