Tag Archive | term overview

Term 2 Overview

 

Term 2 is certainly well under way! Below is an overview of some of the opportunities and learning programs students will be involved in this term.

Reading

This term students have begun studying the interactive multimodal text Inanimate Alice. In the coming weeks we will begin work on our class novel Skellig by David Almond.  We will also be starting our Literature Circles this term, guided to begin with. Towards the end of the term, students will have the opportunity to choose a text set for their Literature Group to read.

Our OC Book Club text this term is Endgame by James Frey.

Writing

Each day students participate in D.R.A.W – daily reading and writing. Students will be learning about a variety of concepts and devices to enhance their writing skills and will use these to produce imaginative, informative and persuasive texts. Part of this process involves students sharing their work with peers for critiquing and publishing finished pieces of writing on their individual blogs.

Last term our students demonstrated great skill and flair for writing imaginative texts. This term our focus will move towards producing persuasive texts. I will continue to showcase quality examples on the blog.

Mathematics

During our maths sessions, students will work in group rotations. The maths content we will be covering this term includes: Fractions and Decimals, Volume and Capacity, Patterns and Algebra, Chance and Data, Whole Number and Time.

During this term and next, the OC will be participating the in annual Maths Olympiad. The entry fee is $6 per student. Students are able to access past Olympiad papers as part of the homework options. The Olympiads are quite challenging, but a great way for students to develop their problem solving skills.

Students selected to take part in the AMT Challenge will begin working on their problems this week.

Excursions

The first event for OC students was the Interschool Chess Challenge held last Friday – we came 3rd! Thank you to all the parents who helped out with transport.

We also have our visit to the Civic Theatre this Wednesday for the Combined Schools ANZAC service. The cost is $2.50 to cover the bus.

I am also hoping to organise an excursion to the museum at the end of this term to compliment our HSIE unit. I will send details home once this is finalised.

Homework

Homework for students began last week (Week 2). Again, homework consists of a choice menu, where you can negotiate with your child what activities to complete at home. There is a speaking and listening task for all students to complete – due Week 4. The top 3 speakers will be invited to compete in our Speak Off in Week 5. Parents/carers are invited to attend this event.

Newcastle Herald writing competition

Students have begun generating story ideas and writing for this year’s entry. Thank you to Jarvis’ mum, Jenny, who has kindly offered to help us out with this competition. Our entry – The Tighes Hill Tribune – will be published on the 16th June.

HSIE/History

This term students will be covering the topic Enigmas – Mysteries of History. Students will have the opportunity to investigate a variety of historical and scientific enigmas from around the world including Stone Henge, Ancient Egypt and the Bermuda Triangle.

Aerobics

Congratulations to our school Aerobic team – featuring Elsie, Sia and Sophia! The girls competed in Sydney this weekend and won! They will now compete in the State finals. Well done to the girls, who have been practising non-stop for the last 10 weeks.

NAPLAN

The national assessment program for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy will be taking place in Week 4 of this term for our Year 5 students. Students will look at some past papers leading up to this to help familiarise themselves with the assessment format.

Writing Buddies

Last term our class worked with 1E for our Reading Buddies program. This term we will be doing Writing Buddies and I am looking forward to seeing them share their amazing writing skills with our younger students.

Events

The UNSW ICAS competitions begin this term starting with Digital Technologies in Week 5, Science in Week 7 and Writing and Spelling in Week 9. Entries for Writing, Spelling, English and Maths are still open if you haven’t yet entered.

Our whole school Athletics Carnival is coming up in Week 5 on Wednesday 20th May. Notes about this event will be sent home soon.

In Week 4, our Stage 3 students will enjoy a Science Show presented by Nathan Burke, as part of our T2 unit Change Detectives.

Our Hall of Fame assemblies will take place on Monday afternoon in  Weeks 6 and 10.

Our SRC will be organising a Disco to take place in Week 6 – Wednesday 27th May. Special guest DJ Mix-a-lot will be back! Tickets on sale soon.

A note was also sent home last week about BYOD. Students may now bring in their devices every day.

Permission notes and information was sent out last week about our Term 3 major excursion to the Great Aussie Bush Camp. Payments can be made at the office or online. *For those considering a nomination for the Creative Arts Camp, please be aware it takes place during the same week as our school camp.

Finally, well done to the students who have had a terrific start to the term. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding OC learning programs or events.

Term 4 Overview

Welcome back for Term 4! Below is an overview of some of the opportunities and learning programs students will be involved in this term. Remember to visit the OC Events page as I will be updating it regularly throughout the term when dates and information become available.

Water Catchers Filming

Congratulations to Nelson and Louis, who had their script chosen to be made into a film. Our filming day is tomorrow from 1-5pm. We are 1 of 9 finalists for this competition. When all films have been made, the public can vote, with the best winning $10,000 towards an environmental project. Fingers crossed!

