Classroom News

Grade 5 & 6

Welcome back to Term 3! We hope everyone had a restful and refreshing break, ready for another exciting and busy term ahead. There’s so much to look forward to as we continue to build on the fantastic learning momentum from earlier in the year.

Our Curriculum This Term:

Reading and Writing:

This term, our focus is on poetry! Students will explore what makes poetry unique — its features, structure, language devices, and its powerful purposes such as evoking emotion, telling stories, and sharing perspectives. Students will be encouraged to identify poetic devices like imagery, rhyme, rhythm, and metaphor, and apply these techniques in their own writing. Alongside this, we will maintain regular conferencing and collaborative activities to support each child’s growth as confident, insightful readers and writers. We will continue to strengthen our Reader’s and Writer’s Workshops, emphasizing deep engagement with texts through close reading, analysis, and creative expression.

Mathematics:

Get ready for a crazy and comprehensive maths term! We will begin with measurement concepts — area and perimeter — applying practical problem-solving skills aligned with the. We will then revisit and extend our understanding of multiplication and division strategies with an emphasis on fluency and application. Later, we’ll move into probability, exploring chance and likelihood in everyday contexts before finishing strong with decimal operations — adding, subtracting, and comparing decimals to solve real-world problems. These topics will be taught through engaging hands-on activities, collaborative challenges, and real-life applications to deepen conceptual understanding.

Inquiry Unit – Tiny Houses:

Our Inquiry focus this term is Tiny Houses, where students will learn about sustainable living and innovative design. This unit integrates multiple expert-led topics to give a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience:

• Floor Plans — understanding spatial design and layout.
• Sustainable Materials — exploring eco-friendly building supplies.
• Solar Energy — investigating renewable energy sources for tiny homes.
• Construction Skills — practical building techniques.
• Innovative Sustainable Building Designs Around the World — learning from global examples of tiny homes.
• Energy Efficiency with Sue — focusing on reducing heat loss, insulation, window coverings, thermal mass, and sealing gaps to create comfortable, energy-saving living spaces.

Through this inquiry, students will engage in research, design thinking, and project development that reflect real-world sustainable practices.

What Else Is Happening?

Our Year 6 leaders continue to impress with their enthusiasm and commitment, sharing news and updates at assemblies and on the BPS Facebook page. If you haven’t already, make sure to follow us for regular insights into our school community.

If you have any questions or wish to get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher, feel free to reach out through Compass at any time.

We hope everyone is well-rested and ready for another balanced term of fun and challenge!

Thank you, 

The 5/6 Team 2025

Important Dates:

July 30 - August 1st - Grade 6 Portsea Camp

August 7th - House Athletics Day

August 14th - Science Day

August 27th - Book Fun Day

August 29th - District Athletics

September 3rd - Excursion to BHS

September 4th - Father’s Day Stall