Learning Communities

Foundation Learning Community - Term 4

Reading
In reading this term, Foundation students have been exploring the features of fiction and nonfiction texts, learning to identify and compare their differences. They are practicing asking and answering questions about books, focusing on the 5 W's (Who, What, Where, When, Why) and How to deepen their comprehension. Additionally, students are learning to identify the main idea in texts, developing their skills in determining the central message or purpose of a story or informational piece. Students will complete a range of activities designed to develop critical thinking and a deeper understanding of various text types.

Writing
In writing this term, Foundation students continue to follow the Anna A model, focusing on developing their skills in narrative, persuasive, and procedural writing. A highlight of the term is the hands-on activities where students make playdough, lava lamps, and oobleck. These engaging experiences provide a practical context for writing procedural texts, as students document the steps involved in creating these items. This approach not only reinforces their understanding of procedural writing structures but also adds to the learning process, making it enjoyable and interactive. Through narrative writing the students will develop their creative writing skills and through persuasive writing they will learn to structure their writing in a sequence of ideas and opinions that will enhance their overall writing capabilities.

Mathematics
This term in Mathematics, Foundation students are learning about measurement using direct and indirect comparisons to determine objects that are longer, heavier, or hold more. They practice explaining their reasoning in everyday language, building their confidence in describing and comparing attributes. Additionally, students are learning about sharing, introducing the early concept of division. We will also be revising number and algebra skills, focusing number recognition, counting and subitising—quickly recognising the number of items in small groups without counting. These learning tasks support the development of foundational mathematical skills in a hands-on and engaging manner.

Inquiry
This term, the focus for Inquiry is Science. Foundation students will explore the concepts of light and sound alongside the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. Students will explore different sources of light, examining light rays and shadows. Students will also investigate sound, using investigative skills. They will make musical instruments from recycled materials to investigate ways to make different sounds.

Speaking and listening
In Speaking and Listening this term, all students have the opportunity to share their work with the class at the end of each session, fostering confidence and self-expression. Students are encouraged to actively listen to their peers, demonstrating respect and engagement. They will practice asking thoughtful questions and contributing to class discussions in a respectful and collaborative manner. These activities support the development of effective communication skills and reinforce the importance of active listening and mutual respect in group settings.

Year 1/2 Learning Community - Term 4

Reading
In Reading, students are learning about the structure and organisation of fiction and non-fiction texts. They are exploring how authors write for different purposes, such as to persuade, inform, entertain, or describe. Students are developing their comprehension strategies by making predictions, clarifying vocabulary, asking questions, and summarising key information in their own words.

Writing
This term, students are discovering the features and structures of different genres, including descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and informative texts. With rich literature examples and inquiry investigations as their inspiration, students brainstorm, plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish their own pieces of writing. They are building their skills in using descriptive language, including onomatopoeia, simile, metaphor, and alliteration. Persuasive writing introduces them to constructing strong arguments with points of view on issues, while informative writing encourages them to explain and present factual information clearly.

Speaking and Listening
Students are actively developing their speaking and listening skills through group discussions. They share ideas, thoughts, and opinions while learning to respect and respond to others’ contributions. During phonics sessions, students are enhancing their understanding of sounds, practicing segmenting and blending words to improve both reading and writing fluency.

Mathematics
In Mathematics, students are working on identifying Australian coins and notes, learning their values, and using them to solve problems involving addition and subtraction in money transactions. They explore fractions, developing their understanding of halves, quarters, and eighths through hands-on activities, such as dividing objects and collections. Measurement is a focus, with students using informal units to compare lengths, mass, and capacity. They are gaining insight into the importance of accurate alignment and tracking when measuring objects.

Inquiry – The Science of Play
This term’s inquiry unit, "The Science of Play," allows students to explore how forces such as pushes and pulls work in everyday life. Through hands-on investigations, students are discovering how forces act on the ground, in water, and in the air. They are learning about the pull of gravity and how air and water can exert push forces. Using their inquiry skills, students are conducting experiments and gathering evidence about the forces that influence their play and daily activities.

