Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome back to Term 2, 2019. We hope that everyone has had an

enjoyable and refreshing break. Thank you for your cooperation with

Student / Parent / Teacher Learning Discussions at the end of last

term, it was a great opportunity to discuss your child’s learning, pro-

gress and unique attributes. Once again, we have a very busy

schedule this term. Students will be completing formal assessments

in preparation for semester one reports and our Year 5 students will

also be sitting NAPLAN online

during Weeks 3 and 4.

Thank you to all parents and

caregivers for your ongoing

input and support, it is greatly

appreciated.

Welcome to Mrs Davidson

Mrs Davidson has joined 4/5N and will be working Wednesday for

the remainder of the year. We welcome her to our class and she is

loving spending time with us.

Weekly Overview

Welcome Back 4/5N

Stage 2/3 Newsletter

Term Two

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Daily PE

Homework Home

Daily PE Band

Scripture / Ethics

Library

Daily PE

CAPA

Homework Due

Assembly

Sport

TERM 2 IMPORTANT DATES

7 May Debating Gala Day

9 May Mother’s Day Stall

10 May Mother’s Day Breakfast

PSSA Sport begins

NAPLAN

22 May Star Struck Dance Rehearsal

27—31 May

Reconciliation Week

30 May Reconciliation Assembly

Yarning Circle

Star Struck Major Rehearsal

4 June Sports Carnival

6 June Band Meeting

10 June

Queen’s Birthday

12-15 June

Star Struck week

23 June

P & C Trivia Night

28 June

KCoS Aboriginal Excursion

Debating Gala Day

2 July Reports Distributed

5 July Last day of Term 2

Beanie for Brain Cancer Day

Term Two, Stage 2/3 Newsletter

English Reading and Viewing Wonder was such a huge success last term that we have struggled to de-cide on a class novel for term 2. After a very close vote that saw two novels tied, we have decided to read ‘Holes’ by Louis Sachar as our class novel. We will be completing a series of comprehension activities as well as linking our writing to our class novel. We are looking at the English contextual concepts of argument and representation throughout this term. Argument is learning how authors (and we as authors) persuade using the conventions of various forms, modes (visual, spoken, written and performative) and media. It is made up of a series of observations developed to produce a position or a resolution of different views through the statement of a stance or thematic concerns supported by evidence. Argument can have a range of purposes including clarification of ideas, searching for truth, resolving disputes, defending a point of view or for entertainment. Representation is the depiction of a thing, person or idea in written,

visual, performed or spoken language. In representing we make choices from the language offered by

these modes. Representation may aim to reflect the natural world as realistically as possible or may aim

to convey the essence of people, objects, experiences and ideas in a more abstract way. Students will

engage in learning and writing using ALARM to support the development of quality texts in response to

our novel and other viewed texts throughout the term.

‘Behind the News’ television program is viewed weekly as part of our reading and viewing program and

discussions follow each week. Students also engage in written responses to information they have

discussed from BTN.

Writing and Representing Our writing will be linked to our Science and Geography units. This year we will be using the Seven Steps to Writing program as well as the ALARM writing program that is used at Kotara High School. This writing program was designed to help students to provide written responses to questions as well as to scaffold their writing and provide support to properly develop narratives, persuasive and informative texts.

Spelling will continue with rule based lists and students will be assessed and grouped according to their independent skill level. Weekly spelling tests will still be undertaken. Spelling will be bookwork and BYOD will not be used for the writing of spelling lists daily but may be used to reinforce learning of words and rules.

Students will continue to develop an independent handwriting style as required by NSW English syllabus and touch typing skills which will support students to be proficient communicators in a digi-tal world.

Speaking and Listening Students will be given more opportunities to speak in formal and informal situations throughout Term 2. This is a great opportunity for students to build confidence, in particular the Year 5 students who are starting to think about leadership roles for next year. Students will complete a public speaking task whereby they are able to research a topic of interest and present it to their peers. From this we will select our representatives for our inter-school competition.

Term Two, Stage 2/3 Newsletter

Mathematics

Throughout this term we will be covering the following units of work from our Mathematics curriculum (covering Stage 2 and 3 content, both included below): Numbers and Algebra Fractions and Decimals:

recognize and order fractions with denominators 2 and 4, 3 and 6 as well as 5, 10 and 100

Apply the place value system to represent tenths and hundredths

represent, compare and order fractions simplify and multiply fractions, rounding to three decimal places.

Multiplication and Division: recall and use multiplication facts relating multiplication facts to their inverse operation multiplying two and three as well as three and four digit numbers using strategies such

as, problem solving, algorithms. Addition and Subtraction:

using inverse operation to check addition and subtraction using a range of strategies to solve four and five digit addition problems solve word problems and record the strategy used

Measurement and Geometry Angles:

draw and classify angles as acute, obtuse, right, straight, reflex or revolution measure and construct angles and apply knowledge of angles to find missing angles Measure, compare and estimate angles in degrees (up to 360*) Record angle measurements using the symbol (*)

3D Space: represent 3D objects showing depth construct and draw 3D shapes, identify and describe pyramids and prisms.

Mass: use kilograms and grams to record mass including the abbreviation kg and g recording mass using decimal notation, converting tonnes, kilograms and grams.

