Year 6 News 

Reading

Last week in Year 6, students were learning how to build their reading stamina, the ability to stay focused and read independently for longer stretches of time. This is an important skill that helps students grow as readers and prepare for more challenging texts. In our classrooms, they practiced this every day by setting goals, choosing "just right" books, and gradually increasing their reading time.

I can read for a long time without getting distracted - Livreet 6B‘A just right book is one that is not too easy and not too hard to read.’ - Nia 6E 

Writing

This fortnight in Writing, Year 6 students have been exploring explanatory and sequential texts. They've been learning how to clearly explain ideas and processes using structured language and logical order. Through reading examples and creating their own texts, students are developing important skills in organising information, using topic-specific vocabulary, and writing step-by-step instructions. These text types are essential for communicating clearly in both school and real-world situations.

‘ I explained how to make vegemite toast’ - Khloe 6E ‘ I wrote about how to make a plait in your hair’ - Jasleen 6E

‘ I wrote about how to score a try in rugby’  - Carter 6D

‘I wrote about how to do a handstand’ - Ciana 6D

Maths 

Year 6 students have had a big first week back at school to start of their last semester of their primary school years. During Mathematics, Year 6’s began by reviewing what we already knew about odd and even numbers. Students then began exploring the different types of numbers or ‘special numbers’. Students began by exploring prime and composite numbers and identifying these numbers to 100. Students were able to use clues about factors to help them identify these with bigger numbers and identify patterns that they noticed. 

‘Learning about prime and composite numbers was very difficult at the start but was fun to learn about once you got the hang of it’ - Ivy 6A

‘I learnt that composite numbers have more factors other than one and itself’ Alyra 6D

‘It was fun’ - Rimas 6A

‘Learning about prime and composite numbers seemed hard at first, but I began to understand more towards the end of the week.’ - Maya 6B

‘ 7 is a prime number because it doesn't divide into anything else’ - Noah 6E 

Inquiry

For the first week back, the Year 6 students have begun their next topic of Inquiry; Geography. They were introduced to the big question of this topic: ‘how do people and the environment influence each other?’ Through this question we began exploring this history of this planet and looked into plate tectonics, the Supercontinental Drift and Pangea. We also explored what the Earth will look like in the next 250 million years! 

‘It would be very easy to walk to another country if the continents were joined today’ - Noah 6E 

Auslan

Year 6 students have recently focused on learning numbers in Auslan, developing their ability to explore both the hand shapes and movements required for accurate communication. Their ability to sign and understand numerical concepts using Australian Sign Language has improved significantly. This learning has enhanced their communication skills and fostered an appreciation for the diversity of language within the deaf community. 

‘I enjoyed learning to sign different family members’ - Jake 6B

‘Its fun learning how to sign in AUSLAN and being able to communicate with other people’ - Ivy 6A‘ We learnt all the numbers to 100!’ Layth 6E

Social and Emotional Learning

For the first week back, the Year 6 cohort revised concepts covered in Elephant Ed around Puberty and how the body changes. This was a great way for students to clarify any lingering questions they had from the content covered last term. We also explored the idea of a “Rollercoaster Day” and how different events throughout the day can impact our emotions. However students were able to imagine how they could practise resilience throughout a day that has lots of ups and downs. The Grade 6 students also explored team building exercises such as the ‘Human Knot’ where they needed to communicate respectfully, and work together to undo the knot, without letting go of each others’ hands.

‘ We are allowed to have different emotion during the day’ - Lachlan 6E 

Special Event - NAIDOC Week 

Last week, Year 6 students explored the importance of NAIDOC Week by learning what NAIDOC stands for and why this important celebration is celebrated across Australia. Students watched a video introducing NAIDOC week and discussed its purpose and importance in small groups. As a class students explored the nominated Indigenous Australians from the Award finalists, and researched why they were nominated and noted some of their contributions towards community. 

Year 6 students were able to reflect on the importance of NAIDOC week and celebrate some of the amazing people and organisations that help celebrate the culture, and accomplishments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

‘It was fun to learn about the Indigenous people and things happening in Australia’ - Onel 6D

‘It was fun learning about NAIDOC week’ - Murad 6A

‘I had fun learning about Australian Indigenous people who have made contributions to Australia’ - Mason 6A 

‘We are learning about different indigenous famous people who have contributed to the community’ - Alyra 6D

‘I think learning about Indigenous history is important’ - Ibrahim 6B‘ I spoke at assembly to inform the rest of the school about the work that the Year 6s had been doing for NAIDOC week’ - Jasleen 6E