Learning News - Term 1, Week 5-6

This week, our school buzzed with mathematical excitement as we welcomed the World of Maths incursion to engage our K-6 students in hands-on discovery. From Kindergarten to Year 6, students stepped away from traditional pen-and-paper tasks to tackle real-world challenges involving everything from measurement and time to data and algebra. It was wonderful to see our learners working collaboratively in small groups, using creative thinking and perseverance to solve complex puzzles. These sessions highlighted that mathematics is much more than just numbers; it is about communication, trial and error, and the joy of finding a solution together. To keep this momentum going, give your child a hands-on challenge at home, such as building the tallest tower possible with recycled materials or figuring out how to divide a snack perfectly among the family.

Miss Summerell

Leader of Pedagogy / Mathematics Specialist Teacher

K/1

Over the past 2 weeks, K/1 has been exploring the beautiful story Anchored written by Debra Tidball, using its themes of connection, courage and belonging as inspiration for our own learning. Students have been busy creating their own stories and simple sentences based on similar ideas from the text, showing wonderful creativity and imagination. We have also been focusing on correct letter formation, taking care to start and finish our letters in the right place. To bring our writing to life, students have been drawing detailed illustrations that match their sentences, making sure their pictures clearly connect to their ideas. We are so proud of the effort everyone is putting into becoming confident young authors!

Miss Downes & Mrs Davis

K/1 Teachers

2/3C

It has been a busy and creative few weeks in our classroom as our Year 2 and 3 students dive deep into the world of storytelling! During Weeks 5 and 6, our young authors have been transforming everyday "seed" ideas—like seeing a dog at the park—into imaginative narratives. We have focused on bringing stories to life by developing character descriptions, exploring both their outside appearance and their inside feelings.

The students have also been learning how to map out their ideas using a "story arch" to ensure their tales have a clear beginning, a tricky problem, and a satisfying solution. To make their writing even more engaging, we’ve practiced "showing, not just telling" by using strong verbs and interesting nouns to create vivid scenes for the reader. We are so proud of how they are building their drafts and growing as a community of writers!

Mrs Crafford & Miss Lyall

2/3 Teachers

2/3M

Our literacy blocks have been buzzing with energy as we dive into the world of narrative structure! This term, the students are becoming master storytellers by exploring the dynamic relationship between a protagonist (our hero with a goal) and an antagonist (the character or force providing the challenge). We’ve been learning that a great story needs "friction" to keep the reader interested. Whether it’s a friendly rivalry on the soccer field or a classic battle between a knight and a dragon, Year 2/3 M is busy drafting stories full of high stakes, clever solutions and exciting resolutions.

Reading Groups are currently becoming 'Information Detectives!' This week, Year 2/3 M has been practising the art of summarising informative texts. Using highlighters, students are learning to highlight key points and then summarise key information.

Miss Martin

2/3 Teacher

Year 4

Over the last weeks Year 4 have been learning about the fascinating world of animal migrations in our text ‘Amazing Animal Journeys’ written by Jennifer Cossins. This informational text is jam packed with jaw dropping facts about animals from around the world and their amazing migratory journeys.

Not only did we learn about the incredibly long and complex journeys of a variety of animals, but sadly how human activities are affecting them. Did you know the New Zealand Longfin Eel makes its way from tropical Pacific waters as an egg, hatches and then swims until it reaches New Zealand’s alpine lakes and rivers where it will stay until it is ready to breed. This is a one way journey of 2 000 - 3 000 kilometres!!

Year 4 have complete a variety of writing activities using this text as their inspiration - information reports, persuasive letters and narratives.

We hope you enjoy reading some of our work samples.

Animal Journey Reflections

By Alex

In the book ‘Amazing Animal Journeys’ you can see how specific animals migrate and how climate change affects them. The author Jennifer Cossins loves the environment and wants to help plants, animals and ecosystems.

Jennifer explains how climate change destroys plants and animals. She tries to explain to the reader how deserts are getting bigger and grasslands are getting smaller due to drastic weather and hot disturbances.

I believe that we can help to save the earth by reducing the number of oil companies and stopping mines.

The Sockeyed Salmon’s Great Upstream Struggle

By Oliver M

11.2.26

Dear Diary,

Today is the day I ‘m going on an arduous journey from the North Pacific Ocean to the lakes. It takes me eight to ten weeks to get to the lakes but there were unexpected guests along the way.

12.2.26

Dear Diary,

I can’t believe that I escaped a bear! It’s big, hairy arms were swinging at me with its’s gigantic claws and sharp teeth gleaming. Aaaaaaah!

Climate Change Letter

By Yolanda

Yolanda

St Michael’s School

45 Rowan St

Manilla NSW 2346

Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC

Environmental Minister

NSW State Government

Sydney NSW 2000

25.2.26

Dear Hon. Ms Sharpe,

Scientists have proven that human activities are drastically affecting our animal’s population. Since you are the Environmental Minister, you will know that people have been hunting animals and have been cutting down trees for wood. Please help!

Around the world people have been damaging forests and killing animals. Even though we need to eat and live, we still need to protect animals and forests. I can help by making posters saying: ‘Please Stop Deforestation’ and ‘STOP leaving your rubbish in forests’. We can also all help by planting more trees.

Climate Change Letter

By Oliver H

Oliver

St Michael’s School

45 Rowan St

Manilla NSW 2346

Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC

Environmental Minister

NSW State Government

Sydney NSW 2000

25.2.26

Dear Hon. Ms Sharpe,

Since you are the Minister of Climate Change and the Environmental Minister, I want to tell you that human activities are drastically changing the environment for the animals to live. I want you to help us save animals. Can you help us to stop this?

Around the world animals are suffering from habitat loss due to land-clearing, mines, construction of cities, roads and the production of meat and timber. This is happening from human activity around the world. May you please help us to save the animals such as the Leatherback Sea Turtle? It’s vulnerable. This has to stop or otherwise our world will be hot and muggy and our animals will be gone.

I can help you with getting the rubbish out of the beach and planting trees for the animals to have more habitats.

Climate Change Letter

By Maisy

Maisy

St Michael’s School

45 Rowan St

Manilla NSW 2346

Hon. Penny Sharpe MLC

Environmental Minister

NSW State Government

Sydney NSW 2000

25.2.26

Dear Hon. Ms Sharpe,

Scientists have proven that human activities are drastically affecting our animal populations. When I read the book ‘Amazing Animal Journeys’ by Jennifer Cossins, I realised migration paths have been damaged from human activities. We need your help!

Around the world animals are suffering from habitat loss from flooding, bushfires, mining and land clearing. People are damaging animal’s habitats. You have got to make some strong laws that will protect our animals. I will help by protecting animals that are in danger by donating money to organisations who are looking after our environment.

Miss Cronin & Mrs Shepherd

Year 4 Teachers

5/6

This week, Year 5 / 6 started a new book called Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles by Corey Tutt. This isn’t your typical reptile encyclopedia - it’s a celebration of Indigenous knowledge, scientific discovery and the incredible diversity of Australian reptiles. As we deep dive into learning about our local Country, Kamilaroi -the students have learned reptile names in First Language and explore the landscapes and habitats where these reptiles thrive. With future investigation over the upcoming week, Year 5 / 6 will get creative with creating 3D sculptures of one of the animals we have learnt about and create dioramas for their habitats.

Miss Murphy

5/6 Teacher

Celebrations

Birthdays and Awards