Tuesday, 14 August 2012
Puppets in Progress
Year 6 are busily preparing their puppets for the 'Caring for Cambodia' concert where they will perform a rap based on the fairytale 'The Princess and the Pea!'
Peer Support Training
Year 6 recently took part in a 2 day leadership training program for Peer Support. Throughout this term they work with multi age groups of 8-10 younger students.
Peer Support Australia provides school communities with an evidence based, peer led approach to enhance the mental, social and emotional wellbeing of young people.
The peer support program:
- provides students with a supportive learning environment in which to develop the skills, understandings, attitudes and strategies to improve mental well being
- develops key skills in resilience, assertiveness, decision making, problem solving and leadership.
Year 6 Family Mass
Well done to all who helped prepare everything for the Year 6 family mass this Sunday. Fr Epeli happily posed with the children afterwards.
Sunday, 22 July 2012
Term 3 Newsletter
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome back to Term III. We hope that you
and your families had a restful holiday. Once again we look forward to a very
busy and productive term.
Some information and dates for your diaries:
WEEK 2
Tues, July 24 Parent / Teacher interviews
Wed July 25th
Maths Olympiad 3
Fri, July 27 Pizza Day for Cambodia $5 a slice. Pre
order day before. Peer support training day 1 for Year 6.
Sat, July 28 NSW Band Festival
WEEK 3
Mon July 30th
Peer Support Training Day 2 Year 6
Wed, August 1 Mufti Day and Busking for Yipirinya
School in Alice Springs
Thurs, August 2 Netball photos
Fri, August 3 School Census
Day
Sat August 4th
Ordination of Deacon Epili
WEEK 4
Wed, August 8 Mary
MacKillop Feast Day-whole school mass 9.15am
Thurs, August 9 Leadership for Reconciliation Trip
Sun, August 12 Yr 6 Family Mass at 6pm – Sacred Heart
Church
WEEK 5
Mon, August 13 Staff Development Day (No school for
students)
Wed, August 15 Feast of the Assumption –whole school
mass 9.15am
Thurs August 16 Ms O’Connor
at Religion Retreat
Fri, August 17 Ms O’Connor at Religion Retreat and
Netball Clinic for girls Yr 4-6 @ Rawson Park
WEEK 6
Mon, August 20 Book Week.
Parade of Champions (day to
be decided)
Wed, August 22 Maths Olympiad 4 and Caring for
Cambodia Concert 6.30pm wine and cheese. Start at 7pm.
WEEK 7
Mon, August 27 Book Week – Guest Speaker: 9.20 & 11.15am
Tue, August 28 Catholic School Netball Carnival
Fri, August 31 Father’s Day Breakfast and excursion to
Homebush for Science unit.
WEEK 9
Wed
August 12 Maths Olympiad 5
WEEK 10
Fri Sept 21 Holidays!! and Ms O'Connor leaves for Cambodia
The following will give you a brief overview
of the units of work to be studied in the Key Learning Areas in Term 3.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
THE BIBLE : OUR SACRED
STORY
This unit explores the
Bible as our Sacred Scriptures. Students review the great story of our
tradition: its significant people and events. The unit also briefly introduces
the students to the formation of the Bible.
WE CELEBRATE THE SACRAMENTS
This
unit continues the exploration of sacraments in 5.7. Students will explore the
sacraments of Marriage and Anointing of the Sick. They will examine the Church
as a sacrament and study various vocations as a response to our baptismal call.
The students will be bringing
their textbooks “To Know, Worship and Love” home, to complete activities as
part of their weekly homework. Students will also require a bible to use at
home.
ENGLISH
The
English program is separated into three areas – Talking and Listening; Reading; Writing.
Below
is an overview for Term 3.
Talking and Listening
·
The students will be involved in debating within the classroom and some
will then be chosen as part of a team competing in the Eastern Region
Competition which will take place on Tuesday evenings in weeks 4 and 5. Every
child participates in class debates during this time.
·
The children will also listen and summarise from presentations such as
relevant topical videos, DVDs and programs such as ‘Behind the News.’
Reading
The literary text chosen this term is “Storm Boy,”
by Colin Thiele. This famous Australian narrative will provide opportunities to
apply higher order thinking skills and respond in various ways. There will be a
particular focus on inferential thinking and in-depth responses.
We will continue to work on the CARS (Comprehensive
Assessment of Reading Strategies) and STARS (Strategies to Achieve Reading
Success) during class time.
We will begin the term with Guided Reading with a
focus on Media Literacy and inferential comprehension skills relating to our
HSIE/Science unit. The children will be encouraged to use environmental print,
various forms of media, the school library and municipal libraries to broaden
their reading experiences.
Writing
There will be many opportunities for writing this
Term. Our text types this Term will be integrated with our HSIE and Science Units. The students will be
writing Narrative, Discussion, Procedure and Explanation Texts.
