Monarch 

MEET THE YEAR 5 TEAM AT AITKEN HILL PRIMARY SCHOOL!

We’re excited to kick off another year of learning here at Aitken Hill Primary School (AHPS), and we want to introduce you to our awesome Year 5 team!

This year, we have six teachers supporting our Year 5 students. We have two returning staff members, Christina and Michele W., and four other experienced teachers who are new to our school.  Welcome to Nash, Marc, Mauro, and Yianna! 

In addition to being classroom teachers, Christina and Nash are leading our Monarch Learning Community. We all appreciate their generosity as they share their expertise as they lead our team this year.

On top of that, we have Jeff and Linda on our school’s leadership team. They’ll be supporting students across the school, providing extra help with academics and behaviour to make sure every student has what they need to succeed this year.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic year, and we’re so excited to build solid relationships with each student and share creative ways to keep students engaged and motivated in their learning.

In addition to being here for our students, the Year 5 team are here for our families as well.  If there is anything you need or any questions you have, please let your child’s teacher know by sending a message on Compass. 

READING - Building Strong Reading Habits

This term, Year 5 students have been focusing on improving their reading skills by exploring both fiction and non-fiction texts. We’ve been learning to identify the features and purpose of different types of texts, including recognizing the various forms of fiction (like stories and poems) and non-fiction (such as informational texts and biographies).

Students have been using their blue book boxes to find Just Right books for independent reading, and they’re getting better at knowing when to abandon a book that isn’t the right fit. They’ve also been practicing strategies to solve tricky words and using punctuation to improve understanding.

A big focus has been on becoming aware of their thinking while reading. Students are learning to listen to their inner voice, visualize scenes, activate prior knowledge, skim and scan, and ask questions to guide their thinking.

We’ve also been exploring narrative structure and how descriptive language, and images create certain feelings or pictures for the reader.  Our students are developing great reading habits and becoming thoughtful and confident readers.

SPELLING - Unlocking the Secrets of Words

This term, Year 5 students have been developing their spelling skills by exploring the building blocks of words. They’ve been learning to identify syllables and understanding how they influence spelling. Students have also been diving into common prefixes and suffixes, discovering how they change the meaning of words and their grammatical function.

They’ve been practicing applying both prefixes and suffixes to words and using them in their writing to make their work more meaningful. In addition, students are learning to identify base words and how adding prefixes or suffixes can alter their meaning.

A key part of this learning has been exploring the origins of words (etymology) and identifying common letter patterns, which help students spell complex words. They’ve also been applying common spelling rules and generalizations to strengthen their spelling skills. Alongside this, students have been focusing on neat, legible handwriting to complement their written work.

WRITING - Becoming Strong Storytellers

In Year 5, students have been working hard on their writing skills, starting with persuasive texts. They’ve been learning to express their opinions clearly and support them with strong reasons.

Students have also been exploring the world of narrative writing. They’ve been learning about the stages and language features of a narrative, and they’ve started planning and creating their own stories. This includes designing engaging settings and developing characters they like (and even ones they dislike) from familiar stories.

When writing their narratives, students are learning how to carefully choose words that captivate their readers, including using vivid verbs, metaphors, and figurative language. They’re also practicing writing in a variety of sentence structures, from simple to complex, and using paragraphs to organise their ideas clearly.

It’s been exciting to see the creativity flow as students develop their stories, planning and drafting with purpose!

WRITER’S NOTEBOOK – Starting Our Writer’s Notebooks

This term, Year 5 students have begun exploring the exciting world of writer's notebooks! A writer’s notebook is a special place where writers collect ideas, thoughts, and inspiration for future stories or pieces of writing. Unlike a regular writing notebook, which is mainly for drafting and completing assignments, a writer's notebook is a space for freewriting, brainstorming, and experimenting with different ideas. It’s a bit like a personal creative tool that authors use to capture all their thoughts before turning them into full pieces of writing.

In our writer’s notebooks, students have been learning how to write about "seeds" or 'artifacts'—small moments or objects that spark bigger ideas. They’re also exploring the power of writing about what they don’t love, reflecting on their feelings to help fuel their creativity. As they explore how real authors use their own writer’s notebooks, they are discovering how these notebooks can be a place of growth, experimentation, and reflection.  It’s wonderful to support students as they dive into their writing journeys and begin using their notebooks to grow as writers!

MATHS – Exploring Numbers and Measurements

Year 5 students have been diving into some exciting maths concepts this term. They’ve been learning to use the LESR Model (Launch, Explore, Connect, Summarise) to approach problems, helping them break down challenges and find solutions more effectively.

They’ve also been applying POLYA’s principles to solve problems step by step.

A big focus has been on understanding place value, especially when working with decimals. Students have been exploring decimals to tenths (0.1) and hundredths (0.01), and they’re learning how to use this knowledge to solve problems and make comparisons.

In measurement, students have been choosing the right metric units for measuring lengths and comparing distances, like how far they can jump or measuring the length of various objects. This hands-on approach is helping them connect their learning to real-world situations. We've had a busy and productive start to the year, with students building solid foundations in both number concepts and measurement.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL) – Growing Together

In Year 5, students have been developing important skills in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) to support their personal growth and relationships with others. They’ve been learning to nurture a growth mindset, using positive self-talk and the power of "yet" to stay motivated and persistent in their learning.

A key focus has been understanding habits of the mind and recognising how our emotions can vary in intensity, from mild to strong. Students are practicing how to describe and understand emotions, including exploring mixed emotions and emotional complexity. They’re also learning to observe body language, visual cues, and facial expressions to better interpret the feelings of others.

In addition, students are learning the importance of caring for themselves and setting SMART goals to focus on self-care. They’ve been identifying these values on the SWPBS Matrix and exploring how to care for others in our school community.

It’s been great to see students take responsibility for their learning and keep practising to be the best they can be, all while developing a deeper understanding of their emotions and how to manage them!

INQUIRY

Inquiry – Exploring Australian History

This term, Year 5 students have been diving into Australian History. They’ve been learning about how and why the Australian colonies developed over time, exploring key events and their impact.

Students have also been developing research skills by locating and collecting information from both primary and secondary sources. They’ve been working collaboratively in groups to investigate topics, share their findings, and present their research. We are proud of how well students are working together, improving on their teamwork skills, and deepening their understanding of Australia’s history.

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It’s been a fantastic start to the year, and we’re proud of all the progress Year 5 students have made so far. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will achieve in the months ahead!