Years 3 - 6 Community 

Can you believe we have nearly finished the 2021 school year? Even though we have had our ups and downs this year, constantly moving from onsite to remote learning and back again (and again!), the 3-6 communities across NBC are looking forward to ending the year with a bang. Here is a glimpse of what we have been up to for the past few weeks, and what we have coming up...

Back Onsite

We are so excited to have our students back onsite again (even if we do occasionally miss the mute button). The 3-6 students impressed us all as they slipped seamlessly back into regular classroom routines and learning. Seeing and playing with friends has definitely been a highlight for many. So let's hear from some of our students about how they feel about being back on campus:

“I like it better at school because I can see all my friends and I get more work done.”

“It’s a lot easier to do the work and we get help when we need it.”

“I feel really joyful because I can see my friends and play with them.”

“A little better because I can see my friends and I get more help at school with my learning.”

“It’s better at school because I get to work face to face with teachers and it's easier at school than at home.”

“Good, because I see my friends.”

Please Explain

After finishing our poetry unit, the 3-6 students moved on to explanation texts. During our reading sessions we studied a variety of explanation writing, looking at the features and language used in these types of texts. Students selected an area of interest based on our HASS topic to find out more about. They then began to research their topic, developing their skills in both online research and researching using printed texts. The skill of researching; finding relevant information, recording that information in dot points to rewrite later in your own words is a difficult one that requires lots of practise. It's been great to see the effort our students have shown to improve their own skills in this area. 

Currently the 3-6 students are using all the research and information they have gathered to write their own explanation texts. When you start to see your child bringing home work from the end of the year, please ask them to show you their explanation writing. I can promise you it will be well worth the read!

Math

There is a fine line between a numerator and a denominator...Only a fraction of people will find this funny. All jokes aside, the 3-6 students have obviously been learning about fractions, decimals, percentages and their relationship to each other. Depending on the age and stage of your child, students may have been using fraction walls, fraction blocks, games, flashcards, as well as a myriad of other resources to help students develop an understanding of this branch of math. The great thing about math is the overlap between skills. While working on fractions, decimals and percentages, students continue to consolidate their skills in other math areas such as problem solving, using the four processes, financial literacy, place value understanding etc.

As I am writing this we are heading into many pre and post Christmas sales. I would encourage you when out and about with your own little mathematicians to have them make the connection between what is taught in the classroom and real life, by helping you solve everyday, real world math problems. Maybe your child can work out the discount on that great bargain you are considering buying, or calculate the change they will receive when they buy you that coffee you have seriously earnt. Whatever it is, giving children a chance to practise math skills outside of the classroom helps set them up for future success.

Earth and Space Science

Have you ever wondered what causes day and night, how erosion changes the Earth's surface, how our solar system was formed, what causes a volcano to erupt, or what damage is caused by extreme weather conditions? These are just a few of the wonderings our 3-6 students have had. As mentioned earlier, students have been researching a topic they have been interested in and writing an explanation text based on this. But do you know what’s even better than finding out the answer to something you are really interested in? Sharing it! 

Students across 3-6 are busy designing and developing ways they can share their learning with others. From conducting science experiments that show the movement of Earth when an earthquake hits to building models of the sun, the moon and the Earth, our 3-6 students are sharing their learning in a multitude of ways. Please continue to support your child over the next few weeks as they complete HASS projects and prepare to share them with others.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

We have certainly earnt some of this! Across the college, students have had the opportunity to participate in an inflatables session, bouncing from station to station. 

They have also shown their true colours (mostly blue, pink and yellow from what I saw) in the fundraising colour run event. 

And in true 3-6 style, we will be finishing up the year with a celebration day on each of the campuses. Stay tuned for more information about this event.

A final reminder. 

As we finish up the year, please remember that Chromebooks are a learning tool that are used daily across classrooms in the 3-6 community. Students need to continue bringing these to school every day, fully charged.

Thank you to every year 3-6 student, their families and the wider community for letting us be a part of your 2021 journey and for being a part of ours. We have loved working with you all and wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Stay safe over the holidays and we will see you back here again in 2022.

Melissa Maccora

Assistant Principal

Wexford Campus 

Coordinator of  

Years 3-6 Stage of Schooling