Year Six
Wow, what a term it has been! As we reach the halfway point of Year Six, students have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and a commitment to their learning. This term has been filled with exciting opportunities, including Canberra Camp, Parliament Day, Summer and Winter Sports and a range of leadership experiences. We are incredibly proud of the growth students have shown, both academically and personally, as they continue to develop the skills needed to become confident and capable young people.
Reading
In Reading, students investigated key concepts related to democracy and citizenship. They explored preferential voting, examining how votes are counted and how elected representatives are chosen. Students also discussed rights and responsibilities and considered the balance between individual freedoms and community expectations.
As part of their inquiry into government and democracy, students explored freedom of speech, analysing how this right supports participation in society while also carrying responsibilities. Students then applied their comprehension and analytical skills by creating and evaluating examples of political propaganda, identifying persuasive techniques used to influence voters.
Writing
Students continued developing their persuasive communication skills through the Parliament Speech project. They planned, drafted, edited and completed speeches focused on issues they would like to improve within their school or community. Students worked on presenting clear arguments supported by evidence and persuasive language.
Following the completion of their speeches, students designed campaign propaganda, creating posters and promotional materials to persuade others to support their ideas. This provided students with an opportunity to apply their understanding of persuasive techniques in a visual format.
During Week 10, students rehearsed their speeches using a presentation rubric to strengthen their confidence, expression and public speaking skills in preparation for Parliament Day.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, students continued their study of angles and geometric reasoning. They identified and measured angles at a point, investigated vertically opposite angles, and used known angle relationships to calculate unknown angles. Students also explored different types of lines, including parallel lines cut by a transversal, and identified the angle relationships that are formed.
In Week 10, students applied their understanding by constructing shapes with specific angle measurements and consolidating their knowledge of angle terminology and classification.
Parliament Day
A highlight of the fortnight was our annual Parliament Day, which provided students with an authentic opportunity to apply their learning from our How We Organise Ourselves unit. Throughout the term, students explored democratic systems, voting processes, political parties and the responsibilities of elected representatives. In preparation for the event, students wrote and delivered persuasive election speeches and designed campaign materials to promote their ideas and gain support from their peers.
On Parliament Day, students participated in a range of activities including a mock election and voting experience, a Model United Nations simulation, discussions of current events through BTN, and parliamentary-style debates.
The day concluded with students casting their votes and experiencing first-hand how democratic processes operate. It was a valuable opportunity for students to develop their communication, critical thinking and leadership skills while deepening their understanding of democracy and active citizenship.
To finish the day, students enjoyed a traditional Democracy Sausage, generously prepared by our wonderful parent volunteers. This special addition helped create an authentic election-day experience while providing students with the opportunity to celebrate their learning together. We sincerely thank our parent volunteers for giving their time to support this memorable event.
Other Learning Experiences
Students participated in a range of additional learning opportunities throughout the fortnight, including Winter Sports, State of Origin activities and STEM learning experiences. Students also welcomed special guests, participated in the Wyndham Incursion, and several student leaders attended the 5/6 Leaders Youth Leadership Academy.
It is hard to believe that there are now only six months remaining of Year Six before students begin their transition to high school. While we have already achieved so much this year, there is still plenty to look forward to in Semester Two. We are excited to continue supporting students as they make the most of their final months of primary school and create lasting memories with their peers.
Thank you for your continued support throughout another fantastic term. We wish all of our Year Six students and families a safe, relaxing and well-deserved holiday break.