Our Learning in Years 5/6
Welcome to a vibrant start to Term 1 in our Grade 5 and 6 classes for 2025! We began the year with our comprehensive Start-Up Program, where students revisited our school-wide rights, responsibilities, and rules. This groundwork has prepared us for a year filled with collaboration, curiosity, and leadership growth.
Recently, we held our “Aspire Higher 2” Workshop—an action-packed, high-energy day that expanded on last year’s leadership themes. During this workshop, students explored the power of influence, tested their teamwork in interactive challenges, and strengthened their skills in communication and problem-solving. The excitement was electric as they recognised that leadership is more than a title; it’s demonstrated every day through supportive actions, mutual respect, and the willingness to inspire peers.
Literacy:
This term, we’re embracing a combined approach to reading, writing, speaking, and listening under the Victorian Curriculum, giving our Grade 5/6 students plenty of opportunities to experiment with both narrative and informative text types. In our narrative work, we’ll focus on crafting pieces that entertain, including plays, scripts, and short stories—connecting imaginative storytelling to real-life experiences. Students will learn how to structure dialogue, develop characters, and build suspense, all while honing their performance skills through script-based activities. Meanwhile, our informative writing will centre on creating clear and concise procedures or directions, which could range from mapping out a treasure hunt to guiding classmates through a simple science experiment. By exploring different styles of writing, students expand their vocabulary, practise effective speaking and listening techniques, and learn to adapt their communication for various purposes and audiences.
Numeracy:
In Numeracy, we’re delving deeper into place value and data, ensuring our learners can confidently manipulate larger numbers, decimals, and fractions while honing their estimation and mental arithmetic skills. Grade 5 students will sharpen these foundations as they prepare for NAPLAN, while Grade 6 students build upon them through operations-focused tasks. We’ll engage in hands-on problem-solving—such as collecting and analysing real-world data—to help students understand how to organise and interpret information in meaningful ways. Whether they’re creating graphs, examining survey results, or exploring probability, our goal is to foster mathematical thinking that is both critical and creative.
Inquiry:
This term’s inquiry theme, “Young Leaders in Public Leadership,” builds on the foundational skills developed in our recent leadership incursion. This theme is designed to extend students’ understanding of personal and social capabilities, critical and creative thinking, and their potential as young leaders. Through a series of engaging discussions, activities, and projects, we aim to empower our students to explore their identities, beliefs, and the impact they can have on their community and beyond.
Wellbeing:
We are also dedicated to reinforcing our school-wide behaviour matrix, emphasizing respect, responsibility, and a strong sense of community. This initiative is crucial in maintaining a positive and inclusive school environment.
As we continue our journey through Term 1, we would like to remind families of a few key points to help our students thrive:
- Reading Challenge: Encourage your child to read every night, to reach 300 nights of reading. This practice is crucial for developing literacy skills and fostering a love for reading.
- School Uniform: Please ensure your child wears the full school uniform daily. Presenting in uniform promotes a sense of pride and belonging within our school community.
- Attendance: Regular attendance is vital for your child’s educational progress. To add a bit of fun and motivation, Mr. Spiteri will host a BBQ for the class with the highest attendance this term. Let’s aim to participate fully and enjoy this special reward!
Thank you for your ongoing support and for fostering a positive atmosphere where our students can flourish. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and growth as the term progresses.
Sincerely,
Grade 5/6 Team
