Year 4/5
Important Information for Year 6 2026
The link below is now live for the students who will be in Year 6 next year to purchase their Year 6 shirts and jumpers.
https://eduthreads.com.au/collections/bittern-primary-school
Queen Victoria Market & State Library
Everyone loved our exciting excursion to the Queen Victoria Market and the State Library of Victoria. Walking through the Queen Victoria Market, we were greeted by the sweet smell of ripe strawberries, the earthy scent of fresh herbs, and the warm aroma of baked delights drifting from the pastry stalls. Bright mountains of red tomatoes, yellow mangoes and deep-green zucchinis filled the aisles with colour, while trays of doughnuts, chocolates and pastries tempted everyone with their sugary scents. The market buzzed with energy, flavour and colour at every turn.
At the market, we explored the vibrant stalls, compared prices, and applied our financial maths skills in real-life situations, making thoughtful purchases and budgeting our spending money. The bustling atmosphere gave them a hands-on opportunity to see how maths is used every day in a busy marketplace.
In the afternoon, we visited the State Library, where we toured the historic building, explored its stunning reading rooms and learned about its importance as a centre for knowledge, research and community learning. We were inspired by the architecture, exhibitions and the vast collection of books and artefacts. We even got to see Ned Kelly’s iconic armour, standing tall and imposing behind the glass. The heavy, rusted metal plates gave a powerful sense of Australia’s bushranger history, sparking curiosity about the daring adventures and turbulent times of the Kelly Gang.
It was a wonderful day of learning, independence and exploration, and everyone represented our school proudly.
Geography
We have been exploring the incredible power of natural disasters through the text Chasing Wild. We learned about the work of a storm chaser who travels the world studying extreme weather, from cyclones, tornadoes and thunderstorms to droughts, heatwaves, blizzards and avalanches. We discovered how these events form, why they can be so dangerous, and the important safety steps communities must follow during emergencies. We also explored disasters that come from beneath the Earth, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis, and how scientists study these events to better understand our planet. Our learning has helped us build a deeper appreciation for both the beauty and the power of nature, and the importance of being prepared and staying safe.
We continued our learning journey by exploring natural disasters through both personal narrative and creative writing. Using the text The Fire That Changed Everything, we examined the real-life impact of bushfires on families, communities, and the environment. We discussed how natural events shape landscapes and lives, and reflected on themes of resilience, recovery, and community support. We also engaged with the text Disaster Mode, Survival Code, a fictional, game-inspired text that highlights the growing connection between human actions and the frequency of natural disasters. Through this lens, we considered how climate choices, land use, and sustainability can influence disaster patterns. This creative perspective allowed us to make links between digital worlds and real-world environmental responsibility.
We took a more indepth look at floods and how they shape people, places and the environment. Floods happen when heavy rain, rising rivers or storm surges bring more water than the land can absorb, and they can occur slowly or as sudden flash floods. We discovered that floods can bring helpful rich soil for farming but can also damage habitats, spread pollution and disrupt communities by cutting roads, homes and essential services. With climate change increasing heavy rainfall and stronger storms, we explored how communities stay safe using levees, flood barriers, drainage systems and emergency alerts. We also learned how good planning, like choosing safe building locations and protecting natural areas such as wetlands, helps create stronger, more resilient towns for the future.
Across this learning, we deepened our understanding of how natural disasters occur, how people respond, and the important role we all play in caring for our planet. The learning has encouraged critical thinking, empathy, and a strong awareness of how communities can work together before, during, and after extreme events.
Maths
We have been learning all about financial maths, including how to calculate total cost, work within a budget, and determine the correct change. To put our skills into action, we created our very own Bittern Mini Mall, complete with a variety of shops, including a pharmacy, Coles, Woolworths, Kmart and BCF.
We took turns being both the shopkeeper and the shopper, using a $200 budget to make purchases, compare prices and practise real-world money skills. This hands-on experience helped us apply their mathematical thinking in a fun, engaging and practical way.
The activity also prepared us for our excursion to the Queen Victoria Market, where we used these skills in an authentic shopping experience. It has been wonderful to see confidence grow as we learn to navigate real-life financial decisions.
