Year 3-6 Sector

Year 3

                   Dear Year 3 Parents and Families,

It’s hard to believe that Term 2 has almost come to an end. 

The Year 3 students enjoyed a busy and productive term and looked forward to exciting events such as Pyjama Day, the Sports Carnival, and spending their Brookside Bucks at the SWPBS Shop. 

Literacy

In Reading and Writing, students explored poetry and developed their understanding of stanza structures, rhyme schemes, sound devices, and figurative language. They examined how poets use language to create meaning and experimented with creating their own poems using alliteration, onomatopoeia, similes, and visual layouts. We have been looking at poems by T.S. Eliot about cats. The students have been activating their imagination about how a cat named Macavity looked like and listing his character traits and understanding the poem by learning the meanings and the language the author uses to create mood and imagery.

Students also completed their information report unit by researching a dinosaur of their choice and presenting their findings to the class. 

They demonstrated growth in their ability to research, organise information, and present their work confidently.

Humanities

Throughout the term, students explored significant Australian events, symbols, and celebrations while developing an understanding of different perspectives and cultural traditions. They investigated changes within communities over time and learned about the histories, cultures, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, including the importance of Country, community, and cultural practices.

 Students explored the First Nations text Narm-Jaap, which tells the story of the area where Flinders Street Station now stands. Through the text, they learned about the history of the site and investigated how it has changed over time. Students developed an understanding of the significance of the area to Aboriginal Peoples and examined how the landscape, environment, and community have evolved from the past to the present.

MATHS 

In Mathematics, students strengthened their understanding of addition and subtraction through hands-on learning and visual models. Students are using the split, jump and compensation models to show their understanding. They applied place value knowledge to solve problems, estimate answers, identify number patterns, and justify their thinking. 

Students also explored angles and turns in everyday environments and investigated how angles can be represented and compared.  

Science

Students investigated heat and energy. They explored different sources of heat, learned how temperature is measured, and examined how heat moves between objects. 

 As part of our First Nations perspectives, students explored how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples used possum fur and kangaroo-skin cloaks to trap heat and stay warm. They compared the insulating properties of these traditional materials with wool and cotton and investigated traditional fire-starting methods, developing an understanding of how energy can be transformed through friction to create heat.

A message from Reign and Maple from 3B about science…

We have enjoyed doing the experiments that we did with the thermometers. We measured the heat of the water, sand, clay and spoons made of different materials. We discovered that different types of materials have different temperatures and that some hold heat when placed in hot water.

 

Health

In Health, students explored the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur as they grow. They discussed strategies for managing challenges, building resilience, showing empathy, and developing respectful relationships. Students also learned about inclusion, diversity, and ways to respond positively to bullying 

 

Arriving Ready to Learn

As we move into next term, we would like to remind families of the importance of arriving at school on time. Arriving a little early allows students the opportunity to socialise with friends, settle into the school environment, and prepare themselves for a positive start to the day.

 

The beginning of the school day is an important time when students receive instructions, organise their materials, and engage in learning activities. When students arrive late, they often miss important information and learning opportunities.

 Late arrivals can also be disruptive to the class, as teachers need to pause lessons or small group activities to repeat instructions and help students catch up.

 

We appreciate your support in ensuring students arrive at school on time each day. Doing so helps them begin the day calmly, connect with their friends before class, and be ready to learn alongside their peers from the moment the school day begins.

 

How You Can Help at Home

You can support your child's learning by encouraging daily reading and discussing books, poems, or articles together. Practising addition and subtraction facts, identifying patterns, and looking for examples of angles in the environment can help reinforce mathematical concepts. Also, by completing nightly reading and Study Ladder tasks. 

 

Talking about significant events, celebrations, and family traditions can support Humanities learning, while discussing different sources of heat and how objects stay warm or cool can strengthen Science understanding.

 

 Encouraging your child to talk about their feelings, show empathy towards others, and use positive problem-solving strategies can also support their Health learning.

 

Thank you for your continued support throughout the term. Have a relaxing and safe holiday break and we look forward to a productive and fun start to Semester 2!

 

We are proud of all our students' efforts, positive mindsets and look forward to acknowledging and celebrating their accomplishments with them throughout these units.

Year 3 Team

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Year 4

What an amazing term it has been!

Here’s a look at what we’ve been learning in the Year 4 space this term.

Reading

In Reading, the students have been reading different poems from the book This is Home by Jackie French. They have analysed the different structure and features of poems. They also identified the authors mood and intention. Students have really enjoyed reading a range of poems and getting immersed in the different ranges of rhythm and rhyme!

Writing

In Writing, students have experimented with Writing different types of poems. They have used the poems they read in Reading to help them write their own poems. They have been working really hard to write a collection of poems that they will then collate into their own personal book of poems. Additionally, students have revisited prefixes, suffixes, conjunctions and connectives in Spelling and Grammar.

Humanities

Within Humanities, students have learnt about significant events, people and symbols that have helped shape Australia. They have learnt about the invasion and colonisation of Australia by investigating the different explorers and important Aboriginal figures.

Science

Within Science, students have been exploring the different types of forces and created their own Rube Goldberg experiment! Students loved making their own projects and identifying what forces were used. Check out some of our experiments below!

Mathematics

In Maths, students have been studying multiplication and division and using a range of strategies to solve problems. Students have really learnt the connection between multiplication and division. In addition to this, they have learnt about grid references and coordinates within Cartesian Planes.

The Year 4 students have had a busy term. We can’t wait to see what Term 3 brings us!

''In year 4, kindness is our jam!''

Year 4 Team

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Year 6

The year is racing by, and we are now halfway through our final year of primary school!

 

In Reading, we are finishing our class novel Sister Heart. Through this powerful verse novel, students have developed their understanding of Australian history and the experiences of the Stolen Generations. The text has also provided opportunities to deepen our knowledge of poetry. Students have explored and created a range of poetic forms, including ballads, blackout poetry, free verse poems, and odes.

 

Some student examples are showcased below:

 

Anzac War by Abhay M

Here I sit in gunshot smoke

My happiness has been took

I saw George get shot in the chest

Now being eatin' by hungry pest

I have not seen sunlight from the start of today

Oh I'll make the Turkish pay

I will not die

I must not cry

I must defend 

Until the end

 

An Ode to KFC by Cassie K

Oh golden bucket shining bright

You are my guiding star at night

The crispy skin, a perfect crunch

The finest choice for dinner or lunch

The secret herbs, a magic blend

Upon your taste, I can depend

Like heavens rain on thirsty ground

Your gravy is the best I've found

From tender strip to hot wing spice

Every single bite is nice

The red and white a happy sight

You are a lighthouse in the night

I order at the speaker box

And count the seconds on the clocks

 

The paperbag is warm and grand

Like a hot brick inside my hand

The steam escapes, the aroma fills 

And instantly cures all my chills

The original recipe so sweet

A perfect, legendary treat.

 

Grade 6 students are continuing to build strong relationships with their Prep buddies. They have enjoyed supporting and mentoring the younger students while developing their own leadership skills and confidence.  Making pet rocks has been a highlight for both year levels.

 

We are so proud of all the effort our grade 6's are putting into their learning.

 

"In Year 6 we are cool because we

 thrive at school."

      Grade 6 Team