Year 5 News
Reading
This fortnight in Reading, Year 5 students have continued their novel study on Beowulf. In chapters 5-9, students worked on making deeper connections by linking parts of the story to their own experiences (text to self), to other texts they’ve read (text to text) and to real world ideas and events (text to world). Students practised visualising scenes from the text by illustrating what they imagined, worked in small groups to discuss key events and details and used evidence from the text to make predictions on what might happen next.
“It is fantasy. The author makes it very engaging when telling the story” - Jax 5A
“The more we read, the more interesting it gets!” - Artaaz 5C
“After chapter 7, the writer left us with a cliff hanger.” - Hussain 5C
“I have enjoyed reading Beowulf this week.” - Aarambha 5D
“I have enjoyed reading Beowulf. There was a lot of engaging characters and I love it!” Mahrosh 5B
Writing
In Writing, Year 5 students have been learning about how to write detailed recounts. They explored the purpose and structure of a recount by reviewing key features such as the orientation, events in order, time connectives and concluding statements. Students planned, drafted, revised and edited, published and shared their recounts about their time at our Day Camp or what they got up to on the weekend!
They have also looked at the structure of a personal letter, identifying the key features such as the date, greeting, body and closing. Students planned and drafted letters to their future teachers, sharing their hobbies, reflections from Year 5 and goals for Year 6. They also had the opportunity to write reflective letters to their ‘start of Year 5’ selves, offering advice based on their growth this year.
“I like writing about the activities we did at day camp” - Marcus 5A
“It was exciting to write a letter to my future Grade 6 teacher. I can’t wait to make the transition into Grade 6 and meet my teacher!” - Oscar 5B
“In Writing, I liked writing about our day camp.” - Mohamed 5C
“I liked writing about the day camp and the giant swing was my favourite activity.” - Aishani 5C
“I have enjoyed telling people about day camp.” - Naya 5D
“I liked talking about the Giant Swing. It was my favourite part.” - Santa 5D
Maths
Over the past two weeks in Maths, Year 5 students have been exploring Volume as the amount of 3 dimensional space an object takes up. They have learnt to calculate volume using the formula length x width x height (cm³). Students have created their own mini volume cities, designing buildings, constructing nets from grid paper and recording the volumes of each structure.
Students have also been learning about Mass as the amount of matter in an object. They have learnt that Mass measures how heavy or light an object is and how to convert between grams and kilograms.
“The volume cities were fun because we had a team and had fun building. It helped us work together and work out the volume of the buildings” - Ellie 5A
“I enjoyed Maths this week because it was fun and engaging at the same time. I liked making my volume city with my best friend, Paige.” - Holly 5C
“I liked working with my group in Maths to make our volume city.” - Maddy 5C
“I like making and drawing the buildings.” - Christine 5D
“The cities were very interesting to make, as we had to measure and record the length, width and height of our buildings” - Brody 5B
“I enjoyed building our city.” - Zach 5D
Inquiry
In Inquiry, Year 5 students have been learning about how different countries are run by exploring a range of government systems. They began by discussing why governments are important and looked closely at Democracy, Monarchy, Dictatorship and Federation. Students learnt about how decisions are made, who holds power and which countries use each system. They compared each government system using Venn diagrams to show similarities and differences.
Students have also begun their exciting new government project, working collaboratively in groups to create their own country. They have started planning their country's name, flag and map, selected a government system and chosen leaders such as a monarch or prime minister. Year 5 students have also brainstormed potential laws, rights and responsibilities, rules, consequences, values, a capital city and the continent on which their country is located. It will be exciting to see their creativity and projects come to life over the coming weeks!
“It was fun to research about different countries. It was interesting finding information and creating our own” - Mara 5A
“I never knew what a Monarchy means. Now I know that leaders are passed down from family bloodline.” - Prish 5C
“I like creating our country.” - Christine 5D
“I liked my Flag.” - Aarambha 5D
“We made our own countries with a government, rules, laws and values. My country has the government system of theocracy” - Losipeli 5B
“I have enjoyed learning about government systems and applying them in our very own made up countries. We have made flags, what continent it is located in and make our capital cities” - Yousif 5B
Auslan
This fortnight in Auslan, Year 5 students have been learning about how signs are formed through exploring handshapes. Students viewed examples of common handshapes, including flat, good, spread, point, hook and ball. They also discovered how signs can use one or two handshapes, changing the shape or movement to represent meaning.
Building on this knowledge, Year 5 students were introduced to HOLM + NMF, which outlines the features that make up a sign: handshape, orientation, location, movement and non manual features,such as facial expressions and body language.
“It was fun going down memory trying to find out which signs had different hand shapes” - Suhavi 5A
“I enjoy AUSLAN. It is so fun because I test myself on whether or not I remember and understand what all the different gestures mean!’’ - Riyansh 5B
“H is hand shape. O is orientation. L is location. M is movement. - Paige 5C
“I like learning new things. This sign means dinner.” - Jhavier 5D
Social and Emotional Learning
In SEL, Year 5 students have engaged in a range of important learning experiences. They have explored what it means to treat others with respect, discussing how to behave in shared spaces. Students have also revisited the importance of being responsible by looking after and taking care of our resources and belongings.
Year 5 students have also attended a student leadership session, where current school leaders and members of the school leadership team shared insights into their roles and responsibilities. As the process of applying for the 2026 school leaders has begun, students have had the opportunity to ask any questions that they may have. In addition, students have been rehearsing for the Christmas Concert, practising their songs and dances with their buddy classes, building their confidence and performance skills.
“It was good when they gave us tips on how to calm down if we were nervous about the interview and talking at assembly” - Manvitha 5A
“I like how they came and gave us advice. The Grade 6 leaders were very respectful and explained our interview process. I also liked how they weren't afraid to speak in front of all the Grade 5’s.” - Andre 5B
“I like how the leaders came and spoke to us because it was getting us ready for grade 6.” - Maddy 5C
“I got to know what to do as a leader.” - Christine 5D
Special Event
Remembrance Day - On Tuesday, the 11th of November, staff and students at CPS gathered for a minute of silence to commemorate the soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives in war, particularly those who lost their lives during World War I.
In class, Year 5 students explored the significance of Remembrance Day through a presentation, a short video and the poem ‘In Flanders Field’. Students reflected on the meaning of the poppy and created artwork inspired by the poem, deepening their understanding of why Australians pause to remember those who served.
“It was good to remember to people in the army by drawing a picture of them” - Zander 5A
“It was fun to draw a poster and remember all the people that fought in the war” - Mara 5A
“It was fascinating learning about Remembrance Day. I even found out that a classmate had a relative that was a soldier” - Noah 5B
“Remembrance Day is the day that we remember the veterans in World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we are silent for 1 minute.” - Holly 5C
‘I enjoyed learning about the reason for Remembrance Day.” - Lianora 5D