We took on a exciting subtraction problem-solving task with a twist, we had to solve a multi-step problem using only ten digits from 0–9, and each digit could be used once only. This challenge required careful thinking, strategic planning and lots of trial and error as we tested different combinations to find a solution that worked.
The activity encouraged perseverance, collaboration and deep mathematical reasoning, helping us recognise that problem solving is not just about getting the answer, but about exploring possibilities and choosing the most efficient strategy. It was fantastic to see everyone engaged and persistent as we worked through this hands-on maths challenge.
Business and Economics
We have been learning about finite resources and how communities make decisions when there isn’t enough money, time or space to fix everything at once. To explore this concept, we examined two real community needs: ensuring equal access to change rooms and creating a level playing field for sports. We discussed the importance of each issue, considered who would benefit, and evaluated what impact each improvement could have. With only limited resources available, we had to think critically, debate respectfully and ultimately decide which issue should be addressed first. This learning experience helped us understand that communities must prioritise, plan and make thoughtful choices, and that these decisions are often complex but necessary for fairness and progress.
We have also been learning about the many influences on consumer choices and how to make thoughtful, informed decisions when buying everyday items. We worked through a Consumer Decision-Making Process to choose a suitable pair of shoes, considering factors such as quality, price, purpose and value for money. We also explored the power of emotional branding in advertising and discovered how colours, slogans, characters and music are used to shape our feelings and persuade us to buy certain products. Through this learning, we are developing the skills to think critically, recognise persuasive techniques and make confident, informed choices as consumers in the real world.
As part of learning in Business and Economics we have been using the Money Time app to build our understanding of personal finance. In our first module, Earning, we learned how earning money can create opportunities and give people more choices in life. The module introduced different ways young people can earn money, from simple jobs at home to roles they may take on as they grow older. We also explored what it means to be paid an hourly rate and how time and effort connect to income. Through interactive activities and real-world examples, we are developing important financial literacy skills that will help us make confident and responsible money decisions in the future.
Summer Holidays
From Year 4/5 we want to say thank you for an awesome year!!
Have a happy and safe holidays!
Summer drifted in with sunshine so bright,
Our class cheered together, what a beautiful sight!
We grabbed our hats, our smiles, and our holiday cheer,
Ready for the best time of the happiest year…
Mary danced through the sand with twirls full of grace,
Leaving little swirling patterns all over the place.
Melissa made everyone laugh with her cheerful glow,
She shared her sunscreen freely, “No burns on my watch, you know!”
Brody brought snacks for everyone to share,
He spread kindness and chips with equal care.
Isla built sandcastles with windows and doors,
Inviting her friends to play and explore.
Ruby splashed in the waves with a bright, joyful shout,
Her giggles were so catchy they echoed all about.
Max cannonballed into the water with a gigantic grin,
And somehow made everyone want to jump right in.
Charlotte told stories under the shady gum tree,
Her imagination soared as high as could be.
Casey collected sunbeams like treasures of gold,
He shared them out saying, “Here, this one’s warm to hold!”
Spencer made everyone smile with his summertime jokes,
He kept spirits sunny for all the beach-going folks.
Rose picked pretty shells and handed them ‘round,
Every friend got one from the treasures she found.
Cienna explored every corner with curious delight,
Finding tiny beach wonders from morning to night.
Kaden raced through the sand with feet quick and light,
Always encouraging others: “C’mon! You’ve got this... alright!”
Latisha brought sunshine with her everywhere she went,
Her cheerful glow made every summer moment feel heaven-sent.
Milla chased butterflies drifting near the sea,
Her gentle laugh floating as soft as the breeze.
Mabelle made a sand garden sprinkled with flowers,
She tended it carefully for hours and hours.
Amity sung her favourite tune while walking by the bay,
The notes went wild and loud, and brightened everyone's day.
Maddison glided down the slip-and-slide like a beam of sun,
Her smile so bright it lit up everyone.
So here’s to our class, kind, joyful, and sweet,
A group that makes every summer moment complete.
May our days be sunny, our memories stay bright,
And may friendship guide us like warm summer light.