Year Five
It's hard to believe we are already well into Term One! Students have been settling into their new classrooms, building friendships, and creating their Essential Agreements. It's fantastic to see everyone embracing new challenges and showing enthusiasm for the year ahead. We look forward to a wonderful term filled with learning, growth, and exciting experiences!
Reading
In Reading, students have been exploring various NAPLAN texts using the Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) strategy. They have been developing their ability to identify the main idea of a text and use key information to answer comprehension questions effectively. We look forward to seeing the incredible growth students have made in their reading!
Writing
It has been fantastic to see students actively engaged in our Writing warm-up activity, Word of the Day. They have been exploring unfamiliar words and incorporating them into their writing, helping to expand their vocabulary and build confidence.
In Writing, students have been honing their skills in both narrative and persuasive writing. Each lesson, they dedicate time to strengthening their writing stamina and developing their ideas. They have been responding to a variety of prompts and balancing both handwritten and typed work to improve their typing speed and accuracy. These skills will undoubtedly support them in their NAPLAN writing assessments and beyond.
Maths
In Maths, students have been progressing steadily through various topics, with a focus on building their skills in problem-solving and critical thinking. A key aspect of our learning has been unpacking NAPLAN questions, where students are gaining valuable experience in tackling questions from a range of areas, including map creation, data interpretation and comparison, and probability (chance). To support students in their problem-solving journey, we have been using different strategies to help students break down complex questions into manageable parts, ensuring that they can approach problems with confidence and clarity. Overall, students are making excellent progress in their mathematical understanding and are developing the problem-solving skills they need to succeed both in NAPLAN assessments and in future learning.
Inquiry
This week, we have begun exploring our first Unit of Inquiry for 2025, centered around the central idea: Characteristics of a leader may determine their legacy, under the transdisciplinary theme Who We Are.
Students have been diving into our first line of inquiry—the different roles of a leader in everyday life. Through thought-provoking discussions and activities, they have been breaking down their wonderings, reflecting on who they perceive as a leader, and examining the responsibilities that come with leadership.
It has been fantastic to see students actively engaging with the unit, sharing insightful perspectives, and exploring creative ways to demonstrate their learning.
Reminders
Hats & Water Bottles: As the weather remains warm in Term 1, students should bring their hats and water bottles each day.
Charged Devices: Please ensure all student devices are fully charged at home and ready for use in the classroom.
NAPLAN Preparation: In the lead-up to NAPLAN, students are encouraged to rest well and get plenty of sleep. We kindly ask parents to reassure any students who may be feeling nervous.
St John's Incursion on the 25th of March