School News
Prep
What an incredible first term our Prep students have had. We cannot believe we are so close to holidays already… so close that we can almost hear the hopping of little bunny feet.
We have been so lucky to have had some wonderful learning experiences over the past two weeks. To support the children’s understanding of ‘Community’, we had visits from both nurses and firefighters. The children were lucky enough to hear all about the different types of nursing roles that are in both hospitals and community settings as well as observe and explore different types of equipment a nurse may use in their job. The children really enjoyed using a pulseoximetre to observe their heart rate and oxygen levels.
Members of the Chirnside Park CFA conducted a ‘Fire Safe Kids’ session with the Prep students on Friday 15th March. The children were taught what to do in a fire emergency and were lucky enough to sit in the fire truck and have a turn on the hose. It was evident that sitting in the fire truck was a term highlight for many of our students. We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Chirnside Park CFA members for giving up their time to come and visit. We’d also like to acknowledge all the wonderful work our emergency service workers to do help keep our community safe, happy and healthy.
Next week will be the final week of Term 1. The Prep team will begin preparations for a whole new Investigations space. It is always an exciting time coming into the school holiday period. We will be sharing some Easter activities as well as reflecting on how far the children have progressed with their learning. We also look forward to having a picnic lunch with our buddies on the last day of term.
The Prep Team
Allie Harrison, Kayla Hartrick, Elyce Munnecke and Laina Brebner
Grade 1 & 2
Wow! It is almost the end of a really busy
term! The Level 1/2 students have been working hard and are ready for a well earned rest.
In Reading, we have focused on retelling and summarising stories. We have been thinking carefully about the characters, setting and the beginning, middle and end of narratives. We have been identifying the problem and resolution in stories to help us to understand texts on a deeper level.
In Writing, the students have loved creating a variety of letters to send to family and friends. Last week we walked to the local post box to post our special letters. The students have been super excited to share that their letters have been arriving!
In Maths, students have been learning about length and how to measure objects using formal and informal units. They have enjoyed using a range of materials to investigate length and learnt that informal measurements must be uniform.
The students have enjoyed using their creative skills in investigations to make buildings and communities, kites, minibeasts and their habitats. It is wonderful to see them using their creativity to demonstrate their learning.
Please enjoy the gallery of photos, showing the Level 1/2 students at work. We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday!
The Level 1/2 Team
Llinos Poole, Sally Newton, Tim Huntington, Emma Wright and Veronica Paps
Grade 3 & 4
Hi Level 3&4 families,
Wow, what a busy time we have had in Grade 3/4. The Grade 3 students completed the NAPLAN assessments for the first time and were fantastic at giving each test their best effort and demonstrating a growth mindset. During this time the Grade 4 students used the Writing Process to plan, research, draft, revise, edit and publish a persuasive writing piece. They all did an amazing job and should be very proud of their finished pieces.
In Reading, we learned to make connections, with a focus on making text-to-world connections. We read some wonderful texts, including “Uno’s Garden” and the students were encouraged to make connections between the topics, characters, ideas, or settings and how they relate to the real world.
In Writing, the students revised and edited their persuasive writing drafts, and began publishing them using Microsoft Word. They enjoyed learning how to be creative by choosing different fonts and colours for their headings, while also developing their typing skills and improving their word processing knowledge.
In Maths, we investigated the relationship between addition and subtraction. The students used a variety of problem-solving strategies to solve mathematical problems, including guess and check, making a table, making an organised list, solving a simpler problem, visualising, and working backwards.
In our Inquiry unit, the students began a mini project on the journey of the first fleet. They researched about what life was like onboard the ships and the harsh living conditions experienced, which they were quite surprised by. Next, they will use this information to plan, draft and publish a letter, diary entry or poster from the perspective of either a convict or crew member onboard one of the ships.
Next week is the final week of Term 1. Some important dates to remember for next week are:
- Monday 25th March - Curriculum Day (Student Free Day)
- Thursday 28th March – Last day of Term 1, 1:30pm dismissal
- Friday 29th March – Good Friday Public Holiday
The Level 3/4 Team
Hayley Peirce, Damien Smith, Sarah Jones, Renée Barnden & Brent Smith
Grade 5 & 6
What a wonderful first term our Level 5/6 students have had. We can't believe that we are approaching our last week of Term 1 already!
Over the past two weeks we have been very busy within and external to our classrooms. We would like to congratulate all of our Grade 5 students on the completion of their NAPLAN assessments.
In Reading, we have been completing Book Studies on texts of student choice. Students have been exploring aspects of the texts they read including:
- The title of the text
- The author of the text
- Summarising what they have read
- Reviewing what they have read
- Re-designing a creative front cover
- Making connections: text-to-self, text-to-world and text-to-text
- Collaborating with a partner and their text to consider similarities and differences
- Listing strategies the author uses to influence the reader
- Developing five questions that support solidification of reader understanding
- Predicting what might happen next
- Listing five words from the text and their definitions
The Level 5/6 students have also been engaging in Book Clubs - reading a selected text in collaboration with their peers and working on their individual Reading goals.
In Writing, we have been revising the process of writing a persuasive writing piece. The Level 5/6 students have been considering the requirement of a strong opening paragraph using a sizzling start which outlines their main point of view. They have been working on developing strong arguments which form the basis for justifying opinions and providing evidence and explanation and leaving their audience with something to think about to conclude their persuasive writing. Level 5/6 students have been following the PEEL structure when forming their body paragraphs for their persuasive writing pieces:
P - Point
E - Evidence
E - Explanation
L - Link
In Maths, we have been working on three-dimensional shapes and developing fluency with three-dimensional representations. To add some fun to our Maths lessons we have been exploring three-dimensional concepts through the use of Minecraft education. Students have been working independently and in small groups to create three-dimensional objects and follow steps to complete set challenges. The Level 5/6 students have been thoroughly enjoying this concept and we look forward to seeing what they can continue to create together!
In our Inquiry unit, Level 5/6 students have been revising all that they have learned about Democracy and the Australian Government. They have been working together with a partner to complete an overview poster on Canva to share their learning. They have been enjoying navigating this online publishing tool to finalise their Inquiry learning.
Next week is the final week of Term 1. Some important dates to remember for next week are:
- Monday 25th March - Curriculum Day (Student Free Day - Staff professional development)
- Thursday 28th March – Last day of Term 1, 1:30pm dismissal (due to staff completing their First Aid renewal training in time for upcoming school camps)
- Friday 29th March – Good Friday (School Closed - Public Holiday)
The Level 5/6 Team
Sam Younes, Mykaela Oakley, Megan Pepprell, Brendan Van Haaster, Alarna Creed and Ashleigh Wilson.