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Inquiry based learning

On Monday Bindi from Brick for Kids came to the school to help the children explore being creative with lego. The students used lego technic and followed a set of instructions to build a battery powered windmill. Students worked in pairs and took turns being the shopper; who collected the correct lego brick and the builder; who placed the lego brick in the right location on the base plate. Students had to look carefully at the instructions and make sure they were following the instructions precisely to build a working windmill. Once students had finished the windmill and tested that it worked correctly they could decorate their windmill to create a background story. The students were so focussed and engaged and loved the hands on nature of the challenge. 

Mathematics

In Mathematics we have been focusing on place value of numbers. Here are the students making, reading and placing 2 and 3 digit numbers in the correct location on a number line and explain their reason why to their partner. The children have been using words such as: Its greater than... Its smaller than... The number comes in between... It is closer to...

 The children have also been focusing on questioning each other if they believe their partner might have a answer incorrect or they have a different answer to them. Student have used questions such as:

• Why do you think that?
• How did you solve that?
• Your answer is different to mine, can you explain to me how you got that answer?
• I disagree with your answer can you explain your thinking? 
• I agree with the answer but you solve it differently to me, how?

The children have been great at asking questions and explaining their thinking and reasons to each other. 

Education in Faith

This week the students have been focusing being part of a community and understanding that at St Francis Xavier Catholic Primary School we are part of a faith community. We discussed places that Faith communities gather including our school and the Church. We have now begun looking at symbols and items within the church that we use as part of our faith.  Today we visited our church to look at the different items we have been discussing and we were very lucky to have Ms Marion tell us all about many of the important parts of the church, as well as the very special stained glass window.

 Performing Arts showcase

Thank you to Ms Nicole for working so hard with us this term to produce and perform a dance about 'A day at the beach'. Some of the students were very nervous to get up in front of the whole school but they all did it. The students should be so proud of themselves. Here they are swimming and surfing during the performance.

Moonlit Sanctuary Excursion

On Tuesday 22nd November, we will be going on an excursion to Moonlit Sanctuary.

Please look out on Operoo for the notice that contains all the details, 

as well as the permission slip to fill in on-line.