School News
Rolling Hills Primary School
Prep
We have had a fabulous couple of weeks in Prep!
The students have been learning about celebrating our differences during Inquiry. The students listened to the story 'Elmer', and then created their very own unique elephant, decorated in an interesting way! They loved talking about what makes them special and unique, how we are all different, and how that is worth celebrating.
During PMP, the students have been participating in skipping, balancing, rolling, jumping and throwing. They love getting their bodies moving to develop their gross-motor skills!
In Reading, the students have been learning a new topic: non-fiction texts! They will be learning about the features of non-fiction texts, and how they are different from fiction texts. At home, you can identify non-fiction text features with your child when reading books together e.g. titles, sub-headings, contents page, labelled diagrams, and photographs.
In Writing, the students have been writing their very own Information Report! The students chose an animal to research, and wrote facts about their appearance, diet, habitat, and then chose an interesting fact. These information reports will come home in their portfolios at the end of week 6!
In Maths, the students have been learning to make fair (or equal) shares. At home, practise sharing a collection of items (toys, counters, grapes, books etc.) between 2, 3 or 4 groups. We also discussed that if the collections are not equal, that means there is a remainder and it cannot be a fair share.
Have a wonderful week!
Kind regards,
The Prep Team
Laina Brebner, Kayla Hartrick and Emma Wright
Grade 1
What a fabulous two weeks we’ve had in Grade 1!
In Reading, we have been focusing on how to be a great Fluency Friend. We have been practising sitting knee to knee with our reading partner, following along as they read, and listening carefully to help support their reading. We are learning how to be encouraging and supportive partners as we build our reading fluency together!
In Writing, we have been developing our persuasive writing skills by writing about our favourite season and trying to convince our readers to agree with our point of view. We have been sharing our opinions and giving reasons to support our choices. Keep an eye out for our writing masterpieces when we bring home our portfolios!
In Maths, we have been exploring division and learning how to share items equally into groups. Through fun, hands-on activities, such as sharing apples from a tree, aliens across planets and animals into paddocks, we have been developing and strengthening our division skills.
In Wellbeing, we have been exploring the importance of maintaining a healthy digital balance. We learnt about the S.T.A.R.T. strategy and brainstormed a range of fun and engaging activities we can enjoy away from screens.
Congratulations to our Shining Stars for weeks 2 and 3! We are so proud of the wonderful effort, kindness and enthusiasm you have shown. Keep shining!
Kind regards,
The Grade 1 Team
Mel Layton, Rowena Blake, Sally Newton and Tim Huntington
Grade 2
Writing – Persuasive Writing and Debating Over the past few weeks, students have been developing their persuasive writing skills, learning how to share their opinions and support them with reasons and examples. This week, we are beginning to explore the exciting world of debating! Students will learn how to form an argument, express their ideas clearly and respectfully, and use persuasive language to convince others to consider their point of view.
Reading – Building Fluency
In Reading, we are continuing to develop our reading fluency, with a focus on reading accurately, smoothly and with expression. Students are learning to monitor their reading as they go, notice when something does not make sense, and self-correct by rereading words or sentences. These strategies help students become more confident, independent readers who can better understand and enjoy the texts they read.
Mathematics – Exploring Fractions
In Mathematics, we have been exploring fractions and developing our understanding of what a fraction represents. Students are learning how to divide shapes into equal parts, identify fractions and explore how fractions can be combined. We have also been investigating flags from around the world, looking closely at their different colours and how each flag can be divided into fractional parts. This hands-on learning is helping students connect fractions to real-world examples in an engaging and meaningful way.
Inquiry – Then and Now
As part of our Inquiry unit, Then and Now, students have begun researching how technology and food have changed over time. We are investigating how people communicated, completed everyday tasks, prepared food and stored food in the past compared with today. Students are beginning to compare old and new technologies, identify similarities and differences, and consider how these changes have influenced the way we live.
Wellbeing – Being a Good Friend
During Wellbeing, we are focusing on what it means to be a good friend and how we can support others. Students are discussing the importance of kindness, empathy, inclusion and being a good listener. We are exploring ways to recognise when a friend might need help, offer support, solve disagreements respectfully and ensure everyone feels valued and included in our classroom community.