A Handwriting book has been provided for each child
in the school. The students will use this to consolidate The N.S.W Foundation
Handwriting style. All students should be writing in cursive Foundation
Handwriting using black or blue ball-point pens. Liquid paper is not to be
used at school or in the homework books.
- Dictation sessions
will enable students to improve their listening, handwriting and
punctuation skills.
MATHEMATICS
The
Key Learning Areas of Mathematics are separated into five content strands:
·
Number- mental skills, addition, subtraction, multiplication &
division
·
Space- Angles, 2D and 3D shapes.
·
Patterns and Algebra- explaining the activities generated by children.
·
Data-collection explanation of data for graphs.
·
Measurement - Volume and Capacity/Mass
·
Calculating and comparing mass, volume and capacity of a variety of
objects/ containers and converting units i.e. Millilitres to litres, grams to
tonnes etc.
·
For speed and accuracy students need to practise their mental skills in
addition, subtraction, division and multiplication particularly their tables.
·
Students will be given weekly homework using Studyladder. If students
are unable to access Studyladder at home please inform class teachers through
the student diary.
Year
6 will continue working on problem solving skills for Maths Olympiad.
SCIENCE / H.S.I.E
The
unit for Term III is “Infinite Potential” This unit looks at
renewable/non-renewable energy resources, how these resources can be used
effectively and how humans impact positively and negatively on the environment.
The goal is to identify and apply processes involved in manipulating, using and
changing the form of energy. We are connecting our students with like minded
peers in neighbouring schools through a safe social networking website for
learning ‘Edmodo’ – www.edmodo.com. Your child has a log in and if
you choose you may also join as a parent. The students will engage in many
scientific experiments involving electricity, solar power, and water
conservation. They will also engage in several higher order thinking activities
culminating in an effective design for an environmentally friendly school.
VISUAL ARTS
Our
art objectives this term will once again focus on the creation of individual
artworks. The children will explore through their own artworks the unique
techniques and effects employed by artists such as Tom Roberts, Pablo Picasso.
PHYSICAL
EDUCATION
Mr
Gosper will continue to develop student’s skills in games and sport this term.
Please ensure students are wearing appropriate P.E/gym uniform.
Year
6 will have their sport lessons Wednesdays and Martial Arts on Thursdays.
MUSIC
Music
will occur for one hour per fortnight for each class with our teacher Ms
Gale. Music will be on Fridays.
ITALIAN
The
students will continue to have Italian lessons with Signor James every week. 6
Blue have their Italian class on Tuesdays and 6Gold will have their Italian
class on Thursdays.
LIBRARY
As
Book Week is fast approaching the focus for the first half of this term is
‘Literacy’. Jenny Dunn will be sharing the selection of short listed books and
the children will be encouraged to borrow a wider selection of books more
often. The lessons following Book Week will integrate with our Environmental
unit this term.
Year
6 will have Library every Wednesday. We will continue to separate boys and
girls for Library and Sport this Term. This is proving to work very well. Every
child in Year 6 should have a log on for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.
HOMEWORK ROUTINE
A
weekly homework schedule will be given to your child in their diaries, listing
a variety of tasks to be completed at home. Please ensure that your child
balances their weekly commitments so that they are able to complete all tasks
effectively, including reading. The recommended time that the students should
be spending on homework is approximately 30 to 40 minutes per night.
Please sign homework books
and diaries each week.
All homework is to be
handed in on Mondays. If homework
is incomplete or a student does not hand their work in with a satisfactory
explanation, they will be required to complete it in the Library at lunchtime.
We
do understand that occasionally family commitments take precedence over
homework; in this case a short explanatory note to the teacher would be
appreciated. Sometimes overnight homework will be given if work is not
completed in class. Assignments over several weeks may also be given at various
stages throughout the year. This will assist the students in preparing to meet
the challenge of the vast amounts of homework expected in High School.
We
feel that the homework expectations are realistic, however if your child is not
coping, please send a note and we will endeavour to work with them in class.
TEACHER
MEETINGS
If
at any time you feel that you need to see any of the teachers, please do not hesitate
to contact us either in person, phone or by email.
Teacher Email:
jacinta.tucker@shmosman.catholic.edu.au 6 Blue Mon-Wed
and Fri
jane.harrison@shmosman.catholic.edu.au 6 Blue Thurs
gwen.oconnor@shmosman.catholic.edu.au 6 Gold Mon-Fri
It
is always best to call and arrange a meeting so that we can ensure that we are
available.
The school newsletter is
also available through the school website every 2 weeks. We ask that you do not
send permission slips or absent notes via email as these need to be signed.
