Inquiry Centre

Curriculum

What an exciting and unique week of Remote Learning we have had for our STEM week in the Inquiry Centre! With opportunities to engage in online Zooms, it was fantastic to see students continue exploring the world around them using their scientific and mathematical knowledge. Some of the highlights were our Maths Zoom with Ms Bennetts, as well as a chance to learn all about Zebrafish from a real scientist. Students also enjoyed using their creativity to create a “Deep Blue Habitat” using different materials from around their houses. We hope that the week of learned sparked curiosity in homes!

In English this week, we continued writing our narratives and students took the time to reflect on their work and make changes based on teacher feedback. It was great to see the character strengths of creativity, perseverance and honesty in full swing! Another highlight was having the chance to record a mini puppet show for Readers’ Theatre where we were entertained with fabulous expression as students read the dialogue from the script.

In Maths, students showcased the many strategies they are able to use to solve multiplication and division questions. From worded problems, to number sentences and diagrams and even a few trickier options with remainders, we enjoyed the chance to experiment with strategies! Our MiniMaths small groups are continuing to take off across the Inquiry Centre and students have enjoyed another chance to connect over Google Meets.

For the week ahead, please take the time to read the note in the newsletter about our staff Professional Practice Day this Friday. Students will have optional choice board activities on this day - they are not required to upload any work to Seesaw and there will be no Google Meets on Friday 28th.

The Disco is this Friday (28th August). The theme for the Inquiry Centre is: ‘Get Comfy!’. Think your most comfortable clothes, onesies or PJs. Classes 1/2P, 1/2O, 1/2BR and 1/2H will begin at 4:30pm. Classes 1/2K, 1/2E and 1/2W begin at 5:00pm. Siblings and families are encouraged to join in the fun. Last week a video of the ‘Cha Cha Slide’ was uploaded to Seesaw. This is part of a ‘Dance Off’ competition. Follow along with the video to learn all of the dance moves. 

Throughout next week (Week 8), we will be completing a number of assessments to monitor students progress and allow us to further support each child’s learning needs. Each student will be allocated a 30 minute time slot to complete individual assessments with their teacher. We will also complete a Maths assessment in small groups after our regular GoogleMeet Morning Check-ins. As we are completing individual assessments, there may be limited/no feedback given on Seesaw tasks during certain days throughout this week. There will also be no small group GoogleMeets at 12:30pm during this week. Thank-you in advance for your flexibility during this time. Your child’s classroom teacher will provide more information later this week. 

Please continue to look after the wellbeing of your family and continue to keep in contact with your class teachers with any questions, concerns or anything that we can help with.

Have a great week!

Emma Honan, Aidan O’Connor, Emma Marsh, Kathy Wang, Emily Glen, Emily Kiefte, Simone Rock and Erin Bennetts.

Student Voice

• Chitra - “I like the small groups sessions”
• Mihir - “I like playing maths, fun games With my family.” 
• Alya  - “I liked practising our scripts!” 
• Aryash - “I loved making sea ocean with different objects and toys”

Things that 1/2P are grateful for this week (see picture):

Reminders

• The Virtual Disco is this Friday (28th August).
  • 1/2P, 1/2O, 1/2BR and 1/2H begin at 4:30pm
  • 1/2K, 1/2E and 1/2W begin at 5:00pm
• Students can use pen and paper to complete Seesaw activities. To print a copy of the work from Seesaw - save Activity as draft - click view original → https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AkFLEhM7-DXV-ElAwHCQnaFSAjn4padc/view
• Reading Eggs, Mathletics and Epic Books are additional items we are providing access to and can be used at any time by all students as desired (they are not mandatory).
• It is normal for students' work to be messy or not perfect. At school, we talk about celebrating mistakes as they help challenge us to learn and grow.
• Please keep your child's teacher informed about changes and challenges along the way so that we can work to support you and your child further.

Pupil of the Week

1/2BR: Kayla S - 

For consistently contributing to discussions in Maths and Reading Groups. You are showing you are a life-long learner.

1/2E: Karmveer -  

For demonstrating perseverance and love of learning when completing your narrative. You worked hard to listen and apply feedback and you made honest reflections on your learning ! Great work Karmveer! 

1/2H: Leo D -  

For demonstrating creativity and a love of learning when creating his ocean habitat for Science Week. You added lots of detail to your habitat including seaweed and a shark, and shared some of your knowledge about salt and freshwater. Amazing work Leo!

1/2K: Alvin K - 

For demonstrating perseverance in your guided reading session this week! You practised your lines, made a fantastic puppet, read with fluency and great expression! Keep up the awesome work superstar Alvin!

1/2O: Taj F - 

For demonstrating creativity when performing your readers theatre play. You used text clues to prompt your reading with expression to show characters feelings and entertain. Excellent work Taj!

1/2P: Xavier D: 

For demonstrating respect, persistence and enthusiasm during MiniMaths. So proud of your determination to find effective strategies for division. Keep up the awesome engagement, Xavier!

1/2W: Yasmine A - 

For demonstrating curiosity and creativity with your STEM challenge and narrative task. You embedded descriptive language throughout your narrative as you built upon different problems that were arising at Tousie’s birthday. Brilliant work Yasmine!