Homework

Homework for students will begin this week (Week 2). Homework consists of a choice menu, where you can negotiate with your child what activities to complete at home. Please ensure homework is handed in on a Friday.

Class Needs

At the moment we are very low on tissues and glue sticks. Please encourage your child to bring the required equipment each day, in particular – glue stick, USB, headphones, pens.  

Student Welfare

This term our focus will be on the core value of Responsibility. Well done to the students who have already achieved a Mastery ribbon for Week 1. Students who achieve 5 Mastery ribbons throughout the term will be recognised in our Hall of Fame assemblies and also get to attend a morning tea with Mr Selwood at the end of the term.

Reading

This term students will be studying the class novel The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke in their Literature Circles.

Well done and thank you to all the students who brought in a book that they read during the holidays for discussion first day back. It was great to see so many passionate readers share their thoughts and reviews.

OC Book Club

A note was sent home last term about our October Book Club. This is voluntary for students who love to read and discuss books. This month’s novel is The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. We will meet in Week 4 for our discussion. If you have any questions or would like further information, please let me know.

Writing

Each morning students begin with D.R.A.W – daily reading and writing. Students will be learning about a variety of concepts and devices to enhance their writing skills and will use these to produce imaginative, informative and persuasive texts. Part of this process involves students sharing their work with peers for critiquing and publishing finished pieces of writing on their individual blogs. This term our  main focus will be on devices. I will continue to showcase quality examples on the blog.

November is NaNoWriMo which stands for National Novel Writing Month. All students will participate in NaNoWriMo as part of our daily writing program.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of other writing competitions. I will also share student entries on our blog.

Congratulations again to Oliver and Sarah who have been named as finalists in the Sydney Youth Writing Competition!

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: Position, 2D Space, 3D Space, Subtraction, Division, Area, Length, Chance, Data, Patterns & Algebra and Time. 

Results and achievement awards from the ICAS Maths, Olympiad and Newcastle Permanent Maths competition will also be available later in the term. I will present these at our Monday assemblies, when they become available.

Reports

At the end of this term, students will receive their Semester 2 reports.

Thinkfest

Students have already begun work on their Thinkfest projects for this term. Thinkfest is an OC event where students work in groups on a problem from a key learning area. For each problem students have to write and perform a skit, create a backdrop, design a key prop and maintain a visual process diary.

In Week 9, Maryland PS is hosting this year’s Thinkfest event, with all OCs from the region attending. A note will be sent home closer to the event.

Buddies

Last term our class worked with 1E and 2B for our Maths Buddies program. This term we will be back to working with just 1E, where each week we will have a different focus.

CEP Outdoor Festival

Our school is taking part in the Callaghan Education Pathways (CEP) Outdoor Media Festival on Thursday 6th November. This is shaping up to be a fun event with lots of schools getting involved. Part of the festival involves a short film screening and students from the OC helped make a film in the school holidays with me and Mrs Bowman. Our choir will also be performing at the festival and there will be lots of other pre-show entertainment on offer. An information flyer will be sent home next week and tickets for this event will be on sale from Week 3.

Events

Term 4 is always one of the busiest with end of year events. As well as Thinkfest and the CEP Festival we have the P&C Halloween Fete coming up in Week 4 – Friday 31st October. Thanks to the parents who have returned their volunteer forms.

In Week 5, our Stage 3 girls will have an opportunity to take part in a RoboGals workshop. In Week 10, we will have our Presentation Day and Year 6 Farewell. Later this term, we will welcome our new 2015 OC students with an orientation session and transition visits. Our Year 6 students will have high school orientation visits coming up which will be an exciting time for them.

Finally, well done to all the students who have had a terrific start to the term. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding OC learning programs or events.

Term 3 Overview

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

Camp Quality Fun Day

Notes have been sent home for this term’s SRC fundraiser for Camp Quality – taking place in Week 4 on 6th August. Students may come dressed out of uniform for a gold coin donation. There will be a comedy talent show for students wishing to audition and a pizza lunch.

Homework

Homework for students will begin next week (Week 2). Homework consists of a choice menu, where you can negotiate with your child what activities to complete at home. Please ensure homework is handed in on a Friday.

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, in particular – glue stick, USB, headphones, pens. We are also running low on tissues.  

Student Welfare

This term we have introduced a new whole school welfare policy and have already begun implementing this with students. Our focus is about positive behaviour for learning incorporating our whole school core values of respect, responsibility and quality. The focus for Term 3 is respect and Term 4 will be responsibility. As part of our classroom behaviour system, students have the opportunity to be recognised for positive behaviour with the aim to reach the ‘Mastery’ level. Students who demonstrate Mastery during the week will receive a Mastery ribbon for our core value on a Friday. This new system replaces the Star Card program. Students who achieve 5 Mastery ribbons within the term will be recognised at our new Hall of Fame assembly (this will replace Principal’s Personal Best) and be invited to attend a special morning tea with Mr Selwood at the end of the term. All Hall of Fame recipients will have their photo taken and displayed on our new Hall of Fame wall (currently under construction) in the lower hall.

