Archive | July 2017

Amazing Angles!

Earlier this term we had some fun learning about angles in maths. Students created a design of their name and measured and labelled all the different types of angles in order to practice their protractor skills. Don’t they look great!

This entry was posted on July 31, 2017, in Uncategorized and tagged . 1 Comment

Term 3 Overview

Welcome to Term 3! Quite possibly the busiest term of the year! Below is an overview of some of the opportunities and learning programs students will be involved in. Remember to visit the OC Events page, as I will be updating it throughout the term when dates and information become available.

 

Homework

Homework for students began this week (Week 2). Included in our homework menu this term, students will have the option to work on past papers for the Newcastle Permanent maths competition which is coming up in a few weeks. This term’s speaking and listening task has also been sent home and is due in Week 6.

Class Needs

It’s that time of year when many students need to replenish materials and equipment. Please encourage your child to bring the required equipment each day, particularly glue sticks, USB, headphones and pens. We are also running low on tissues if you would like to donate a box.

Mastery Core Value

This term we are focusing on the core value of Quality. Students who achieve 5 mastery ribbons will be inducted into our Hall of Fame during our special assembly on Monday Week 10.

Reading

This term students will be conducting a guided novel study of Esty’s Gold by Mary Arrigan. This historical fiction novel supports our history topic and is about a young Irish girl and her family who survive the potato famine and make their way to Australia to find gold.

Students have also begun Literature Circles. As a result of their fantastic effort at the end of last term reading The Princess Bride, students earned the opportunity to select their own novels and groups to collaborate with. Our Literature Circle texts are Bridge to Terabithia, Flora & Ulysses, Once and Parvana. 4 very different but equally amazing stories.

We will be continuing to use our School Magazines to record our Reader’s Theatre podcasts – for your listening pleasure. This is also a fabulous opportunity for students to develop their reading fluency, voice skills and expression (plus the occasional accent!)

OC Book Club

A note will be sent home this week about our August book. It’s a surprise, but I’ll give you a clue – it’s a classic. I’m sure it’s a childhood favourite for lots of mums and dads and it is soon to be made into a movie starring Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey. Any ideas?

Well done to everyone who read (or is still reading) last month’s novel, Frogkisser by Garth Nix. We will meet to discuss this next week (I just have to finish it!!). I can’t wait to see what you all think.

Writing

This term our major focus is on informative texts. Students will be learning about a variety of devices used to create effective informative texts.

Students are also about to begin working on an imaginative piece of writing for this year’s NESA Write On competition. Our best entry will be submitted to represent our school for Stage 3.

Mathematics

During our maths sessions, students will work in groups, covering a different strand each week. The maths content we will be covering this term includes: Angles, Fractions & Decimals, Volume & Capacity, Mass, Patterns & Algebra, Chance, Length, Area and Data. Students will continue their participation the in annual Maths Olympiad and Maths Games– 3 to go! So far, students have been doing a terrific job solving these challenging problems. Students also have the opportunity to access past Olympiad papers as part of the homework options.

The ICAS Maths competition is coming up in Week 5 and the Australian Maths competition is on this Thursday for students who have paid. All students in Year 5 and 6 will take part in the Newcastle Permanent Maths competition in Week 6.

Well done to our students who took part in the Maths Challenge for Young Australians (MCYA) at the end of last term. They did a great job working cooperatively in a small group, developing their problem solving skills to complete a range of difficult scenarios. Our results have been submitted and students will receive their awards later this term.

Throughout this term we will also have Dr Elena Prieto come in to work with us on the Statistical Society of Australia National Poster competition which is a project-based learning opportunity where students create an informative poster based on the collection and interpretation of data that addresses a practical research question. Can’t wait to see what they come up with!

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Well done to the students who are taking part in this year’s challenge and who have been entering their books online. There’s not long to go – all reading logs need to be completed by Friday 25/8/17 (end of Week 6) for validation. Keep reading!!

