Middle School News

It's hard to believe, but we're almost half way through the year! It's amazing how time flies when you are working with such a beautiful bunch of children. We could not be more proud of the achievements of the Middle School children over the last few weeks!

YEAR THREE
ENGLISH
The Year 3 students successfully finished their novel study based on the book, ‘Yirra and Her Deadly Dog Demon’. They have composed factual recounts based on the History of the Australian Aboriginal flag. As a result of finishing, they have now moved to a Knowledge Rich Curriculum model. Within this, they explore a range of text types linked to our Topic Unit of Civics and Citizenship, learning about the levels of government in Australia. This week, we have been specifically focusing on The Senate and its role in passing laws within Australia.
They have been introduced to the acronym ‘FANBOYS’ (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) which are all coordinating conjunctions. These help the students connect 2 independent clauses together.

MATHS
Since the previous Newsletter, the Year 3 students have done a couple of shorter Math's units. They explored one unit around how to identiy and create algorithms using calculators.
They then looked at Data and Statistics. They learned basic skills on Excel Spreadsheets to input collected data. Within this, they looked at the Worldometer website which posts live updates about global popluation stats. The students showed such great enthusiasm with this, and they explored data tables and used interpreting skills to understand the data.
They are now on their second unit for Addition and Subtraction, where they are adding and subtracting 3-digit numbers with regrouping (previously known as carrying).

YEAR FOUR

ENGLISH

In English, the Year 4 students have also completed their Novel Study 'Uncle X-Box'. In this, they completed factual reocunts on the British Colonisation of Australia. They typed up their final pieces to publish their fantastic work. They have also shifted to the Knowledge Rich Curriculum, exploring concepts through a variety of text around their Civics and Citizenship unit. Like the Year 3s, they have also been exploring the Senate through information text and videos. It has been so wonderful to hear all the insightful questions the students have had on this topic.

They continue to diligently work on their handwriting and typing skills in their English block, which they are responding to fantastically.

MATHS

The Year 4 students have been working incredibly well in Maths. The students completed a unit on Data, where they were required to analyse data from a range of graphs, as well as compose graphs from given data collection. They then had to look into the distribution of data and identifying whether or not the data is skewed.

They have just started their Addition and Subtraction unit, where they are using their knoewledge of Fact Families to revise answers to equations. Additionally, they are exploring equivalent equations in both addition and subtraction.

SEX ED

The Year 4 students have responded to the Sex Ed program in a very mature manner. They deserve commending for the way in which they have conducted themselves. Below they can be seen drawing pictures of their families and interviewing each other.

TOPIC

Linked with English, the Year 3 and 4 students have been learning about the roles and responsibilities of our local government. They have also been looking at the members of parliament at each level that represent us. This linked beautifully to National Sorry Day earlier this term, where the students watched a segment of the 2010 National Apology on behalf of Kevin Rudd.

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS

The Year 3 and 4 students have been participating in a 'Help Seeking' unit in Respectful Relationships. This unit supports the children's growing understanding of appropriate people to seek help from in different situations and when to seek help.

KINDER VISITS

The Year 4 students have continued their rotations for Kinder visits. They continue to blow us away with their gentle approach to the program and are such wonderful role models for the younger children. As a Sacred Heart community, we feel so proud at how beautifully they are representing our school. Well done, Year 4s!

GRANDPARENTS AND SPECIAL PERSONS DAY

Last Friday was such a wonderful opportunity to invite the people who are closest to us. It was a wonderful opportunity to not only show off our new learning spaces, but to share our learning. A heartfelt thank you to all of those who joined us.

A shoutout to Lucy who represented the students with reading a prayer at the school assembly. You did a wonderful job!