Year 6 News
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Term 1! We have settled in superbly and are getting ready for a busy term ahead.
Please find below information about Victorian Curriculum 2.0 areas that will be covered this term.
Religion
In Religion, this term we will be studying the Life and Mission of Jesus. In this unit, we will learn about the formation of the church through the Apostles, with a focus on Paul. Students will discover how the early Church encouraged Christians to live in response to Christ’s life, death and resurrection and how this continues in the Church today. In Term One, Lent is a central focus as we enter into this season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday. Students will develop an understanding that Lent is a time of preparation to celebrate the Lord's Resurrection at Easter.
English
Reading & Viewing
In Reading, we will be exploring the text “Laughter is the best ending” by Maryam Master. Students will be encouraged to bring existing knowledge to the text and integrate their understanding with text structure, grammatical choices and illustrations to build literal, inferred and evaluative meaning. Students will be participating in small group Guided Reading sessions where they will be targeted at their point of need, focusing on building their reading fluency and comprehension skills.
Writing
In Writing, students will be exploring the structure and features of recounts, persuasive and narrative writing. They will be exploring, evaluating and creating texts using appropriate text structure and language features of the genre. Students will describe and analyse the language choices made by authors and their own texts to ensure grammatical accuracy in context of meaning making for the reader. Students will be explicitly taught to write legibly and fluently for sustained periods.
Mathematics
This term in mathematics, we will focus on representing integers on a number lineand exploring the properties of prime, composite, square, and triangular numbers.Students will practice adding and subtracting decimals, apply rules to generategrowing patterns, and calculate and compare elapsed time. We will also analyzestatistics and probability using number lines, fractions, decimals, and percentages.Engagement will be enhanced through the use of digital technology and handson materials, encouraging students to solve real-life problems.
Capabilities
Personal & Social and Critical & Creative Thinking
Students will explore the personal and social aspect of building meaningful relationships in their lives from the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program. They will engage in discussions and problem solve scenarios of ethical and intercultural situations that they may encounter in their relationships. Students will continue to be encouraged to implement taught coping strategies such as positive self-talk, stress management and resilience in daily encounters with others. They will be encouraged to critically analyse their thinking for evidence of facts that can help resolve social situations. Students will also be encouraged to explore the expression of emotions and how the expression of emotions can impact on relationships with others.
Humanities
History
In Term One Humanities History Unit, students will be learning to explain the causes and consequences of the establishment of British colonies in Australia during the 1800s and the contribution of significant individuals, events and ideas to continuity and change to Australian politics and society, including Federation and migration between 1900 and 2000. They will develop and ask questions to assist their investigation into continuity and change in Australian history between 1800 and 2000. They will organise events, developments and the lives of individuals in chronological order and use that information to create a narrative. Students will identify and compare patterns of continuity and change in the events and the lives of Australians between 1800 and 2000. They will explain the causes and consequences of significant events, individuals and groups during the Australian colonial period and the 20th century.
Science
During this term Students explore how organisms have changed over time by examining fossils, scientific records, and the structural and behavioural adaptations that help living things survive in their environments. They learn to ask investigable questions, plan and conduct fair tests, collect and analyse data, and evaluate their findings using evidence. Throughout the unit, students communicate their scientific ideas and conclusions using appropriate vocabulary, representations, and digital tools
School Wide Expectations
As a Year Six cohort, we meet regularly for prayer, level news and updates. This will continue to support students to articulate issues which they can problem solve as a level. We will continue to develop student leadership skills this term through using their initiative to take on roles and responsibilities in the classroom and the wider school community.
We will continue to be placing a particular emphasis on our school wide expectations: Respect, Responsibility and Safety. We have introduced the Children’s Mental Health Continuum to identify the health of their mental wellbeing. As a cohort, we are identifying strategies to help build a culture of resilience in ourselves and others. We will continue to promote these expectations through explict teaching of Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships resource and class meetings.
Home Learning
Students have been given a diary to help them organise themselves and are expected to log their reading in it each week (at least 3-5 times a week). Please make sure they are spending 20-30 minutes a night (where possible) reading a book, either independently or out loud. Student diaries will be checked weekly by the teachers as well as emphasising this at our cohort meetings. You are also welcome to use the diary as a way of communicating with your child’s teacher.
Uniform
Summer Season
During Term One, students are required to wear their summer school uniform. Students are also required to bring a named drink bottle to school each day. Bottles can be refilled as needed during the day. School hats are to be worn during outside play in Term One. If students do not have a hat they will be asked to sit in the courtyard in a shaded area. A reminder that children are expected to wear appropriate uniform to school each day — either full summer or sports uniform on designated sports days (Please see your classroomtimetable). If your child is not in their correct uniform, please write a note for your teacher to explain the reason. If your child’s hair is longer than their shoulders, we ask that their hair is tied back for hygiene purposes. We also ask that students do not wear jewellery, or nail polish as stated in the school’s uniform policy. St Agatha’s school policy allows for NO make-up at school.
Lunch Orders
The canteen will be open Wednesdays and Fridays, with lunch orders only available on these two days. Please follow the method of payment for the lunch orders via the CDFPay App. If you have any questions about this change, please contact the office.
Rubbish
In an attempt to reduce the waste our school produces, we encourage parents/guardians to pack a litter free lunch as much as possible.
Incursions / Excursions
This term students will be participating in a number of exciting incursions/excursions that will immerse them in the curriculum explored in class. We ask that parents are vigilant on PAM for permissions so that your child can be a part of these learning opportunities.
* Rumbug Camp * Whole School Athletics * District Cross Country * Parent Teacher Interviews * Whole School Photos * Camp Information Evening
Important Dates for Term 1
January
Thursday 29 - Foundation & Level 6 commence Term 1
Friday 30 - Whole School Term 1
February
Thursday 5 - St. Agatha’s Feast Day Whole School Mass @ 9:30am
Thursday 5 Bush Dance & Feast @ 5 - 7pm
Wednesday 11 - Level 6 Parent Camp Rumbug Information session @ 6pm Hall
Friday 13 - Whole School Photos
Tuesday 17 - Parent Teacher Interviews
Wednesday 18 - Ash Wednesday Whole School Mass @ 12pm
Wednesday 18 - Parent Teacher Interviews @ 2 - 8pm (students finish at 1pm)
Wednesday 25 - Whole School Athletics Day @ Casey Fields
March
Monday 9 - Labour Day Holiday
Wednesday 18 - Friday 20 Level 6 Camp Rumbug
Monday 23 - Level 6 Camp Rest Day
Tuesday 24 - Harmony Day
Tuesday 31 - District Cross Country
April
Thursday 2 - End of Term 1
Contact Information
Michelle Bruitzman (Principal)
principal@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au Ph: 5996 2724
Gillian Burke (Acting Deputy Principal)
gburke1@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au
Rebecca Kollaris (Acting REL & Equity and Engagment Leader) rkollaris@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au
Damian Mitchell
dmitchell@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au
Ashley Beley
abeley@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au
Georgegina Nettleingham
gnettleingham@stacbourne.catholic.e du.au
General Reminders
Please make sure students wear deodorant / sunscreen daily and also bring a roll on deodorant / sunscreen to school to keep in their bag for applying after recess/lunch times, sports or just to freshen up.
Any mobile devices must be handed in at the office before school starts. This includes watches with data and mobile phones. They can be picked up at the end of the day. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher via email.
We are here to help! Thank you.
The Year Six Team
Damian Mitchell, Ashley Beley & Georgegina Nettleingham