Learning and Teaching

Reporting Update (for Mathematics Only)

Thank you to those families who attended our Learning Conversations recently. Our next formal communication regarding student progress will be the Semester 1 reports, which will be distributed on Monday 30th June. These reports provide an overview of your child’s academic progress and achievements across all curriculum areas.

As shared during our recent Mathematics Information Evening, there are important changes to how Mathematics is reported this year. These changes reflect the updated Victorian Curriculum 2.0, which has been mandated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) for all government, Catholic, and independent schools.

Under the revised curriculum, the Mathematics progression point ("the dot") is now reported using a single, holistic progression point that summarises your child’s achievement across all strands of mathematics:

• Number
• Algebra
• Measurement
• Space
• Statistics
• Probability (Yr 3-6 only)

This differs from the previous approach (2024 and prior), where Mathematics was reported in three paired strands:

1. Number and Algebra
2. Measurement and Shape
3. Statistics and Probability

As discussed at the Mathematics Information Evening, our school recognises that a single mark does not provide sufficient insight into a student’s mathematical understanding and progress. 

In response, we will be introducing supplementary curriculum statements in 2025. These statements will provide more detailed information about your child’s learning in the key areas taught each semester, offering a clearer picture of their development in specific mathematical concepts. The image attached is an example of how it will be presented on your child's report.

Please note that this change only applies to Mathematics. Reporting for English and all other curriculum areas will remain consistent with previous years. We appreciate your understanding as we transition to this new reporting format and remain committed to providing clear, informative, and meaningful feedback on student learning.

If you have any questions about these changes, please direct your questions to Rafael.Fernandez@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au. All other enquiries regarding your child's progress should be directed to their homegroup teacher.

Rafael

Learning & Teaching and Digital Technologies Leader

Rafael.Fernandez@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au 

Foundation Excursion: Melbourne Zoo

On Wednesday 21st May, our Foundation students set off on a very exciting adventure to the Melbourne Zoo! With wide eyes and curious minds, the children explored the zoo grounds, eager to discover more about the amazing animals who call it home.

As part of our learning about weather and seasons, students explored how different environments change throughout the year. They saw how animals live in places like hot savannahs and rainy jungles, and how weather affects the food, shelter, and homes that animals need to survive.

One of the highlights of the day was meeting the giant tortoise. The children were fascinated by their slow movements and wrinkly skin, and were full of thoughtful questions about these gentle giants.

Throughout the day, our students  enjoyed wandering through the trails, listening to zookeepers, and noticing the small (and sometimes very large!) details of each animal’s home.

It was a day full of learning, laughter, and wonder. We are so proud of how respectfully and responsibly the Foundation students represented our school. A big thank you to the parent helpers who supported us on the day!

I wonder what animals do when the weather gets really cold or really hot…

I wonder if all animals live in the same place all year round…

Student’s Reflections

Rachel - “My favourite part of the zoo was seeing the turtles.” 

Zander - “I loved seeing the lions at the zoo.” 

Casey  - “My favourite part was seeing the meerkats.”

Winnie- “The fluffy koala is at the zoo, crunching on leaves.”Taylan- “My favourite animal at the zoo was the tortoise and the lemurs.”

Kiki- “The orangutans, gorillas and lemurs were my favourite animals at the zoo. They are all fluffy.”

Tanaysha - “I liked looking at the big tortoise’s shell.”

Eden - “I liked when the lions looked at me and made a big roar!”

Marcus - “My favourite animals were the Meerkats because they were moving really fast!”

Ava C- “I liked the tasmanian devil.”

Vivi- “I liked the meerkats.”

Sarisha- “The giraffe was tall.”

Year 2 Excursion: Scienceworks

On Monday 19th May, the Year 2 students went on an exciting excursion to Scienceworks!

First, we visited the Planetarium and watched a show called Tilt. We learned how the Earth's tilt causes the seasons to change. It felt like we were flying through space! We also learnt about the stars and planets in our sky. We then explored the Think Ahead exhibition, where we saw cool inventions and imagined the future. We saw robots, flying cars, and fun gadgets. We talked about what the future might look like and how we might live when we grow up.

After that, we had fun at Sportsworks! We tested our speed and strength by racing and jumping. Some of us even raced against virtual athletes! It was fun to see how our bodies move and how we can stay healthy.

It was a fun day full of learning and adventure!

Year 2 Homegroup Teachers

Natasha, Cassandra and Jesslyn

Year 5 Excursion: The Shrine of Remembrance

On Thursday 15th and Friday 16th of May, the Year 5 cohort went to the Shrine of Remembrance. 

We learnt many things about World War 1. There were so many rooms including the sanctuary, the crypt and the museum. We enjoyed looking out the balcony and seeing the poppy-shaped roof at the entrance of the education centre. We learnt about the uniforms and how they used to be bright red, but later during World War 1, they became camouflage. 

When you go into the entrance of the Shrine of Remembrance you will see that there are a lot of medals and each one represents 100 people that have gotten it and 800 people that have died. 

Did you know Queen Elizabeth the 2nd was the first one to light the eternal flame?

Another fact is that all the different banners in the crypt were the Australian teams that took part in war. They had small flags on their uniform to show what team they were on. 

In the sanctuary, there was a hole in the ground with a block that looks like a gravestone, with words “Greater Love Hath No Man”. On the 11th of November at 11am they would have a ceremony for VIPs only and the light would shine through at that exact time and it would glow on the word "love". 

We would like to thank our amazing tour guide, Jaquie. We enjoyed the many facts she shared about the Shrine of Remembrance, World War 1 and 2.

Gabriella and Agatha

Year 5 Students

Teeball

On Thursday 15th May, our Year 5 and 6 teeball teams participated in an exciting District Gala Day. Both teams were undefeated in their pool matches and won their semi-finals with determination and skill. Although both teams missed out on victory in their grand finals, the students showed tremendous improvement in their game knowledge and skills with every match played. Most impressively, they demonstrated excellent teamwork, sportsmanship and school spirit throughout the day. It was a fantastic experience for all involved and a day filled with fun, learning and individual and team achievements!

Cross Country

The sun was shining for our recent District Cross Country Carnival at Bundoora Park, where our students showed incredible effort and team spirit. The 9 and 10 year olds tackled a 2-kilometre course, while the 11 and 12 year olds took on a challenging 3-kilometre course, all while supporting and cheering each other on. A big thank you to Yolanda and Lisa H for their dedication in training the students, LSO Melissa for providing first aid and our wonderful parent helpers, Cathryn and Kristy. Thanks also to Melissa L and Lisa H for their fantastic organisation on the day. Congratulations to the students who finished top 12 and have qualified for Division at Kilmore Race Track on June 4th.

Golden Child Update

Congratulations Thiviksha from Year 1 Eucalyptus!

At the end of last year, Thiviksha, who was in Prep and who had not attended a STEM lesson, had already earned 3 Masters - Planets, Rainbows and Mouth. This year, she powered on and recently earned the title of Golden Child by sharing her knowledge of all the STEM Masters.

Congratulations Thiviksha on such a wonderful achievement. 

To earn the title of Golden Child, students must earn masters in and be able to name facts about: The planets, rainbows, bones, the solar system, clouds, the mouth, birds, towers, lightning and thunder and all 118 elements of the Periodic Table.

A huge achievement!

STEM Masters - Term 2, Week 3-4

(Please excuse any accidental omissions or errors)

To view the YouTube video of the Masters, just type in: SMCM Stem Masters 2025 

(in YouTube).

Keep up the great learning and I will post Weeks 3 & 4 in the next newsletter in weeks to come.

Michael

STEM Teacher

michael.caruana@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au