Year 5 and 6

Year 6 Camp

Please remember to fill in the medical forms sent home and return them as soon as possible. All other forms such as general permission and Panadol permission are on COMPASS. Thanks to all the parents who have already paid for camp. Organisation for camp is super important and we appreciate your speedy approach to completing the necessary documentation. 

The camp equipment list is on COMPASS. Students do need to wear a sturdy pair of boots for horse riding. A lot of students have asked if they can wear their camp shoes from last year which will work however they must have a slight heel to them. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. 

Grip Conference

On Monday, the 13th of February, the ten school captains, along with Mrs Mann, Mrs Strachan and Mrs Prentice went to the Melbourne Convention Centre to attend the 2024 GRIP Conference in the city. You might be wondering, “What is GRIP?” and “ What’s it for?”. 

GRIP stands for :

Generosity

Responsibility

Integrity

People

The purpose of this conference was to teach us about leadership and how to become a leader. There were many activities in the booklet provided for us, enabling us to interact with students from other schools. Some of us even were allowed to go up on stage to share our answers! It was extremely fun for all of us, especially the Loud Noise segment. During the Loud Noise segment, a few students from different schools would go up to the stage and compete in an activity in two groups. It was called Loud Noise for a reason, as it stayed true to its name. If we had a chance, we would absolutely do it again next year. I can confidently say that this was an experience worth trying!

Written by Careena 6GP

Grade 6 Homework

We would like to inform our Grade 6 parents of some changes to our homework this year. We are hoping to promote more independence from our students and to give them a more realistic idea of what homework might be like in high school. Last year, students would have been used to receiving their homework on SeeSaw, having two weeks to complete it, and receiving similar activities. Some of the changes we are looking at this year include:

• Having a wider variety of activities 
• Linking closely to our classroom tasks (researching, continuing or completing a task from school, preparing something for a future lesson, etc)
• Having a variety of presentation methods 
• Changing the length of time they have to complete the homework from task to task and therefore different due dates
• Having links to tasks on COM (as it becomes more familiar)

Students will be given clear instructions on what is required and when it is due. They will always have the opportunity to ask questions of their teacher. We will strongly encourage that all due dates and requirements are written in their school diary. Students will still be responsible for ensuring they complete tasks on time and we will feedback to parents if they are consistently unable to. 

We believe this will be a positive change and we will review how it is going as the year progresses. If you have any questions, please email your classroom teacher.

Year 7 Transition

The official process for applying and transitioning to high school will begin in Term 2, however most High Schools hold school tours and open days throughout Term 1. These often book out quickly, so please search the websites of schools you are interested in to book tours.

First Aid

This week, we were visited by the St John Ambulance Australia who ran the Year 5 and 6 students through some important First Aid skills. Students learnt how to put someone in the recovery position, the meaning of DRSABCD and how to do compressions. Please talk to your child about what they learnt.

ASPIRE

The Grade 5's participated in an interactive and engaging day of leadership building activities. Over three sessions, the students learnt about what leadership is and what it looks like. They were able to put some of these skills into action in a teams based series of challenges and finally, they were given the oportunity to reflect on their own leadership attributes and aspirations. The feedback we received from the facilitators in regards to the students' enthusiasm, respect and positive attitudes was outstanding and as teachers, we could not be prouder. 

Peer Mediator Applications

Students in Grade 5 are reminded that the final day for their Peer Mediator applications is on Monday 19th Feb. If they are interested in applying, please remind your Grade 5 student to have their application completed and returned on Monday 19th Feb.

Leadership Applications

One of the key messages from the ASPIRE program, was that everyone is a potential leader, regardless of whether they are wearing a badge or not. As a level, this is the same message we are giving to all Grade 5 students. Leadership comes in many forms and as senior students, we see all of our students as leaders in the school. 

There are many leadership roles being advertised and applied for at the moment. We have explained to the students that although they applied, they may not be successful in their application. If this is the case for your child, please praise them for having a go and acknowledge their disappointment, but then empahsise the point that although they may not have an 'official' leadership role, they are still regarded as leaders within our school. It is an excellent opportunity to discuss resilience and a chance for you to talk with them about other areas they they will be able to work with and positively influence those around them.

Dates

Monday 19th February - Peer Mediator Applications due (Grade 5)

Wednesday 21st February - District Swimming

Monday 26th February - Curriculum Day (no students at school)

Thursday 29th February - House Athletics

Friday 1st March - School Photos

Wednesday 6th - 8th March - Grade 6 Camp

Monday 11th March - Public Holiday (no students at school)

Wednesday 13th March - Grade 5 Naplan begins (over the following 2 weeks)