Area: measure and compare the areas of regular and irregular shapes using square

centimeters calculate area of squares, rectangles and triangles, measure in km²

Position: determine directions North, East, South and West as well as NE, SE, SW and NW Interpret directions and legends on maps Use scale to calculate distance

Statistics and Probability Chance:

describe the possibility of everyday events and order their chances of occurring identify events where the chance of it occurring will not be affected by the occurrence

of another represent probabilities using fractions recognize that probabilities range from 0-1

Term Two, Stage 2/3 Newsletter

Geography

This term, we will continue our Geography Unit ‘Australia: A diverse and connected world’ which is a fusion of the Stage 2 and 3 units of work. For this unit we will be exploring various climates with in Australia and Australasia. We will also be exploring countries of the Asia region and the connections Australia has with other countries across the world. Students learn about the diversity of the world’s people, including the indigenous peoples of other countries. Students will explore and reflect upon similarities, differences and the importance of intercultural understanding. PDHPE For our Personal Development unit this term we will be completing the Considered Choices unit of work which explores the importance of personal health choices. Students will develop appropriate health attitudes and behaviours by exploring sun safety, healthy lifestyles, nutrition, pollution and global sustainability. An understanding of health issues is important in empowering children to make informed and effective personal lifestyle choices. Daily PE will focus on games and sports aligned with PSSA Netball and Soccer as well as basketball and t-ball.

You Can Do It!

You Can Do It! Is a social and emotional wellbeing program that has been developed to teach children the importance of organisation, getting along, confidence, resilience and persistence. In particular, the program embeds the ’habits of the mind’ positive thinking style to develop self-worth, confidence and resilience. This term we will be specifically focusing on developing resilience and coping skills which students can use when faced with difficult and challenging situations.

Creative and Practical Arts (CAPA)

CAPA encompasses four elements of the creative arts; Music, Dance, Drama and Visual Arts. We will provide students with a range of experiences in Music, Dance and Drama. We will be learning some new dances and doing role play as well as learning about beat. Ms Gibson has been working very hard with each class to complete artworks for upcoming events such as Mothers’ Day and our Art Exhibition next term.

Term Two, Stage 2/3 Newsletter

Sport

Well done to those students who participated in selections for PSSA Netball and Soccer at the end of last term. All PSSA soccer games will be held at Myer Park and Mrs Neilands will be coaching soccer. Netball will be held at National Park weekly and Miss Anderson will be coaching Netball.

Please return these permission notes as soon as possible. Additionally, following the success of last year we will also be running an interschool competition weekly. Mr Davidson and Mr Downing will be taking the Inter-school soccer teams away to play each week at Hudson Park. Mrs Ross will take the interschool netball team weekly and they will be playing at Nesbitt Park.

Students not participating in these Soccer and Netball teams will compete sport as usual. If you have any queries or questions regarding PSSA sporting teams, please contact Mrs Neilands for Soccer and Miss Anderson in regards to Netball. For interschool queries please refer to Mr Davidson, Mr Downing or Mrs Ross. Mr Cook and Mrs Brown will remain at school for sport.

NAPLAN This year our years 3 and 5 students will complete NAPLAN online. NAPLAN will occur in Week 3. Mr Davidson and Mr Downing will be supporting students during the administration of NAPLAN 2019. NAPLAN is made up of tests in the four areas (or ‘domains’) of:

reading

writing

language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation)

numeracy NAPLAN tests skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time through the school curriculum. Schools will receive NAPLAN reports for their students from mid-August to mid-September, depending on their state or territory test administration authority. Copies of student achievement will be sent home after they arrive at school. Skoolbag I strongly encourage you to download the Skoolbag app for iPhone or Android. This will ensure that you are receiving critical information from the school, including newsletters, reminders about calendar events and school based events. Scripture / Ethics

Scripture and Ethics will continue to be held on Wednesday afternoon. Students will remain in the activity that parents have nominated that they participate in.

Fruit Break We have fruit break daily at 10:00am. Students are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit or vegetable to promote healthy lifestyle decisions. BYOD We continue to have students entering our BYOD program in 4.5N. We are using devices every day and I am thankful to students who regularly remember their device. We are utilising our classroom allocation of devices and have excellent ratios to support teaching and learning.

Term Two, Stage 2/3 Newsletter

Homework Thank you to those students who have consistently completed their homework to a very high standard, these fantastic efforts do not go unnoticed. Homework will continue to be sent home Monday (and placed in Google Classroom). Students are choosing to complete homework in books or online. Homework will continue to be made up of Spelling, Mathematics and small activities from other key learning areas. Homework for years 4 and 5 should provide approximately 20 minutes of work each night. There is a wide selection of activities available on ‘Studyladder’ should it be required. Premier’s Reading Challenge Adamstown Public School is celebrating another year of 100% completion of the Premier’s Reading Challenge. This is a massive achievement and while we cannot technically ‘improve’ on it, we cer-tainly are aiming for 100% again. A recording sheet will be attached to homework and students are encouraged to read every night for at least 20 minutes. Library This year, our Year 5 students have the opportunity to train as library assistants. This involves spending time in the library during break times and assisting Mr Howell to loan books to our students and placing them on the shelf using the dew decimal system. Our Year 5 students have been undertaking training as part of their role and already many of our students are able to support their peers to borrow and return their library books. School Leadership 2020 During this term, Year 5 students who have a keen interest in undertaking leadership roles within our school in 2020 will have the opportunity to work with teaching staff at lunchtimes. These sessions will enlighten and guide students in the responsibilities and requirements of being in these leadership positions at Adamstown Public School. Appointments If you need to see your child’s teacher for a catch up before or after school, pleasure enquire at the office first. If they are unavailable please leave a message at the office and they will endeavor to contact you over the phone or arrange a meeting in person as soon as possible. As teachers have a duty of care to all students, they are not able to discuss concerns about your child after the bell at 9am.

Absences If your child becomes ill and is away from school for more than 2 days, please contact the school and let us know. If any child is absent for more than two days without communication, teachers are required to make contact. It is important for your child’s learning and growth that they are at school everyday.

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or queries. Sincerely Megan Neilands