It has been a calm and relaxed start to Term 3 by the 5/6 students with everyone picking up from where they left off with a positive attitude and a smile of their face. Term 3 has a number of exciting opportunities. We have just returned from a successful camp to Angahook, we have an Arts performance, 5/6 Biolab, Science Week, Book Week and much more.

On Thursday the 18^th of July we had the Life Education team visit to deliver sexual health lessons to students from years 5 & 6. They began with the Grade 5’s where they developed an understanding of the physical, social and emotional changes that occur during puberty through the ‘Welcome to Puberty’ module. The Grade 6’s then followed where they engaged in the ‘Thriving in Puberty’ module which is an extension of the Welcome to Puberty module.

From the 29^th-31^st of July the Grade 5/6 students had the opportunity to attend Angahook Camp in Ayres Inlet. It was our aim that each camp participant would be enriched through stronger relationships being formed, challenged by the program and personally encouraged to grow. It is well documented that shared experiences create a strong platform for healthy working relationships. Bonds made throughout camp create community, a powerful ingredient for the success of any group or year level. The Grade 5/6 students demonstrated the school values with pride and were often complemented in the way that they interacted with each other and the staff at the camp. They should be extremely proud in the way they represented the school.

On Tuesday the 6^th of August the 3-6 students will be attending COPACC to attend a production called the Peasant Prince. The Peasant Prince tells the remarkable true story of a 10-year-old peasant boy’s journey from impoverished rural China to the international dance scene. This is a story of courage, resilience and unwavering hope. On Monday the 5^th of August there will also be workshops run by the production company where students will gain a greater understanding of the techniques that will be used by the performers in The Peasant Prince. Students will be guided by professional Teaching Artists to explore the characters and themes in the book through voice and movement activities designed to build their skills and confidence in Drama.

On 12^th of September, students in Grade 5/6 will be visiting BioLab: The Victorian Bioscience Education Centre in Belmont. BioLab’s aim is to engage and inspire the next generation in Science and Mathematics using innovative technologies and techniques. Our students will explore the anatomy and function of the human brain in ‘Brain Matters’. Students explore and answer questions, manipulate materials, and test ideas. Students will also participate in a program called ‘The Science of Cheating’, this program has been developed for students to see the real-world application of using technology and the scientific method to conduct tests to catch athletes gaining an unfair advantage. This is a wonderful learning opportunity for our senior students.

National Science Week is being held from 10 - 18 August 2024. To celebrate this special week, our school will be participating in Science activities on Friday the 16th of August in individual classrooms between 11:30-1:30pm. The 2024 theme is Species Survival - More than just sustainability.

This year, Book Week is being held between the 17th- 23rd of August 2024. The theme this year is ‘Reading is Magic’. To help celebrate, students are invited to dress up on Tuesday 20th August. This year we are also running the BPS Giant Book Swap which is a great addition to our Book Week celebrations.

In terms of curriculum, in writing students are exploring, planning and composing poetry and narratives throughout Term 3. This will be linked to our reading units where we will read poetry and analyse picture storybook novels through the term.

In Mathematics, students will continue to have a strong focus on consolidating and extending their number skills throughout Term 3.  Topics that will be covered include:

• Number & Algebra – comparing and placing fractions on a number line, calculating equivalent fractions and calculating percentage discounts.
• Measurement & Geometry - Calculating volume and capacity, interpreting and using timetables and calculating elapsed time.
• Statistics & Probability – Conducting chance experiments, posing questions to collect categorical, numerical, primary and secondary data.

Practising skills such as noticing shapes in the environment, giving directions or locating destinations on a map and involving themselves with real life numeracy based tasks (e.g. adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing money) will benefit students in developing their knowledge and vocabulary of these areas.

In Inquiry students will be completing an OLYMPICS/ STEAM unit where they learn all about Paris 2024 and the stories behind some of the athletes and venues of the games. STEAM tasks will be completed throughout the rest of the term incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.

I am very much looking forward to the remainder of Term 3 and the exciting learning opportunities ahead for our senior students.

- Mr Burrell