Year 6 News

From Ben F, Year 6 teacher

Year 6 Rock revival

It has been busy up in year 6 this last fortnight as we now really start counting down the days before High School Practice and begin thinking about graduation dance. 

Last Monday Errol Street had a special guest speaker Abdi Aden, to share his amazing journey from child refugee in war torn Somalia to author, social worker and Australian citizen. 

Here is a reflection.....

Abdi talked about a lot of things connected to racism and discrimination. He talked about how horrible being racist it is and how some people will not respect racist people.

He told us about how many events he had been through, even going as far as being shot. But he still didn't give up, he also finished school and university whilst receiving racist comments from others. When he said Australia gives you a ladder to climb, don't wait for the elevator. I think that it meant to try your best no matter what happens and not to wait for an easy way. He then taught us how to handle racism in many ways such as ignoring them and to say you're better than that. 

I think that his main message was to tell how bad it is to be racist and to never give up no matter the situation. He also taught us to respond respect respectfully no matter what others say. From the talk, I learned more ways to deal with racism to always care for others and to try my best at things. I also learnt to respond sensibly and respectfully no matter what other people say to me.

At assembly last Friday the NMPS Rockband played their first gig of the year as they belted out Creedence Clear Water Revival’s classic hit Down on the Corner. The fantastic trio of singers Audrey, Eloise and Elizabeth brought the house down with their melodic singing. Ably supported by Louis N, Melanie, Declan & Sally on the keyboards, Grae, Andrej on the guitars, Javier and Brooklyn on drums and Chloe K, Iris, Amy T, Daniel L in the string session. A shout out to Wren Mangan who sated the audience’s fever for cowbell by bringing more cowbell! The year sixes also got a sneak peak of some of the upcoming acts that will be gracing the NMPS stage at the Arts Festival on Tuesday the 28th. 6d showcased their portion of the year 5-6 musical. We are all very much looking forward to the Arts Festival and there will be an in-depth recap in next fortnight's newsletter. 

In the classroom this last fortnight in writing we have been exploring points of view and epistolary texts (Logs, diary entries, newspaper articles) linked to the famous disappearance of the entire crew of ship the Mary Celeste in 1872 in the Atlantic Ocean. Here are some examples from the students from 6F.

By Teddy

November 26th 1872 - Captains journal 

We are now all aboard the lifeboat and beginning to starve, the rope connecting us may not be strong enough and the weather is terrible.  My wife and daughter persuaded me to come down here, I am a family man. Despite our constant positivity, I am worried we won’t all make it through this alive. There are rumours that one is plotting to kill someone, just so the remaining can survive, possibly a noble sacrifice. I hope these aren’t going down in history as my last words. Let us reach Italy alive and well.

By Elijah N

Diary entry from Arthur Briggs.

Years have passed since the disappearance of my family. My grandma passed earlier this year. I cannot bear the pain, it’s so much to handle at my age. Sometimes I try to make myself believe that they are alive, searching for me everywhere. But I truly know that-, they aren’t here anymore. I live with a family that tries to comfort me, but the thought of being the only one left in my family is purely dreadful. My life has no purpose.

I was told by my friend that a ship known as the “Mary Celeste” has been found. I haven’t told anyone about the story, but in that moment, a rush of hope filled my heart. My life’s purpose has been now set to finding my family, I’ll do whatever it takes. I can’t live like this anymore. Nobody can. With all going to plan, I’ll soon write about me and my family being happy and safe in our home. And if I never write again. My life is either hanging on a thread, or long gone.