Year 5/6
Welcome
As we step into the final term of the year, there’s a real buzz in the air across the Level 5/6 classrooms! Term 4 is always a special time, filled with both reflection and celebration. Our Year 6 students are preparing for their much-anticipated Graduation — a milestone event marking the end of their primary school journey. Meanwhile, our Year 5 students are stepping up as future leaders and role models. With exciting learning opportunities, end-of-year events, and memories waiting to be made, it’s set to be a fantastic finish to the year. We can’t wait to share the journey with you!
As the weather warms up, we remind families that students are expected to wear the correct summer uniform each day. To support sun safety, please ensure your child has a clearly labelled school hat at school.
5/6AP
Rushani Rupasinghe (Monday- Wednesday) /Daniella Polites (Thursday-Friday)
5/6DW
Sarah De Guzman-Wettenhall
5/6M
Joachim Min Fa
5/6V
Martin Darcy
Our Learning this Term
Literacy
Reading
In Years 5 and 6, students participate in Ochre Daily Review sessions to strengthen their word knowledge and literacy skills. Each session provides opportunities to practise and revisit important concepts in reading, spelling, and vocabulary. Through quick-paced and engaging review activities, students consolidate their understanding of word patterns, spelling rules, and the meanings of new words. This regular revision helps to improve fluency, accuracy, and confidence in both reading and writing.
Students in Years 5 and 6 have also been developing their comprehension skills through Reciprocal Reading. In these sessions, students take on specific roles — notetaker, clarifier, questioner, and summariser — to help them think deeply about what they read across different text types. Teachers first model each role using a shared text, before students work independently to practise their roles with texts targeted to their reading level. Through this approach, students learn to take clear and organised notes, clarify new or challenging vocabulary, answer and ask both literal and inferential questions, and summarise key ideas to identify the main message of a text. This process encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of what they read.
Writing
Students have been learning how to write informational reports on the topic of animal adaptations for survival. They are exploring the structure and language features of this text type and using research templates and teacher modelling to support their writing. Using their research notes, students are learning to create well-worded paragraphs with clear topic sentences that explain how different adaptations help animals survive in their environments.
In our second writing cycle, students will explore persuasive writing focused on ethical issues such as conservation and whether animals should live in zoos or the wild. They are learning to express their opinions clearly, use persuasive language and evidence to support their arguments, and consider different viewpoints when writing about these important environmental topics.
Mathematics
Students will complete a one-hour daily mathematics lesson. There will be a focus this term on:
Weeks 1 & 3: Data
Weeks 4 -6: Fractions, Decimals and Fractions
Weeks 7-9: Operations
Week 10: Christmas Maths
To help reinforce key mathematical concepts and strengthen students' long-term memory, we will continue to incorporate daily 10-minute reviews at the start of each Maths lesson. Each student will have their whiteboard and marker, allowing them to participate and share their answers quickly and actively. Teachers will also use high-participation strategies to make these reviews and lessons effective and engaging, such as Think, Pair, Share, Choral Response and Reversal, Non-Volunteers and Gestures.
Another component in our Math’s lessons is another 10 minute Math’s Rehearsal to help our students build fluency, confidence, and understanding by providing regular opportunities to practise and apply key skills and concepts. Through short, focused activities, students reinforce prior learning, develop automatic recall of number facts and procedures, and strengthen their ability to explain and reason mathematically. Rehearsals support consolidation, target learning needs, and prepare students to confidently use their mathematical knowledge in new and challenging contexts.
Religious Education
In Religion, students have been learning about the Church’s teaching on human dignity as part of October Mission Month. They are exploring what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God and how this belief guides the way we treat ourselves and others. Through discussion and reflection, students are developing an understanding of the importance of showing respect, kindness, and compassion to every person, recognising that everyone has equal worth and value in God’s eyes. Advent will begin on Sunday, November 30th, and the Year 5/6 students will be exploring the Jesse Tree as we prepare for the celebration of Christmas. They will learn about the meaning of each Advent candle—Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love—through Andrew Chinn’s songs We Light This Candle. During the first week, students will focus on the Jesse Tree, discovering how it represents Jesus’ family tree and reminds us of God’s promises throughout Scripture. This special time of reflection will help students prepare their hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
Wellbeing
This term, the Year 6 students will be participating in a Grade Six Support Program to assist with their transition from primary to secondary school. We understand this can be a challenging time for many young people, and the program aims to provide support during this important stage.
The program, run by Kingston Council, includes three sessions over three weeks ( see calendar for booked dates).
