Year 5/6 Bulletin
Term 3 – What a Term!
Term 3 has been packed with challenges, creativity, problem-solving and plenty of moments where we have had to stop, think and try again. From tackling tricky maths problems to becoming authors, reading detectives, leaders and cooks, our students have certainly been busy!
Maths – Putting Our Brains to Work
This term, Maths has been all about thinking, reasoning and making connections. We have explored multiplication and division, fractions, decimals and percentages, as well as probability and algebraic thinking. Students have been challenged to explain how they know an answer, find unknown values and use more than one step to solve problems.
There have been plenty of “Wait… I’ve got it!” moments along the way!
Reading – Becoming Reading Detectives
In Reading, we have been digging deeper into texts rather than simply reading the words on the page. Students have practised strategies such as visualising, summarising, identifying unfamiliar words, noticing how information is presented and using characters’ reactions to uncover problems and meaning.
We have encouraged students to stop, question, predict, picture and explain their thinking. Sometimes the most important clue in a text is the one hiding between the lines!
Writing – Ideas Taking Shape
Our writers have had plenty of opportunities to stretch their thinking and sharpen their skills. We have worked on information writing, introductions, research, planning, drafting and editing, with students learning how to organise ideas clearly and choose vocabulary that suits their purpose and audience.
A major focus has been helping students move from simply having an idea to developing it into a clear, engaging and well-structured piece of writing.
Spelling – Building Word Power
Spelling this term has been about much more than memorising a list of words. Students have been investigating patterns, word parts, vocabulary and strategies for tackling unfamiliar words.
Through our spelling activities and Spelling Sprints, students have been working on accuracy, automaticity and building the confidence to have a go at increasingly challenging vocabulary.
Leadership – Learning to Lead
Leadership has given us the opportunity to think about what makes someone a genuinely effective leader. We have explored the difference between simply being “the boss” and being someone others respect and want to follow.
Alongside our Open Parachute and URSTRONG learning, students have worked on respect, responsibility, inclusion, empathy, managing conflict, dealing with peer pressure, setting boundaries, repairing friendships and supporting others.
The big message has been simple: leadership isn’t just a badge or a title, It is shown through the choices we make every day.
Snackadillo – Cooking Up Something Special!
Snackadillo has been one of the tastiest parts of Term 3!
Students have had the chance to plan, prepare and cook food for the school, putting teamwork, organisation and responsibility into action in a very real way. It has required students to work together, follow processes, manage ingredients, communicate clearly and make sure everything comes together when it matters.
There is something pretty exciting about making food that other students actually get to enjoyespecially when the classroom starts to smell like a kitchen!
Snackadillo has been a fantastic opportunity for students to build confidence, independence, teamwork and practical life skills, while also contributing something positive to our school community.
What a Term!
Term 3 has asked our students to think harder, communicate clearly, work together, take risks and become more independent learners. There has been plenty of learning, plenty of laughter and, most importantly, plenty of growth.
We’re proud of what they have achieved, and we’re not quite finished yet!
Thank you for your continued support!
Year 5/6 Team
Allira.Zeneli@education.vic.gov.au