Spotlight on Learning

Stage 1

1L recently went on an excursion to the Field of Mars Reserve! Students participated in the ‘Watch It Grow’ science program. 

First, we went on a scenic bushwalk through the mangroves, past the creek, into the dense bushland and then relaxed at a beautiful lake. Along the way, students used microscopes to closely observe different plants and rocks. We learnt about the diverse bird species in the area, listened to bird calls and met a few brush turkeys.

After lunch, 1L worked in small groups to search for and collect leaf litter invertebrates in the gardens around the education centre. Students used tools such as nets, small shovels, brushes and containers during the activity.

Back in the classroom, 1L have been learning about different types of patterns in mathematics. Students have been observing the patterns in a hundreds chart. We noticed, for example, that numbers were increasing and decreasing by tens when you go down and up a number chart. Students practiced these patterns using blank pieces from the number chart. 1L have also been learning about shrinking and growing patterns. We used concrete materials to create and continue these types of patterns.

Miss Park - 1L Classroom Teacher

Stage 2

Would you want to miss out on reading some amazing news? You must keep reading to find out all the interesting things that 4F have been doing so far this term! Have I persuaded you to read on? 4F have been learning to persuade in their writing. They have used persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, high modality words and factual information to create advertisements for key community events, such as the Lunar New Year, Citizenship ceremonies and Cinema in the Park. After researching these community events 4F students used the Canva computer program to write important information, insert pictures to match and experiment with fonts and colours to produce highly engaging advertisements. Read some of their examples below to see if you would be persuaded to attend! 

4F also had our technology lesson with Mr Wright, where students used their researching and summarising skills to record facts about their science unit topic, living things. Students again utilised their Canva skills to publish eye-catching Sea Creatures posters, based on their research.

In mathematics this week, 4F has been focusing on how to use strategies such as factorising and doubling, to solve multiplication word problems. Students were taught how to use factor bubbles to find and record the factors of a given number. They played the Leap Frog game which requires them to use doubling/halving and knowledge of place value to solve word problems. Here are a few examples of the word problems students were solving as part of the game: 

- If there are 13 bread rolls in a baker’s dozen, how many bread rolls are in two baker’s dozen?

- If a bus can hold 54 students, how many students are in two buses? 

4F students thoroughly enjoy playing these maths games together to consolidate their maths learning!

Ms Fairgrieve - 4F Classroom Teacher

Stage 3

At Roselea Stage 3 students have ample opportunities to excel on academic, social, emotional and sport levels. 

In history, our topic is Australian Colonies. Teachers explicitly teach content to foster a curiosity in our students for the history of Australia. Our students research reliable resources to gain more information on the topic. To give our students equal opportunities to learn, our EALD students are supported with adjustments such as technology, by using programs like the Immersive Reader to give them a better grasp of the text they are reading. Some students find it helpful to utilise Immersive Reader to assist the translation from the text, ‘How and Why did the Australian Colonies Develop after 1800s’ from English to Chinese. This strategy empowers them to improve their vocabulary, knowledge and understanding in history.  

On Friday we listened to engaging and thought-provoking speeches from our Hills Public Speaking finalist. There was a variety of interesting topics for each stage and our audiences were indeed active listeners.  

We have been preparing for the Great Aussie Bush Camp at Lake Macquarie since the start of the year and the preparation entailed days of meticulous and thoughtful planning. Mr Chong and the Stage 3 team were very motivated by the enthusiasm reflected by our students to make this camp something that students will remember for the rest of their lives! 

The excitement of going on a camp escalated weeks before the actual day of departure and at last the day arrived for Stage 3 students to venture out to the bush at Morisset.  For many students this was their first camp away from home without their parents.  Parents gathered under the COLA before our departure and energetic students waited with their colourful suitcases and warm sleeping bags, chatting to their friends.  

Finally, we embarked on this exciting adventure, leaving school on a luxurious coach that ensured a safe and carefree travel through the North Connex Tunnel, over Mooney Mooney Bridge and then to Lake Macquarie. We arrived at our camp just before lunch where our coordinators were waiting for Roselea staff and students. Students were allocated groups and then sent to offload their luggage in their cabin inside the dormitories.  

After lunch our big range of activities started! We were extremely fortunate to have a jam-packed list of activities for our students. Our activities included Bushcraft, Rock Climbing, Power Fan, Orienteering, Canoeing, Commando Night, High Ropes, Giant Swing, Archery and night activities.  What a fantastic experience for any student!  

Back at their desks again, students were given a task on Google Classroom to reflect on their experience at camp by writing a report as an editor - proofreading, editing and publishing their report with photos shared by their teacher on Google Drive. This style of writing supported our informative text focus for term 3. We are sharing a few blurbs and showing off a few reports from our students.  

Bushcraft was extremely fun and everybody enjoyed it very much. The most exciting part was the fact that we got to collect materials from the wild, which was spread very far into the woods. ‘Going into the wild felt like going into the Hunger Games.’ We teamed up and built forts that we think would have been weatherproof if we stayed there longer. – Alex H 

The Power fan was an extremely fun activity, first the instructors taught us how to put on a harness then he taught us how to put on helmets. After that the instructor informed us on how the Power Fan works and how to climb it. The Power fan is about 15 meters tall and when you climb up it leads you to a metal platform. At the top, you jump off the platform and land on to this landing zone and it’s so much FUN! My experience of the Power Fan was that it feels like flying. - Selina L 

The dormitories were great because they were big and everyone got their own little space. The bunk was comfortable so that means we got a restful sleep. The most exciting part about the dormitories was that everyone had a double sleepover with whoever was in their dorm.  Overall, the dorms were great. The commando night was extremely fun and a little nerve racking at the same time because you were in the bush in the nighttime.  I loved it because it was mostly teamwork. Overall, it was a great night. - Evie N 

The food at camp was terrific! We had breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and a campfire snack. There was a variety of options for people with allergies. All food was served in the kitchen and students ate in the dining area. Fun fact: We learnt at camp that sandwiches don’t contain either sand or witches, but ham burgers can contain ham and burgers!  - Halle F  

Archery is a very fun activity because you must aim for the bull’s-eye and even if you miss it is still an amazingly fun activity. It is a great way to learn how to focus and it also teaches you power control because you don’t want it to go too far or become a dead arrow. - Kairav B 

The nights at the campfire reminded me of home, but with my friends at my side - I felt complete. Eating cookies with chocolate milk or discussing the next exciting activity, being around the campfire was always a heartwarming activity. – Jayden L 

The constant influx of interesting and exciting activities meant that everyone always had a turn with either their closest friends or complete stranger, which in the end strengthened our friendships and teamwork. The time I spent with my friends was an inspiring, humorous and storytelling atmosphere, while also being a break from the camp’s constant physical exertion. However, one thing is for sure; the friendships made and strengthened were the best time of camp. - Jayden L 

Canoeing is brilliant for a few reasons, first is teamwork, because it is important. Another is learning new skills but overall canoeing is a fun activity. My favourite part was kayaking the boat by myself. - Renee W

Mrs Janssen - 5J Classroom Teacher