Level 5 & 6
A Wonderful Week in Our Community
Last week was filled with some lovely opportunities for our school community to come together. Our Mother’s Day Morning was a wonderful celebration, and it was fantastic to see so many families enjoying time together across the school. From classroom activities and yard games to coffee, scones and our choir performance, the morning had a warm and welcoming atmosphere that was enjoyed by all.
We hope all of our mums, grandmothers and special people also had a relaxing and happy Mother’s Day on Sunday.
We look forward to another exciting week of learning and experiences ahead.
Literacy
In Literacy, students will continue developing their understanding of the conventions of language, with a focus on expanding simple sentences by adding detail and complexity to their writing. Students will explore how phrases and clauses can be used to create more engaging and descriptive sentences, helping to improve the clarity and flow of their ideas.
Students will continue reading our class novel, Who Am I? by Anita Heiss. Through this text, students will build vocabulary, strengthen comprehension skills and respond thoughtfully to what they read through discussion and written responses.
Students will also continue exploring texts that examine Australia’s history and perspectives. Using note-taking skills, they will build on the timeline of Australian history they began creating last week in Keynote, adding new learning and making connections between texts and historical events.
In spelling, students will complete their focus on the Latin root “port” before beginning an exploration of the Greek etymology of “bio” (meaning life) through the PhOrMeS program. This supports students in understanding how words are constructed and how meaning can be traced through word origins.
What you can do at home:
- Encourage your child to expand simple sentences by adding detail, describing words or extra information.
- Discuss unfamiliar words together and explore where words may have originated from.
- Ask your child to explain connections they are making between texts and Australia’s history.
- Continue encouraging regular reading and conversations about what your child is learning.
Numeracy
In Numeracy, students will be exploring decimals, with learning experiences tailored to each year level.
Grade 5 students will focus on writing thousandths in decimal format, renaming numbers up to three decimal places, and comparing and ordering decimals on a number line. Students will develop confidence in recognising place value and understanding the size of decimal numbers.
Grade 6 students will continue their work with decimals and percentages, focusing on adding and subtracting decimals using place value knowledge and partitioning strategies. Students will also apply inverse operations, select efficient calculation strategies and solve worded problems involving decimal operations.
Throughout these lessons, students will be encouraged to explain their mathematical thinking and apply their understanding in practical and problem-solving contexts.
What you can do at home:
- Identify decimals in real-life situations such as money, measurements or sports results.
- Practise comparing decimal numbers and discussing which values are larger or smaller.
- Encourage your child to explain how they solved a decimal problem to strengthen their reasoning skills.
CBL (Challenge Based Learning)
This week, students will begin exploring our third guiding question: What does it mean to be “all in” for a future that respects Country, culture and community?
As part of this learning, students will attend an excursion to Clifford Park on Friday 15th May. Throughout the day, students will participate in a range of rotational activities exploring Aboriginal perspectives and cultural knowledge, including:
- Plant uses and weaving
- Art materials
- Songlines and navigation
- Fire and the seasons
- Languages
- Games
Students will be dropped off at Clifford Park in the morning and collected from there in the afternoon.
This excursion will provide students with valuable opportunities to deepen their understanding through hands-on learning and cultural experiences.
What you can do at home:
- Talk with your child about ways people can show respect for culture, community and Country.
- Encourage your child to share their learning and experiences from the excursion.
- Discuss the importance of learning from different perspectives and histories.
Wellbeing
Cyber Safety
This week’s Cyber Safety lesson, Who Owns It?, will explore the ethics and responsibilities associated with using content online. Students will investigate intellectual property, fair use and copyright, helping them to better understand respectful and responsible online behaviour.
SWPBS (School-Wide Positive Behaviour Support)
Our SWPBS focus is Be a Learner in Learning Spaces. Students will practise using their learning time wisely, staying focused and demonstrating positive learning behaviours across all classroom environments.
Term Two Important Dates
May
- 15th – Clifford Park Excursion (more details to come)
- 19th – District Cross Country
- 26th – National Sorry Day
27th – National Reconciliation Week
- Teddy Bears' Picnic
- 29th – Clifford Park Excursion (more details to come)
June
- 1st – Curriculum Day
- 2nd – Division Cross Country
- 3rd – Mabo Day
- 4th – Gala Sports Day 1
- 9th–17th – Somers Camp (selected students)
- 19th – Gala Sports Day 2