Learning Centre News... 

Learning Centre One

Over the past couple of weeks, the preps have participated in an intensive swimming program designed to teach them essential water safety skills and techniques. This program not only focuses on basic swimming strokes but also emphasises crucial life skills, such as floating, treading water, and understanding the importance of safety around water.

It has been incredibly rewarding to witness their transformation throughout this period. Initially, many of the children approached the water with hesitation, but as they received guidance and encouragement from their instructors, their confidence began to flourish. Each lesson built on the previous one, allowing them to gradually refine their techniques and gain a deeper understanding of their abilities.

In Literacy, students have been honing their skills in identifying challenging words within their reading materials. They’ve been exploring texts focused on swimming and water safety, which ties in beautifully with our swimming program. Additionally, they have been learning about the key components of procedural texts and how to craft them effectively. Each student engaged in writing their own procedures, covering topics such as getting ready for the day, swimming, and preparing for bedtime.

In Maths, the students have been focusing on grouping and sharing quantities, learning how to distribute items equally. They have worked with various objects, practising sharing to ensure everyone receives the same amount. Following this, the preps delved into the concept of capacity, examining how much an object can hold in terms of its mass and weight. They explored a range of items to determine their capacities, while also enhancing their vocabulary with terms such as full, half full, empty, capacity, and mass. The students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on activities that accompanied their exploration of capacity.

In Religion, the students have been exploring how to love like Jesus through a variety of engaging activities. They have examined different Bible stories that illustrate the concept of love and showcase the many ways Jesus expressed love to his disciples. The preps have enjoyed diving into these stories and completing tasks that deepen their understanding of Jesus and his message of love. 

Some friendly reminders:

• Monday 4th & 5th November - Melbourne Cup Holidays - No School
• Friday 8th November - School Disco Night 5 - 8pm
• Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day
• Friday 15th November - Whole School Mass 12 - 1pm
• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10 am OLSC Hall 
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9 am OLSC Hall 
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ

Prep Team - Amanda, Dasanthi, Donna, Kelsey, 

Kiah, Natasha, Rachael, Sarena, Teagan and Tina 

Learning Centre Two

LITERACY

This term each class is reading and responding to a shared class novel. Students read along with their teacher each day and then answer questions to demonstrate their understanding of the story. They form new understandings of interesting vocabulary and use the book as a model for their writing.

Krystin and Zach's class are reading Wonder by R.J. Palacio. They have designed their own front covers of the books and also have been making predictions about the actions of the main characters.

Ann has been reading Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton to her students. Each time they read they focus on vocabulary within the text and make connections to different grammatical conventions.

Scott's class are reading Matilda by Roald Dahl. They began their novel study by learning about Roald Dahl's life and wrote biographies about him. Aakruthi's was a stand-out piece of writing, which eloquently details Dahl's life story.

MATHS

In maths lessons, students have been focusing on the area of algebra and have been working hard at a variety of strategies to use when solving equations. We have been learning about the distributive and associative properties of multiplication, solving equations with missing notations, using arrays when multiplying and finding rules with function machines

INQUIRY

Ben's class have completed their maps of different countries using BOLTSS. They have included scale which they calculated using the grid paper.

RELIGION

At the moment the senior students are researching information about many injustices that exist in our society. They have been finding out about homelessness, child labour, famine, women's rights, refugees and children having the right to an education. Working in groups, the students have been watching videos and reading information about these topics and have presented their thoughts about them.

YR 5 LEADERSHIP DAY

On Monday, the Year 5 students spent the day in the OLSC Hall preparing for their possible role as one of the student leaders in 2025. They worked in groups talking about the qualities of a good leader and then used these discussions to reflect on the leadership qualities they have themselves. The students heard from the current school captains and Justin also answered many questions about being a leader. This week, in class, the Year 5s will begin using their notes to write their leadership speeches.

WORLD TEACHERS DAY

Last Friday, we celebrated World Teacher's Day in LC2. Our wonderful teachers were celebrated on this day and were presented with some heartfelt gifts of appreciation. Thank you to our teaching team for all of your dedication to the students in your care. 

Noah Legrand created an amazing artwork for this special day.

IMPORTANT MACKILLOP DATES

For those Year 6 students who are attending MacKillop College in 2025:

• Tuesday 29th October  - Year 7 2025 Parent Information Evening 7:30 pm (see information attached below)

• Wednesday 13th November - Year 7 2025 Transition Morning (with OLSC staff) 8:45 am -11:00 am
• Wednesday 4th December – Year 7 2025 Orientation Day  - 8:25 am – 3:20 pm  (students to wear their primary school sports uniform with orange polo top) Families to get students to the college for this day.
• Thursday 30th January 2025 –  Year 7 & VCE Students Return
• Friday 31st January 2025 -  All Students Return

For those Year 5 families who have enrolled their children at MacKillop for Year 7 in 2026: 

• Friday 8th November 2024 – Final day for families to accept Year 7 2026 offer

IMPORTANT DATES

• Monday 4th November - Pupil free day (no school)
• Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup public holiday (no school)
• Friday 8th November -  Year 5 Student Leadership speeches
• Friday 8th November - School Disco Night 5 - 8 pm
• Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day
• Wednesday 13th November - MacKillop Transition morning 9 am - 11 am (Yr 6)
• Friday 15th November - Whole School Mass 12 pm OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ

Year 5/6 Team:  Ann, Anna, Ben, Chelsea, Cheryl, Danielle, Kristina, Krystin, Selena, Scott and Zach.

