Year 5 News
Reading
This fortnight in Reading, students have been using metacognitive strategies to analyse picture story books. We began by exploring the different elements involved in visual and textual analysis, including colour, contrast, character gaze, shot distance, symbolism, design and layout and textual meaning. Each day, students focused on one element, developing their understanding and practising how to analyse its impact on the reader.
Using the picture story book Cicada as a mentor text, students worked together to identify and discuss these features before applying the same analytical skills to their own chosen picture story books. Throughout the unit, students have been building their confidence in thinking critically about how authors and illustrators create meaning. At the conclusion of the unit, students will publish and present their own book analyses, showcasing their understanding of the techniques used in picture story books.
“There are 3 shot distances. Long shot, mid shot and close shot” - Fatima 5A
“Character gaze is where the character is looking” - Elina 5A
“I have enjoyed reading Cicada.” - Bella 5B
“I am enjoying creating our projects on Canva.” - Xavier 5B
Writing
This fortnight in Writing, the Year 5 cohort has been busy drafting their persuasive essays and developing their skills as authors. Students have been focusing on organising their arguments, supporting their opinions with evidence, and using persuasive language to engage their audience.
Alongside this, they have been working on improving their handwriting and strengthening their spelling knowledge by learning rules such as changing y to i when adding certain suffixes to words. It has been wonderful to see the Year 5 students demonstrating care and pride in their writing while continuing to build confidence and accuracy in their literacy skills.
“You need a hook to engage the reading and interest them” - Agam 5C
“Persuasive writing is when you want to persuade someone to do something” - Harry 5A
“Adding details and interesting facts about your topic will help someone agree with your opinion” - Fatima 5A
“I like persuasive writing.” Xavier 5B
“I have learnt what the structure of a persuasive piece is” Lal 5B
Maths
Over the past fortnight, Year 5 students have been developing their understanding of time. Students have practised reading and interpreting both 12-hour and 24-hour time, converting between the two formats, and solving real-world problems involving elapsed time. They have used their problem-solving skills to calculate start times, finish times, and durations of events. Through a range of engaging activities, students have strengthened their ability to apply time concepts to everyday situations and explain the strategies they use to find solutions.
“Quarter past 12 is the same as 12:15” - Shishir 5C
“I know that half past 4 is the same as 4:30.” - Marina 5C
“We got the chance to learn about 24 hour time.” - Gurreet 5B
“I have liked converting 12 hour to 24 hour time.” - Lal 5B
“It is useful to learn and it is fun” - Rafaeel 5A
“There is an hour hand and second hand. The long one is the minute hand, the short one is the hour and the fast one is the second” - Elina 5A
“I learnt to convert 24 hour and 12 hour time” - Yigit 5C
Inquiry
This fortnight in Inquiry, the Year 5 cohort has been investigating the impact humans have on biomes and how these changes contribute to climate change and global warming. Students explored how activities such as deforestation, pollution, and the burning of fossil fuels affect ecosystems around the world.
Through discussions and research, they considered ways individuals and communities can help protect the environment and reduce their impact on the planet. Students examined actions such as conserving energy, reducing waste, and caring for natural habitats. It has been wonderful to see the Year 5 cohort developing a greater understanding of sustainability and becoming empowered to make positive choices to help save our planet.
“I like that we have learnt about humans impact on the planet” - Berk 5B
“Global warming is when the gases from fossils fuels goes to the surface of the earth (ozone layer) and keeps the earth warm” - Hassen 5A
“In inquiry, we are researching different biomes. I’m doing mine about the tropical rainforest” - Josiah 5A
Social and Emotional Learning / SWPBS
This fortnight, Year 5 students explored the concept of respect and identified actions that people can take to demonstrate respect for others. Through class discussions and real-life scenarios, students reflected on how respectful behaviour can help build positive relationships and create an inclusive learning environment. They considered ways to show respect through their words, actions, and attitudes, such as listening actively, valuing different perspectives, showing kindness, and treating others fairly. Students were encouraged to apply these skills both at school and in their everyday lives.
“Everyone deserves respect” Evelyn 5B
AUSLAN
In Auslan this fortnight, the students have learnt how to sign the names of different species of Australian birds. They then started learning how to sign different materials. During this session they had to combine the material sign with previous signs that they have learnt. For example, plastic ruler.
“We learnt how to sign different bird names and camping stuff” - Elina 5A
Special Events
Pyjama Day
This fortnight, the Year 5 cohort enjoyed a fun-filled Pyjama Day, coming to school dressed in their favourite pyjamas and sharing in a range of exciting activities. The day provided a wonderful opportunity for students to relax, connect with their peers, and celebrate being part of the school community.
Students demonstrated the school values of kindness, responsibility, and resilience throughout the day. Pyjama Day was a fantastic way for the Year 5 cohort to create positive memories and enjoy a special day together while fostering a strong sense of belonging and connectedness.
“It was a cozy day” - Gursirat 5A
“It was a very cozy and warm day and even though some people didn’t bring their pajama’s it was still fun and we took a class photo” - Lorenzo 5A
Immigration Incursion
On Wednesday 17th June, the Year 5 students participated in an Immigration Incursion, where they explored immigration throughout different periods of Australian history. Students learned about the experiences of migrants who came to Australia and examined the impact of immigration on both newcomers and Indigenous Australians.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a range of interactive activities that deepened their understanding of the topic. These included organising and interpreting graphs, participating in celebrity bingo, completing flag puzzles, categorising reasons for moving to another country and challenging one another with Australian citizenship test questions. The incursion provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop their historical knowledge through hands-on and engaging learning experiences.
“It was really fun learning about immigration and learning about what happened. We also did fun activities like bingo” - Yousif 5A
“We practised the citizenship test and we had to present what happened during immigration times” - Sofia 5A
Police Incursion
On Tuesday 23rd June, the Year 5 students participated in a Police Incursion focused on online safety. During the session, students learned about safe and responsible behaviour when using the internet and explored strategies for interacting respectfully and safely with others online.
Students discussed the importance of protecting personal information and practised identifying details that could reveal their own identity or the identity of others. They also learned what actions to take and who to seek support from if they encounter situations online that make them feel unsafe. The incursion provided valuable knowledge and practical strategies to help students navigate the digital world safely and confidently.
“It was nice learn how to keep your person things private” - Jahnavi 5A
“At the police incursion, it was really fun and I learnt a lot of things from the officer” - Abigail 5C
“It was really fun. I liked all of the tools that she uses and it made me feel more resilient because now I don’t to random people on the internet” - Aysha 5A
