Level 5: Connect

Welcome back to Term 3! We all hope your holidays were restful and relaxing. This Term, we have a lot going on:

• Concert practice every Monday morning
• House Athletics Day
• Go For It Girls STEM workshop @ Deakin University
• Girls' Footy Gala Day
• Healesville Sanctuary Excursion
• Maths Games
• Maths Olympiad
• Cosmodome Incursion
• Concert

Inquiry

This term, our Level 5 students are exploring the foundations of Australia’s democratic system through our Civics and Citizenship Inquiry unit. We began by learning about what democracy means, the core values that underpin Australia’s government, and the significance of the Australian citizenship pledge. Students have engaged in rich discussions and activities to understand how these values shape our society. We are now shifting our focus to Australia’s voting system, how elections work, why voting matters, and how voting rights have evolved over time. Students will also investigate how the Australian Electoral Commission supports all voters, including those in remote communities.

Maths

In Mathematics so far this term, our Level 5 students have been developing their understanding of fractions. They have learned how to add and subtract fractions with like denominators, and have explored how to convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers. Students have also investigated equivalent fractions, using visual models and number lines to strengthen their conceptual understanding. These foundational skills are helping students build confidence when working with fractions and preparing them for more complex problem-solving tasks later in the year.

Literacy

Reading is Term 3 has continued with a Mentor Text 'One Small Island' focussing on the layered structure of the text. Students began through completing research and complex conversations around where and what Macquarie Island is, what inhabits the land and why the authors would choose to write a story about an Island South of New Zealand. Students will dissect the book, looking at text features in the story to help improve their comprehension and writing.

Cosmodome Incursion

On the 29th of July, our Level 5 students had the exciting opportunity to step inside the Cosmodome, an inflatable mobile planetarium that visited our school for an immersive learning experience. The session focused on natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis, bringing these powerful forces of nature to life through a dynamic full-dome presentation. Students explored how these events occur, their impact on people and places, and how communities prepare for and respond to them. This engaging incursion supported our learning in both Science, where we explore Earth’s surface changes and natural processes, and Geography, as we examine the influence of environmental factors on human settlement and the ways people adapt to natural hazards. It was a memorable and educational experience that deepened students' understanding of Earth's systems and their real-world impacts.