Level 6: Connect
6A Melissa Morris | 6B Richelle Fraser/ Mr Restaino | 6C Michael Day
REMINDER: The Assessment Period will be from weeks 5-7. Fully charged laptops are essential every day. Thank you.
Welcome to Term 2
The winter term is underway, but it's far from doom and gloom. We have hit the ground running this term and been able to capitalise on the routines and good habbits formed over term 1. At our first assembly for the term, our year 6 cohort showed they were there ready to lead the school sitting in the stands usually reserved for the parent body. Then they hit the mark with a well prepared and presented special ANZAC Day assembly. In these first two weeks of school we have also been busy with Year 7 Enrolments being opened in week 1 of Term 2. We have sent these out in an email to all parents and given a hard copy to all year 6 students. These are all filtering back now. Please attend to these ASAP.
Canberra now looms large in all students minds. Groupings have all been finalised and as well as Cabin groups and the itinerary for both Groups. Next week we will inform you and the students whcich group they are i with the Cabin Groups not being announced until we arrive in Canberra. This is the same succcessful process we implemented for the same cohort in 2024. The combined Camp Itinerary is attached below.
Maths
Mathematics – Fractions
Over the first two weeks of Term, students will expand their knowledge of fractions, focusing on identifying fractions that are equivalent (the same value) and comparing fractions using number lines. They will practise using strategies like doubling and halving to find common denominators, making fractions easier to compare and order. Key to this unit is helping students understand the size or magnitude of fractions clearly. They will explore how to find common denominators by using the highest common factor (HCF) and lowest common multiple (LCM). Later in the year, students will build on these skills by adding and subtracting fractions that have different denominators.
English - Mentor Text: "Nevermoor"
After a very successful use of our Mentor Text, "Runt" in term 1, this term we have started a new mentor text to use as a context for much of our literacy work. This term, our Year 6 students will explore the popular fantasy novel Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Australian author, Jessica Townsend, as our mentor text. Through studying this engaging story, students will develop their literacy skills by examining the Townsend's use of rich, descriptive language, figurative techniques, and complex sentence structures. We will use examples from the novel to inspire our own creative writing, as well as enhance comprehension skills, vocabulary development, and critical thinking through focused discussions and activities. Nevermoor will also provide meaningful opportunities to discuss themes like resilience, belonging, and courage. Below is an outline of the work we will cover this term.
Week | Reading Focus | Writing Focus | Key Vocab |
1 | Figurative language, making predictions (Chapters 1–5) | Writing narrative summaries, varied sentence openings | imminent, scarcity, resplendent |
2 | Characterisation, making inferences (Chapters 6–10) | 'Show don’t tell', sensory language | contemptuous, captivated, indignant |
3 | Tension and imagery, author’s craft (Chapters 11–15) | Action paragraphs, figurative language, rhetorical questions | raucous, unfathomable, bewildered |
4 | Comparative analysis of fantasy texts (Chapters 16–20) | Problem and resolution writing, ellipsis for suspense | imposing, perilously, unfathomable |
5 | Identifying and analysing literary devices in depth (Chapters 21–25) | Use of triples, exploring character development through language | obligatory, trepidation, ominous |
6 | Analysing climax and plot twists, making detailed predictions (Chapters 26–30) | Writing climax paragraphs, sentence cohesion, precise word choice | formidable, revelation, turmoil |
7 | Evaluating narrative structure, character arcs (Chapters 31–35) | Drafting resolution and conclusions, complex sentence structures | culmination, reconcile, poignant |
8 | Reflective reading and overall book analysis, thematic connections (Completion of Novel) | Narrative editing, revising using explicit criteria, publishing final narratives | cathartic, resolution, profound |
Wellbeing
This term we are continuing to view student wellbeing through the lens of The Resilience Project. Added to this we are continuing to enter data into our Morning Check-in. Last term we introduced personal student journaling to our wellbeing tools. As this is a first for students, we are using a more directed approach where we have set questions and prompts that the students address and the beginning and end of each week. As a new tool, this term we are also beginning to develop meditation skills through mindfulness activities. There are many resources about Mindfulness if you'd like to explore further.
Transition to Year 7 - 2026
This week enrolments opened at Department Secondary Schools. Information regarding this and application forms were sent home last week via email to parents, and a hard copy was given to students. These are due back now. Please work on getting these filled out and returned to your child's current classroom teacher asap.
Upstanders
The year 6 students were pleased to welcome some of our more "experienced" members of the community as guest speakers presenting some of their own experiences of being an upsatander.
Important Dates
May
- Friday 2 May - Hunger Busters (Year 6C)
- Wednesday 7 May - House Cross Country. Tulip Street (permission required via Compass)
Friday 9 May - Mother's Day Breakfast & Mother's Day stall &
Dolly's Dreams Dress in BLUE
- Monday 12 May - Friday 16 May. The big Level 6 Camp ... CANBERRA!!
- Wednesday 20th May - District Cross Country
June
- Friday 6th June - Curriculum Day (No school for students)
- Monday 9th June - King's Birthday/ Public Holiday
- Monday 30th June - Reports released via Compass
July
- Tuesday 1st July - Parent/ Teacher meetings in the stadium
- Friday 4th July - End of Term 2
Looking forward to another successful term,
The Level 6 Teaching Team
Melissa Morris, Richelle Fraser, Michael Day