Saltwater College Newsletter

Year Six 

Dear Year Six Families,

 

We cannot believe it is already week 4! This term is well and truly flying by and we are busier than ever in year 6. 

Exhibition:

All year 6 students have now been placed into small groups with students who are interested in the same or similar big idea. Together in their groups, they will need to investigate and offer solutions to the real-life issue or problem that they have identified. Our students are currently in the research faze and are learning what it means to be a team player by communicating their learning with one another. 

 

The big issues our students are looking at under each sub-strand are:

Equal Opportunity:

  • Women’s Rights
  • Racism
  • Freedom
  • Family Conflict
  • Homelessness
  • Human Rights
  • Gender Equality

Finite Resources:

  • Climate Change
  • Ocean Pollution
  • Animal Abuse
  • Pollution
  • Destruction of Habitats
  • Deforestation

Communities and Relationships:

  • Indigenous Australians
  • Government Organisations
  • Transport

Peace and Conflict:

  • Terrorism
  • Refugees
  • Technological Advancements
  • Origins of War
  • Consequences of War
  • Impact of Leaders
  • Gun Violence
  • Community Conflict
  • Soldiers of War
  • Government Corruption
  • War and Peace
  • Weapons

If you work or are passionate about any of these areas listed, please reach out to any of the year 6 teachers as we would greatly appreciate any community support or insight that can further assist our students. 

Reading:

Our students are continuing to work on a variety of different author studies within their fluid reading groups. An author study provides students with an opportunity to delve deeply into an author’s life in order to understand their body of work. 

 

Students in Mr Peterson and Mr Bliss’ groups have been researching the author of their literacy discussion text. Students in Mrs Singh and Mrs Kilners groups are investigating the life and work of Raquel Jaramillo Palacio, the author of Wonder. 

 

Miss Wetherill and Miss Fatouros’ groups were treated to a Dr Seuss parody, which was written and performed by the teachers. The challenge was then set for the students to create their own Dr Seuss parody. This activity is encouraging our students to develop their rhyming and rhythm. We have seen some fantastic parodies so far and our students have shown great courage by performing them in front of their peers.  

Writing:

This week, we are moving on from formal and informal letter writing and will begin to learn how to write an artist statement. Understanding how to write an artist statement for an artefact will be an important skill required for our exhibition. Our students were encouraged to bring in their own artifact from home and spent time in class writing about its description in an artist statement.  

Term 3 Dance Classes:

Students will begin their dance classes this week with Mr Haddad. Please ensure your child is wearing their PE uniform on the day they have dance. 

6A – On Wednesdays at 1:40-2:40

6B – On Tuesdays at 8:30-9:30

6C – On Fridays at 8:30-9:30

6D – On Wednesdays at 12:40-1:40

6E – On Thursdays at 12:40-1:40

6F – On Fridays at 12:40-1:40

Student of the Week Awards:

17th of July: Samarth Shah (6B) and Wijdan Mirza (6E). 

31st of July: Ahnaf Farooq (6D) and Layla Kanoun (6C). 

Elective Hour:

To coincide with our formal letter writing lessons, students were encouraged to write a lesson to Ms Daniali that details their suggestions on how our school can improve. 6D students, Medha Pai and Michaela Goh, suggested that year 6 students should be given the opportunity to take part in elective subjects as this will help with student engagement.

 

Impressed with their suggestion and reasoning, the Year 5 and 6 teachers have decided to start elective classes that will run across the two cohorts. These classes will be held at 11:00-12:00 on Fridays and will be commencing this Friday, the 4th of August. 

 

The elective classes students can participate in are:

  • Drama
  • History
  • Science
  • Photography
  • Graphic Design
  • Fitness
  • Coding
  • Creative Writing
  • Crime and Forensic
  • Geography
  • Sewing

Reminders:

  • A reminder that students need to be wearing the correct Saltwater College uniform every day. This means no nail polish and/or hair out if longer than shoulder length.
  • Students should be bringing their MacBook’s in every day and they must be charged.
  • Students are expected to complete their homework each week. This is due on a Friday.
  • Absences: If your child is away, parents/carers need to log this on XUNO to minimise any unexplained absences.
  • Late arrivals (8:40 am onwards) require a late pass from reception. 
  • Remember to bring a waste-free lunch on Wednesdays for the schools waste-free Wednesday initiative

Upcoming Dates in Year 6:

  • 16th of August – Summer Sports Revised Day (Cricket, Softball, Rounders, Tennis)
  • 25th of August – Curriculum Day
  • 28th of August to the 1st of September – Book Week
  • 1st of September – Book Week Dress Up Day
  • 5th and 6th of September – Exhibition
  • 14th of September – Year 6 Excursion
  • 15th of September – Last Day of Term and Colour Run

 

On behalf of the year 6 team, we hope you have a lovely week and please reach out if you have any questions.