Grade 5 News
Suns Smart School Program - Hats are required for the whole of Term 4
Upcoming Dates – Term 4
Monday 10th November: Curriculum Day (Pupil free day)
Thursday 13th November: Bike Ed Session 1
Thursday 20th November: Bike Ed Session 2 (bike and helmet required at school)
Friday 21st November: Literacy UP Session 2-2:30pm
Thursday 27th November: Bike Ed Session 3 (bike and helmet required at school)
Friday 28th November: Numeracy UP Session 2-2:30pm
Wednesday 3rd December: Market Day
Thursday 4th December: Bike Ed Session 4 (bike and helmet required at school)
Friday 5th December: Colour Run
Tuesday 9th December: Statewide Transition Day (Meet the Teacher 2026)
Wednesday 10th December: Christmas Concert 5:30-6:30pm
Friday 12th December: Meet the Teacher 2:00pm (2026)
Wednesday 17th December: Class Parties
Thursday 18th December: Christmas Raffle
Thursday 18th December: Last Day for students (1:30pm Dismissal)
Friday 19th December: Curriculum Day (Pupil free day)
Learning in Action
📖 Literacy
Learning in Action
Students are well and truly immersed in our Literature Unit centred around the text The Last Bear. The bond between the main character, April, and Bear has continued to evolve, and we are beginning to learn more about April and her dad’s background. Students have been involved in thoughtful discussions about relationships, motivations and behaviours, and have begun planning a persuasive letter exploring the issues surrounding threats to polar bears in the Arctic.
Here are some student reflections on The Last Bear so far:
The Last Bear is a very good book that has lots of detail and words that really make you imagine
that you are in the book.
~ Chase
The book we are reading is about a young girl who goes to an island called Bear Island even though it has no bears! While exploring, April finds a polar bear and becomes friends with it. The name of the book is The Last Bear.
~ Codey
Word Work
During Word Work, students have been learning to spell and decode words containing the Latin base dic/dict, meaning say/tell/proclaim, and the Greek morpheme geo, meaning Earth. Students have now begun learning about the base verse/vert, meaning to turn, and how prefixes and suffixes change meaning.
Sentence Level Writing
During sentence level writing, students have been expanding their understanding and application of complex sentences, including identifying independent and dependent clauses, conditional clauses, and using accurate punctuation. These skills are being applied directly in their writing related to The Last Bear to ensure purpose and meaning are clearly communicated.
Preview for Learning: Literacy
Students will continue learning through The Last Bear, including drafting and publishing their persuasive letters. We will also commence end-of-year assessments, including reading fluency and narrative writing.
➗ Maths
Learning in Action
We have now concluded our unit on decimals and commenced exploring concepts related to Australian currency and financial literacy. This shift allows students to see how their understanding of decimals directly connects to real-life contexts. Students continue to participate in Daily Review four times a week to consolidate previously learned concepts and prepare for upcoming learning.
Maths: Preview for Learning
Students will deepen their understanding by applying rounding and estimation strategies to solve real-world financial problems. They will also learn how to use spreadsheets to create a financial plan and to plan an event.
Resilience, Rights & Respectful Relationships (RRRR)
Students have begun discussions and activities exploring inclusive language and actions, particularly around gender norms and stereotypes. The program is evidence-based and encourages critical thinking, empathy and acceptance.
Summer Round Robin
On Monday 27th November, Grade 5 & 6 students participated in the rescheduled Summer Round Robin event. Here are some student highlights from the day:
It was a really fun day with lots of laughs a few wins and lots of wickets. I loved playing cricket and my team and coach made it even better.
~ Lily
We played a lot of games and hade a lot of fun hitting the ball up high and sometimes down low. Winning a lot of games was the highlight of the day. My sport was tennis and it was great.
~ Joelle
Knowledge Rich
Grade 5 Market Day
Dear Parents,
During Term 4, our Year 5 students have participated in a Knowledge-Rich unit called Understanding Economics. As part of this unit, they have investigated the difference between needs and wants, producers and consumers, supply and demand, and goods and services. These understandings have also been connected to how successful charitable organisations support people in need. This unit will culminate in Market Day on Wednesday, 3rd December, for all students at LPS.
In preparation for Market Day, students have been working in small business teams to develop a product or service that will appeal to other students (their consumers). Each group is responsible for all aspects of their business planning and operations.
Once their business proposal was approved by the Proposal and Finance Committee (teachers), each group received a start-up budget of $20. This amount is intended to cover all costs associated with creating and running their stall. Students are responsible for organising the materials they require; however, if they need support from home, we would greatly appreciate your assistance.
If your child needs to purchase items for their Market Day stall, please keep all receipts and complete the reimbursement form (which will be sent via Compass). Receipts and completed forms must be returned to school by Friday, 5th December, so we can organise reimbursement. You may also submit these earlier if convenient.Please ensure your child’s group does not exceed the $20 start-up budget.
If you choose to donate items and do not require reimbursement, please email karin.halstead@education.vic.gov.au so we can record this. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
The aim of Market Day is for students to make a profit, after repaying their start-up loan. All profits will be donated to a charity selected by the Year 5 students (to be confirmed).
Thank you for your ongoing support of your child’s learning.
Bike Education
Beginning next week, Year 5 students will participate in our Bike Education program. This program equips students with vital life skills in safe cycling and responsible road use, fostering independence, fitness, and active travel. Students learn about road rules, safe riding behaviours and practical bike handling skills in a controlled environment, helping them become confident and safe cyclists and pedestrians.
Please refer to the Compass notice for further details.
Grade 5 Teachers
Karin Halstead, Peta Alexander, Rachel Manning, Craig McKenzie