Year Six
Dear Year Six Families,
We cannot believe it is already week 4! This term is well and truly flying by and we are busier than ever in Year 6.
INQUIRY:
Our Year 6 students have been looking further into the different states of matter and are beginning to understand how the different forms are able to change. This week, our students have been focusing on the state of matter, liquid. Throughout the week, they have been learning about viscosity and were able to investigate this concept further with a scientific experiment that looked at different forms of liquid.
Quite a few of our students were surprised to learn that peanut butter is actually a liquid, it just has a very high viscosity level.
We look forward to seeing them continue to apply their research skills and creativity when exploring the other states of matter in the coming weeks.
READING:
This week’s theme in Mr Peterson and Mr Bliss’ groups has been loyalty and betrayal. Students were asked the question: How can a person be loyal to someone and can they betray someone? Students in these groups have been working hard to create their own short stories and have taken inspiration from a range of different things.
Loudness
By Marcus Ng 6B
The classroom was as noisy as a zoo. Students were talking, laughing, and shouting and the teacher, Bob was trying to make himself heard over the screams of the children. “Class, please settle down!” Bob shouted. “We need to start our lesson!” But the students ignored him. They were busy talking about Geometry Dash. Bob sighed and took a deep breath. He then shouted, “Class if you don’t quiet down in three seconds all of you will be sent to the principal office.” The students looked at each other and started to quiet down. “Thank you.” Bob says. “Now let's start our lesson.”
Zephyr’s Quest for Acceptance
By Swaraj Pawar 6D
Zephyr stood at the edge of the vast desert, the scorching sun beating down on his back. He had heard stories about this place, tales of danger and mystery. But he was determined to uncover the truth. Zephyr was the son of Sanji, a renowned explorer who had disappeared in the very same desert years ago. Now, it was up to Zephyr to pick up where his father had left off.
With a determined look in his eyes, Zephyr embarked on his journey. He had a map in hand, its faded lines and cryptic symbols guiding his way. The desert stretched out before him, an endless expanse of sand and dunes. The air was thick with anticipation, as if the desert itself held secrets waiting to be discovered.
Students in Mrs. Singh and Mrs Kilners' groups have been creating their own fictional narratives that are based on ideas they have read in non-fiction texts. Miss Wetherill and Miss Fatouros’ groups have finished looking at the life and work of Dr Seuss and have now moved on to studying renowned Australian author, Mem Fox. Using classic stories like ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’ and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’, students have been able to identify and explore the message and/or moral that the author is trying to convey in their writing.
MATHS:
As you may have noticed, our maths homework is looking a little different. This term, students will be required to work through a series of different open-ended maths problems using the ‘Launch, Explore, Discuss Instructional Model.’ The purpose of these types of maths questions is to encourage students to reason, think, and reflect as they problem-solve. These tasks have increased our students' confidence in their maths ability and it has been amazing to see so many of them exploring multiple perspectives when trying to work out the answers.
The photos below are from a lesson where students were asked to work out how many degrees a CD would turn if it spun 16.5 times, then turned one straight angle and then one right angle. As you can see, all three examples have used a different way to answer this question. These students were then asked to explain what they had written, which then helped their peers understand multiple perspectives to solve the same problem.
Lions Club Art Competition:
Our very own Lavishka Kumar (6A) was selected as the winner of The City of Wyndham Lions Club International Peace Poster competition. Lavishka’s artwork was exceptional as was her interpretation of peace. Students from Saltwater College competed against students from other schools in the Wyndham area. Congratulations Lavishka, we are all so proud of you.
YEAR 6 WELL-BEING DAY:
Parents should have received a notification on Xuno about our upcoming Wellbeing Day, which is happening on the 14th of November. Students will take part in a day of self-discovery and empowerment that is designed for them to address their unique concerns and questions in a safe and open space. Some of the topics covered on this day include; exploring self, self-love and self-care, mental health and anxiety, body image, supporting peers, and how to stay safe in the digital world. This day will take place at school and we are requesting parent approval by the 10th of November.
GRADUATION:
By now, all Year 6 families should have received an invitation to our Year 6 Graduation Ceremony on the 7th of December. This is a momentous night of celebration where families can share in their child’s achievement. It is shaping up to be a very special night celebrating the culmination of our students’ primary school journey. Families will be provided with more details in the coming days.
Student of the Week Awards:
Week 2: Seba Bruschi (6D) and
Sarim Haider (6F).
Week 4: Chrisma Adjetey (6A) and
Mahika Misra (6C).
REMINDERS:
- A reminder that hats are now required to be worn by students onsite during recess, lunch, and PE as we are now in term 4. No hat, no play.
- Students need to be wearing the correct Saltwater College uniform every day. This means no nail polish and/or hair out if longer than shoulder length.
- Any student who would like a Year 6 Yearbook needs to approve the form and payment via Xuno by the 15th of November.
- Any student wishing to attend our end-of-year celebration excursion to Luna Park needs to approve the form and payment via Xuno by the 29th of November.
- Students should bring their MacBooks in every day and they must be charged.
- Students are expected to complete their homework each week. This is due on a Friday.
- Absences: If your child is away, parents/carers need to log this on XUNO to minimise any unexplained absences.
- Late arrivals (8:40 am onwards) require a late pass from reception.
- Remember to bring a waste-free lunch on Wednesdays for the school waste-free Wednesday initiative
Upcoming Dates in Year 6:
6th of November – Curriculum Day
7th of November – Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
9th of November to the 10th of November – Dance Extension and VSSS students performing at the Positive Schools Conference
14th of November – Year 6 Wellbeing Day
18th of November – Saltwater College Carnival
7th of December – Year 6 Graduation
11th of December – Luna Park Excursion
12th of December – State-wide Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Day
On behalf of the Year 6 team, we hope you have a lovely week and please reach out if you have any questions.