Grade 6

Literacy

In Literacy, we are nearing the end of our class novel, Rivet Boy. Throughout the story, students have followed Tom’s journey as he works on the construction of the Forth Bridge, exploring themes of courage, loyalty and standing up for what is right. As we approach the conclusion, students have been reflecting on how the historical setting shapes the characters’ experiences and decisions, and discussing how the events of the novel build towards its resolution.

In writing, students have continued strengthening their sentence structure and experimenting with more sophisticated techniques, including juxtaposition, to create greater depth and impact.

We are also wrapping up our persuasive writing unit. Most students have completed the majority of their arguments, including strong introductions and well-developed body paragraphs using high-modality and emotive language. Our focus now is on crafting effective conclusions that reinforce their position and leave a lasting impression on the reader. It has been fantastic to see the growth in confidence and clarity within their writing.

Mathematics

In Mathematics, students have been learning and applying BODMAS (the order of operations) to solve number sentences accurately and efficiently. They have been practising how to work through problems step by step — beginning with brackets and orders, then moving through division and multiplication, and finally addition and subtraction. A strong emphasis has been placed on showing clear working and understanding why the order matters, rather than simply memorising a rule. It has been encouraging to see students grow in confidence as they tackle increasingly complex problems and explain their reasoning clearly.

Humanities (History)

This term in History, students began by investigating the six Australian colonies and the reasons for their establishment. We have now moved on to exploring Federation, examining why the colonies chose to unite in 1901 and how this decision shaped Australia as a nation. Students have also been learning about key events and significant moments surrounding Federation, developing an understanding of how these milestones influenced Australia’s political system and national identity. Discussions have been thoughtful, with students making strong connections between past decisions and present-day Australia.