Year 6 News

Welcome to Term 2!

We have settled in superbly and are getting ready for a busy term ahead. Please find below information about the Victorian Curriculum 2.0 areas as well as the focus in the Religious Education curriculum, To Live in Christ Jesus, that will be covered this term.

Religion 

The focus this term is on Triune God. This can be a difficult concept to understand that one exists as three but a good example that our students can use to develop their understanding is water. Water can exist in three states: solid, liquid and gas. Giving our students something tangible allows us then to enter a discussion of divinity. We will continue with developing an understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church today. This will provide an opportunity for us to begin preparing students for the Sacrament of Confirmation in Term Three.

English

Reading and Viewing

In Reading, we will be continuing to explore the text  “Laughter is the Best Ending” by Maryam Master.  This term, students will focus on making connections within texts, helping them deepen their understanding as they read. They will build on previously learned skills, particularly scanning for information, to locate relevant details efficiently. Using these skills, students will practise selecting and using evidence from the text to support their understanding and meaning-making. Students will also continue to build their knowledge of word syntax through a weekly “Word of the Week” focus.

Writing

In Writing this term students will be focusing on persuasive writing. Students will explore different forms of persuasive writing such as advertising, blogs and debates. Students will be exploring persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, emotive language, evidence, repetition and the power of three. These devices strengthen student's arguments. In the second half of the term we will look at information texts. Students will be exposed to a variety of information texts, the structure and their purpose. Students will be encouraged to write legibly and for sustained periods.

Mathematics

This term in Mathematics, we will focus on addition and subtraction and the strategies that we can use to solve these problems. 

Students will learn to identify 2D and 3D shapes, by name them, and identify the various features that they have, for example faces, edges and vertices. We will also develop an understanding of the cross sections of a 3D shape. 

Students will learn about Multiplication and Division and how these skills can be applied to all types of numbers and be used to answer various types of questions. We will learn how to apply these skills to calculating the area of different types of shapes. We will continue to develop our understanding of the concept of BIDMAS and why this is important in the solving of equations.

We will learn how to represent and interpret various types of statistics and data displays and answer questions related to these. 

Science

Earth and Space

Students at Level 6 will spend Term 2 exploring how gravity and Earth’s movements shape the patterns we see in the sky. They’ll investigate how the Sun’s gravitational pull keeps Earth and the other planets in orbit, building an understanding of why our solar system behaves the way it does. They’ll also examine cyclic, observable phenomena, including why the length of day and night changes across the year, by learning how Earth’s tilt, rotation on its axis, and revolution around the Sun work together to create these patterns. Through hands-on activities, modelling, and observation, students will develop a clearer picture of the dynamic systems that govern life on our planet.

Humanities

Geography

In Humanities in Term Two, we will be focusing on Geography. Students will be learning about the major geographical divisions and diversity of places around the world.  Students will explore and investigate the impacts and interconnections between Australia and other countries by analysing the economic, demographic and social differences between us and our neighbours.  Students will complete individual investigations where they will question, locate, collect and organise information and data from a range of primary and secondary sources to develop evidence-based conclusions.

Capabilities:

Personal & Social and Critical & Creative Thinking

Students are learning to think more openly and critically by setting aside preconceptions and exploring strategies to generate and evaluate a wide range of ideas. As part of their personal development, students are reflecting on the importance of being confident, adaptable, and persistent, and recognising when these traits are most useful. They are continuing to build an understanding of what they can influence through their actions, and how to show sensitivity to individual, social, and cultural differences - an essential part of creating a respectful and inclusive community. Students will be encouraged to engage with the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships program as part of the Personal & Social and Critical & Creative Thinking curriculum as well as the Kids Helpline sessions that we will be engaging in across the term.

Health: 

We will be learning to explain and apply protective behaviours and help-seeking strategies that can be used in a range of online and offline situations at home, school and in the community. We will investigate different sources, quality and types of health information and how these apply to our own and others’ health choices as well as analyse how various strategies influence the health, safety, relationships and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

General Reminders

School Wide Expectations

As a Year Six cohort, we meet regularly for prayer, level news and updates.  This will continue to support students to articulate issues which they can solve as a level.

We will continue to develop student leadership skills this term through using their initiative to take on roles and responsibilities in the classroom and the wider school community.

We will continue to be placing particular emphasis on our school wide expectations: Respect, Responsibility and Safety. We will continue to use the Children’s Mental Health Continuum as a tool for their mental health and wellbeing.  As a cohort, we are identifying strategies to help build a culture of resilience in ourselves and others. We will continue to promote these expectations through explicit teaching of Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships resource and class meetings.

Home Learning

Students have been given a diary to help them organise themselves and are expected to log their reading in each week (at least 3-5 times a week). Please make sure they spend 20-30 minutes a night (where possible) reading a book, either independently or out loud. Student diaries will be checked weekly by the teachers as well as emphasising this at our cohort meetings.  You are also welcome to use the diary as a way of communicating with your child’s teacher. 

Uniform

Winter Uniform Season

During Term Two, students are required to wear their winter school uniform. Students are also required to bring a named drink bottle to school each day. Bottles can be refilled as needed during the day. 

A reminder that children are expected to wear appropriate uniform to school each day —either full winter or sports uniform on designated sports days (please check your classroom timetable). If your child is not in their correct uniform, please write a note for your teacher to explain the reason. If your child’s hair is longer than their shoulders, we ask that their hair is tied back for hygiene purposes. We also ask that students do not wear jewelry or nail polish as stated in the school’s uniform policy.  St Agatha’s school policy allows for NO make-up at school. 

Please make sure students wear deodorant / sunscreen daily and also bring a roll on deodorant / sunscreen to school to keep in their bag for applying after recess/lunch times, sports or just to freshen up.

Any mobile devices must be handed in at the office before school starts. This includes watches with data and mobile phones. They can be picked up at the end of the day. 

Important Dates/ Incursions/ Excursions

Contact Information 

Absentees - Please communicate any planned absences to this email.

absence@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au 

Damian Mitchell (6M)

dmitchell@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au

Ashley Beley (6B)

abeley@stacbourne.catholic.edu.au

Georgegina Nettleingham (6N)

gnettleingham@stacbourne.catholic.e du.au

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher via email. We are here to help! 

The Year Six Team

Damian Mitchell, Ashley Beley & Georgegina Nettleingham