Year 5/6 News
Our Lady of the Southern Cross Primary School
Newsletter Week 10
We look forward to seeing you all at our Learning Showcase
Wednesday, October 21st - 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Welcome back to all our Grade 5/6 students and families! We hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing break and is ready for an exciting final term of the year.
Term 4 is here, and it is sure to be a busy one! With lots of learning, activities and special events planned, the term is going to fly past. Students will continue to work hard, challenge themselves and build on the learning they have developed throughout the year.
The first few weeks will be filled with engaging learning experiences across all areas of the curriculum. We encourage students to return ready to learn, participate, stay organised and make the most of every opportunity.
We are looking forward to a wonderful final term together and celebrating all the achievements and growth of our Grade 5/6 students throughout the year. Let's make Term 4 a fantastic one!
Year 5
Literacy:
“In Literacy, we are learning about persuasive writing. We are describing how authors use persuasive language to convince us to agree with them”. - Kupa
“I have enjoyed learning about different types of persuasive language and text. Some ways authors can persuade their readers is through emotion, directly talking to the audience and through different pictures and fonts”. - Nina
“Our task was to read 5 different books and write down how the author tried to persuade the audience by using facts and evidence, techniques and strategies and using different writing styles. I am enjoying this literacy unit because I get to read different books and write down my opinion.” - Kacper
Numeracy
“I am enjoying making data grids and plotting data, which helps me learn about others' opinions” - Bhagath
“ We came up with questions to ask our Prep buddies and then met with them to survey their opinions. It was nice to get to know them better. We then used the data to draw our grids and look at the most and least popular answers” - Elvin
Inquiry:
“I am enjoying learning about immigration and it’s making me reflect on my family’s immigration story too” - Tomas
“In Inquiry we are learning about Australian Immigration history. We are looking at the timeline of how the British and Irish were the first people to come to Australia by ship” - Princess
“I am enjoying how we’re learning about history and not just looking at the future because I think it's important to look to the past so we can reflect on things that happened.” - Clarisse
Religion:
“In religion we are learning about the different titles of Mary. We are learning how Mary has done many different things in many different places so that is why she has different titles. Many people see her as a role model”. - Eh Lawso
“I am enjoying learning about why Mary has different titles and why she has different names. I like how she was brave in giving birth to Jesus even though she was probably nervous.” - Cori
“I am interested in learning about the different apparitions of Mary across the world. I am focusing my research on Our Lady of La Vang from Vietnam” - Zoe S.
Year 6
Literacy
In Literacy this term, Grade 6 students will explore the work of Australian author Gary Crew, focusing on how authors use language, imagery, characters and text structure to engage readers and create meaning.
Students will study texts including The Watertower and Beneath the Surface, exploring themes such as curiosity, fear and the unknown. They will investigate how vocabulary, descriptive language and illustrations can create mood, tension and suspense.
Students will also develop their analytical writing skills, learning to use evidence from the text to explain their ideas. They will practise writing detailed sentences and paragraphs and will apply some of the techniques they have discovered in their own creative writing.
Numeracy
In Mathematics this term, students will be developing their understanding of statistics and data. They will learn how to plan a statistical investigation, create effective survey questions and collect data using tools such as Likert scales and star ratings.
Students will use digital tools to represent their data in different ways, including side-by-side column graphs and line graphs. They will learn how to choose an appropriate graph for their data and explain their reasoning.
Students will also practise interpreting and analysing graphs, identifying patterns and using data to answer questions and draw conclusions. These skills will be developed through a range of practical investigations and rich learning tasks.
Inquiry
This term, students will develop their understanding of economics and how choices are made when resources are limited. They will explore the difference between needs and wants and learn how scarcity can influence the choices individuals and communities make.
Students will investigate different types of economic resources and consider how resources can be used to meet people's needs and wants. They will explore real-life situations where choices need to be made and consider the advantages and disadvantages of different decisions.
Religion:
This term, students will explore the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and learn about her role as a disciple. They will explore key events including the Annunciation, Cana and the Crucifixion and identify qualities such as faith, courage, humility and obedience.
Students will consider how Mary responded to God and how they can follow her example in their own lives through their choices and actions.
Wellbeing:
Students will focus on the importance of active listening and following instructions. They will learn strategies such as paying attention, eliminating distractions and using appropriate verbal and non-verbal cues. Students will explore how listening and following instructions shows respect for all staff and others.
Students will also explore gender norms and use data to identify examples of how gender expectations can sometimes lead to limiting or harmful outcomes. They will consider how respectful attitudes and choices can help create a safe and inclusive school community.
Special Events
We have had a very busy and exciting first two weeks of Term 4!
On Tuesday 13 October, our girls competed in the Winter Gala Basketball Divisionals, followed by the boys on Wednesday 14 October. Congratulations to all students who participated and represented our school with enthusiasm, teamwork and sportsmanship.
On Thursday 15 October, students also completed their PAT-R testing, providing valuable information about their reading progress and learning growth.
Alice went to Italy!
Over the school holidays, Alice in 5 White had the opportunity to visit Italy. Alice enjoyed visiting St Peter’s Basilica and climbing to the top of the dome to see all of Rome. Check out some of the photos that were taken during her trip!
Basketball
We are honoured to have had two groups of students representing our school playing Basketball this week. They upheld the school values and all played extremely well.
The Girls A Team from Winter Gala Basketball played in the Divisional Finals on Tuesday and won all 5 of their games. They are now playing on Monday in the Regional Finals. We wish them the best of luck!
The Boys Hoop Time Basketball Team played in their Regional Finals on Wednesday and won all 4 of their games. They have been invited to the State Finals which will be later this term.
Thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who came to these events!
Upcoming Events
Friday October 16th - Year 5/6 Moving back into LC4
Friday 16th October - Grandparents' morning, 9-10am
Sunday 18th October - Community Mass, 10am
Wednesday 21st October - OLSC Learning Showcase, 3:30-5:30pm
Saturday 24th October - P&F Bunnings BBQ, Hoppers Crossing
Monday 2nd November - School Closure Day
Tuesday 3rd November - Melbourne Cup - No school
Friday 6th November - School Disco, 5-8pm
MacKillop College Transition Excursion (for attending students) 11-12:30pm
Tuesday 10th November - Year 5 Student Leadership Session
Wednesday 11th November - Assembly 2:15pm
Remembrance Day
Assembly 2:15pm
Tuesday 17th November - Student Leadership Speeches
Friday 27th November - Divisional LaCrosse - selected students
Advent Liturgy - 9:00 - 9:30am
Saturday 28th November - St Andrews Parish Fair
Friday 4th December - MacKillop College Orientation
Monday 7th December - Step Up Day
Friday 11th December - Year 6 Adventure Park and Last Day of school
Monday 14th December - Whole School Assembly 9am
Year 6 students' last day of school
Graduation Mass 6:30pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday 15th December - Christmas Nativity 9am - 10am
Year P-5 students' last day of School
Blessings from the Year 5/6 Team:
Scott, Tina S, Ann, Jordan, Leeza, Janeen, Elizabeth, Danielle, Rebecca, Tian and Jodie
Notices
MACKILLOP COLLEGE OPEN DAY - WERRIBEE
Thursday 29 October 2026
4.00pm – 6.30pm
Final Tour commences at 5.45pm
All are welcome to attend and tour the College.
For further information regarding the College, please visit the College website: www.mackillop.vic.edu.au
