News from our Classrooms
Prep News
The Prep students have been very busy sharing information about their names and also sharing artefacts from their history as part of our current inquiry topic "What is my History and how do I know?" Over the coming weeks they will be formulating questions about their history to interview their parents or grandparents and they will then share their responses with the class.
Today is Day 63 as we continue to count towards 100 Days of Prep. In Mathematics, the focus this week is the measurement component of length. The students will listen to the story "The Long Red Scarf" and then use their own paper red scarf to measure objects in the classroom that are shorter, longer or the same length. This unit about length is very hands on, as the students use a variety of materials such as pegs, unifix blocks, paper clips and counters to measure the length of different objects.
The Prep students all look amazing in their winter uniform. Parents, please make sure that jumpers are labelled. Also if your child is absent from school, please send a written note explaining why they were away when they return to school.
Have a great week!
Year 1/2 News
Our big question for Inquiry/Religion is “What clues about the past are here in the present?” The students had enjoyed the walking excursion around our local area. They learnt about some of the older buildings that are still here from long ago. The students learnt about indigenous Australians that lived on the Merri Creek. They are looking forward to our next excursion to sight-see more of the local area. They will also visit the St Thomas Moore’s church in Hadfield and compare it to our own church.
In Literacy, students are focusing on finding literal meaning in texts. They are identifying the purpose and audience of a variety of texts. In writing, the students are looking at the parts of the ‘Story Graph’ when writing narratives.
In Numeracy, the students are focusing on mental computation strategies when adding and subtracting, they are learning the doubles and near doubles strategies.
In Art the Year 1/2 classes have been learning about the clues from the past found in the present by focusing on our local community. To further explore these concepts the students created their own collage in Art featuring the buildings found in the City of Moreland.
Year 3/4 News
Last week our Year 3 students completed the NAPLAN tests for Literacy and Numeracy. The teachers were very impressed by the way in which the students listened to and followed the directions given to them about completing the tests and the positive way in which they approached the tests. Many of the students were a little nervous about what to expect, but once their growth mindsets took over, they focussed on the questions and worked to the best of their abilities.
Our focus in Maths is on developing efficient ways to add and subtract numbers. The students have been exploring different ways to solve addition and subtraction problems and have worked on problems using strategies such as: starting with the biggest number, using the doubles and near doubles facts, bridging to ten and using the tens facts. So much of our everyday maths work is done without pencil and paper so it is important for students to learn how to use their knowledge of number to solve everyday problems involving such things as time, money and measurement.
In our Religious Education and Inquiry work we have been examining the ways we remember and commemorate the past. As the Year 3 students are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion in a few weeks, we have been exploring the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover to help us understand that Jesus was remembering the past when he gathered the disciples together to celebrate the Passover on Holy Thursday. The Last Supper is given to us as a way of remembering that Jesus gave his life for us and that when we gather together at Mass, we remember and commemorate Jesus for his love and sacrifice.
Year 5/6 News
An extremely enjoyable time was had by all at the Sovereign Hill Camp two weeks ago. The students learnt a lot of important information about the history of Australia and the Gold Rush including; the Eureka Rebellion, how boiled lollies are made, the hardship the miners faced, what it was like to be in a mine, gold panning techniques, gold pouring and the shops and jobs people had in the 1850's and 60's.
The students also gained a good understanding of what life was like from the perspective of people of various nationalities and all walks of life such as, Red coat soldiers, troopers and Irish and Chinese diggers that came to Ballarat to try their luck at striking gold.
The teachers were extremely pleased at how well the students behaved, got along, mixed and socialised wonderfully at the camp.
We have written reflections about what we learnt about Australia's history at the Gold Rush, what else we are wondering about Australia's history and the events that lead to the Eureka Rebellion. The students will now write a letter or historical narrative from the perspective of a character or person from the times of the Gold Rush.
The students are also continuing to prepare for the Student Led Conversations that are in Week 11.
A few reminders
-Please ensure your child/children come to school with jumpers and the suitable uniform for the weather including on P.E./Sport days.
-All clothing needs to be clearly labelled.