What's Happening in the Senior School
Year 5
What’s Happening in Year 5 in Weeks 7 and 8
Over the past two weeks, we’ve celebrated two significant events within our school community.
The first was Education Week, centred around the theme Celebration of Cultures. This theme highlighted the rich diversity of our communities and reinforced the importance of creating a school environment where every child feels safe, valued, and welcome.
Following that, we observed Reconciliation Week—an important time for reflection, learning, and celebration. Our Year 5 students engaged in a range of meaningful activities. They had the opportunity to research notable First Nations individuals, compose a songline to express their connection to culture, Country, and personal journeys, or create a video interview to share their understanding of reconciliation with their peers.
We also introduced The Great Book Swap. This a new and exciting event that added an element of fun while promoting a love for reading.
Wellbeing and Leadership
Our Year 5 students have completed their portfolios and are now actively planning a series of exciting workshops. Engaging coding activities are in development, our dedicated Play Leaders have organised fun games for younger students, and our Biodiversity Leaders have been busy planting seedlings and preparing sustainability workshops to promote environmental awareness.
Literacy & Language
In our class novel, Black Cockatoo, we explored aspects of Indigenous culture. Students examined the challenges that exist within and between culturally diverse groups, and discussed how behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs can be shaped by cultural influences.
Our students are also continuing with the evidence-based Word Origins spelling program, which focuses on understanding the morphological structure of words—including roots, prefixes, and suffixes—as well as the etymology of English vocabulary. Additionally, we will be developing our skills in using both direct and indirect speech.
Mathematics
Over the next month, our focus will be on understanding the properties of numbers and mastering the four operations. We strongly encourage students to practice their times tables regularly, as this foundational skill enhances mental maths abilities, problem-solving skills, and supports more advanced mathematical concepts.
Knowledge Unit: Science
In Science, we’ve been exploring the concept of matter by examining and classifying items based on their properties. One highlight of our investigation was making and experimenting with oobleck which is a fascinating mixture of cornstarch and water that behaves like both a solid and a liquid. Its consistency changes depending on the force applied. When you move your hand through it slowly, it feels like a liquid, but when you apply sudden pressure, such as tapping it, it behaves like a solid. This fun, squishy experiment was a definite highlight of the week!
Homework Reminders
Please encourage your child to read regularly and to practise their times tables. Students are expected to read each night and record their progress in their personal diaries, which should be brought to school daily. Teachers will check diaries regularly to monitor reading habits and to note important dates and reminders. Additionally, all students have been provided with Mathletics logins and assigned activities to reinforce their learning.
Year 6
What’s Happening in Year 6 in Weeks 7 and 8
Year 6 Learning Highlights
It’s been a busy and productive time in Year 6! In maths, students have been exploring fractions, including finding and working with equivalent fractions, as well as tackling the concept of elapsed time. They've shown great perseverance and problem-solving skills! In English, we've begun writing biographies, learning how to research key facts and structure interesting and informative life stories.
Excitement is also building as students begin stepping into their roles for the Year 6 musical - practising dances, learning lines, and perfecting their moves. We can’t wait to see it all come together!
Wellbeing
As part of National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), students are engaging in activities that deepen their understanding of Australia’s shared history and the importance of reconciliation.
In Week 7, Year 6 students will take part in a Reach Foundation workshop. These sessions aim to support their social and emotional development, helping them build confidence, resilience, and positive relationships.
Literacy
In Literacy, Year 6 students are writing biographies on well-known figures, using a Multiple Paragraph Outline to help structure their ideas and organise their research. Soon, they will also begin drafting speeches as part of their Civics & Citizenship Knowledge Unit, putting their persuasive writing skills into action.
Maths
In Numeracy, Year 6 students are exploring 3D shapes by identifying and describing right prisms and investigating their cross-sections. They are also building their confidence with decimals, focusing on adding and subtracting them accurately in a range of contexts.
Knowledge Unit
In their Civics and Citizenship Knowledge Unit, Year 6 students are learning about the different levels of parliament and how laws are made. They are also beginning to write speeches on topics they are passionate about, focusing on changes they’d like to see in their communities or the world around them.
Homework
Students are expected to read for a minimum of 15-30 minutes, five times a week, to improve their reading skills. Additionally, they will receive Mathletics tasks every fortnight to reinforce and build on their mathematical knowledge.
Reminders
Monday 2nd June - Year 6 Reach Workshops
Thursday 5th June - Radio Show
Monday 9th June - King's Birthday Public Holiday – no school
Tuesday 10th June - Courage to Care, Upstanders Workshop
Friday 13th June, 2pm - Grandparents and Special Persons Day
