Year 5/6 Bulletin
Term One Reflection
Year 5/6 – A Strong Start to the Year
It has been a positive and purposeful start to the year in our Year 5/6 classrooms. Across the first term, students have focused on building strong relationships, establishing routines, and developing the skills needed to learn, lead, and collaborate effectively.
A key priority has been getting to know one another and creating a classroom environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and ready to contribute. Through structured activities, group discussions, and collaborative learning experiences, students have built connections with new classmates and strengthened their sense of belonging within our learning community.
Learning Highlights
In Literacy, students have explored a range of writing styles, including recounts, reports, and quick writes, with a focus on developing clear ideas, engaging language, and purposeful structure. They have been encouraged to take risks in their writing and “make the ordinary extraordinary,” using descriptive techniques and strong sentence starters to bring their ideas to life.
In Mathematics, our learning has centred on area and perimeter, with students deepening their understanding through problem-solving tasks. A strong emphasis has been placed on fact families and the connection between multiplication and division, helping students build flexible thinking strategies when working with numbers. Students have demonstrated resilience when tackling unfamiliar problems and have been encouraged to explain and justify their thinking.
In our ERP sessions, students have begun exploring concepts around rights, laws, and responsibilities, developing an understanding of what it means to be an active and responsible member of a community. This has been supported through discussions, role play, and real-life examples that connect learning to their everyday experiences. We hope to present these projects early next term.
Student Voice, Leadership and Collaboration
An important focus this term has been on student leadership and collaboration. Students have worked in committees, learning how to:
- Follow and contribute to a meeting agenda
- Stay on topic and listen respectfully
Share ideas and make group decisions
Through these experiences, students are developing confidence in expressing their opinions, taking on leadership roles, and working productively with others.
We have also explored problem-solving strategies, encouraging students to pause, reflect, and consider different perspectives before responding. Role play activities have supported students in navigating social situations, building empathy, and strengthening their communication skills.
Wellbeing and Belonging
Wellbeing has been a strong focus as students transition into a new school year. Together, we have explored what it means to:
- Be a supportive classmate
- Take responsibility for our actions
Build positive relationships
Students have participated in activities that promote self-awareness, teamwork, and resilience, helping them feel more confident in both their learning and social interactions.
A highlight has been the development of our Prep Buddy program, where students have begun forming meaningful connections with younger peers. This has provided opportunities for our students to demonstrate care, patience, and leadership, while building a sense of pride in being role models within the school.
Looking Ahead
As we move into the next phase of the year, there is much to look forward to. Students are excited to:
- Explore our upcoming Big Idea, which will have a science focus
- Participate in camp and excursions, building independence and teamwork
- Take on greater leadership responsibilities within the classroom and school
Continue to step outside their comfort zones, trying new challenges and building confidence
We are incredibly proud of the way students have started the year, with enthusiasm, resilience, and a willingness to grow. We look forward to continuing this journey together and celebrating their progress in the months ahead.
Have a wonderful Easter break, and we cannot wait for term 2!
Allira, Gemma and Gracie
allira.zeneli@education.vic.gov.au