Octavia Community

Reading 

When exploring the theme of Self in stories during Reading, students used a range of reading strategies to deepen their understanding of characters’ identities, emotions, and personal growth. They practiced monitoring by checking their comprehension as they read, ensuring they understood how characters faced fears or grew stronger. Students used predicting and connecting to anticipate how characters might respond to challenges and relate these experiences to their own lives. They paid attention to language choices, noticing how authors used specific words and phrases to express emotions and personal journeys. Understanding verbs helps students see how actions reflect changes in characters. Additionally, examining the point of view allows students to appreciate how a story is told through a character’s perspective, revealing their feelings and self-discovery. Together, these strategies support students in exploring how characters learn about themselves, express their emotions, and develop confidence throughout a story.

Writing 

In Writing, students have been learning about explanation texts, focusing on understanding their structure and key features. Students explored how explanation texts are organised, usually starting with a title, followed by an introduction, a sequence of logically ordered steps or events, and a conclusion. They learned that these texts often include technical vocabulary, diagrams, and present tense verbs to clearly explain how or why something happens. Students created their own explanation text on a topic of their choice, which they planned, researched, drafted and published.

Maths 

In Grade 6 Maths, students have been learning about fractions. Students have been practising how to order fractions and find the lowest common denominator (LCD). They have also used visual models to help them understand and show fractions in different ways. Another exciting topic students explored is cross sections of 3D shapes. This means they looked at what different 2D shapes they see when they cut through 3D objects like cubes and cylinders. The students have enjoyed using drawings and hands-on activities to help them learn.

Inquiry 

In our inquiry, students learned about Asian refugees and asylum seekers, as well as influential Australians from migrant families. The aim was to highlight the positive impact that refugees, asylum seekers, and migration have had on Australia. As part of this learning, the students visited the Immigration Museum, where they were immersed in the stories of our migration past. We also explored the stories of successful Australians born overseas to inspire our students and promote a positive message about diversity and contribution to our society.

SEL

In SEL, students learned about the power of positive self-talk and how it can shape the way we think, feel, and act. They discovered that positive self-talk sounds like encouraging and hopeful words such as “I’ve got this,” “I am capable,” or “I will try my best.” It looks like someone standing tall, showing confidence, and not giving up when things get hard. It feels like being calm, strong, and ready to face challenges. Students also explored how being a ‘giver’ of kindness or showing empathy to others is like dropping a pebble into water—our actions create ripples that spread far and wide. When we are kind or empathetic, our actions inspire others to do the same, creating a chain of positive events where many people feel supported and valued. This understanding helped students see how their words and actions can make a big difference in their lives and in the lives of those around them.