Learning Centre News... 

Learning Centre One

It’s hard to believe that we’re already at the end of week 6—it feels like just yesterday we were kicking off the term! Time seems to be flying by, but it's wonderful to see how much progress has already been made. The preps, in particular, have really come into their own and are becoming so engaged in their learning. It's been amazing to watch their curiosity grow and their confidence develop in such a short amount of time.

In Literacy, students have been exploring nonfiction texts and the key elements that define them, such as their role in providing true, factual information. They practiced making predictions about book content by examining clues on the front cover, title, and blurb. Additionally, students have been focusing on noun groups and their use in writing to craft more descriptive sentences. They applied this skill by using noun groups to describe a variety of animals.

During Maths, the students have been learning about mass and ordinal numbers. As part of their exploration of mass, they investigated what objects are heavy and light, sorting a variety of materials based on their weight. They also engaged in the concept of "hefting," where they used their hands to estimate which objects were heavier or lighter by feel. In addition to this, students have been learning about ordinal numbers, which represent positions or ranks in a sequence. They explored how ordinal numbers indicate order—such as first, second, third, and so on—and practiced using them to describe the relative positions of objects in a line or sequence. 

Throughout Religion, the students have had an exciting and meaningful time learning about Advent. They began by exploring the concept of Advent itself, discovering that it is a period of preparation leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The students learned that Advent is not just about counting down the days until Christmas, but about preparing their hearts and minds for the birth of Jesus.

Reminder: Multicultural Day Celebration!

We invite everyone to come dressed in your cultural attire to help us celebrate the rich diversity at OLSC! Join us on Friday, 22nd November 2024, as we honour the many cultures that make our community special.

Some friendly reminders:

• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10 am OLSC Hall 
• Monday 18th November - Giving Tree Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9 am OLSC Hall 
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ
• Friday 6th December - OLSC Colour Run 2:15 - 3:15pm
• Tuesday 17th December - End Term 1pm

Prep Team - Amanda, Dasanthi, Donna, Kelsey, 

Kiah, Natasha, Rachael, Sarena, Teagan and Tina 

Learning Centre Two

LITERACY

As the weeks pass, the students are moving further through their novel studies. Chelsea's class have been focussing on putting themselves in the shoes of one of the main characters from the text 'We Are Wolves' by Katrina Nannestead. They have written letters from Liesl's perspective to her mother.

MATHS

Last week, we had a go at creating pixel art in maths where the students created a coloured picture on a 10 x 10 grid. They were then asked to calculate what fraction of the total each colour makes up.

INQUIRY

Our Inquiry projects are well underway and we are busy researching our chosen countries from around the world in readiness for our end-of-unit Inquiry Expo. Before we began our projects we started by sharing about the many places we are from. We familiarised ourselves with geographical vocabulary and read information about why people migrate to Australia.

YR 6 MACKILLOP TRANSITION MORNING

On Wednesday this week, many of the Year 6 students visited MacKillop College for a special transition morning. They began by sitting in the performing arts centre to listen to one of the Year 7 co-ordinators who spoke to them about what they might expect to experience when they start there next year. 

After that, some of our 2023 year 6 students came to take them on a tour of the college grounds and they also had an opportunity to ask lots of questions.

IMPORTANT MACKILLOP DATES

For those Year 6 students who are attending MacKillop College in 2025:

• Wednesday 4th December – Year 7 2025 Orientation Day  - 8:25 am – 3:20 pm  (students to wear their primary school sports uniform with orange polo top) Families to get students to the college for this day.
• Thursday 30th January 2025 –  Year 7 & VCE Students Return
• Friday 31st January 2025 -  All Students Return

IMPORTANT DATES

• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Monday 18th November - Giving Tree Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9 am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ
• Wednesday 4th December - Yr 7 Orientation Day at MacKillop
• Friday 6th December - OLSC Colour Run 2:15 - 3:15 pm
• Thursday 12th December - Christmas Liturgy 9 am
• Thursday 12th December - Inquiry Expo 10 am Families Welcome
• Friday 13th December - Whole School Assembly 9 am
• Friday 13th December - Year 6 Last Day and Graduation 6:30 pm
• Monday 16th December - Year 6 Adventure Park Day
• Tuesday 17th December - End of Term 1 pm

Year 5/6 Team:  Ann, Anna, Ben, Chelsea, Cheryl, Danielle, Kristina, Krystin, Selena, Scott and Zach.

Learning Centre Three

WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH TERM 4! This week the Year 1/2s have been working hard on their Information Reports. Over the last 2 weeks, students have been learning how to read and record information about their chosen animal. Then, we have been using that information to write a draft for our Information Report. Students have focussed on their animal’s diet, appearance and habitat. 

In Maths, we have been looking at fractions! We started with taking collections of objects and dividing them into half or quarters. Then moving on to shapes and objects. Students have really enjoyed using concrete materials to understand the importance of creating EQUAL parts. 