Premier’s Spelling Bee

One of my favourite events – the Premier’s Spelling Bee – will be taking place next week! Information has been sent home for students who wish to participate. Parents and carers are very welcome to come along and watch the Spelling Bee! Students have been using the PSB senior list for the spelling focus these last 2 weeks in preparation for the event. The lists can also be accessed online.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

In weeks 6 and 7 we will be having parent/teacher interviews to discuss student progress and development. These interviews will also allow the opportunity to review student’s learning goals and future focus. The online booking system will again be used and information regarding this will be sent home in Week 4.

Excursions

In Week 8 this term is our Stage 3 excursion to the Great Aussie Bush Camp at Tea Gardens. Thank you to all the families who have finalised payments or have been making regular instalments. If you require assistance or have any questions, please let me know. A medical form will be sent home closer to the date for parents to complete.

The OC will also be taking part in the Science and Engineering Discovery Day in Week 8 Friday. This is one of the OC’s favourite events of the term – and yes, Week 8 is going to be exhausting! Permission notes and information will be sent home later this term.

History

This term students have commenced learning about the topic Australian Colonies.  Students have the opportunity to explore the influence of the discovery of gold on Australian identity, environment and heritage. The unit focuses on significant events, actions and people as well as lifestyles and perspectives of the people and groups living at that time.

Science

Miss Hibbert will be teaching our science unit this term: States and Properties of Matter.  Students will be able to investigate how changes in the state of everyday materials relate to the addition and removal of heat and classify the changes as reversible or irreversible.

Techno Buddies

Last term our class worked with 3AD for the Writing Buddies program. This term we will be focusing on technology where students will have the opportunity to share their technological skills with our younger students and create projects using our class iPads.

Interrelate

Notes were sent home on Monday with Year 6 students for the Interrelate program, Moving Into the Teen Years. The program will begin in Week 6 and cost $37 per student. It’s a very worthwhile program and despite some student reluctance/embarrassment I’m sure they’ll find it very informative and valuable.

SRC

Our Student Representative Council are organising a range of fundraisers this term including Jeans 4 Genes Day, Daffodil Day and a school disco.

Book Week

Our Book Week celebrations kick off in Week 9. Start thinking about your costume for this year’s theme Escape to Everywhere! Be sure to visit Mrs Derricott’s Book Fair in our library which will officially open on Saturday 9th September. There are so many fabulous novels on the Children’s Book Council of Australia list this year for young readers and young adult, it’s a great time to buy some new books or donate one to our school. Visit the website at CBCA

Cluster Choir

Our senior choir have been busily rehearsing and learning new songs for this year’s Cluster Choir event. The performance evening, which takes place at Callaghan College Waratah Campus on Thursday 7th September, showcases the many choirs from our local schools and this year’s theme is Tribute, featuring classics from late greats David Bowie, George Michael, Chris Cornell, Prince and many more.

CEP Outdoor Festival

Our school will be taking part in the Callaghan Education Pathways (CEP) Outdoor Media Festival in Term 4. This event is always enjoyable and successful with all 18 schools in our cluster participating. Part of the festival involves a short film screening and the OC have the task of creating a script and storyboard for our film. The best one will be turned into a “professional” film. We will begin working on this project later in the term. Information about the CEP Outdoor Festival will be sent out towards the end of this term.

Events

We are celebrating Education Week – Grandparents Day next Thursday 3rd August beginning at 9.30am under the COLA. We will be showcasing creative and performing arts programs with performances from our choir, dance groups, school band, aerobics team and public speakers. Following our assembly you’re invited to visit our student Art Gallery set up in the lower hall and community room. A huge thank you to Jane Lander who has been working with students on a variety of art projects in the Art Cave and is setting up our student gallery.

We will be receiving a visit from our Mathematicians in Schools partner, Dr Jarad, later this term as part of National Science Week. Mrs Bowman is also organising some fun activities to help us celebrate this event.

Students who made it into our Zone Athletics team will represent our school in track and field events on Monday and Tuesday of Week 4. Good luck!

In Week 10 this term, students will be organising our Year 5/6 Fair which is a fun celebration day for all students and our major fundraising initiative for our Year 6 Farewell and school gift. Information about our Fair will be sent home soon.