Each session is designed to give students the skills and tools they need for a smooth transition. Activities will include:
- Resilience-building exercises
- Guided and informative discussions about moving to secondary school
PBL
Our Semester Two PBL captains will continue to attend weekly meetings with Mrs Lloyd. They are responsible for reporting their student voice to the class on issues within the school and offering suggestions on how these issues can be resolved respectfully. In addition, they have been seeking feedback from their peers on potential solutions and issues that affect them. Mrs Lloyd and the Student Voice Team have created a child-friendly version of the Child Safety Policy, which each class has discussed and will refer to throughout the year. Our students engage in short, targeted lessons designed to build strong learning behaviours each week. These lessons focus on key skills such as respect, resilience, collaboration, and responsibility, helping students academically and socially grow. By reinforcing these positive behaviours, we aim to create a supportive, focused, and inclusive learning environment for all. Each class will continue to use the Class Dojo Reward System to acknowledge those students who display these values in all areas of their school life.
Inquiry
This term, our Year 5/6 students are diving into the fascinating world of biological science, focusing on how living things survive and thrive in different environments. We’re exploring how structural, behavioural, and physiological adaptations help organisms live in specific biomes, and what happens when habitats are changed—primarily through human activity.
Students will participate in a guided tour of Namatjira Park as part of a free educational workshop offered by the City of Kingston Council. They will learn about local indigenous plants and wildlife gardening, and discover ways to increase habitat in their own gardens.
Students are also investigating the causes of animal endangerment, the role of conservation efforts, and asking big questions like: Do zoos help or harm wildlife? What responsibility do we have to protect biodiversity in a changing world?
Through science inquiry and ethical thinking, students are developing their ability to use evidence and empathy to explore real-world problems, consider different perspectives, and make thoughtful, informed decisions about how we can protect endangered species and their habitats.
It's a powerful and thought-provoking unit that blends science with global citizenship — helping students see how their choices and actions can shape the future of our planet.
SPECIALIST SUBJECTS
Students will have Performing Arts, Italian, Physical Education and Art every Monday. Please ensure that the correct Sports Uniform is worn.
LIBRARY BORROWING TIMES
All classes will borrow books on Tuesdays each fortnight. Students must ensure that all books they borrow from the library are returned during their non-library week. They must also have an appropriate Library Bag (not plastic) to protect their books. During their non-library week, students are encouraged to visit the Library on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 8:30-8:45 am if they wish to return and borrow more books.
HOMEWORK
In line with our St Andrew’s Homework Policy, it is an expectation that Year Five and Year Six students complete the following as homework tasks:
- 20 minutes of reading per night to be recorded in their diary ( Title, pages/chapters read)
- 10-15 minutes of other tasks per night as set by the 5/6 teaching team. This will generally be 1-2 weekly Literacy/R.E./Maths/Inquiry task(s) linked to our current classroom learning.
Our Homework program aims to strengthen home-school partnerships and reaffirm the role of parents and guardians as partners in education. It is an opportunity for students to reinforce and share their classroom learning, while also developing productive routines and time management skills.
CLASSROOM ORGANISATION
- Any student needing to bring a mobile to school must hand it in to the classroom teacher in the morning. All phones will be returned before the end of the school day.
- Sports shoes are only worn on Mondays (Specialists). Children are expected to bring their Library Bags to school on designated Library days.
- Students are expected to use their Chromebooks responsibly at school and at home. When carrying their Chromebooks to and from school, they are expected to use the Chromebook case supplied by the school. Please note that parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring their children while using their Chromebooks at home. Students are encouraged to use their Chromebooks in a shared space. It is expected that Chromebooks will be charged in readiness for the school day.
Dates for Your Diary
October
7th October - Gr 6 Support Program- 1st Session
9th October - Neds Resilience Ride Performance - whole school in Hall
9th October - Sexuality Program - Sue Pain 5/6 7.15 pm
16th October - 5/6 Anointing Of The Sick Mass 9.15 am
21st Oct Grade 6 Support Program - 2nd Session
28th Oct - Grade 6 Support Program - 3rd Session
30th October - All Soul’s Saints Mass 12 pm
November
3rd November - School Closure Day
4th November - Melbourne Cup Day
11th November - Remembrance Day
27th November- ST Andrew’s Feast Day Mass 1 pm
December
10th December - Yr 6 Fun Day - Clayton Bowling
11th December - Graduation Mass 6 pm
12th December - Final Assembly - Yr 6 Graduation Performance and Lunch
16th December Term 4 ends - Guard Of Honour for Year 6s - Dismissal whole school 1.30 pm
As dates can be subject to change, please check the school newsletter weekly.
How to Contact Us
We would like to see ourselves as the first point of contact regarding your child’s learning. Please feel free to contact us using the following: We kindly request that you understand that we will respond to emails within 48 hours, between 8:00 am and 4:45 pm.