YEAR 6 CLASS
BLOG
We
will endeavor to update our blog frequently. To access this go to the school
website
->staff-> click on the link under the Year 6 teachers’ names or
the direct address is http://yr6shm.blogspot.com.au/
Contact Details
Sacred
Heart School Mosman
Phone: (02)
99696600
Fax: (02)
99604213
Kind
Regards,
Gwen
O’Connor, Jacinta Tucker and Jane Harrison
Thursday, 19 July 2012
Tuesday, 17 July 2012
Canberra – the trip of a lifetime! By Olivia Lozina Year 6
My
body started to awake as my mind was in a blur, when I felt a gentle hand
waking me up and reminding me that this was going to be a trip to
remember. All of a sudden, it hit
me. I was going on a school camp to Canberra. Without caution, I leaped out of
bed and rushed to get ready for the 6.30am depart from Sydney.
Over
4 hours later, I was tired but there was no room for tiredness on this trip
because we were on our way to the Electoral Education Centre. We learnt how to
vote, what was required and we learned about the history of voting. With some
amazing 21st century technology, I learnt so much and strangely, it
was also amusing. There were 3D lasers, moving white boards, plastic electric
figures, really “cool” exhibits like a computer where you could search up names
and see information about people’s voting electorates- things I had never seen
before.
The
Australian War Memorial was our next stop. We saw old planes and presentations,
treasures and items of the past. Stories of hardship had become familiar to me only
through books and it remindered me that our country was so lucky to have people
that have given up their lives for our country. An exhibition that I really
admired personally, was a little memorial that was shaped as a cylinder and had
the most exquisite walls with glass windows and gold
sculptures. The roof was shaped in a semi sphere and was quite grand, opulent
and was filled with gold. Not only that, the room echoed and in the center
there was a miniscule, marble plaque with elegant red poppies around the
perimeter.
Our
grade then had a relaxing mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral at Manika. Fr
James led this service and we met a deacon called Deacon Luke and he was going
to be ordained at the same time when Deacon Epeli was going to be ordained. Surprisingly,
I also had the opportunity to read a Prayer of Intersession.
The
following morning I was very tired. Having minimal sleep, my mind was on a
different planet but I was thrilled to be able to spend another 2 days with my
classmates and experience some fantastic sites. Our first stop for the day was New
Parliament House. Silently, I crept into the foyer and I felt so privileged to
be there. It was so luxurious and special, too special for a school child like
me. Trotting around in wonder and awe, we were led to the House of
Representatives, which was a green room. From the House of Representatives, we
briskly walked to the Senate, which was a red room. As I momentarily gazed into
the room, I felt like I was an older lady and part of Parliament. Debating, making
laws, running the country- it was great to dream. What made it more realistic
was that we also had a debate about longer school hours. My favourite part of
this venue was that we got to go to the top of Parliament House, where we had a
magnificent view of Canberra.
Eventually,
I discovered that our next stop was to Old Parliament House. “Old Parliament
House”. The sound of it gave me shivers down my spine. “Old”. Imagine the
history in this classic site! What amazing parliament stories did it hide in
its walls? I wondered how they could still preserve
such a vital building of history. I jumped out of my seat and looked up to a
white building. I followed the tour into the museum and everything in there was
so delicate, it was a living museum. We visited the House of Representatives
and there were quite a few differences compared to the new one. For example, it
had darker shades of green and the speaker’s chair was very intricate and
grand, but it was also extremely atypical because the British coat of arms was
the centre of attention. This is atypical because we are not a British colony
any more. We also had a role play in the House of Representatives, but that
reality stopped really quickly because we were then ordered into the Senate,
which also was a darker shade of red than the new Senate. At Old Parliament
House, there was an exhibit of all of the past Australian Prime Ministers with
Interactive screens. I thought that this was very interesting and entertaining.
Our
grade experienced half a day of Parliament so when we arrived at the High Court
of Australia, I didn’t know what to expect. Other than speechless, I cannot
describe the interest that I had about this grand place. We were directed to
three courtrooms and as I listened intently, I felt so privileged to be in this
position. My mind started to whirl into another daydream, sitting in those
professional chairs, debating, arguing for human rights, it felt like reality.
Our
stop to Regatta Point was a “blast.” Excited and exhausted, I found out that
our next stop was the National Museum of Australia. Hesitating for a moment, a
thought came “whizzing” through my mind – ““Museum”. I assumed that it was a
place full of old antiques but I was wrong. This museum was really modern and
mesmerizing. My favourite part of the Museum was that there was a station where
you first had your picture taken and you where then assigned to create a vehicle
or house in a 3D stimulator. As “quick as a flash,” everybody had finished
their creation and I thought that was the end of the exercise but as usual, I
was wrong. You were then ordered into a big black room with a huge pair of
glasses. Pausing momentarily, I eased back as there was a sudden light and as I
watched, a screen popped up from out of the blue. Immediately, someone blurted
out, “That’s my creation!” From
what I could make out, right in front of me was a movie made up of our
creations. It was so sophisticated and
not only that, the movie was in 3D! This had to be one of my most exciting
moments in Canberra.
