What’s going on in classrooms this week?

This week’s year level spotlight is going to shine on Year 5 and 6, so let’s have a look what they have been getting up to.

Year 5

Science

In Year 5 science, students are learning all about light and how it behaves. They study how light rays travel in straight lines and how these rays can reflect off shiny surfaces like mirrors, which means the light bounces back. They also learn about absorption, where some materials, like dark clothes or walls, absorb light instead of reflecting it, making them feel warmer. When light is blocked by an object, it creates a shadow, which is an area where the light rays cannot reach. Through experiments and activities, students explore how light interacts with different objects, helping them understand important concepts about how we see things around us.

English

In Year 5 English, students have been diving into Australian narrative poetry from the colonial period, linking closely with their HASS studies of the same era. They recently worked with the poem Fur and Feathers, first transforming it into a narrative and then creatively adapting it into a short comic strip that showcased humour and imagery. The Year 5 students did an amazing job!

Year 6

Camp

Term 3 in Year 6 has been both exciting and busy! Our Year 6 students recently returned from their long-awaited camp in Canberra. Below are some highlights and reflections from the trip, along with photos capturing the memorable experiences.

Last week, the Grade six’s had a great time exploring the wonders of Canberra, from Questacon to the AIS to the War memorial to Selwyn Ski Resort! Many of the students very much enjoyed the skiing at Selwyn as it was their first time seeing snow, while others loved the high paced energy of the AIS. Food was an important part of our trip, with meals such as butter chicken, burger and fries and so much more. Skiing was a popular favourite activity throughout the grade, despite the difficulties that attacked the beginners (it was soooo funny!) On our final day, we departed and stopped at Sydney for lunch and visited one Australia’s most iconic structures – the Opera House. It was magnificent!

By Thomas O and Bronson S

On our Canberra trip, I loved skiing — it was hilarious because I fell over so many times! I also had a great time throwing snowballs at everyone and building a snowman with Martha. I enjoyed hanging out with my friends, but I also liked getting to know other students I don’t usually spend much time with. Another highlight was the Pod Playground at the National Arboretum, with its giant acorns, it was so much fun chasing each other around there.

By Sarah S

Visiting Parliament House was an unforgettable experience. We stepped into both the Senate and the House of Representatives which was a first for most of us and even took part in a role-play debate on a bill, which was great fun. The paintings of former prime ministers were fascinating to see up close, and standing on the roof of Parliament House gave us stunning views, including a clear sight of the impressive Australian War Memorial. We were also fortunate enough to attend a Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial, which was an incredibly moving experience.

By Jackson

On our trip, we attended the moving Last Post Ceremony at the War Memorial, visited the Royal Australian Mint to see Titan sorting coins and learnt how 1 and 2 cent coins were used for the 2000 Olympic bronze medals. At the AIS, we watched elite athletes train, including gymnast Georgia Godwin, before enjoying an interactive evening at Questacon and its giant slide. We also explored the National Museum of Australia’s Mr Squiggle display and Phar Lap’s heart, learnt about voting at the Electoral Commission, and toured Old Parliament House. We had so much fun exploring these places with our friends!

By Savanna and Charlotte R