Year 5 News

 Welcome back to Term 4! 

It's hard to believe we’re already in the final stretch of the year, but we’re kicking things off with plenty of energy and exciting activities to get everyone back into the swing of things. 

From exploring ecosystems delicate ecosystems at the beach to swinging though the branches at an adventure camp the classroom have been buzzing with creativity and curiosity! 

Beach Program

Literacy

Holiday Recounts and Reading Comprehension 

In Literacy, we started the term by diving into holiday recounts. The students shared their favourite holiday moments in a creative way, showcasing their writing skills while adding in some descriptive language to bring their stories to life. It’s been fantastic hearing about everyone’s adventures, whether it was trips to the beach, movie marathons, or even just relaxing at home with family. 

Alongside this, we've been working on sharpening our reading comprehension skills. With new texts to explore, the students are learning to delve deeper into the material, retrieving information, making inferences, and connecting ideas—great tools for the term ahead. 

Numeracy

Financial Planning with Excel 

In Numeracy, the students used Excel to create detailed financial plans for a pretend ‘Fun Day, deciding on everything from balloon prices to DJ hire. They learned how to use formulas to calculate total costs and to work within a budget, turning the abstract world of numbers into something tangible and meaningful. 

It was amazing to see how engaged they were, from the more advanced Excel experts down to those learning formulas for the first time. The Fun Day plan was an excellent way to connect math to real-life problem solving—and who knows, maybe we’ll be hosting a real Fun Day soon! 

Inquiry

Camouflaged Butterflies and Ecosystem Exploration 

This term, we’re diving into our new Unit of Inquiry with the Central Idea: Significant events affect the balance of an ecosystem. To kickstart our learning, we had a fun and thought-provoking tuning-in activity where students created and camouflaged butterflies in different areas of the learning space. Their friends then had to find the butterflies, helping everyone understand the concept of adaptation and how animals use camouflage in their ecosystems to survive. 

We then took our learning beyond the classroom and headed to Rickett’s Point for a day of hands-on exploration. The students had a blast investigating the beach’s natural ecosystem, from within the rock pools teeming with marine life. This adventure gave them the opportunity to observe different species in their natural habitat and reflect on how they have adapted to survive in that environment. 

The trip was directly linked to our Lines of Inquiry, which include exploring the components of an ecosystem and how living things adapt within these systems. By the end of the day (and after some extra fun beach games and kayak shenanigans) the students were buzzing with ideas and excitement, eager to dive deeper into how significant events, like climate change or human impact, can affect these delicate ecosystems. 

Camp at The Summit Adventure Camp 

This week, our Year 5 students also had the incredible opportunity to attend a 3-day camp at The Summit Adventure Camp. It was a jam-packed few days full of adventure, teamwork, and personal growth. The students were challenged in a variety of ways, and they all rose to the occasion brilliantly! 

Here’s a look at some of the key activities: 

Bush Challenge  

The Bush Challenge was a high-energy, team-based event that put students through their paces with a mix of physical and mental challenges. Teams worked together to scale a mud wall, wade through a foam pit, solve a memory puzzle, and piece together a giant jigsaw. It was all about communication and cooperation, and our students showed fantastic teamwork. 

Orienteering 

Armed with maps, students had to navigate their way through the bush, testing both their map-reading skills and their sense of direction. This was a great way to build resilience and independence as they found their way around the course. 

 Flying Fox   

One of the most exhilarating activities, the Flying Fox had students strapped into harnesses and launched 5 metres in the air across a lake. The adrenaline was high, but so were the smiles as students conquered any fears they might have had. This activity definitely brought out their adventurous side! 

Laser Skirmish   

In this team-based game, students worked together to create strategies, communicate clearly, and claim victory against their opponents. Laser Skirmish taught them the importance of planning and collaboration in a fast-paced, competitive environment. It was one of the favourites of the camp! 

Rock Wall 

Students had the chance to tackle a 6-metre rock wall with different levels of difficulty. Many students pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and learned how determination and persistence can help them overcome any obstacle. 

Tash’s Ladder   

Tash’s Ladder was an activity like no other, offering students the chance to climb up a series of ladders, and once at the top, take a breath, release their hands, and take in the breathtaking view. It was a challenge of bravery and trust, with many students surprising themselves with how far they could go. 

Monster Course  

The grand finale of the camp was the Monster Course, an incredible test of both body and mind. Groups raced around the course, completing physical challenges, solving puzzles, and taking on endurance tests. The course culminated in the option to scramble through a series of muddy pools, which most students embraced enthusiastically! 

Overall, everyone had an amazing time at camp. The students returned to school full of stories about their adventures and feeling proud of what they had accomplished. We couldn’t be prouder of their resilience, teamwork, and willingness to take on new challenges. The Summit Adventure Camp was truly a memorable experience! 

It’s been an exciting start to Term 4, and there’s so much more to look forward to as we continue our inquiry into ecosystems, deepen our skills in literacy and numeracy, develop leadership skills and embrace all the new experiences that this term has to offer!