Grade 5

Literacy

Students have successfully completed their novel study of Tom Appleby, Convict Boy by Jackie French, demonstrating their understanding of character, setting, and the historical context of the story. Through guided discussions and reflective activities, students explored key themes such as resilience, justice, and life as a young convict. Building on this learning, students applied their knowledge to write an information report about 18th century England, focusing on daily life, social class, crime and punishment, and the conditions that led to transportation and linking to the history of the First Fleet and how Australia ended up being a part of the Commonwealth. This study allowed students to connect fictional narratives with historical facts, strengthening their research skills and ability to present information clearly and accurately.

Numeracy

Students have been deepening their understanding of mathematical operations by exploring how addition, subtraction, multiplication and division can be applied in a range of learning contexts to finish off the term. Through guided practice and independent activities, students have developed and consolidated their ability to select appropriate operations, apply efficient strategies, and explain their thinking when solving problems. They demonstrated growing confidence in breaking down multi-step problems, checking the reasonableness of their answers, and using mathematical language to justify their solutions, showing continued development in their problem-solving skills.

On behalf of the Grade 5 teachers, we wish all students and families a happy, safe, and restful break over the holiday period. May this time be filled with joy, relaxation, and special moments spent together. We hope everyone has a safe and merry Christmas and returns refreshed and ready for learning. We look forward to seeing you all when school resumes in 2026.