Monarch Community Report

English

Reading

Students will be working on an author study on Australian author - Jackie French. We will be critiquing her texts, comparing and contrasting her texts - looking at both similarities and difference between her texts. We will also be learning about author's purpose for writing texts. 

Writing

In Writing, students have been learning about historical narratives and how to follow the correct structure including a detailed orientation, complication and a series of events that resulted in a resolution. They were given the choice to pick a historical event that they have found intriguing and that has shaped our world. Throughout their writing, students incorporated correct punctuation and a variety of figurate language to enhance their writing piece. 

Numeracy

This term in Numeracy, students are specifically focusing on multiplication and division. Students have been actively engaged in exploring these fundamental operations, honing their problem-solving abilities and mathematical fluency. Through a combination of interactive lessons, practical applications, and stimulating activities, our grade 5/6 students are developing a deep understanding of multiplication strategies, including arrays, factors, and multiples, while also mastering division techniques such as remainders and interpreting remainders. This approach allows them to connect these operations to real-world scenarios, cultivating critical thinking and mathematical reasoning.

Science (Inquiry)

Earth's Place in Space

As part of our Term 3 Inquiry, students have discussed the historical debate about whether the Earth is flat, and identified ways that scientists use claims and evidence to test their theories. They have also started to examine movements of the Earth, Sun and Moon, and have begun to create a 3D model to represent their understandings.

Events

Excursion to Kangan Tafe - Monday, 31st of July

100 Days of Prep - Wednesday, 2nd of August

District Athletics - Wednesday, 9th of August

Go Climb - Wednesday, 6th of September 

IT’S NOT OKAY TO BE AWAY!

It is imperative that your child comes to school. Of course, if your child is unwell the best place to be is at home for them to recover. Teachers make every effort to provide sequential, challenging and engaging programs. These programs do not factor in absences. If your child is absent they miss out on vital instructions and basic skills. Effects of absences accumulate over time and can have implications to future as well as current academic achievement.

If your child is to be absent, it is your responsibility, as a parent, to alert the office or classroom teacher to this situation - this can be done via Compass, in person or phone call to the office.

IT’S NOT GREAT TO BE LATE!

It is imperative that your child is punctual to school every day. There are so many things to do in a day at school that being late causes frustration to all concerned. Students miss out on the roll call, vital information about the day or events which are coming up, notices and teaching instruction. Of course, if your child has a medical appointment, it is far better that your child comes in late than taking a whole day off. However, sleeping in or being slow in the morning is unacceptable. Again, this sets an unfavourable pattern for later in life.

Homework:

Each week students will have homework to complete. The homework consists of nightly reading and a mathematics activity on Prodigy or My Numeracy. Homework is expected to be completed and handed in each Friday morning through the school diary. It would be helpful if you worked out a homework schedule with your child, which will help them to organise their time and reduce stress for them and your whole family. Make sure you take into consideration all of your child’s out of school commitments such as sport, dancing, music lessons and social events etc... Hence the invaluable use of their school diaries.

Water bottles:

It is important to supply your child with a suitable drink bottle filled with fresh water, to use whilst at school. The bottles should be brought to school every day to drink whenever they please. Water helps to improve concentration as well as used to quench their thirst especially after sports. Your understanding will be greatly appreciated.

Fruit, Vegetables and Food:

We are still trying to encourage families to cut down on processed foods such as chips, chocolates and lollies for play lunch in exchange for fabulous fruits and vegetables. We are also trying to encourage students to make healthier choices for lunches and snacks. Please send your child with fresh fruit and vegetables to eat throughout the day. Also, pack a nutritious lunch for your child to eat daily. 

Finally, please feel free to speak with your child’s teacher or our Learning Community Leader - Zeinab. If he or she is unable to speak to you immediately, as their teaching duties are their first priority, they will be more than happy to make an appointment with you to discuss any of your concerns or questions.

Thanks for reading,

From The Monarch Team.

(Zeinab, Paul, Shae, Ella, Michelle B. and Con)