Digital Learning – Getting Started with Our New Laptops
We are excited to begin using our new laptops to support our learning! Students are developing their digital skills by using Microsoft Word to type and present their work, practising touch typing, and learning how to use technology to research topics of interest. We are also discussing how to use our devices safely and responsibly. These new skills will help students become more independent and confident learners as they explore, create and share their learning.
Upcoming Events
There are some exciting events coming up, including Crazy Hair Day, Melbourne Cup Day and our Colour Run! We look forward to enjoying these special events together and sharing lots of fun experiences as a school community. Please keep an eye out for further information and reminders about dates and arrangements.
Kind regards,
The Grade 2 Team
Allie Harrison, Sarah Margetts and Brendan Van Haaster
Grade 3/4
Literacy
We have analysed a number of fictional procedures, such as ‘How to Wash a Woolly Mammoth’ and ‘How to Babysit a Grandma’. During this analysis, we have been picking the texts apart, identifying important text features which increase entertainment for a reader. Some of the focus features included key tips, cautions and humour.
The students have been doing creative, wonderful and imaginative fictional procedures, some of which include ‘How to Pat Godzilla’, ‘How to Make a Cow Civilisation’, ‘How to Make Butter Fly’ and ‘How to Wash a Dirty Bee’. It has been great to see high levels of engagement in learning, while still enjoying humorous moments together. The students have published their texts and we have no doubt that there will be some interesting stories brought home to share.
Mathematics
Worded problems have been a massive focus. From identifying important information, to solving and even creating our own worded problems. It has been great to see the students extending themselves through creating multi-step worded problems.
Inquiry
What does a scientist look like and what makes a person a scientist? These questions had us stumped, until we realised that we are ALL scientists! We conducted research on one of a few select scientists to answer a few burning questions, including ‘What discoveries did they make?’ and ‘How did they collect and use data to make these discoveries?’
We look forward to delving deeper into the world of science!
Wellbeing
We have discussed a whole range of people that we can help, and people that can help us. Through these discussions, we have identified over 50 adults at school that can help us in a time of need!
Kind regards,
The 3/4 Team
Nick Pagliaro, Daena Hailey, Brent Smith, Claire Cripps, Ashleigh Wilson and Mykaela Oakley and Marty Trosche
Grade 5/6
Dear Grade 5/6 Families, we’re getting to the pointy end of the year, and the students have had a massive couple of weeks!
In Reading, we have been exploring a variety of information texts, learning more about their structure, content and purpose. We have also been developing our critical thinking skills by questioning and evaluating the information we read.
Building on this learning, students have been putting their knowledge of information texts to good use by writing persuasive texts on topics of their choice. We have explored a fascinating range of subjects, from deforestation to laboratory-grown meat!
In Maths, we have been extending our understanding of fractions. Students have created some very accurate fraction walls and explored the relationships between different fractions. We have used these fraction walls to investigate equivalent fractions and make connections between fractions, decimals and percentages.
Some of our learning in these areas will be coming home in portfolios in Week 6. Please take some time to sit with your child, share their learning, ask questions and celebrate the effort and progress they have made.
In Wellbeing, we have been thinking about facing our fears, stepping outside our comfort zones and challenging ourselves. These skills were particularly valuable during our recent Grade 5/6 camp, where students had plenty of opportunities to challenge themselves, work together and support one another.
And finally, what an adventure we had at CYC Phillip Island Adventure Resort! We took part in a fantastic range of activities, including archery, the giant swing, the twin flying fox, team rescue challenges, initiatives, the ropes course and raft building. It was wonderful to see students challenging themselves, working collaboratively and embracing new experiences. Well done Grade 5/6!
It has certainly been a busy and exciting couple of weeks, full of learning, growth and adventure.
We would like to give a massive shout out to the parents who attended camp. They were so supportive and kind. We could not run these camps without your help, so a huge THANK YOU to Tash, Steve, Maryanne and Debbie.
Kind regards,
The 5/6 Team
Llinos Poole, Erin Rennick, Hayley Peirce and Kylie Morrissey