Week 4 Blog Post

Good Afternoon,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed this incredible weather. It was a quiet weekend in the Hurst/Schoen household, filled with dog walks on the beach and some much needed R & R for the week ahead. The highlight of my weekend was talking to my family back home in Ireland on Skype.

Well done on getting through your second week in Year 6. It has been a busy week with establishing routines, working on our class expectations and learning. Your students may have told you that we are currently working on the class routine of listening to others and not speaking when others or the teacher are speaking. Because of this, I have moved all students and changed the seating arrangements to provide a good learning space for your child. This is a team effort and we are all working on this vital challenge together.

I want to congratulate the wonderful Noah Brice on receiving our merit award last week. He received his award for his excellent goal setting for his final journey at Our Lady of the Cape. The year 6 students were asked to choose one word to use in their goal setting and Noah chose Sagacious. This means that Noah wants to use this year to seek knowledge and strive to be wise. Noah is consistently demonstrating the school’s value of excellence in his work, congratulations Noah.

Week 2 Learning

Lent:

Last Wednesday, marked the beginning of Lent. We as a Year 6 cohort celebrated together in a reverant Ash Wednesday Liturgy where the students received ashes blessed by Fr Francis symbolising repentance during this time of Lent. Later that afternoon, the students were then asked to think about ways they could promote this year's Project Compassion Theme 'Aspire not to have more, but to BE MORE'. They then created Lenten pockets, with promises that they will try to carry out during the 40 days of Lent. See our display below...



Later this week we will add to this display and create an art piece showing where they have identified a 'Spirit of Jesus' moment showing times they have seen others 'BE MORE' just like Jesus. I look forward to showing you the final outcome!

More Information on Project Compassion - Click Here

Technologies:

During technologies this week, we focused on the process rather than the end result, compounding our knowledge from week 1 that showcased that mistakes matter. This week, we also worked in collaboration in a team, to show that we could collaborate and work together. The session included stations with different materials with a design focus in each
Station 1 - Play dough
Station 2 - Straws, balloons and tape
Station 3 - Lego
Station 4 - Box construction
Station 5 - Wooden pegs and wooden lollipop sticks

Challenge 1 - Design a bridge
Challenge 2 - Design a tower
Challenge 3 - Design a landmark
Challenge 4 - Design a shelter

Below are some images from 6H and 6R learning during technologies:

Week 2 Reminders 

PAT Testing:
This week we will begin our series of formal PAT assessments which will help further inform our understanding of your child's learning needs, as well as guide groupings within the classroom. The students will be noting in their homework book the days these tests will take place. They do not need to prepare for these in any way, however it is important that they get a good night's rest each day to ensure they are refreshed and ready.
PAT Tests:
Monday - PAT Vocabulary
Wednesday - PAT Maths Test

Bushfire Evacuation:
A bush fire evacuation drill will take place next Wednesday afternoon, 24th February. To ensure a simulated response, a time will not be released prior. Please be available, or have the emergency contact for your child ready to collect your child immediately after you receive the evacuation warning via sms next Wednesday afternoon.

All students need to be collected from their classrooms. The drive through services will not be functioning on that afternoon.

If your child will be collected by someone else during the drill, please call the school, immediately after receiving the SMS warning to inform them of who will be collecting your children.

Choir Invitations:
A choir invitation was sent out by Mrs Sherborne last Friday. Could all students interested in joining please fill out the form on the following link by this Friday 26th Feb https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Iy-FxTM2KU-zhlHaU-NeIycYwXYnxdBNs984jk5_lRdUOU9EVDVVWDdTUEcyQTNKNTRGMEdCTzRBMy4u
Thank you!

Swimming Time Trials:
On Tuesday, the 23rd of February, Years 4, 5 & 6 will be departing school at 9am to travel to the Geographe Leisure Centre (Busselton) for the swimming carnival time trials. We will be returning to school by lunch time.

Students will need to wear sport uniform (faction t-shirt) over their bathers. Sport shoes must be worn to school but a pair of thongs may be packed in your child's school bag to travel to and from the pool in. Students must bring in a plastic bag, a rashie, goggles, towel and a change of underwear.

Children will be taking their lunchboxes with us as Crunch and Sip and recess will be eaten at the pool. Lunch will be eaten when we return to school, therefore, if your child would like to order their lunch from the canteen they will still be able to. Please check your child has filled their water bottle on Tuesday morning.

Swimming Notes:

Last week, swimming forms (pink note) were sent home to be filled in, signed and returned in preparation for the upcoming swimming lessons beginning Week 6. Please ensure you return them as soon as possible.

Upcoming Events
1.Swim Trials - Tuesday 23rd February
(Students to have sunscreen on, Packed a hat, rashie, goggles, towel, recess, clipboard and pencil case in their bags, students to wear faction shirt sports uniform and bring teal school uniform in their bags)
2. Public Holiday - Monday 1st March
3. Pupil Free Day - Tuesday 2nd March
4. Swim Carnival - Thursday 4th March
4. Swimming Lessons commence at the beach in week 6 and 7 for Year 6
5. Parent Teacher Interviews week 8 and 9 (timetable to be emailed for booking slots soon)

Homework
Due: Friday 26th February
Our homework diaries having not arrived as yet, therefore we will start week 2 using the students homework books to write their homework expectations and upcoming events for the next few weeks. The students are to write their reading into their homework book each night. We ask that you sign the student's reading and learning grid before Friday morning.
Home Learning Grid includes:
1. Reading 20 minutes each night - write title and amount read into their homework book each night.
2. Spelling Activities - 1 activity per night.
3. Mathematics - Times Tables - Fill in each night to practice
4. Three well-being tasks from learning grid.

Have a good week everyone, hopefully the sunshine will continue.

Miss Hurst