Take Flight - Senior School
Grade 5 Newsletter
Introduction
What an exciting year it has been in Grade 5! Students have taken on new challenges, explored rich learning experiences, and continued to develop their confidence, independence and curiosity. We are incredibly proud of the effort, creativity and enthusiasm they have shown across all areas of the curriculum. Here is a snapshot of what we have been up to this year.
Poetry
This term, Grade 5 students have been exploring a range of poetry styles. They have studied haikus and limericks, learning the features of each form and practising how to write their own. Students will now be moving on to odes and cinquains, continuing to build their confidence and creativity as poets.
Inquiry – Colonial Life
Last term, our Inquiry unit focused on colonial life. Students chose to investigate either the life of a convict or the experiences of people during the Gold Rush.To begin the unit, students wrote a letter using a fountain pen and sealed it with wax, just as people would have done in the 1800s. They then researched a big question and three smaller supporting questions to guide their learning.
For the expo, students set up displays, added final touches, and presented their findings to families, teachers and visitors. At the end of the day, they completed a reflection sheet to evaluate their learning and presentation.
Grade 5 Camp – Woorabinda
One of the major highlights this year was the Grade 5 camp at Woorabinda. Students spent the week building independence, challenging themselves through a range of outdoor activities, and strengthening friendships. From team building games to exploring the beautiful bush environment, the camp offered many memorable experiences. We were incredibly proud of how students represented our school and supported one another throughout the program.
Money
This term in Mathematics, Grade 5 has focused on money. Students learned how to round to the nearest ten and five dollars or cents. They also completed a practical budgeting task called “Plan a Party,” where they were given a set budget and had to organise a party within their financial limit.
Historical Fiction
During Term 3, students wrote their own historical fiction pieces. They explored real events such as World War I and blended factual information with imaginative storytelling. This helped students strengthen both their research skills and narrative writing techniques.
Captain Speeches
In Term 4, Grade 5 students applied for Year 6 leadership roles, including School Captain and SRC Chair. Applicants presented speeches to the cohort, and selected students were invited to take part in an interview with Mrs Corcoran.
Book Clubs
Throughout Semester 2, students participated in Book Clubs. They read novels and met weekly to discuss characters, events and themes. Book Clubs encouraged teamwork, deeper thinking and a love of reading.
Coordinates
In Mathematics, students have been learning how to read and plot coordinates on a grid. They have used instructions to create shapes and locate points, building map-reading and spatial awareness skills.
High Abilities Program
During Terms 3 and 4, selected students from Years 5 and 6 participated in the High Abilities Program.
- English: Students explored the hero’s journey and looked at ways to include rich, diverse features in their writing.
- Mathematics: Students investigated conjectures and developed their problem-solving strategies.The program allowed students to extend themselves and work beyond their usual level.
Algebra
Students were introduced to algebraic thinking by learning how to calculate the value of unknowns such as x in equations. This helped them build foundational skills for later secondary mathematics.
Length and Perimeter
As part of our measurement unit, students designed their own playground layouts using grid paper, with each square representing one metre. They then calculated the perimeter of their designs and presented their final products at the expo.
Design and Technology
In Semester 2, students completed a Design and Technology project. They selected a “design card,” created a model based on the brief, and worked through the full design process from planning to construction to evaluation.
Statistics
During our Statistics unit, students learned about collecting and interpreting data, understanding percentages, and exploring chance. This helped them apply mathematical reasoning to real world situations.
Conclusion
We are so proud of everything our Grade 5 students have achieved this year. Their resilience, teamwork, and willingness to tackle new learning have been outstanding. As we move toward the end of the year, we look forward to celebrating their successes and watching them continue to grow.
Thank you for your ongoing support we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!
Grade 6 Market Day Celebrates Learning and Community Spirit!
Our Grade 6 students recently hosted an exciting Market Day, marking the culmination of our Economics Unit. Over several weeks, students worked in teams to plan, design, and run their own stalls, applying skills in money management, teamwork, and entrepreneurship. Stalls included homemade baked goods, face painting, and even a basketball target practice, allowing students to put their learning into action in a fun and creative way.
The school community played an important role in the success of the day, coming along to support the students by purchasing Market Day tickets and enjoying all the activities on offer. Thanks to their generosity, students were able to raise money to contribute towards their graduation celebrations and a visit to Gumbuya World.
A huge thank you to everyone in our school community for helping make Market Day such a memorable and successful event.