In Inquiry, we have started working on our Inquiry project for History. We started by picking a topic (technology, toys, family life, transport or school) and planned for how we are going to present our information. Students have been able to use time in class to research and expand their understanding on their topic. This week we asked students to interview their parents or grandparents about what life was life for them as a child. The students have really enjoyed learning about their loved-ones past and comparing stories. 

In Religion, we are looking at the message in The Good Samaritan story and looking at how we can show ‘acts of kindness’ in our class, school and at home. Students created ‘Kindness Coupons’ to practice what they have learnt. 

For Friday’s Language Experience, we made YUMMY fruit kebabs. We used fresh blueberries and strawberries to make a pattern on our skewer and then topped it off with a marshmallow. The students really enjoyed making AND EATING their kebabs. 

This week, the Year 1/2s commemorate Remembrance Day by making poppies. We spoke about the importance of the day and how we show respect for those who served and died serving our country in the armed forces. 

Werribee Mansion

Just a reminder we will be heading to the Werribee Mansion this term. 

1/2 Green, 1/2 Yellow and 1/2 Orange will attend Thursday 28th November

1/2 Blue, 1/2 Red and 1/2 White will attend Friday 29th November

Please remember to give permission for your child to attend through the parent portal.

If you would like to be a parent helper, please register your interest on Dojo.  If you have any questions, please see your learning group teacher.  

Year 1/2 Team - Bianca, Gabby, Gillian, Imogen, Janeen, Jamie, Jordan, Marion, Mary, Shalome, Tina and Sue.

Important dates:

• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass 10am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Monday 18th November - Vinnies Christmas Food Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Thursday 28th November - Werribee Mansion Excursion (1/2 Green, Yellow, Orange)
• Friday 29th November  - Werribee Mansion Excursion (1/2 Blue, Red, White)
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ

Learning Centre Four

Literacy

Over the past fortnight, we have continued to explore the book, Beth: The Story of a Child Convict, by Mark Wilson. Students have been developing a timeline of the key events which have been depicted in the book. These have been examined while keeping in mind the historical events which form the basis upon which the book is based. By thinking about the key events of the story, students have been writing a letter as if they were Beth (the main character) to her mother. They have been working on developing the type of emotional language that this type of text requires.

On Remembrance Day students explored the themes represented in the book The Poppy, by Andrew Plant. In doing so, they were able to appreciate why we commemorate such a day. Students learned about the strong bond which has been forged between Australians and the people of Villers-Bretonneux in France.

Mathematics

Students have been focusing on multiplication and division. They have been learning how to write the related multiplication and division facts for 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 after looking at arrays. They have enjoyed being able to represent multiplication and division as an array as well as interpret arrays as multiplication and division facts.

Inquiry

We have looked at Australian history between 1788 - 1800 and students have now been given an opportunity to choose a topic or event that they have learned about this term.  Such topics include Aboriginal perspectives, convicts, marines or soldiers, commanders (including Cook, Banks and Phillips), Captain Cook’s voyage, the First Fleet, the Smallpox epidemic and the Pemulwuy rebellion. Our students have been very hard at work researching their chosen topic.

Religion

Students used all they learned about the Catholic Social Teachings to create a poster based on a social issue they have identified in light of its impact on the world. Under the headings of See, Judge and Act, students were required to define the problem and explain its causes and consequences. They also had to form a judgement about the issue and link it to Catholic Social Teachings, while demonstrating what the bible teaches about the issue. Students were also asked to explain what could be done to help fix the problem and clarify how fixing it would make the world a better place.

Students are also beginning to examine the multiple perspectives of the Christmas story as well as how Joseph shows us to listen to and trust in God. This will build a foundation to further explain the Christmas story from Joseph’s perspective and allow students to reflect on how they themselves can trust in God.

Melbourne Museum Excursion

Just a reminder that we will be having our excursion to Melbourne Museum on Monday 25th November (Week 8). If you have not already given permission for your child to attend, please do so as soon as possible via the Parent Portal. 

On the day of the excursion, students will only require a very small, labelled bag with their snack, water bottle, lunch and school hat. Please avoid school bags and larger backpacks if possible, as there will be limited storage space at the museum. 

IMPORTANT DATES

• Sunday 17th November - Community Mass, 10am - ALL WELCOME
• Monday 18th November - Vinnies Christmas Food Drive begins
• Friday 22nd November - Multicultural Day
• Monday 25th November - 3/4 Melbourne Museum Excursion
• Wednesday 27th November - Advent Liturgy 9am OLSC Hall - ALL WELCOME
• Saturday 30th November - P&F Bunnings BBQ

Year 3/4 Team: Adam, Alison, Amelia, Anastasia, Beth, Elizabeth, Emma, Hayley, Helen, Jannine, John, Josh and Milla.