Welcome back to the new school term. This newsletter is to help keep you informed about the curriculum for the grade and the day-to-day activities of the grade.

This term the following teachers will be supporting learning in Year 6

 *Teachers work under the structure of an Enterprise Agreement that includes a number of entitlements. One of these is the engagement in Profession Planning Time (PPT) where they are released from class to carry out other professional responsibilities. Each full time teacher is entitled to the equivalent of 2 hours PPT each week, or a pro-rata thereof for part time teachers. Therefore, all students operate across the school week with at least two teachers engaging in the classroom program of learning.

This Curriculum Outline is designed to communicate what your child is learning so you can support them at home this term. At Good Samaritan, we believe that the partnership between you as parents and our teachers are the most important influences on your son’s or daughter’s education.

The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) is responsible for setting and monitoring quality teaching, learning, assessment and school standards across NSW public, Catholic and independent schools. NESA also develops Kindergarten to Year 12 syllabuses for NSW schools. Syllabuses identify: the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes students are expected to develop at each stage; what students are expected to know and do; Learning across the curriculum areas: cross-curriculum priorities, general capabilities and other important learning for all students.

At Good Samaritan we have a K-6 Scope & Sequence of learning which supports the implementation of the NESA Syllabuses. Below, is an outline of the Key Learning Area content & skills being taught this term.

All students take part in Religious Education Programs. The school also provides other opportunities for students to express and deepen their Faith through school Masses, liturgies, prayer and in Christian service and witness within their school environment and the wider community. 

Religious Education follows a curriculum set and approved by the Bishop of the Diocese in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office.

This term in Religious Education, Year 6 will be engaging in the following units:

This term in Religious Education, Year 6 will study Easter: A Time for Hope and New Life. This unit explores the disciples’ experience of the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. As we die with Jesus, we rise with Jesus also. The unit teaches about our hope in everlasting life. It explores the feast days, scripture and prayers that express and celebrate our belief in everlasting life.

Confirmation: Celebrating the Presence of the Holy Spirit. This unit revisits the Pentecost experience in the Scriptures. It also explores the sacrament of Confirmation: the symbols and rituals, the liturgical structure and theology. It is not designed as a preparation for Confirmation. However, it could be used as such, with some modifications.

This term in English, Year 6 will be studying Exploring Ethical and Social Relationships. In this unit, students learn to critically analyse and respond to texts, with a focus on multimodal and visual texts. They explore the ways in which texts are structured and presented in order to communicate ideas and influence viewers. Students investigate the ways in which Australia is interconnected with other nations, and explore a range of global issues including issues of war and peace, poverty and refugee experiences. Students consider the individual and national responsibilities of global citizens of the 21st century, and are encouraged to think about how they can act to facilitate equity and justice for others through their choices and actions. They explore publications of various groups working to support children and refugees, e.g. UNICEF and World Vision, and read the story of Refuge by Jackie French.

Encourage your child to write as often as possible, on a range of topics and interests.

Literacy can always be fun and engaging. Let your child choose books and activities matched to their interests, and always encourage a healthy dose of fun and play in all activities. This will help foster in your child a love of reading, talking and writing.

This term in Mathematics, Year 6 will focus on 

Fractions and Decimals: In this unit students will investigate adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals, with and without the use of digital technologies.

Length: This unit explores various aspects related to measuring various lengths using the most appropriate unit and device. 

Whole Number: Students will be able to recognise and plot negative numbers on a number line in relation to zero; interpret integers in everyday contexts; investigate negative whole numbers and number patterns  

Data: In this unit students will interpret and compare a range of data displays, including side-by-side column graphs for two categorical variables. They will also interpret secondary data presented in digital media and elsewhere as found in real-life situations. 

Patterns and Algebra: In this unit students will continue and create sequences involving whole numbers, fractions and decimals. 

Chance: This unit will focus on defining the concept of chance as used in mathematical terms and on providing student-created definitions to clarify the difference between frequency and probability.

Students are encouraged to practice times tables and extra Mathematics work is always available on Maths Online and/or Study Ladder.

Geography will be studied in Terms 3 and 4.

This term in History, Year 6 will continue to study Australia As A Nation (Government). In this unit, students will learn that Australia is a representative democracy in which all Australians over 18 years vote for people to represent them and make decisions on their behalf. They will also explore the three levels of government in Australia, and how we vote to elect representatives to each of these levels: federal, state or territory and local.

This term in Science & Technology, Year 6 will study the Earth and Its Surroundings. Students investigate the effects of cyclones, looking at how they can impact on peoples’ lives and the environmental damage they cause. They also investigate possible strategies that could be implemented to help reduce the impact and damage. Students look at the role science plays in predicting and tracking cyclones and how science helps us prepare for such events.

This term in Creative Arts, Year 6 will focus on preparing for The Christmas Story, CEOoW Art Exhibition and Competition 2021 for Weeks 8-10.

Students will be deciding upon and analysing scriptural references that evoke emotion, imagery and illustrations to guide students in making artworks and assembling materials in a variety of ways. Students will then be able to gain a better understanding of the subject matter in an attempt to represent likenesses of the world in response to CEDoW Christmas Story Art Exhibition and Competition 2021 guidelines.

This unit is linked to Religious, English and Creative Arts syllabuses.

