Classroom News
Foundation
Decoding
Over the past fortnight, students have been introduced to the /v/, /j/, /w/, and /qu/ sounds and have explored how these phonemes are represented in written words. Last week, we focused on the /v/ and /j/ sounds, with students practising reading, spelling, and identifying words containing these phonemes through a range of activities. This week, our learning has centred on the /w/ and /qu/ sounds as students continue to build their understanding of letter sound relationships and apply this knowledge when reading and writing. During our fluency reading sessions, students have been developing their confidence by rereading fluency texts and focusing on reading accurately, smoothly, and with expression. These repeated reading opportunities help strengthen word recognition and support the development of reading fluency and comprehension.
Text Construction
In Text Construction, students have been learning about the difference between fragments and complete sentences. We have explored what makes a sentence complete by ensuring it contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete idea. Students have enjoyed identifying fragments and working collaboratively to transform them into meaningful sentences by adding the missing information. Through modelled examples, shared writing, and independent practice, students are developing a stronger understanding of sentence structure and becoming more confident writers who can clearly communicate their ideas.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, students have been exploring both addition and subtraction. Last week, we focused on addition, learning how numbers can be combined to find a total. Students used a range of hands-on materials, including counters, ten frames, and number lines, to represent and solve addition problems. This week, we have begun learning about subtraction as taking away and finding the difference between quantities. Through practical activities and visual representations, students are developing strategies to solve subtraction problems and are building a deeper understanding of how numbers are related.
Content Knowledge
In Content Knowledge, students have been learning about kings, queens, and royal families. They explored the roles and responsibilities of monarchs throughout history and were fascinated by the traditions, symbols, and ceremonies associated with royalty. Building on this learning, students have begun exploring the Greek myth King Midas and the Golden Touch. Through reading and discussing the story, students have been learning about the characters, events, and important lessons within the myth. We have explored how King Midas's wish for everything he touched to turn to gold led to unexpected consequences, encouraging students to think about themes such as greed, gratitude, and what is truly valuable in life. Through discussion and reflection, students are making meaningful connections between the story's message and their own experiences.
Junior School
Content Knowledge
This week, our Junior School students have been exploring the fascinating world of Ancient Mesopotamia. They have been learning about why Mesopotamia is often called the world's first civilisation, discovering how the development of farming allowed communities to settle and grow. Students have also explored the invention of writing and how these important innovations helped shape the way people lived and communicated.
Text Construction
In Text Construction, students have been strengthening their sentence writing skills. They have been unscrambling sentences by identifying the subject and predicate, then rewriting them with correct punctuation. Students have also been learning to use the subordinating conjunctions if, when, before, and after to create complex sentences related to Ancient Mesopotamia. They have continued building on this by using the conjunctions because, but, and so to add detail and explain why the rivers were such an important part of life for the Mesopotamians.
Mathematics
This week, students have begun exploring our new unit on Shape. They started with a shape hunt around the classroom, identifying 2D shapes in the world around them. Students have been learning the names of common polygons, investigating the properties of shapes by identifying their vertices and edges, and comparing regular and irregular shapes. Next week, students will extend their learning as they begin exploring the features and properties of 3D shapes.
Reminders
Please remember to book your Student Led Conference time through Sentral. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s learning, share their achievements, and see the amazing work they have completed during the first half of the year.
Middle School
Literacy
This week in Literacy, students are continuing their exciting learning journey through Medieval Europe. Our reading lessons focus on building fluency and comprehension while exploring topics such as Charlemagne, feudal society, manor life and castles. Students are practising reading with accuracy, expression and appropriate pace and discussing the weekly Big Question.
Students are also developing their word reading skills by learning strategies to decode multisyllabic words using syllable chopping and their knowledge of prefixes and suffixes.
In Writing, students are learning how to summarise texts by identifying the main idea and turning their notes into a clear summary sentence. Throughout the week, students will also begin writing a Medieval Europe narrative and explore different sentence types to make their writing more engaging.
Reading at Home Reminder
Please continue to read with your child each evening for at least 10 minutes. Encouraging your child to read aloud helps improve fluency, confidence and comprehension. Talking about what they have read and asking simple questions about the text is a fantastic way to strengthen their understanding.
Numeracy
This fortnight in Mathematics, students are exploring the relationship between multiplication and division.
Throughout the week, students will:
- represent multiplication in different ways using Frayer Models,
- identify factors and products,
- create multiplication and division fact families,
- use arrays to show multiplication and division connections,
- solve comparison problems using bar models, and
- apply the CUBES strategy to solve worded multiplication and division problems.
These activities help students develop a deeper understanding of number relationships while strengthening their mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Discoveries
There are no Discoveries classes this week as students will be spending additional time preparing for their Student-Led Conferences.
Students will be reflecting on their learning, selecting work samples and preparing to confidently share their progress and achievements with their families. We look forward to welcoming parents and carers to celebrate the wonderful learning that has taken place throughout the year.
Senior School
Content Knowledge and Text Construction
This term, our Senior School students have begun an exciting five-week unit on the Renaissance. They are exploring what life was like during this fascinating period in history while building their research and writing skills. Using a variety of texts, students are learning how to take effective notes and use them to write clear and informative paragraphs.
In Mathematics, students are developing their understanding of money and budgeting through real-world learning experiences. After planning a Taco Tuesday dinner and comparing supermarket prices to find the best value, students are now planning a class party. They are collecting class survey data, researching the best prices at local supermarkets, and making thoughtful decisions to create a party that stays within their budget.
Students have been working hard to prepare for their Student Led Conferences, which will take place next Monday. They are thoughtfully selecting work that showcases their learning and growth across the semester and have been practising how to confidently share their achievements. We are looking forward to welcoming you and celebrating all of their hard work together.
Reminder for year 7 acceptance forms to be returned to the office or classroom teacher
Science
The Senior School students kicked off their term in science by exploring human adaptation and evolution. They learned how the human hand evolved to its current state over millions of years. With their thumbs taped to the hands, the students had to complete a number of everyday tasks, such as doing up the buttons on their t-shirts, without using their thumbs. They learned how important opposable thumbs are to our everyday life!
