Archive | August 5, 2018

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 last 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. 

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 9.

Reading

This term students will be conducting a novel study of Animal Farm by George Orwell. Animal Farm is an allegorical novella, first published in 1945. The book reflects events leading up to the Russian Revolution and then on into the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union.

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 has been sent home about our term 3 book. Given how well students responded to The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, this term they have the opportunity to read his latest novel The Boy at the Top of the Mountain.

Well done to everyone who read last term’s novel, Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley. We will meet to discuss this soon.

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.

Mathematics

During our maths sessions, students will be covering a variety of different strands. 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– 2 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 4 and the Australian Maths competition is on this Friday for students who have paid. All students in Year 5 and 6 will take part in the Newcastle Permanent Maths competition in Week 5.

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 at our assembly tomorrow.

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 this year!

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 31/8/18 (end of Week 6) for validation. Keep reading!!

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 10 this term we have our Stage 3 excursion to Canberra. 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 7 Friday. This is one of the OC’s favourite events of the year and fingers crossed we can win again! Permission notes and information will be sent home later this term.

History

This term students have commenced learning about the topic Federal Government.  Students have the opportunity to explore the principles of Australian democracy and explain its development over time. They will investigate significant events in Australia’s past and explain the implications for the development of Australian identity, heritage, and cultural diversity. They will have opportunities to locate information from a variety of primary and secondary sources, presenting their findings in a range of ways.

Science

Mrs Derricott will be teaching our science unit this term: Product Design and Development. In this unit, students will learn about the design process, used by both inventors and engineers. The design process helps people think creatively about a problem and produce a successful result. Students will follow the design process steps to create/modify a product to fulfil a want/need. They will work in groups and record their progress with videos, images, recordings, and text throughout the term. There will be multiple opportunities for students to link their learning of the design process with their Informative Text focus in English.

 

Interrelate

Notes were sent home earlier this term with Year 6 students for the Interrelate program, Moving Into the Teen Years. The program will begin in Week 5 and cost $45 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.

 

Book Week

Our Book Week celebrations kick off in Week 8. Start thinking about your costume for this year’s theme Find Your Treasure! Be sure to visit Mrs Derricott’s Book Fair in our library which will officially open on Saturday 8th September. There are so many wonderful 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 13th September, showcases the many choirs from our local schools and this year’s theme is Around the World, featuring classics from The Bangles, The Animals, The B-52s and many more.

 

Events

We are celebrating Education Week – Grandparents Day this Thursday 9th August beginning at 9.30am. Our amazing Stage 3 students will be leading an array of STEM activities, highlighting this year’s theme ‘Today’s schools – creating tomorrow’s world’. After our activities, you’re invited to join us for a BYO picnic lunch from 11.30am-12.30pm.

In Week 9 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 students who have been selected to participate in the 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, enthusiasm and application. Everyday in our classroom is a joy. Happy term 3!

What’s happening in Week 3!

Monday 6th August

*Year 3-6 assembly 11.40am

*Robo Club starts!

Tuesday 7th August

*Story Spot  Storytelling Club 8am-9am

*Scripture/Ethics

Wednesday 8th August

*Brainstorm: Being Brave incursion

Thursday 9th August

*Education Week: STEM Spectacular! 9.30am-12.30pm

*Code Club begins

Friday 10th August

*Zone Athletics Carnival

*Australian Maths Competition

*Sport