In Creative Arts and Library times with Mrs Cook, students will be learning skills in Drama, Visual Arts and English to create a film for the 1-Minute Film Competition. The film needs to relate to the theme - Connection. It can be a narrative, a documentary, a community service announcement, an animation, a stop motion. Students will learn some processes that are used by film-makers before they are published.  These films will then be submitted for judging by midday, Friday, 16th July.  We are hoping to have a GSFM Film Festival (TBC) to show off the skills that have been learned throughout their film-making journey.  If there are any parents with skills and expertise in this area - Mrs Cook and Year 6 would love to hear from you.

This term in PDHPE, Year 6 will study Games sense and invasion games (Netball/Handball). Students show awareness and consideration of others during play situations and practise the fundamental movement skills of balance, sprint run, vertical jump and catch. 

Health

In this unit, students will develop an understanding of respect and what respectful relationships look like and how it feels both in person and online. Students will develop an understanding of consent and will apply this understanding to everyday situations. Students will develop an understanding that there are varying definitions for consent. 

Students will practise positive respectful behaviours to enhance relationships at Good Samaritan, learn strategies to deal with conflict and/or bullying. Students will develop their ability to become self and socially aware, they will explore how they should act in different environments, becoming aware of other people’s social cues and how to be responsible for their own and others’ health, safety and wellbeing. Students develop a stronger understanding of how to make positive decisions and the impact they have on themselves and others.

Parents can support their children by encouraging them to set goals, plan, and manage their time, effort, and emotions. This type of support can help children to regulate their own learning.

Please make sure your child is charging their ipad each night and packing it to bring to school the next morning. 

Where possible, arrive at school on time by 8.45am as it helps the children settle into the day.

Students are expected to read each night and take home any unfinished classroom work in preparation for High School.

There may also be times when research tasks are set and students may engage in some of this work at home.

Year 6 will participate in weekly sports on a Tuesday and a Friday.

Year 6 will continue the “Year 6 Leadership Program”on the following Wednesdays.

• Term 2 - (5 program days) Wednesday 21st April, 5th May, 19th May, 2nd June and 16th June

Please support your child to be Ready to Learn each day by ensuring he/she has the following:

• iPad fully charged
• library bag/folder
• stationary
• drink bottle

All students are expected to be neatly dressed in their school uniform or sports uniform each day. Classroom teachers will monitor the wearing of the uniform on a day-to-day basis and inappropriate dress will be brought to the attention of the student and, where necessary, parents. 

Students are expected to wear the correct Summer/Winter uniform including the correct footwear.

GOOD SAMARITAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL UNIFORM

Students are also expected to wear the correct Sports Uniform on sports days:

ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH THE CHILD’S NAME

Ongoing communication between school and home is essential. The school aims to work in partnership with the home and recognises that parents wish to be informed of any problems. Likewise, there is a need for parents to keep the school informed of any events that may impact on the life of their child at school.

Through this mutual communication we aim to provide a safe and supportive environment for your child.

1. If you have any educational/behaviour concerns about your child always contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance. Your child’s classroom teacher will always make contact with you if they have any concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. 
2. Grades and classes across the school are supported by Middle Leaders. You are welcome to contact the Middle Leader/s responsible for your child’s class/grade if you have continued concerns regarding your child’s education or behaviour. The Middle Leaders will also contact you when and if necessary.

Middle Leaders 2021

1. If the issue remains unresolved beyond the Middle Leader then please address your concern/s to the Assistant Principal or the Principal. 
2. Parents may contact teachers by email via the school office (info@gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au) but are asked to understand that a response may not be immediate and certainly cannot be expected beyond the regular hours of the school day or week. At Good Samaritan, we believe it is important to speak with parents either in a face-to-face meeting or over the phone when responding to emails that may be of a sensitive nature or, that may require a lengthy response. Therefore, the email response you receive may be of a generic nature. 
3. Parents are asked to understand that teachers primary responsibility throughout the school day is towards the students. Therefore, teachers are unable to engage in discussion when they are in direct supervision of students.

For any absence the school must receive notification of the reason for the absence within 7 days of the return to school. This applies for partial absences as well as whole day absences. Please supply the reason via Compass. In the event that a notification is not supplied the absence will be recorded as Unjustified/Unexplained.

Whole School Term 2 Dates:

Further information regarding events will be distributed closer to each of the dates.

APRIL:

22/04: School Photos

23/04: ANZAC Day Prayer

27/04: Diocesan Cross Country

30/04: Autism Awareness Day 

MAY:

3/05-4/05: Principals’ Overnight Retreat

6/05: Mother’s Day Liturgy

7/05: Mother’s Day Stall

11/05-20/05: NAPLAN testing

17/: Athletics Carnival 

21/05: PUPIL FREE DAY Students do not attend school on this day

22/05-23/05: Confirmation Weekend

23/05: Pentecost

24/05-28/05: Screens Down Week

26/05: National Sorry Day

CEDoW School Director Peter Hill visit to GSFM

31/05: Reconciliation Week

JUNE:

3/06: MABO Day

11/06 Term 2 PB4L Day (Mufti Day)

14/06: Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend

15/06: Sth Coast Netball Gala Day

18/06: Semester One Reports distributed to Parents

21/06-25/06: Parent Teacher Interview Week

25/06: Term 2 concludes