Reading

This term students will be studying the class novel Animal Farm by George Orwell. We have begun learning about the roles in a  Literature Circle and students will participate in discussion groups as the term progresses. 

Well done and thank you to all the students who brought in a book that they read during the holidays for discussion first day back. It was great to see so many passionate readers share their thoughts and reviews.

OC Book Club

A note was sent home today about our new OC Book Club. This is voluntary for students who love to read and discuss books. Our first novel is The Giver by Lois Lowry. Our first Book Club will meet in Week 7. If you have any questions or would like further information, please let me know.

Writing

Each morning students begin with D.R.A.W – daily reading and writing. Students will be learning about a variety of concepts and devices to enhance their writing skills and will use these to produce imaginative, informative and persuasive texts. Part of this process involves students sharing their work with peers for critiquing and publishing finished pieces of writing on their individual blogs. This term our  main focus will be producing informative texts. I will continue to showcase quality examples on the blog.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of writing competitions. I will also share student entries on our blog.

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: Fractions & Decimals, Angles, Volume & Capacity, Mass, Patterns & Algebra, Chance, Length, Area and Data. Students will continue their participation the in annual Maths Olympiad – 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 in Week 4 for students who have paid. All students in Year 5 and 6 will take part in the Newcastle Permanent Maths competition in Week 7.

Premiers 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 22/8/14 (end of Week 6) for validation. Keep reading!!

Premiers Spelling Bee

One of my favourite events – the Premiers Spelling Bee – will be taking place this term in Week 5. Information will be sent home soon for students who wish the participate. Parents and carers will also have the opportunity to come and watch the Spelling Bee.

Parent/Teacher Interviews

At the end of this term we will again hold parent/teacher interviews to discuss student progress and development. These interviews will also allow the opportunity to review student’s Individual Educational Plans (IEP). The online booking system will again be used and information regarding this will be sent home closer to the end of term.

Excursions

At the end of this term is our Stage 3 excursion to Canberra. Thank you to all the families who have finalised payments or been making regular instalments. If you require assistance or have any questions, please let me know.

The OC will also be taking part in the Science and Engineering Discovery Day in Week 9. Permission notes will be sent home later this term.

Arrangements are currently being made for the Interschool Chess Challenge, which our students qualified for last term. As soon as a date and venue are confirmed, I will let families know.

HSIE/History

This term students will continue their study of Australian history by focusing on Democracy and Federal Government, in preparation for our 3 day excursion to Canberra.  Students will have the opportunity to investigate the people and processes involved in legislative, executive and judicial functions of Federal government. This unit of work also focuses on the responsibilities of
different levels of government and how parliaments work.

Maths Buddies

Last term our class worked with 1E and 2B for our Writing Buddies program. This term we will be focusing on Maths where students will have the opportunity to share their problem solving skills with our younger students and create and develop mathematical learning games.

CEP Outdoor Festival

Our school will be taking part in the Callaghan Education Pathways (CEP) Outdoor Media Festival in Term 4. This is shaping up to be a fun event with lots of schools getting involved. Part of the festival involves a short film screening and the OC have to fun task of making a film for our school. We will begin working on our filming project this term. Information about the CEP Outdoor Festival will be sent towards the end of this term.

Events

This term is already looking to be very busy with lots of exciting events taking place. The Zone Athletics carnival will be held over 2 days in Weeks 2 and 3 for our qualifying representatives. We will have several Year 6 students attend the Hunter GATs camp in Week 2 – have a great time. Congratulations to the students who were selected to attend the Creative and Performing Arts camp this term. Good luck to Dan and Sarah, who will represent our school in the Public Speaking competition next week. There are also two more Aim High programs happening for nominated Year 5 students this term – visual arts and maths. The English ICAS competition will take place in Week 3.

We will be receiving a visit from our Scientists in Schools partner, Dr Graeme, next week (weather permitting) to race our solar carts. Fingers crossed that we may finally get a sunny day. In Week 4 we will also have a class visit from our Mathematicians in Schools partner, Dr Jarad.

In Week 9 this term, students will be organising our Year 6 Fair which is a fun celebration day for all students and our major fundraising initiative for our Year 6 Farewell and school gift.

Finally, congratulations to all the students who have had a wonderful start to the term. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding OC learning programs or events.

Term 2 Overview

Term 2 is certainly well under way! Below is an overview of some of the opportunities and learning programs students will be involved in this term.

