Term 1 Learning Summary

English

Throughout the term, students will explore persuasive texts through Ochre Education’s English resources, aligned to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 at Level 6. Lessons are underpinned by evidence-based practices from the Science of Learning, including explicit instruction, checking for understanding, and spaced practise, to support all students in building confidence and success in English.

In Reading, learners will engage in a rich novel study of The Ghost in My Suitcase. Through guided reading and discussion, they will further develop their ability to comprehend increasingly complex texts, identify key themes, and analyse character development. Learners will practise making predictions, inferring, and responding thoughtfully to the text, developing deeper understanding, critical thinking, and enjoyment of rich reading experiences.

In Writing and Spelling, they will consolidate and extend their skills across grammar, literature, and literacy, while continuing to develop fluent handwriting and efficient typing skills. Lessons will focus on sentence structure, punctuation and precise vocabulary choices; as well as how authors deliberately use language techniques to engage and influence readers. Learners will practise fluent Victorian Cursive handwriting and build confidence in typing accurately and efficiently, applying these skills across a range of writing tasks.

In Speaking and Listening, they will participate in reading aloud, collaborative discussions, and structured oral presentations to build confidence, clarity, and fluency. Learners will be encouraged to explain their thinking in detail, respond thoughtfully to others’ ideas, and articulate their opinions clearly in a range of learning contexts.

Key Vocabulary:

Literature, literacy, theme, character development, inference, text evidence, language techniques, persuasion

How can you support your child’s English learning at home?

Encourage regular reading and talk about the book, characters, and key events.
Support writing development by encouraging your child to keep a journal, write short stories, or respond to books they are reading, with a focus on clear sentences, correct punctuation, and neat handwriting.
Practise typing by letting your child type up texts on a computer.
Encourage your child to read each night, both aloud and to themselves.
Ask your child what they have learnt about their spelling words from during the week.

Mathematics

During Term One in Mathematics, students will be undertaking learning sequences developed through the use of Ochre Education’s high-quality curriculum resources covering the topics of Integers, Square and Cube Numbers, Fractions, Decimals and Percentages. Ochre provides a range of resources connected to the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 which enacts effective teaching practices such as explicit instruction, check for understanding, retrieval and spaced practice. We are excited to continue these lessons in our classrooms.

As part of this approach, students will represent integers on number lines and begin to explore the Cartesian plane. They will compare the magnitude of integers and solve problems involving addition and subtraction of integers. They will deepen their understanding of part numbers and then use that knowledge to investigate Money and Financial Mathematics. Students will build on their knowledge of fractions and decimals to include negative fractions and decimals. In addition to this, students will learn to multiply, divide, square, cube, square and cube root fractions as well as perform combinations of operations to fractions and decimals. They will continue to develop their understanding of percentages and the relationship between all three. Students will determine the percentage of an amount and write one amount as a percentage of another, using the context of money. They will explore concepts such as unit price, ‘best buys’, and budgets, while developing real-life skills that will set them up for the future.

Key Vocabulary:

Integer, magnitude, equivalent fraction, mixed numeral, proper fraction, improper fraction, numerator, denominator, decimal, percentage, profit, and loss.

How can you support your child’s Mathematics learning at home?

Notice examples of positive and negative numbers.
Let your child/ren use physical money to pay for goods and services. Calculate the expected change and check what is received.
Notice ‘sale’ and ‘percentage off’ signs at shops and calculate what the price charged will be.
Talk with your child about the products you buy at the supermarket – do you look for the best value or do you have preferred products that might cost more?
Encourage your child to create a budget with any pocket money or money from celebrations.

Inquiry

Question: How are our choices influenced by digital technologies?

Global Goal: Global Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions.

During Term One, students will explore the Inquiry question, ‘How are our choices influenced by digital technologies?’ with connections to the curriculum areas of digital technologies, media arts, and ethical capability. They will begin with some pre-learning about ethics, morals, and how they influence our choices, before exploring the evolution of communication. Students will investigate how communication and social boundaries have changed over time, particularly with the introduction of social media and artificial intelligence. They will examine the significance of ethical decision making, both for themselves and others, and the impact of these decisions. Towards the end of the term, learners will craft constructive messages around the mindful use of digital technology using a variety of digital/media arts platforms.

Key Vocabulary:

Digital technology, ethics, morals, justice, institution, communication, social boundaries, social media

How can you support your child’s Inquiry learning at home?

Talk about the choices you make daily and what influences those choices.
Discuss the importance of mindful use of digital technology at home.
Encourage your child to create personal boundaries for using digital technology at home.

Wellbeing

The Resilience Project

As we move into our third year of implementing The Resilience Project (TRP), we continue to build on the success of this whole-school approach to social and emotional wellbeing. This year, Level Six students will deepen their understanding of research-informed habits designed to strengthen their capacity to manage the challenges and changes that come with wellbeing and their transition to high school.

The Resilience Project focuses on four key pillars of wellbeing and positive mental health: Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness (GEM), and Emotional Literacy. Building on these pillars, students will engage in a variety of thoughtfully designed learning experiences that focus on topics such as character strengths, positive self-talk, and managing social changes. These experiences will integrate meaningfully into our Inquiry unit, which explores a sense of belonging and navigating challenging situations.

A standout feature of TRP is its focus on consistent, positive mental health habits. Across Level Six and other year levels, daily wellbeing check-ins, known as ‘GEM chats’, are an essential part of the program. These check-ins encourage students to reflect on prompts such as, “What is something you are looking forward to tomorrow?” or “How are you feeling right now in this moment? Why?”

Looking ahead, we are excited to further develop Student Voice and Agency by empowering Level Six students to design and facilitate their own GEM chats and wellbeing practices. Through TRP, we are equipping our students with lifelong tools to navigate challenges and embrace positive mental health habits.

You can explore The Resilience Project at Home Hub here.

Cyber Safety Project

In Term One, our Level 6 students will continue their learning about digital wellbeing through The Cyber Safety Project. This program will help our students develop essential digital literacy skills, while also encouraging them to think critically about their actions and well-being in the online world. The lessons will cover a wide range of content under the overarching themes of Responsibility, Integrity, Strength and Empathy. This term, we will be covering topics such as our online presence (digital footprint), laws and regulations about content use, and how to communicate in an empathetic and inclusive manner online. In a world where the internet is becoming part of children’s daily lives, the Cyber Safety Project provides essential information in a fun and interactive way.

If you wish to support your child’s learning in Wellbeing this term, you can:

Ensure that your child’s schedule outside of school has a healthy balance of academics, exercise and leisure.
Conduct daily wellbeing check-ins with your child. Ask them what GEM chat prompts they used at school and see how your family would respond.
As a family, practice some of the brain break and mindfulness activities that your child has learned at school, such as, guided meditation, human knot game and so forth.