Focus on Learning 

English:

Throughout this term Year 5 & 6 have been studying the autobiography “The Happiest Refugee” by Anh Do. Students have been investigating the ways in which Australia is interconnected with other nations, and exploring a range of global issues including issues of war and peace, poverty, extreme weather conditions and refugee experiences. Students have had to consider the individual and national responsibilities of global citizens of the 21st century, and have been challenged and encouraged to think about how they can act to facilitate equity and justice for others through their choices and actions. The students have been thoroughly engaged in the text and it has brought out a love of reading in the students as well. They have enaged thoughtfully and respectfully in discussions about the issues and messages brought up in the text. They really don't want the book to end!

Year 5 & 6 have been learning to write engaging and effective persuasive texts through the use of PEEL Paragraphs. PEEL paragraphs improve the cohesive nature of texts and make persuasive writing more convincing. 

Visual Arts:

This term we have been looking at the techniques used by various Australian artists. We recently looked into the works of Ben Quilty. Ben Quilty is an Australian artist and social commentator, who has won a series of painting prizes: the 2014 Prudential Eye Award, 2011 Archibald Prize, and 2009 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. He has been described as one of Australia's most famous living artists. We studied his use of reflection in his artworks and used this research as a stimulus to create our own.