Year 3/4 Learning Community - Term 4

Reading
Grade 3 and 4 students are developing comprehension strategies such as inferring and analysing the structure of non-fiction texts. They are exploring fiction and non-fiction pieces connected to their inquiry unit on "Science," learning to interpret and evaluate texts critically. Students are examining how authors use vocabulary to engage readers and improve their fluency and stamina through sustained independent reading.

Writing
In Writing, students continue to work on genres like informative, narrative, and persuasive texts. They are exercising student agency by selecting topics that interest them, often tied to their science inquiry. Writing lessons emphasize using advanced strategies like the Power of Three, similes, and metaphors. Students are improving cohesion by ensuring their ideas flow logically within and across paragraphs.

Speaking and Listening
Students are honing their presentation skills by sharing their written work with peers, focusing on projecting their voices with clarity and expression. Constructive peer feedback fosters reflection and further refinement of their writing.

Mathematics
In Mathematics, students are measuring and comparing objects using metric units for length, mass, and capacity. They are exploring the relationship between time units, estimating event durations, and interpreting grid reference systems to describe locations and pathways. Concepts of perimeter and area are also introduced to enhance spatial awareness.

Inquiry – Science
This term, students investigate "How can chemicals be used sustainably?" They are conducting experiments on changes in states of matter, exploring how adding or removing heat affects solids and liquids. Additionally, they are examining the physical properties of natural and processed materials to determine how these properties influence their use.

Year 5/6 Learning Community - Term 4

Reading
In Reading, students are exploring Bren MacDibble’s novel The Dog Runner. Through this text, they are examining dystopian themes, identifying how literary elements reflect social, cultural, and historical contexts. Students are learning to analyse character growth, make inferences, and connect with the themes. They are also exploring Bren’s use of powerful writing strategies to convey meaning effectively.

Writing
In Writing, students are working on descriptive, narrative, informative, and persuasive texts. Topics are inspired by The Dog Runner and their inquiry into matter in Science. Students progress through the writing process—brainstorming, planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing—to produce high-quality work. A strong focus on spelling, grammar, and punctuation helps them expand their word knowledge and refine their writing skills.

Speaking and Listening
Students are building confidence by presenting their work and ideas to peers, the class, and larger groups. They practice using clear expression and articulation to effectively engage their audience.

Mathematics
In Mathematics, students are strengthening their multiplication and division skills through real-world applications and word problems. Concepts of time and patterns are also being explored through hands-on activities.

Inquiry – Science
This term’s inquiry focuses on "States of Matter." Students are conducting experiments to understand solids, liquids, and gases better. By writing hypotheses, recording observations, and drawing evidence-based conclusions, they are developing their scientific thinking and understanding.

Specialist Learning Community - Term 4

STEM

F	Our Foundation students are having a blast combining craft and digital skills to create stop-motion animations of their mythical creatures. For many, this is their first introduction to digital storytelling, and they are learning how to turn their imaginative ideas into short, fun animations. It’s been an exciting journey of creativity and learning!
1/2	The Grade 1 and 2 students are busy exploring the digital properties of materials as they represent their mythical creatures using Minecraft Education. This activity helps them learn the basics of digital technologies while encouraging creativity and problem-solving as they build and bring their designs to life in a virtual world.
3/4	Meanwhile, in Grades 3 and 4, students are honing their coding skills through Visual Block coding. They are working with BBC micro:bits to enhance their mythical creature designs, adding digital components to make their creations interactive and dynamic. This hands-on experience introduces them to the fundamentals of programming and digital technology in an engaging way.
5/6	Our senior students in Grades 5 and 6 are diving into the exciting world of robotics. They are using Hummingbird microcontrollers to bring their mythical creatures to life, combining hardware coding with creative designs. This project allows them to explore how technology can be used to control and animate different elements of their creatures.

Music

F	Foundation students explored movement and music as they prepared for their concert, learning to express emotions through dance. They developed rehearsal skills like counting-in and beat-keeping, building confidence and teamwork for their performance. Their excitement and energy reflected the growth they experienced throughout the term.
1/2	Grade 1 and 2 students worked on singing, dancing, and collaboration for their concert. They set personal and group goals, reflected on their progress with rubrics, and showcased their growing confidence and teamwork in the final performance. Their hard work and enthusiasm shone through in their energetic performance.
3/4	Grade 3 and 4 students combined singing, dancing, and instruments for their concert. They focused on teamwork, set goals, and used rubrics to refine their performances, integrating music, movement, and storytelling in a polished final presentation. Their dedication and creativity were evident in every aspect of their performance.
5/6	Grade 5 and 6 students demonstrated leadership and creativity in their concert preparation, combining instruments and movement. They set ambitious goals, sought feedback, and showcased their growth, delivering a dynamic and inspiring performance. Their ability to lead and collaborate made their performance stand out.

