Grade 5 and 6

Welcome to Grade 5 and 6 for 2026

A very warm welcome to all our Grade 5 and 6 students, parents, and carers as we kick off what promises to be an extraordinary year. It has been wonderful to see the classrooms buzzing with energy and to see our senior students stepping into their roles as leaders of the school.

We are thrilled to introduce your teaching team for the year:

• Alysha Buzzini 
• Michele Hansen

• Russell Smith

   

Together, we are committed to making this year a memorable and growth-filled journey for every student.

Even though it has been a different start to 2026, it has been amazing to see the Grade 5 and 6 students embrace everything that has come their way and showing perseverence and resilience as well. We have had our assemblies, a few relocation days, our swimming carnival and lots of learning around the classrooms.  

English: A Journey Across the Seas

This term, our book study centers on the powerful and engaging novel "Boy Overboard" by Morris Gleitzman.

Through the eyes of Jamal and Bibi, students will explore themes of grit, hope, and global citizenship. We will be analysing how Gleitzman uses fast-paced action to show the urgency of their journey, contrasted with deep moments of reflection when reality sets in. It is a story that truly brings our english lessons to life.

We are building wonderful routines around our English Block. Students are finding their grove and really engaged with Boy Overboard - wanting to read ahead and feeling the emotions of the characters. 

Numeracy: Diving into Number Patterns

In Mathematics, we are sharpening our "Number Sense." Students will be investigating the building blocks of math, including:

• Factors and Multiples: Finding the hidden connections between numbers.
• Primes and Squares: Identifying the unique "DNA" of prime numbers and the symmetry of squares.
• Triangular Numbers: Visualising math through patterns and shapes.

We have also moved into the four operations with decimal numbers. Students are really grasping their understanding of place value with decimals and implementing these into solving problems with the four operations. 

Sex Education Australia (SEA)

Our Grade 5 & 6 students will participate in 3 x 90 minute sex education sessions. Sex Education Australia's programs offer students the opportunity to gain accurate and age-appropriate information on topics such as puberty, body safety, consent, anatomy, and reproduction. Their programs align with the Victorian Curriculum, support schools to meet Child Safe Standard 3 and are delivered by experienced and trained educators. 

Sessions are interactive, engaging and respectful of the wide-ranging values that families have.

There will also be a parent information session held on Wednesday 11th March at 6:30pm via Zoom (more details will be available soon).

Please Note: This school has subsdised costs of this program, through the Respectful Realtionship funding.

The Resilience Project

We are excited to announce that The Resilience Project is back! This year, we continue our journey in teaching children all things GEM: Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness. By focusing on these three pillars, we aim to provide our Grade 5/6 students with the emotional toolkit they need to navigate the ups and downs of their final primary years with a positive and healthy mindset.

We look forward to partnering with you to make this year a huge success. Our doors are always open!

The Grade 5/6 Team Alysha, Michele, and Russell

Important Dates: 

Week 6

• Run Warrandyte - Sunday 1st March
• Division Swimming - Monday 2nd March (Select Students Only)
• Interschool Sports - Thursday 5th March (Away - OLOP PS)

Week 7

• Labour Day Public Holiday - Monday 9th Match
• School Photos - Tuesday 10th March
• NAPLAN - 11th - 20th March
• SEA: Parent Information Session - Wednesday 11th March: 6:30pm via Zoom
• Interschool Sports - Thursday 12th March (Away - Milgate PS)
• SEA (Sex Education Australia) student session - Friday 13th March

Week 8

• Interschool Sports - Thursday 19th March (Home)
• Family Afternoon and School Disco - Thursday 19th March
• SEA (Sex Education Australia) student session - Friday 20th March

Week 9

• Parent Teacher Interviews - Tuesday 24th March
• Warrandyte Festival - 27th - 28th March - ACPS Parade and Performance (Saturday 28th March)
• SEA (Sex Education Australia) student session - Friday 27th March

Week 10

• Harmony Day and Colour Run - Thursday 2nd April