Year 5/6 News

Fractions, Percentages & “Aha!” Moments 

Our Year 5/6 students have been diving into the world of fractions and percentages, developing a strong and connected understanding of these concepts. They have explored how to benchmark fractions, convert improper fractions into mixed numbers, and recognise how proper fractions represent parts of a whole.  A key highlight has been their ability to use their understanding of “the whole” to make sense of more complex fraction concepts. 

What has been especially impressive is how students have begun making connections between fractions, percentages, and even decimals, despite decimals not yet being formally introduced. This shows a deep and flexible understanding of number relationships. Many students who initially found fractions challenging have grown in confidence and are now approaching problems with a more positive mindset. 

It has been wonderful to see students working collaboratively, explaining their thinking, and even discovering strategies on their own. Their enthusiasm and progress have made this a particularly rewarding unit of learning. 

Questioning Our Way Through Skellig 

In Reading, students are currently exploring the novel Skellig by David Almond, with a focus on strengthening their comprehension skills. Through discussions and reflections, students are developing their ability to analyse characters, events, and themes. Asking questions has encouraged them to clarify their understanding, make predictions, and consider different perspectives within the text. 

It has been fantastic to see students actively participating in conversations, sharing their ideas, and building on each other’s thinking. This collaborative approach is helping them become more thoughtful and confident readers. 

 From Facts to Fantastic Writing 

In Writing, our focus has been on understanding and creating information texts. Students are learning about the structure and key features of this text type, including how to organise ideas clearly and present factual information effectively. This learning is closely linked with our science topics, allowing students to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. 

Over the coming days, students will be working on writing their own information pieces about humpback whales, as well as topics related to habitats, living things, and climate zones. They are learning how to research, take notes, and transform information into well-structured writing. 

It has been great to see students becoming more confident in presenting factual information and making connections between different areas of learning. Their curiosity and engagement are shining through in their writing. 

Exploring Life Across Our Planet 

This term in Inquiry, students are focusing on Biology, with an emphasis on habitats, climate zones, and living and non-living things. They have been building their understanding of how living things are classified and how different environments support different forms of life. 

Currently, students are exploring climate zones in more depth, investigating how environmental conditions affect which animals can survive in particular areas. They are learning to think critically about adaptation and the relationship between living things and their surroundings. 

This unit has sparked a lot of curiosity, with students asking thoughtful questions and making real-world connections. It has been exciting to see them develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world. 

Stories, Authors & Inspiration at the Library 

On May 5th, 5/6 students had an opportunity to go on an excursion to the State Library of Victoria. The Melbourne Writers Festival was an excellent way for students to hear from and have the opportunity to question current and upcoming authors and illustrators. Everyone had a wonderful time hearing from Olivia Muscat, Dr. Niraj Lal, James Foley and Penny Tangey and hopefully everybody was able to take away something or have a moment of inspiration for their own appreciation of reading, writing or drawing moving forward. 

The excursion was filled with laughter, curiosity, and meaningful learning moments. It was wonderful to see students so engaged, and we look forward to seeing how this experience continues to influence their own creative work. 

Term 1 Go Public Success! 

Last term, our Year 5/6 students proudly participated in their “Go Public” event, and it was a huge success! This special showcase gave students the opportunity to present their learning from across different subject areas, highlighting the knowledge and skills they had developed throughout the term. From Maths and Reading to Writing and Inquiry, students confidently shared their work and explained their thinking. 

The event was well attended by parents, staff, and students from other year levels, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. Our students did an incredible job speaking clearly, answering questions, and engaging their audience. It was wonderful to see their confidence shine as they took ownership of their learning and celebrated their achievements. 

We are so proud of the effort, preparation, and enthusiasm that went into making this event such a memorable experience. It was a fantastic way to strengthen connections between school and home while recognising the hard work of our Year 5/6 learners.