Spanish

F	In Semester 2, our energetic foundation students explored the Spanish language and Hispanic culture through fun activities. They learnt food and drink names in Spanish, learnt food songs, and created a class book with drawings and names of their favourite foods. Students learnt about the flags from Spanish-speaking countries and wrote about them. They learnt about the Mexican celebration ‘Día de los Muertos’ by making colourful decorations and crafting worry dolls (Muñecas quitapenas) from Guatemala. This semester focused on engaging with language and culture through creative expression.
1/2	In Semester 2, our eager Grade 1 and 2 students explored the Spanish language and Hispanic culture through engaging activities. They started by identifying food and drink names in Spanish and learnt a song about these items. For a class book project, they wrote and illustrated their favourite foods. Students coloured flags from Hispanic countries and wrote sentences about them. As we approached ‘Día de los Muertos,’ they learnt about this celebration and helped create decorations. Students were introduced to Spanish music-related words and completed a ‘brown paper bag activity,’ researching a Hispanic country and presenting their findings. Finally, they made Guatemalan worry dolls (Muñecas quitapenas) using various craft materials.
3/4	In Semester 2, our inquisitive Year 3 and 4 students broadened their knowledge of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture through various exciting activities. They started by identifying food and drink names in Spanish and classifying them into food groups. As part of a digital project, students created presentations about foods from Hispanic countries. To celebrate ‘Día de los Muertos,’ they helped craft colourful decorations. Each student researched and presented on a Hispanic country, enhancing their geography and cultural understanding. They played a Spanish food board game, wrote about their movements, and learnt soccer-related vocabulary. Additionally, they explored popular music and dance styles like Salsa and Flamenco, describing them in Spanish. Finally, students engaged in a hands-on activity by making Guatemalan worry dolls (Muñecas quitapenas) with various craft materials.
5/6	In Semester 2, our motivated Year 5 and 6 students deepened their understanding of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture through immersive projects. They started by identifying food and drink names in Spanish and categorising them into food groups. Using Canva or Slides, students created a research project on a traditional food from a Hispanic country. They also helped make decorations for the Mexican ‘Día de los Muertos’ celebration and researched a Hispanic country for class presentations. Additionally, students played a Spanish food board game using direction words and write sentences about their movements. They expanded their vocabulary with soccer-related verbs and nouns and explore popular music and dance styles like Salsa and Flamenco, describing them in Spanish. Finally, students crafted worry dolls (Muñecas quitapenas) from Guatemala using creative materials.

Art

F	In Term 4, Foundation students showcased their creativity by producing a Bunyip mixed media piece for the Writer’s Festival, inspired by Dreamtime stories and Australian folklore. They also explored the qualities of textiles and printmaking, learning how patterns and textures can be created using various tools and materials.
1/2	Grade 1 and 2 students brought their imaginations to life by creating Mythical Creature sculptural pieces for the Writer’s Festival, combining art with storytelling. They explored painting techniques using tints and shades to add depth and dimension to their artworks and experimented with simple printmaking processes, gaining an understanding of repetition and design.
3/4	In Term 4, Grade 3 and 4 students combined artistic skill and cultural learning to produce Mythical Creature mixed media pieces for the Writer’s Festival. They explored a variety of printmaking techniques, including block printing and stamping, to enhance their works. Additionally, they engaged with the book Cooee Mittigar, reflecting on its themes and expressing their responses through art, deepening their appreciation of First Nations culture.
5/6	Grade 5 and 6 students showcased their artistic growth by producing beautiful watercolour artworks for the Writer’s Festival, demonstrating advanced techniques in blending and layering. They also investigated printmaking processes and portraiture, combining traditional methods with personal expression to create unique and meaningful pieces.