TEACHING AND LEARNING
Science:
In Term 4, students have started exploring the topic of Science during Integrated Studies. Our Prep students have been learning about the role of scientists. Year 1/2 students have been focusing on forces, including push and pull. In Year 3/4, students have been investigating friction and energy. Our Year 5/6 students have been learning about circuits and lights. Stay tuned on Seesaw for updates on the exciting experiments and projects taking place throughout the term.
Numeracy:
This term in Numeracy, students across all year levels are exploring a range of topics in Number, Algebra, Space, Chance and Data. They are continuing to build their skills through hands-on activities, discussions and problem-solving challenges.
We’re also continuing to build on the fantastic learning from our professional development with Michael Minas from Term 2 and 3. Each week, classes complete a Launch, Explore, Summarise problem-solving lesson, where students are encouraged to take on mathematical challenges, share their thinking and learn from one another. It’s been wonderful to see students developing confidence and persistence as they tackle tricky problems with enthusiasm.
We’re very proud of the effort and growth students are showing in Numeracy this term and look forward to celebrating their achievements as the year comes to an end.
Literacy:
The world of science has been flowing through to our Writing lessons this term, with students using it as the inspiration for crafting imaginative Science narratives. Each class has enjoyed bringing their scientific understanding to life through characters, settings, and plots that showcase their curiosity and knowledge. It’s been wonderful to see how Science has sparked their imaginations and strengthened their writing skills along the way.
Assessment:
During Weeks 5 and 6, students will take part in several Numeracy and Literacy assessments, including the Maths Online Interview, Essential Assessment, PAT Maths and Reading, Reading Benchmarking and DIBELS testing. These assessments help teachers track each student’s progress and celebrate the growth they’ve made throughout the year. Classroom learning during these weeks will be purposefully calm and low-stress, allowing students to focus their energy on showing what they know. If you are planning on being away for an extended period during these two weeks, please let your teacher know so that accommodations can be made in advance.
High abilities:
The Young Authors program finished off with a bang for our Celebration Day! Traditionally we go to Melbourne for the celebration, but it was decided to support local businesses this year, and it was a huge success.
Students began the day at the Eureka Centre listening to an author talk with Judith Rossell, who travelled from Melbourne to be with us. She regaled us with tales of how she wrote her latest story in a German chateau, during Covid and how she both illustrates and writes her novels.
After that, we went to the Ballarat Mechanics Institute, where students took part in three rotations. For the first rotation, students did a tour of the Mechanics institute including walking under Sturt St, handling precious old books and looking at the first newspapers from Ballarat. The second rotation was a poetry workshop by Mark Twain (or a very convincing impersonator!) Students were read a story from Mark Twain then used historic items to create their own poetry. It was a thrill for them when their poetry was read out by Mark Twain on stage!
Our final rotation was a visit to the fabulous Collins Bookstore, where students were allowed to purchase a book, funded by the program, as a memento of their time as Young Authors. There was much browsing, deciding and squeals of delight at the books they were able to purchase.
We were so lucky to have the support of Ms Moran, Mrs Reid and Mrs Kelly throughout the program and it couldn’t have run without their organisation and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to be a part of the program, with a new cohort of young authors, in 2026!
