Year Five
What a big couple of weeks it’s been in Year Five! We’ve been hitting our stride with all the fun stuff - our Parent Job Expo, Leaders in the Making Day, and a day at Sandridge Beach!
Leaders in the Making Day
Girls
On Wednesday, November 20th, our Year Five students had an inspiring and enriching day. The girls participated in a dynamic session with an external provider from Stride Education, called MPower. This program focused on key themes like the importance of being a good friend, the power of body language, and the impact of negative comments on others.
In the second part of the day, we were thrilled to welcome three incredible guests - Kate Barletta, Alice McKenzie, and Lisa Do - who shared their personal journeys of self-empowerment, navigating friendships, and imparted valuable life lessons. They guided the students in reflecting on their role models and the importance of choosing people who uplift and align with their personal values.
Overall, it was a truly memorable day. We’re incredibly proud of how our students engaged with the activities, demonstrating open-mindedness and maturity beyond their years. It was a day full of growth, connection, and empowerment!
Boys
Our Year Five boys also took part in the transformative day-long Leaders in the Making Day. The event was designed to help them explore topics that are essential to their personal growth and leadership journey – navigating emotions, embracing healthy masculinity, and developing verbal problem-solving skills. The aim was clear: to provide these boys with tools that will serve them not just now, but as they grow into their teenage years and beyond.
The day was filled with energy, curiosity, and a strong sense of community. From the very first activity, the boys were eager participants, engaging wholeheartedly in discussions, role-playing scenarios, and team challenges. They explored the power of understanding and expressing their emotions, challenged outdated stereotypes about masculinity, and practised skills for resolving conflicts constructively.
The big takeaway for many of the boys was simple yet profound: it’s okay to be yourself. This realisation came up time and again in their reflections, as they acknowledged that learning to navigate emotions and relationships is something they want to master now, so they’re better equipped as they grow older.
Through cooperative games, group discussions, and moments of personal reflection, these boys took their first steps toward building the self-awareness and communication skills that will help them thrive in life. The program didn’t just highlight the importance of leadership – it emphasized that true leaders are those who understand and care for themselves and others.
As a school, we’re proud to support our students in their journey toward emotional and social maturity. Programs like Leaders in the Making Day are a reminder that investing in these conversations now creates a strong foundation for our boys to grow into confident, empathetic, and resilient young men.
We’d like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the day, and we look forward to continuing this important work with all our students.
Year Five Job Expo: Exploring the World of Work
On Tuesday 19th November our Year Five students recently participated in an engaging Job Expo as part of their inquiry into how employment evolves with change. The event brought learning to life by featuring a dynamic panel of Year Five parents who shared their career journeys, reflecting on their work choices, the successes and challenges they’ve faced, and what drives their passion for their professions. A range of careers were presented, including emergency paediatric doctor, accountant, small business owner, Emergency 000 executive, Australia Post worker and human resourcing.
The students eagerly absorbed insights from diverse industries, sparking curiosity and questions about the evolving landscape of employment. Following the panel, the students confidently showcased their creativity and research skills by presenting brochures they had designed to inform others about specific professions. These brochures reflected their growing understanding of the skills and attributes needed in various fields and how jobs adapt to changing societal needs.
This hands-on experience not only deepened their understanding of the central idea but also inspired them to think critically about the future of work and their place within it.
We’d love to thank Sophie, Ryanne, Youla, Nissa, Josh, and Josie for being so brave, bold, and connected to share their time with us.
Beach Day
At our Year Five Sandridge Beach excursion on Friday 22nd November, we learnt about safety and what we should do if someone is in danger. We did some activities like wearing life jackets in the water, preparing us for a situation like we’re in a boat crash, what we do to stay safe. We also did a role play sort of thing where one person is in the water and the other person is the lifeguard. We used surfboards and other resources to float on if someone can’t swim. We learnt about CPR and using the correct signs at the beach to know where it is safe to swim or where to get help. It was an amazing day and we all had so much fun!
- Will, 5LR
(check out the following PE page for some great photos!)
The Year Five Team
Josh D'Souza, Adrian Jones, Louise Ryan and Emma Wasson