Our
dinner that night was delicious and as I gulped down the last spoonful of my
dinner, the teachers announced to meet outside the cabins in 1o minutes in
order to hop onto the coach in time. “What coach?” I thought. Already, I had managed
to have an amazing, action packed day. I wondered what the teachers had planned
next… Riding on the coach, I couldn’t contain my excitement and then the
teachers announced that we
were going to the Dinosaur Museum. The coast was clear as we walked into the
Dinosaur Museum and it was awesome because we were having a twightlight tour.
This venue showcased some of the most humungous figures you would ever see. At
the front of the venue there were dinosaurs everywhere you looked and in the
dark sky it looked very effective. Definitely, I would recommend this venue for
all ages but especially children that are interested in dinosaurs!
The minute I got back to the cabins, I plummeted into bed and
fell straight to sleep.
The next morning I felt like
willing myself into invisibility as I felt a gentle hand trying waking me up. A
thought rushed through my mind that this was the day I was going to face
something that I had backed out of before. I had ants in my pants as I leaped
out of bed, gobbled down my breakfast and stuffed my possessions into my bag.
Eventually we arrived at the
Australian Institute of Sport. Walking casually into the foyer, there were
massive words written up on the wall which were “Inspiration, Excellence,
Passion, Desire” and “Dream.” When I sighted those words on the wall, I knew
that this was the place for me but I didn’t have time to think because we were
automatically directed into the Olympic Swimming Pool. Clear water, bright lights,
metal blocks, a pool that could be described as “beyond luxurious.” I was
bewildered when I was told that this place was built in 2006 and had a camera
in the water where you could observe the swimmer’s technique.
Contently, we walked around the
grounds and when our tour guide notified us about the next stop, I hardly dared
to breathe. We were about to witness the Olympic Gymnastic Team train for the
Olympic games. Quickly, I followed the crowd as I stood up straight and crept
into the gymnasium. Hesitating for a split second, I was so thrilled to see
these girls train because they are Olympians. It was a sight that not many
people see since they only visit every 3-6 months and only stay for 1-3 weeks. Staring
in amazement, these girls were flipping and jumping, swinging and soaring
through the air with ease.
“If you want to achieve your
dreams, never give up.” That’s what the girls displayed and I wish them well in
the Olympic games. My favourite place of all was a room that was filled with
sport exhibits. From what I could make out, it was a room filled with climbing
boards and physical activities like basketball and rock climbing. There was 21st
century high tech sports equipment such as, state of the art sport simulators
for different sports including skiing, bobsleighing, rowing and much more. Within
seconds I was being amazed by this technology.
Sadly, we eventually had to leave
the Australian Institute of Sport but luckily my adrenaline wasn’t going to
settle because our following stop was Questacon! Enthusiastically, I headed
into Questacon and the best words to describe it was “never-ending fun”.
Questacon is known for science,
but not just ordinary, boring science. Exhibits are filled with mystery,
creativity, interest, uniqueness and madness. My favourite exhibits were the
Earthquake room, the Lightening exhibit and the last floor…….
I was in such a joyful mood completing all of the floors but
I started to feel like our trip was ending by the minute. Eventually we got to
the to the last floor, the floor of fear. Being aware of my fear, I rushed
towards it to take a closer look. Starting to feel nervous and apprehensive,
The Free Fall was tremendously steep but I couldn’t leave Questacon without
having a go. I had seen this contraption before and I had walked away from it…..I
now had to face my fears……Without thinking and without further adieu, I slid on
the suit and waited in line. Climbing up the stairs, my tummy was in a knot but
my mind was ready to take the challenge. Finally it was my turn and sweat
started bubbling on my brow. Cautiously, I look down and nothing could “freak
me out” more than a slippery steep slide with no harness. Ignoring the advice
my body was telling me, I closed my eyes and let go… For a spilt second I was
terrified but then I felt as light as a feather.
Slowly, breathing heavily I
realized that I did something crazy. I was really pleased that I attempted the
Free Fall machine at Questacon. I often say to myself, “goals can be achieved
when you have a little faith”. A
classmate also said, “You only live life once.”
A new journey had begun and slowly Canberra was turning into
a blur and my enthusiastic energy started to fade. Hours later, bright lights
started to light up the darkness ahead as we drove into Sydney. As we
approached the school, I looked through the window of the bus to see my mother
smiling a big cheesy grin. As I looked into her eyes, I was filled with gratitude,
to be back home at last.
Part of me wished that the trip
didn’t have to end but I was also happy to be home filled with great memories
of Canberra.
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