Learning Centre Three

After a busy two weeks we have got back into the daily routines of our school day. Each learning group has attended their fouth Inform and Empower session. In this terms session, we learnt about that we sometimes get uncomfortable feelings when we are online, such as worried, scared, confused or upset. Parents, make sure to use the conversion starters below with your children at home.

During Literacy, we have been reading books about animals. We are learning how to research our favourite animal and publish an information report about our chosen animal. 

In Maths, we have been exploring patterns, we have looked and shape patterns and then number patterns. Students got to design their own patterns using their iPads and explored numbers inside their books.

We have started exploring the parable of The Good Samaritan at the beginning of the term. Students put themselves in the role of the characters and now are taking action in regards to how their choices in life affect others and themselves with relationships.

For Inquiry, we will be learning about how things have changed over time. We have looked at how people participated in dance, family life, games and school over 50 years ago and how technology and transport have developed in more detail within our learning groups.

An activity to get our brains thinking, students were given some toothpicks and blue tack and asked to design the tallest tower they could... 

Werribee Mansion

We are excited to announce we will be heading to the Werribee Mansion at the end of November. At the Mansion, students will participate in an activity in the wash room and then get to explore the Mansion and surrounding grounds. Please look out for this activity on the parent portal and give permission for your child to attend. If you would like to be a parent helper, please register your interest on Dojo.  Any questions, please see your learning group teacher.  

Year 1/2 Team - Bianca, Gabby, Gillian, Imogen, Janeen, Jamie, Jordan, Marion, Mary, Shalome, Tina and Sue.

Important dates:

• Monday 4th November - School closure day
• Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup day (School closure day)
• Friday 8th November - School Disco
• Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day
• Friday 15th November - Whole School Mass 12 pm OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Monday 18th November - Vinnies Christmas Food Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Thursday 28th November - Werribee Mansion Excursion (1/2 Green, Yellow, Orange)
• Friday 29th November  - Werribee Mansion Excursion (1/2 Blue, Red, White)
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ

Learning Centre Four

Greetings from everyone in Learning Centre 4. It has been another enjoyable 2 weeks of Term 4 with our students participating in more Inform and Empower sessions and performing well in their sports.

Literacy

In Literacy we have been focusing on a range of texts that explore the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples and settlers around the time of 1800. Students have been continuing to work with some of the stories and maps from “My Place” and looking at different perspectives and making comparisons to life as time progressed. They have also been looking at “ Beth - The Story of a Child Convict” and learning about the lives of early British convicts as they came to Australia. They have enjoyed learning about some of Australia’s history and seeing perspectives of children around this time.

Numeracy

In Numeracy our students have been learning about mass, and capacity. They have been learning about how to measure mass in kilograms and how to measure capacity in litres. They have had the opportunity to work with scales, and measuring cups to find, record and compare the mass or capacity of a range of objects and containers. They have enjoyed working with physical objects and exploring the mass and capacity in fun hands-on activities.

Inquiry

In Inquiry our students have continued learning about Australian history between 1770 and the early 1800s. They have been looking at some videos, audio recordings and images about the early British exploration and colonisation of Australia. They have been practising recording notes that will help them to develop their ongoing inquiry project.

Religion

In Religion our students have been learning about the Catholic Social Teachings. They have been using their growing understanding of these teachings and Catholic values to explore and interpret a range of social issues. Our students have had to see these issues in the light of the Catholic Social Teachings and then make judgments about the effect these issues have on our world. As they continue to look into these issues they will develop opinions and ideas to help address these problems and make the world a better place.

Wellbeing

In Wellbeing we have been continuing to learn about our school values and expectations from the school matrix. We have been focusing on respecting others by allowing them to work and being responsible for our own work by staying on task. We have also been looking at gender roles and stereotypes portrayed through children's texts. 

Inform and Empower

Our students have continued their learning around cyber safety and their online behaviour through the next lesson of Inform and Empower. They enjoyed learning from the wonderful hosts and participating in the activities.

3/4 Basketball 

Last week the 3/4 basketball team went to Eagle Stadium to participate in the District Hooptime Finals. Our students had a great time, were very well behaved and did extremely well at representing our school. The team gave their best effort throughout the day and managed to win all their games. These students will now be moving on to the next level of competition when they go to the state final later on this year.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Monday 4th November - Pupil free day (no school)
• Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup public holiday (no school)
• Friday 8th November - School Disco 5-8pm
• Monday 11th November - Remembrance Day
• Friday 15th November - Whole School Mass, 12pm - ALL WELCOME
• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass, 10am - ALL WELCOME
• Monday 18th November - Vinnies Christmas Food Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Monday 25th November - 3/4 Melbourne Museum Excursion

Year 3/4 Team: Adam, Alison, Amelia, Anastasia, Beth, Elizabeth, Emma, Hayley, Helen, Jannine, John, Josh and Milla.