Year 5/6

English

Students have practised identifying unfamiliar words and using context to determine meaning, while also using clues in the text to visualise scenes in detail. As writers, students have experimented with vivid language, historical references, and techniques to show character and setting through action and detail. They have also worked on crafting dialogue that reveals character traits and creating tension through word choice. Using Amelia Mellor’s The Grandest Bookshop in the World as a mentor text, students explored similes, metaphors, and personification, and discussed how these devices help authors build mood and tone in their narratives.

Mathematics

Students have been strengthening their understanding of number relationships by recognising and explaining the connection between multiplication and division as inverse operations. They have used this knowledge to build and apply families of number facts with confidence. Students have also been exploring probability by conducting chance experiments, both with and without equally likely outcomes. They carefully observed and recorded their results, then used frequency to compare outcomes and make estimates about their likelihoods. They have been enjoying having student choice for selecting their fluency task to explore. Cards games, such as Kings Corner, 31, number shuffle and Speed 99, have been popular choices when challenging their peers and working independently.

Inquiry

As part of our inquiry into rights, responsibilities, rules and laws, students got to be part of an excursion to the Old Melbourne Gaol. This excursion gave them the chance to see how laws were applied in the past and to reflect on how rules help keep communities safe and fair. It was a valuable link between history and how the laws have changed over time and how they can see this affecting society today.

Here are some reports from students about this excursion:

On 4th August, the Year 6 students went on an excursion to the State Library and the Melbourne Gaol. We first went to the State Library and had a tour guide show us some of the places inside, like the Reading Room. The State Library was filled with tens of thousands of books, and the inside of the library was huge. Next, at the Old Melbourne Gaol, we had to imitate Ned Kelly’s trial in the court room, and there were various roles to play. After the trial, we went to the Melbourne Gaol, and it had a sort of eerie feeling to it. We got to see the hanging place and see the cells, which were very creepy, because there were death masks. - Caitlyn and Amelia

At the State Library I learnt that it is the 7th most beautiful library in the world, and that it was connected to be a whole building, and it took 2 years and 5 months to build. The building was very well built and it was very unique and interesting, because it told us the history behind Ned Kelly’s armour. They said they lost the other boot that Ned Kelly owned.

The Old Melbourne Gaol was the best because it was old and it had a lot of history behind it. There were a lot of fun facts, like there was a 3 year old boy in jail for being homeless, because it was actually illegal to be homeless. Also, there were 133 people getting hung at that building, which was very scary. - Lydia, Kana and Tep

On Thursday of last week we went to the State Library and the Old Melbourne Gaol. At the library we saw the Ned Kelly armour and we learnt that it weighs around 40kg. There was also a very cool place that looked like a hexagonal dome. At the Old Melbourne Gaol we saw some guns, Ned Kelly's armour that was made to look like the original one and other stuff. We went to a court room that used to be a real court and role played the trial that Ned Kelly had been in. The staff said even homeless people went to jail because they had no food, water, or shelter. - Pony, Ayaan and Johny

Interschool Sports

Year 6 students have been showing fabulous sportsmanship when playing against neighbouring schools. The Softball team have been able to work as a team to cover all the bases and try to strike the other team out! The Volleystars have worked hard on their court rotations ensuring that everyone gets a go in different positions on the court, including serving. Hot Shots are developing good stroke styles ensuring correct ball placement when returning opposition shots. The Basketball teams, both boys and girls, are working hard on bringing the ball down the court and passing it around until a good shot opens up.

Guest Speaker

As part of the VIS program the Year 5/6 students were fortunate enough to have Zali Ward come to speak to them about reaching their full potential as part of the ‘Be Fit, Be Well’ program. She is currently representing the U21 State Hockey team and discussed important topics including;

having balance in their lives
eating a balanced diet that will fuel their minds and bodies
getting enough sleep to be ready to face the next day
facing hardships and celebrating highlights
creating an environment that challenges them
finding the why- what drives you…CHALLENGE, CREATIVITY, CAMARADERIE

Inform and Empower

Students participated in a live stream that focused on navigating uncomfortable situations. They explored and discussed strategies for being an upstander as well as how and where to seek help. They also discussed the importance of consent in online interactions. Students got to see how this could be played out in real life scenarios and how they could handle a similar situation.

Keysborough Taster Day- Year 5

As part of the transition program with Keysborough Secondary College, Banksia Campus, Year 5 students got to sample some of the many educational programs they have to offer. They participated in team games in PE, jelly printing in Art and created a density tower in Science. Students got to tour the campus and see what it could be like when they go to secondary school.

Athol Road Primary School Newsletter

Create a vibrant learning community where lives are transformed and individuals inspired to achieve beyond what they ever believed possible.

Issue 14 · 04 Sep 2025

In this issue