Grade 5/6

Numeracy

The grade 5/6 students have been exploring tessellations. Students have learnt that tessellations are repeated patterns of geometric shapes. The 5/6 students created their own tessellations and coloured them in using specific patterns. This was a lot of fun! 

Reading

Our Grade 5/6 students have officially begun creating their very own zines, mini-magazines that showcase their creativity, passions, and growing writing skills. After learning what a zine is and exploring real examples, students selected a topic they love and feel confident writing about. They will now craft a collection of writing pieces on their chosen topic, drawing on everything they’ve learned this year: persuasive writing, informative texts, poetry, visual features and more! Each zine will also be fully illustrated and designed by the students themselves. When completed, these unique and personal creations will be published and placed in their portfolios as a celebration of their hard work, voice, and imagination. We can’t wait for families to see the amazing results! 

Writing

Our Grade 5/6 students have spent the past few weeks preparing for The Amazing Debate, and last week they had the exciting opportunity to conduct their debates in the high school library. Working collaboratively across twelve diverse topics, students planned, refined, and rehearsed their arguments before stepping up to the podium.

Throughout the day, students demonstrated impressive teamwork, confidence, and critical thinking. Their structured speeches, persuasive language, and thoughtful rebuttals showcased not only their growing communication skills but also their ability to engage respectfully with opposing viewpoints.

We were delighted to welcome our Principal and Mr Brettargh, who attended several debates and were thoroughly impressed by the students’ maturity and preparation. High school staff also commented on the high standard of delivery, noting the students’ strong use of persuasive devices and clear organisation of ideas.

Congratulations to all students involved for their hard work and enthusiasm. The Amazing Debate has been a fantastic learning experience—and a wonderful celebration of student voice and collaborative learning.

Inquiry / Trade Fair / Fete

This term in Inquiry, our Grade 5/6 students explored ethical choices, fair trade, and what it really takes to run a successful business. Students investigated where products come from, how workers are treated, and what makes a business both responsible and profitable. They were then challenged to design a product they could make and sell at our Trade Fair, researching materials, calculating costs, setting prices, planning profit margins, and creating persuasive advertising to convince customers that their product was a must-have.

 As many parents witnessed yesterday, the Trade Fair was an incredible success! The atmosphere, the music, the children’s laughter, and the parents gleefully dunking their children in the dunk tank, created a day we will never forget. The highlight for many of the BPS community was watching the teachers  jump in on the fun, bravely taking their turn getting dunked while students cheered them on, was both heart-warming and inspiring. The event became more than a marketplace; it became a true family celebration, with parents, siblings, partners, grandparents, and in-laws all joining in. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day so memorable.