Spotlight on Learning

Dear Families, 

This week has been jam-packed with exciting learning and meaningful experiences. In Writing, students have been practicing how to use dependent and independent clauses to create sentences that are clear, well-structured, and full of ideas. They focused on understanding how the clauses work together. Independent clauses can stand alone, while dependent clauses add extra information that helps make their writing stronger. 

In Math, students learned how to multiply and divide fractions, building confidence with step-by-step problem solving and applying their skills to different fraction challenges. Students also participated in the Ascension Mass, and we began Catholic Education Week with great enthusiasm and school spirit. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement at home. 

Below are some photos from the Mother's Day Morning Tea. 

Learning for the Week Ahead

Religious Education: Students are learning about Reflection Week, a time to think about what it means to be part of a Catholic school community. This year’s theme, “Every school, a home of peace,” teaches that peace is more than just the absence of conflict, but a deep and lasting peace. They also explore Jesus’ message, “Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you,” which reminds us that peace can stay with us even during challenges.

English: Students are learning the difference between phrases and clauses and answering questions about our class novel, Us Mob Walawurru. They are improving their reading fluency by reading accurately, smoothly, and with expression, and using new vocabulary from the novel. In writing, students are learning to write complex sentences with subordinating conjunctions and create strong topic and concluding sentences.

Mathematics: Students will be learning to add decimals up to 3 decimal places using place value and partitioning strategies. Students will be learning to use a vertical algorithm to add decimals accurately by correctly aligning decimal points and applying their understanding of place value.

Integrated Curriculum: In Integrated Learning, students are examining drought and water scarcity and learning how people manage environmental challenges. They are also learning about climate and the environment, including drought and water scarcity in places such as Cape Town. Students are exploring how inequality can affect people’s access to water and other resources.

Auslan: In Auslan, students are learning to sign sit, stand, can, name, and morning. They are also learning the numbers 1 to 5.

Social & Emotional Learning:  In SEL, the students are learning about trusted adults and how to ask for help when we need it. They need to be able to describe what trusted adults do, what they sound like, and how they make me feel.

What you can do at home

• Read together and discuss key ideas, characters, and messages from class texts.
• Encourage your child to share opinions and write short reflections.
• Use everyday situations (e.g. cooking) to compare and order fractions.
• Ask your child to explain their thinking when solving maths problems.
• Talk about respect, recognising strengths in others, and different cultures.
• Practise Auslan signs and facial expressions, especially for asking questions.

Important Reminders

Semper Dental Van is visiting St Thomas Cranbourne on May 25, 2026.

Eligible families may be covered under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), while affordable options are available for all other families.

 Please complete your child’s consent form here and submit on or before May 23, 2026.  https://semperdental.com.au/consent-form/  

Please ensure that you are labelling your child's belongings.

Enjoy your weekend,

The Bethlehem Team

Contact Us @Bethlehem

bethlehem@cranbourneeast.catholic.edu.au (all teachers) or