Rushani Rupasinghe rrupasinghe@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Martin Darcy mdarcy@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Sarah De Guzman-Wettenhall: sdeguzman@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Joachim Min Fa: jminfa@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
Daniella Polites: dpolites@saclaytonsth.catholic.edu.au
SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
L.O.T.E. Italian
Dear parents, welcome to Term Four.
The students will begin the term using familiar and newly-acquired language and grammar to write sentences, answer questions and complete comprehension tasks in the target language. They will learn new grammatical structures which they will use in the writing of their script for the fashion parade. Students are introduced to the language of; How to say what you are wearing. How to introduce someone. How to say what someone else is wearing. Each student will write his/her own script using his/her own vocabulary relating to what he/she is wearing. Also using their research and comprehension skills, they complete mini research assignments looking into the popular culture of Italian fashion. The students will learn about the Italians' cultural emphasis on looking good and stylish, as well as their traditional preference for dressing well, whether they are going for a walk, shopping, or attending the theatre. The students will make comparisons with Australia, highlighting the similarities and the differences in the way people dress and present their findings in a Venn diagram. They will ultimately create a collage of the items of clothing they will wear for the parade with a written description of it, which they will present to the class and display in the classroom. During the lessons, the students will continue to participate in playing topic quizzes, games and completing interactive tasks on Languages Online and Duolingo to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the language.
Cordiali saluti, Signora White
Physical Education
Welcome to the last term of the school year!
The 5/6 students have been demonstrating remarkable growth in their teamwork, communication and sportsmanship throughout the year. We will continue to focus on these skills as they are essential for all sports. The year 5’s will have another year in 2026 participating in interschool sport. We will focus on learning the skills and rules needed for their sport choices next year in term one, including: sof crosse, volleyball, cricket, basketball and softball. Throughout learning these sports, we will emphasise the importance on playing fairly, demonstrating respect, and encouraging others while playing games.
Towards the end of the term, 5/6 students will have the opportunity to participate in a Dodgeball tournament if they wish. Keep an eye out for more information coming in the second half of the term!
We look forward to a fun term of learning!
Miss Puetz
Art
Welcome to the Art Room – Term 4
In Term 3, students enjoyed exploring a variety of creative visual arts activities. They painted sunset silhouette scenes, designed and decorated Mondrian-inspired 3D gift boxes, and created bold AFL banner designs. These projects helped students develop their skills in colour, line, shape, composition, and planning, while expressing their own ideas and stories.
In Term 4, we look forward to continuing our creative journey with spring-themed artworks and festive Christmas projects. Students will also explore Aboriginal art, learning how artists use symbols, patterns, and colour to represent Country, nature, and living landscapes. It promises to be an inspiring and colourful end to the year in the Art Room!
Warm regards,
Mrs. Milena Santoro 🎨
Performing Arts
Hi 5/6 Students and Families,
Welcome to Term 4! Massive thanks to everyone who supported Mary Poppins in Term 3, whether it was making costumes, helping with shopping, volunteering on the night, coming to watch the show or even just putting up with your students practising S. U. P. E. R. over and over. I couldn’t have done it without the support of our wonderful St Andrew’s Community, so thank you!
This term, students will learn more about chords in music, the structure of chords and how to play them on both ukulele and piano. Students will be able to practice the theory of chords, playing chords in time to the beat and transitioning between chords in a bid to be able to accompany themselves in a song.
Students will also be practising dances and songs for the Grade 6 graduation performance. We have begun to workshop different songs, and the Grade 6s always take pride in performing at the final assembly of the year. More details, such as the date and time of the performance, will follow when we have them.
To help support your student/s if they are in Grade 6, please encourage them to practise the dances or songs once we start learning them, I will send through links via ClassDojo once we have finalised the song list.
Here’s to a great term!
Mrs Emma Cooper
Library News
In Term 4, our Library lessons for Year 5 and 6 are placing a strong emphasis on developing positive reading habits and deepening student engagement with a variety of texts. Students are encouraged to explore both fiction and non-fiction materials that reflect their interests while also challenging them to think critically. We support students in building reading stamina by setting aside sustained, uninterrupted reading time during lessons. They are also learning how to choose texts that suit their purpose—whether it’s for enjoyment, information, or inquiry. Through guided discussions, book recommendations, and reflective tasks, students are becoming more independent, thoughtful readers who can discuss what they read, explain their choices, and reflect on how it connects to their learning. The goal is to nurture lifelong readers who are curious, confident, and capable of navigating a wide range of texts with purpose and enjoyment.
New in the Library – Book Suggestion Box!
We’ve introduced a Book Suggestion Box in the library, giving students the chance to recommend titles they'd love to see on our shelves. Whether it's a favourite series, a non-fiction topic of interest, or something they've seen elsewhere, all suggestions are welcome! It's an excellent way for students to have a voice in shaping our collection and sharing reading ideas with others.
Best wishes - Mrs Daniella Polites