Year 5 News
Reading
In Reading, Year 5 students have been exploring the different story themes in texts. They have looked closely at common story themes we see in stories, such as, acceptance, courage, compassion, honesty, kindness and loyalty. Students have learnt all about how the theme in a text is what the story is really about deep down. It is the big idea or message that the author wants us to think about or learn from the story.
To celebrate Book Week 2025, Year 5 students have enjoyed working collaboratively to create their very own class Book Week Poster to be displayed in the school’s foyer. They have also looked at and crafted their own book reviews on their favourite picture story books. In their book reviews, students have included a synopsis, their favourite part, the genre of the text, a recommendation and also a rating. Take a look at some of the class poster displays and book reviews below!
“I enjoyed reading the Pug the Pig books to find the story theme.” - Naya 5D
“I enjoyed getting to colour.” - Ivan 5D
“I enjoyed using my imagination.” - Jethro 5D
Writing
This fortnight in Writing, Year 5 students have been working hard to develop their narratives. They began by using their Writer’s Notebooks to brainstorm ideas for their characters, setting, problem and solution.
Students then used a plot mountain to map out the important stages in their story, the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.
This was great for students to visually see whether their narratives had a clear structure.
Year 5 students then began drafting each stage of their plot mountains, carefully including the writing techniques that we have learnt about this term.
Students are excited to use their creativity to draft, publish and bring their ideas to life.
“I enjoyed coming up with my settings.” - Haider 5D
“I liked drawing my characters for my narrative.” - Christine 5D
“The main problem in my story is that my characters’ dad is sick but they don’t have enough money to take him to the hospital.” - Aleisha 5C
“The solution in my narrative is that my characters escape from prison and get back home in time.” - Brodie 5C
Maths
In Maths, Year 5 students have continued their unit on Decimals by learning how to place decimals, tenths and hundredths, on a number line. Students practised setting up number lines, first with tenths, then zooming in to hundredths and even thousandths if they were up for a challenge. They have also learnt about how adding decimals is the same as adding whole numbers, but with the extra step of lining up decimal points correctly.
Year 5 students have also begun their new unit on Angles. They began by identifying acute angles, right angles, obtuse angles and straight angles. Students made real world connections and discussed where they see these angles in everyday life. They have also learnt how to use a protractor to measure different types of angles.
Inquiry
Over the past two weeks in Inquiry, Year 5 students have worked collaboratively to research what Earth might look like in the future if we continue with the same habits that cause global warming and pollution.
They have investigated possible changes to our planet, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and damage to natural habitats. Students have explored the effects these changes might have on the environment, animals, people and how communities may need to adapt to these changes to survive.
Auslan
In Auslan, Year 5 students have learnt how to sign different emotions to express how they are feeling and also how to greet others. They practiced signs for the emotions of proud, excited, happy, sad, tired, and brave, while using facial expressions to convey these emotions. Students have also looked at how to sign common greetings and questions, including hello, goodbye, good morning, good night, my name is... and how are you. Students worked in pairs to practise having conversations using Auslan.
“I enjoyed learning more words. I can now sign more words.” - Rylie 5D
“I really like learning about feelings.” - Holly D 5D
“I enjoyed today's lesson on feelings.” - Santa 5D
Social and Emotional Learning
This fortnight in SEL, Year 5 students have continued their topic on Positive Coping by learning about positive and negative coping strategies.
Students have identified helpful strategies such as exercise, talking to friends and planning ahead, and discussed why some strategies, like aggression or self blame, can make things worse. They have created their own personal coping profiles and practiced sharing them with their peers. Year 5 students have learnt the importance of developing these skills to help them through both good times and bad.
Special Events
Bullying No Way Week:
In week 4, Year 5 students participated in Bullying No Way Week by exploring what bullying is, its impacts and why it’s important to stand up for others. Students discussed the importance of being an upstander, someone who speaks up or takes action when they see bullying. In groups, students worked together to design anti-bullying posters. Each poster included a clear anti-bullying message, a picture showing what being an upstander looks like and a strategy someone can use when they see bullying happening. Check out some of the posters below!
“The slogan for our Bullying No Way Week poster was: It starts with me being bold and you being brave…together we say no to bullying to make the world a better place.” - Holly 5C
“It was fun making the poster for Bullying No Way Week.” - Mohamed 5C
Royal Botanical Gardens Excursion - Connecting to Country:
On Thursday, August 15th, Year 5 students visited the Royal Botanical Gardens and had a fun filled day of exploration and learning. Students discovered indigenous plants and their uses and importance to First Peoples, learnt how First Peoples care for the plants and country and explored tools and technologies designed and made by First Peoples.
They also went on a discovery walk, exploring connections to the land and the use of food, tools, shelter and medicine. Year 5 students had an awesome day learning about and exploring our shared sense of belonging.
“I liked finding out about the plants and smelling the leaves. ” - Haider 5D
“I really liked finding out about the plants at the Botanical Gardens.” - Zach 5D
“I found it interesting that possum fur was used as clothing.” - Emmerson 5C
Book Week Parade:
Last Friday, we celebrated Book Week as a school by coming together for our annual parade. With this year’s theme, Book an Adventure, Year 5 students had so much fun dressing up as different characters from different books and loved seeing everyone’s amazing costumes around the school. Take a look at some of our incredible costumes below!
