Back in to it!

Well, here we are, back at it! We've had a lovely, albeit busy, start to Term 2! Here's what we've been up to:

• Students enjoyed choosing their own partner and text for this week's Fluency Pairs. We also revisited text features of information (non-fiction) texts. Students had many opportunities to read 'real books' and digital texts, identifying different types of text features. We 'honed' in on our comprehension skills too this week, by completing a comprehension card or two of our choice
• Spelling sessions were all about plurals this week and working out what we add to the end of particular words to make them plural - 'es'
• Students worked solidly on creating a recount of their holidays at the beginning of the week. Lots of descriptive language, chronological information, paragraphs and correct punctuation featured - well done everyone! The end of the week saw students learn about prepositional phrases and practise some listening skills with a B.T.N (Behind the News) video and 'note-taking' session!
• Students got back into the swing of mathematical thinking this week by playing some ol' favourite warm-up games and then learning all about factors, multiples, prime and composite numbers and also square and cubed numbers - phew! Why not 'test' your child/ren to see if they know what 'four squared' is? (A: 16 - 4x4)
• Enthusiasm was evident among the 5/6s too this week, when we started our Science/Geography/Humanities unit all about the solar system!
• Our Wellbeing lesson took us back to thinking about empathy too
• Despite the intermittent showers and cold snaps this week, we still ventured outside for a game or two as well!

OTHER STUFF....

• Assemblies start next Monday! 5/6B will be presenting some of their recent work on 22/4. This year, it will just be the Grade 6s hosting the assemblies, so over the next week or so, ask your Grade 6 lovely when their turn is (teachers are busy working on a roster)
• This term, we will be trialing homework on Essential Assessment. There will be a ‘My Numeracy’ and ‘My Literacy’ (reading) activity they will need to complete, as well as a spelling one. The spelling task will be based on the spelling topic for the week, whereas the Maths and literacy will be individualised based on their outcome from the General All tests at the beginning of the term. If you have any questions around homework or Essential Assessment, then contact us. If students still wish to complete their (3) journal entries, then this can replace the ‘My Literacy’ homework
• Our School Cross County kicks off next Tuesday at around 9:15am. Please see your classroom teacher/s (or even better, Mrs Brown!) if you want to know an approximate time your child/ren will be running! We've been doing a bit of 'training' this week too!
• Please see the page after this one for information on Castlemaine Secondary College's Open Day coming up NEXT WEDNESDAY 24th of April. They encourage Grade 5s to come along if you've made the decision to attend CSC. Make sure you register on their website before the day please - csc.vic.edu.au . It is a terrific opportunity for your child to get a 'taste' of the school before more formal transition days later in the year - the more exposure, the more comfortable your child will be
• NO SCHOOL NEXT THURSDAY - ANZAC Day!
• A Kids' Helpline session around being a leader is coming up for the 5/6s. A note explaining this was sent home earlier in the week. Please only send this back if you wish your child NOT to be a part of this activity
• Just a gentle reminder - Monday, May 6th is a curriculum day for all students. Teachers will be busy adding many more 'tools to their toolkit' on this day
• Finally, we wish Demy all the best as she moves on from us late next week (insert many sad face emojis), to start her new venture at Quarry Hill Primary School (Bendigo). Demy has been such a valuable asset to our school in countless ways. The rapport she's built with students and families is admirable. Her effort to go above and beyond is/was remarkable. Demy, we will miss your warmth, humour and friendship. What a gem Quarry Hill is gaining!

Enjoy the sun over the weekend!

~ Amy, Daniel, Megan and Jan