5/6 Learning News
Wumindjika
✺ Welcome back to Term 2! ✺
It’s been so lovely seeing everyone return, recharged and ready to jump into the term. We’ve settled back into our routines and have revisited our classroom values to ensure everyone feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
An exciting addition to our weekly rhythm is our class meeting. A chance for learners to share what’s been on their minds, voice any worries, suggest improvements, or remind each other of the values we've agreed on. It’s been a helpful way to incorporate real-life conversations, where we can support one another, offer advice, or just simply listen.
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Our Learning
We’ve jumped straight back into our learning this term, kicking things off by setting our key focus area for Term 2; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
We’ve recently started our new novel, Black Cockatoo, and have begun some rich contextual learning around totem animals and the Kimberley region in Western Australia, where our story is set. First Nations perspectives is a topic our senior learners feel strongly about, and they’ve already shown a deep passion and wealth of knowledge that makes me incredibly proud.
In Numeracy, we’ve carried over our understanding of multiplication and division from last term and have started exploring fractions. We’ve been looking at mixed and improper fractions, understanding fractions as parts of a whole, and learning how to compare fractions with related denominators.
We’ve also discussed how learning can be challenging, how building new connections in our brains takes time, and why it’s so important to be kind to ourselves during that process.
Our Community Project this term has everyone, myself and all staff really excited. Our theme is Ngurra: Telling Stories Through Art. We started with a visit to the Mitchelton Art Gallery, where we explored Aboriginal artworks and the powerful, layered stories they tell. We’ve begun investigating the symbols used in these artworks and how, at first glance, a piece may seem simple, but the longer you look, the deeper it becomes.
Some quotes from our reflection on the Message Stick vehicle:
I feel happy, hopeful and my faith in humanity is restored.
It makes me proud that our country can turn war into peace.
It makes me feel very blessed to know its journey in different places.
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Our Community
This week, we took some special time to reflect on the wonderful qualities of our mums and all the ways they support and care for us. Learners have been busy creating thoughtful gifts, which we hope bring a smile to your face. A special thanks to my beautiful mum, who generously provided all the materials and helped assemble the gifts in your little brown box. Our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea was a truly precious moment, thank you to all the mums, grandmothers, and special people who joined us. It was a lovely way to celebrate and show just how much we appreciate everything you do.
Our Cross Country event always highlights the camaraderie and resilience of our learners. It shows that no matter your skill level, you can give it a go, enjoy the experience, and not take things too seriously. A special shoutout to Seb, Morgan, Jack, and Lewis, who competed at the District Cross Country on Friday. Congratulations to Seb, who ran superbly and will now move on to compete at the Division level, an incredible reflection of his hard work!
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I've loved being back, learning alongside our wonderful seniors and am ready to do it all again in Week 4! If you need anything, just shout: sanderson@sjnagambie.catholic.edu.au
A reminder to please return your photo forms by Wednesday 14th of May, ready for our school photos.
Shan ♡