Important Reminders

Icy Poles will be sold on Monday and Tuesday at the Senior School at lunch.
Publicity forms are now due.
Internet Agreement forms are now due.
Canberra forms are to be returned to the office as soon as possible. If your child is not attending please notify the office in writing by Friday 28th February.

Upcoming Dates

24th Feb - School Photos Day
25th & 26th Feb - Meet the Teacher interviews
28th Feb - House Cross Country
25th April – ANZAC Day (Public Holiday)
28th April – 2nd May - Canberra Camp

Learning in Action

Literature:

Over the past four weeks, students have embarked on a captivating journey alongside Felix, who escapes an orphanage in search of his parents. As they delved into this poignant story, they’ve explored rich vocabulary such as forsaken, vivid, grim, and apprehensive, which has sparked thoughtful and engaging discussions about the characters' emotions, motivations, and development. The students have been so invested in the text that they’ve even asked the teachers to keep reading, eager to see what happens next in Felix’s journey.

Through Once, students have also examined how sentences are constructed, with a particular emphasis on relative clauses and the use of relative pronouns and adverbs. This has enhanced their understanding of sentence structure and how different elements can work together to add clarity and depth to writing. Additionally, we’ve explored the importance of word choice, especially when considering tense in writing. Students have spent time identifying verbs in the past tense and rewriting sentences in the present tense to better understand how the correct use of tense impacts the meaning and tone of a sentence.

In our writing unit, we have shifted our focus to information reports. Once, set in Poland during World War II, has sparked students' curiosity about the country and its history. To build on this interest, we’ve been learning more about Poland’s culture, geography, and history. This newfound knowledge will serve as the foundation for the students to create their own detailed and informative reports, allowing them to synthesize what they’ve learned into well-organized, factual writing.

Preview:

Students will read Once and explore the history of Poland during that time while continuing to develop their information reports on the topic. They will also deepen their understanding of sentence structure and learn how to use literary devices to make their writing more engaging and capture the reader's attention.

Maths:

Students have begun their daily review sessions as part of our approach to activating working memory by retrieving concepts that have been previously taught. These quick, 20-minute sessions are designed to reinforce learning by posing questions on a variety of mathematical concepts. During these sessions, students are asked to write answers, explain their thinking, and demonstrate their understanding. This process not only helps solidify their grasp of the material but also allows teachers to offer immediate feedback and address any misconceptions that may arise.

In addition, students have started working on their individual math goals this week, which are tailored to their specific needs in the areas of whole numbers and place value. This focused approach allows students ample time to meet with the teacher, practice, apply, and demonstrate their learning over two weeks. With personalised attention and consistent practice, students can track their progress and continue to develop a deeper understanding of these key concepts.

Students have continued their exploration of elapsed time and have begun working on a project. For this project, they will choose a destination within Australia, calculate the elapsed time for flights, and determine the total travel time. They will also consider factors such as the time of day for departure, any stopovers, and how these elements impact the overall travel experience. Additionally, students will create a visual representation of their journey, showcasing the flight path and the elapsed time. This project will help them develop a deeper understanding of how to calculate and manage time during travel.

Preview:

Students will continue to develop their understanding of whole numbers and work on the applied maths topic of elapsed time. They have been busy working on a project where they travel around Australia calculating the elapsed time of the flights.

Inquiry:

This week, students began a unit on the Australian Government, aimed at deepening their understanding of key topics such as the history of Canberra becoming the capital, the roles and functions of the government, including the Senate and House of Representatives, and the workings of democracy.

Students have been introduced to democracy and how it functions in Australia. They’ve learned about the core principles that support our democratic system, such as the importance of voting, which allows every citizen to have a say in how the country is run. They have also explored the value of fairness, ensuring everyone is treated equally under the law, regardless of their background.

Additionally, students have discussed the significance of equal rights, meaning that all Australians, no matter who they are, should have the same opportunities and freedoms.

Preview:

Students will brainstorm various issues they are passionate about, such as children wearing helmets when playing sports. Each student will choose one issue from the list, research its adverse effects on the community, and come up with possible solutions. They will then write a letter or email to their principal, teachers, and sports coach to raise awareness of the issue and request support.

Canberra Camp:

We’re thrilled to be heading to Canberra for camp during the second week of Term 2 (28th April - 2nd May). Participation in the Canberra camp is a requirement for all students as it plays an important role in our school curriculum. We strongly encourage all students to take part. Please ensure that all completed forms are submitted to the office as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need more information about the camp, don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Here are some exciting places we’ll be visiting while on camp:

Mt Ainslie Lookout
National Gallery of Australia (NGA)
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
ANZAC Parade
Royal Australian Mint
Questacon
Parliament House
High Court of Australia
Australian War Memorial

Production:

We’re excited to announce that auditions for our school production of Moana will take place on Monday, 24th February, for all interested Grade 5 and 6 students. All students who wish to audition have received a script during the meeting and should come prepared for the auditions on Monday.

Production dates:

Tuesday 2nd September 2025

Wednesday 3rd September 2025

From the Grade 6 Teachers

Mel Adams, Lex Fisher, Caitlin Ibbotson, Michelle Findlay and Nathan Hicks

Mathematics Hub

This guide describe what children learn in maths at school in Prep. They will give you some ideas for games and activities you can play at home to help your child learn.

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Music Lessons at Lysterfield Primary School

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