Reading

This term students are studying the class novel The Donkey Who Carried the Wounded by Jackie French.  We will also be starting our Literature Circles this term, guided to begin with. Towards the end of the term, students will have the opportunity to choose a text set for their Literature Group to read. Some of these novels include: Flour Babies, Z for Zachariah, The Silver Chair and Kensuke’s Kingdom.

All of our new novels for our class library have arrived and I have been encouraging students to borrow these for home reading. Please feel free to pop in before or after school to have a look and get a book.

Library

Students participate in weekly library lessons with Miss Beker on a Thursday. This term they will be continuing the novel Trash by Andy Mulligan, the story of a young boy in the Philippines who lives as a waste picker. Miss Beker will also be continuing whole class public speaking and debating programs for students in preparation for competitions later this term.

Writing

Each morning students begin with D.R.A.W – daily reading and writing. Students will be learning about a variety of concepts and devices to enhance their writing skills and will use these to produce imaginative, informative and persuasive texts. Part of this process involves students sharing their work with peers for critiquing and publishing finished pieces of writing on their individual blogs.

Last term our students demonstrated great skill and flair for writing imaginative texts. This term our focus will move towards producing persuasive texts. I will continue to showcase quality examples on the blog.

Mathematics

During our maths sessions, students will work in group rotations. The maths content we will be covering this term includes: Volume and Capacity, Patterns and Algebra, Chance and Data, Whole Number, Fractions and Decimals, Multiplication and Division and Mass.

During this term and next, the OC will be participating the in annual Maths Olympiad. The entry fee is $6 per student. Students are able to access past Olympiad papers as part of the homework options. The Olympiads are quite challenging and a great way for students to develop their problem solving skills.

We will also be taking part in a Smart Start workshop, funded by the Commonwealth Bank in Week 4. This program is aimed at developing financial literacy.

Excursions

The first event for OC students is the Interschool Chess Challenge on Friday of Week 3. Thank you to all the parents who have indicated they are able to provide transport.

Our Year 6 students will be taking part in an Engineering competition organised by Engineers Australia. This will involve designing and constructing a Straw Tower. Students will then present these for testing in Week 4. I will send out a note about this early next week.

Homework

Homework for students began this week (Week 2). Again, homework consists of a choice menu, where you can negotiate with your child what activities to complete at home. In addition to the ‘maths mentals’ option, there is now also a ‘maths mentals extension’ option for those wishing for more of a challenge. Please ensure homework is handed in on a Friday.

Newcastle Herald writing competition

Students worked on this competition last term and our entry was submitted in the school holidays. The ‘Tighes Hill Tribune’ will be published on Thursday 15th May (earlier than originally expected) so be sure to get a copy.

HSIE/History

This term students will be covering the topic Australia as a Nation. Students will have the opportunity to investigate the key figures and events that led to Australia’s Federation, including British and American influences on Australia’s system of law and government.

As part of this topic, students have received a Speaking and Listening task to prepare at home and present during Week 4 this term. The task is to research a famous Australian and their contributions to creating our great nation. The best speakers from our class will take part in a Stage 3 ‘Speak Off’ assembly in Week 5 and be considered for the Multicultural public speaking competition later this term.

Music

Miss Beker takes the OC for our music component. Last term students enjoyed learning the ‘Cups’ song and will continue to enhance their rhythmic skills this term with some drumming.

Star Struck

Many of our students are taking part in Star Struck this term. Week 7 will be huge – with rehearsal, dress rehearsal and the performances taking place on the 13th and 14th June. Well done, Star Struck girls, for your hard work and commitment. Can’t wait to see the show!

NAPLAN

The national assessment program for Reading, Writing, Language Conventions and Numeracy will be taking place in Week 3 of this term for our Year 5 students. Students have worked on some past papers this past fortnight to help familiarise themselves with the assessment format.

Writing Buddies

Last term our class worked with 1E for our Reading Buddies program. This term we will be doing Writing Buddies with 1E and 2B (poor 2B missed out last term due to our school now having an odd number of classes!) so students in the OC will have 2 cute little buddies to work with. I am looking forward to seeing them share their amazing writing skills with our younger students.

Events

The UNSW ICAS competitions begin this term starting with Computer Skills in Week 4, Science in Week 6 and Writing and Spelling in Week 8.

Our Year 5 students received information this week about the Callaghan Technology Campus Aim High program. If your child is interested in participating, please ensure your completed form is returned to school by Friday.

Be sure to watch It’s Academic in Week 7, as the episodes that we took part in last year are going to be televised.

Our whole school Athletics Carnival is coming up in Week 5 on Tuesday 27th May. Notes about this event will be sent home soon.

 

Finally, well done to the students who have had a terrific start to the term. There’s only 9 weeks this term, which I’m sure will go fast considering all the events and programs taking place. Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding OC learning programs or events.