Welcome to the final term of primary school for our Grade 6 students! Term 4 has started with a bang, and there is plenty to look forward to as we head towards the end of the year. Students have settled into the term well and are making the most of the many learning opportunities and exciting experiences ahead as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.

In English, Grade 6 students have begun their new Text Study novel, A Ghost in My Suitcase. Students have been developing their reading comprehension, vocabulary and understanding of how authors use figurative language to engage readers and bring stories to life. They have practised reading accurately and fluently, evaluating information and ideas from the text, and applying new vocabulary in their speaking, reading and writing. Students are exploring how to write persuasive texts by researching and summarising information from multiple sources, planning clear statements of position and effective introductions, and selecting appropriate text structures, language and features to influence an audience. They have further developed their writing skills by experimenting with simple, compound and complex sentences, making deliberate choices about word selection and punctuation, and rereading, proofreading and editing their work. Through feedback and reflection, students have continued to strengthen their ability to communicate ideas clearly, justify their writing choices and set goals for improvement.

In Maths, Grade 6 students have been revisiting and continuing to develop their understanding of the order of operations to accurately evaluate numerical expressions involving multiplication, addition, subtraction and division. They have explored how brackets influence the order of calculations, constructed equations using combinations of the four operations, and identified different numerical expressions that have equal value. Students have also begun exploring statistics by learning how to plan a statistical investigation, identify a problem to investigate, select appropriate data collection methods and gather relevant secondary data. These skills are helping students strengthen their mathematical reasoning, problem-solving abilities and understanding of how mathematics can be used to investigate questions and interpret information in real-world contexts.

In Inquiry, Grade 6 students have continued exploring the unit on Federation and Democracy. They have been developing their understanding of how Australia became a united nation in 1901. Students have investigated what makes a nation, how the Australian colonies operated independently before Federation, and the challenges that encouraged the colonies to unite. They have examined the roles of key individuals and considered the arguments for and against Federation, before exploring the purpose of Australia's Constitution and how it established the foundations of our democratic system of government. They have also learned about the events surrounding Federation Day and how Federation contributed to the development of Australia's national identity. Importantly, students have examined who was included and excluded from participating in democracy at the time, reflecting on how voting rights and democratic participation have changed over time.

In Respectful Relationships, Grade 6 students have revisited the topic of respect and what it means to be respectful towards themselves and others. They have been learning that actions speak louder than words when it comes to demonstrating respect. They have explored examples of how violence can occur in both face-to-face interactions and digital environments, including online spaces. Students have considered the potential impacts of violence on victims, observers and those who use violence against others, building their awareness of the importance of respectful relationships, personal safety, empathy and making positive choices when interacting with others.

Overall, it has been a successful start to Term 4, with many more exciting learning opportunities and activities ahead. Students have been demonstrating enthusiasm, curiosity and a strong commitment to their learning and leadership responsibilities. As they approach the end of their primary school journey, we are excited to support them in making the most of their final term, celebrating their achievements and preparing for the next chapter of their education. We look forward to seeing them finish the year on a positive note while continuing to demonstrate our school values of Community, Aspire, Respect and Excellence.

- Mr Connor