Congratulations also to the many students who have been selected to participate in the Hunter GATs Camp and Creative Arts Camp this term. I’m sure they’ll have a brilliant experience.

Finally, well done to all the students who have had a wonderful start to the term and for their excellent effort and behaviour for Mr Newling while I’ve been relieving principal this week for Mr Selwood. Happy term 3!

ICAS Science & Digital Technologies

Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s ICAS Science and Digital Technologies competitions. Students received their certificates today at our weekly assembly and there were some very impressive results!

Science

Participation – Grayson, Ty, Ember, Eleanor (top 49%) and Blade (top 49%)

Merits – Eliza (top 37%), Griffin (top 43%), Duncan (top 43%) and Amie (top 43%)

Credits – Celeste (top 19%), Chelsea (top 32%), Fin (top 12%), Dexter (top 32%), Emma (top 21%) and Sam (top 30%)

Distinctions – Raquel (top 5%), William (top 8%), Oscar (top 2%) and Noah K (top 2%). Principal Awards to Noah K and Oscar!

Digital Technologies

Participation – Eliza, Ty and Fin (top 50%)

Merits – Duncan (top 45%)

Credits – Emma (top 19%), Raquel  (top 26%), Grayson (top 19%), Jayden (top 34%), William (top 13%), Amie (top 26%), Ember (top 20%), Griffin (top 20%), Blade (top 20%), Eleanor (top 36%) and Sam (top 36%)

Distinctions – Dexter (top 8%), Celeste (top 6%) and Oscar (top 2%)

High Distinction & Principal’s Award – Noah K (top 1%)

Premier’s Spelling Bee

This term in Week 3 on Wednesday 2nd August, students from Years 3 to 6 are invited to take part in the annual Premier’s Spelling Bee Competition. This is a fun event that encourages students to engage with spelling and promotes improved literacy.

Parents and caregivers, we would love for you to come along and support your children on the day. Competitions are organised into two divisions and will run at the following times:
Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6): Upper Hall, 11:40 am Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4): Upper Hall, 9:20 am

The winners and runners-up from each Stage will be presented with a certificate at our weekly assembly the following week, and then move onto the regional finals in September. Word lists are available on the Arts Unit website by using the link Premier’s Spelling Bee and the password riddle. Junior words begin at Level1 and go to Level 5. Senior words begin at Level 2 and go to Level 7.

Education Week Celebrations

We are celebrating Education Week on Thursday 3rd August, 2017.

Grandparents, parents and friends are invited to join us for this special occasion, beginning at 9.30am with an assembly under our COLA. We will be highlighting some of the fantastic creative and performing arts programs taking place in our school, with a showcase of performances from our school band, aerobics team, choir groups, public speakers and dance group.

After our performances, you are invited to join your children for a shared BYO picnic lunch and visit our student Art Gallery set up in the lower hall. A gold coin donation would be greatly appreciated to help support our creative and performing arts programs.

We look forward to celebrating and sharing this wonderful day with you.

Welcome back for Term 3!

Welcome back to a stem-tastic term 3! Today the OC had a special visit from Canadian principal Mr Hume and Mr Graeme Eather, CEP College Principal. They were most impressed by our wonderful school and super OC students. We enjoyed having them join us during our STEM Challenge this morning where students worked in teams to design a geodesic dome, create a water slide and build a spaghetti skyscraper. With our Science & Engineering challenge day and National Science Week coming up later this term, it was a great opportunity for students to develop their skills. A great start to the term!

Art Masterpieces

This term in Art Cave with Jane and Alex, Stage 3 students have created collages of famous artworks. The OC chose Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Roy Lichtenstein inspired pop art words. Each student used a 10x10cm piece of card to recreate a section of the artwork, creating our own unique interpretation in which all students contributed. We’re still putting on the finishing touches and our completed works will be on display at our Art Gallery event during Education Week (week 3) next term. As always, a tremendous thanks to Jane and Alex for giving so much time and effort to our students.

Hall of Fame morning tea

Congratulations to Chloe, Layla, Ember, Ellen and Eleanor on their Hall of Fame achievement this term. They enjoyed a delicious morning tea with Mr Selwood yesterday.