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

Please be aware that due to the current COVID restrictions, this year parent information sessions will take a different format. This newsletter highlights all the necessary Term 1 information for your child, however, if you have any questions and would like to engage in a “meet and greet” phone call with your child’s teacher please follow the link below and they will be in contact with you as soon as possible. Please complete by 3pm on Wednesday 16 February 2021.

A “meet and greet” conversation is a ten minute phone conversation to discuss your child’s start to the year and for your child’s class teacher to clarify any questions you may have about your child’s school year. It is not a report on your child’s progress at this stage of the year.

Click to complete the Year Five Parent Engagement Google Form 

Parent Form

This term the following teachers will be supporting learning in Year 5:

*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 5 will be engaging in the following units:

Unit: Vision and Mission: The Good Samaritan

Students will learn:

As an introduction to the new school year, the students will revise the Parable of the Good Samaritan and reflect on ways they can be like the Good Samaritan in their daily lives. This unit of work is integrated with our PB4L Behaviour Matrix to enable students to see how they too can show love and compassion.

Unit: The Reign of God: Reaching Out In Justice

Students will be able to 

• identify the basic principles of Catholic Social Teaching
• relate Church teaching and Scripture to life situations
• describe how the Catholic community promotes justice

Unit: Lent: A Time For Growth

Students will be able to:

• explain how Jesus responded to people who experienced difficulty and rejection

• describe how they can grow, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, during times of rejection and difficulty

• identify how Jesus responded to rejection

English is the Key Learning Area where students develop knowledge, skills and understandings about English language and literature. The students will be actively engaged in the development of skills through:

This term in English, Year 5 will be engaging in the following:

Texts that will be employed throughout the term in class;

• War Horse - Michael Morpurgo
• Wonder - R.J. Palacio
• Atlases and maps (visual literacy)
• News Reports (ABC’s Behind the news)
• A variety of small group guided reading texts 
• Picture books (language features and grammar conventions

We ask that your child have a variety of texts available to them for specific reading purposes, ideally;

• An easy enjoyable novel that they can read independently 
• An information book on a topic that interests them.
• A form of online commentary from a reputable source. (sports reports, gardening blog, newspaper etc…)

We are happy to recommend and assist with your child’s reading choices so that they are developing a reading repertoire to support their learning.

Students should be encouraged to read at home. Here are some tips:

1. Read funny things
2. Read anything anywhere
3. Talk to your children about what they have read
4. Follow their interests
5. Read regularly 
6. Read for pleasure
7. Variety is the spice of life!
8. Make a dedicated reading space in the home

An essential component of Mathematics is the development of students’ ability to Work Mathematically. This includes the skills of Communicating, Problem Solving, Reasoning, Understanding and Fluency. 

Students’ ability to work mathematically is developed through the achievement of outcomes and working with content of the Mathematics K-6 Syllabus. Content is organised within the following content strands: 

This term in Mathematics, Year 5 will be engaging with the following substrands:

• Number and Algebra
• Ordering fractions and decimals 
• Single digit multiplication 
• Fractions and decimals (improper fractions >1)
• Multiplications problems involving larger numbers
• Measurement, Geometry 
• Perimeter of regular and irregular shapes
• Calculating Area
• Properties of triangles 
• Statistics and Probability.
• Collecting and displaying Data

It is important that students are competent in their knowledge of times tables. Here are some tips:

1. Hang up a times table sheet (in the toilet)
2. Teach your kids some tricks
3. Listen to some fun songs
4. Quiz them regularly, but not incessantly
5. Reward their efforts

The objectives and outcomes of the Geography Syllabus are based on courses of study across Kindergarten to Year 6. The organisation of content for the stages in primary school is as follows:

Geography is taught in Terms One and Two.

Our term 1 focus for Geography is: Factors That Shape Places - Great Australian Landmarks.

Students investigate distinctive and well-known features of the Australia environment to determine why they became national landmarks. In doing so, examine the ways people influence the characteristics of places, including their management. Students identify key Australian landmarks and their distinctive features. Students complete a research activity on their choice of a national landmark.

The outcomes and content in the Science and Technology Syllabus are organised in the following strands and substrands:

 This term in Science & Technology, Year 5 will be engaging in the syllabus unit Space and the Planets Around Us.

In this unit we will be learning about Earth’s place in the solar system, changes on its surface caused by natural disasters and the exploration of how these may be mitigated. Stage 3 of this strand further develops students’ understanding of the Earth, its position in the solar system and as a dynamic part of a complex, interrelated system.

The Creative Arts K-6 Syllabus is organised within the following strands: 

 This term in Creative Arts, Year 5 will be engaging in: Music

During Term 1, students will be exploring West African Cyclic patterns. Students will gain the  ability to perform rhythmic patterns and with a strong sense of pulse through West African cyclic music. Throughout this topic, students will develop their theoretical understanding of cyclic terms and specific techniques; and performance ability by using a range of percussion instruments- specifically the djembe. This unit is broken into three section which develops and builds upon their understanding: 

• How does some music use cyclic patterns?
• How can different sounds be used rhythmically?
• Can we make our own cyclic pattern?

Students will be assessed on their ability to work collaboratively, explain relevant terms learnt throughout the unit and show learnt techniques and skills through performance and theoretical understanding.

Students at Good Samaritan engage in Physical Education/Sport each week. All students participate in the School Athletics and Cross Country Carnivals. Eligible students participate in the Swimming Carnival. After these carnivals squads are chosen to represent the School at Regional and Diocesan Carnivals. Students can then be selected to compete at MacKillop and State levels. Good Samaritan has a clear policy regarding student participation in sporting gala days and representation at competitive sports. Parents are asked to become familiar with this policy. 

This term in PDHPE, (Physical Education) Year 5 will be engaging in: 

PE - Get Active

Students will perform and apply critical and creative thinking to generate, create and access solutions to movement challenges and refine movement skills in a variety of situations. The students will focus on throwing and catching, AFL and Volleyball skills. Cross country running skills will also be developed throughout this unit in preparation for the school Cross Country Carnival. 

This term in PDHPE (Class Sport), Year 5 will be engaging in:

Relationships/ Mental Health & Wellbeing

In Health, students will focus on developing the knowledge, understanding and skills important for building respectful relationships, enhancing personal strengths and exploring personal identity to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of themselves and others. Students develop strategies to manage change, challenges, power, abuse, violence and learn how to protect themselves and others in a range of situations.

In Sport, the children will focus on catching and Cricket skills. The basic skills (catching) will aid the skills needed in cricket.

It is recommended that students read, revise times tables and complete any unfinished daily tasks.

• Developing independence in your child. Where possible make them responsible for putting or checking that their lunch box, library bag (Tuesday), hat and/or reading folder is in their bag
• At home asking your child to follow two step instructions such as asking them to take their clothes to their bedroom and put them away in their drawers. 
• Where possible, arrive at school on time by 8:45am as it helps the children settle into the day.

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

stationary supplies, iPad, water bottle, hat and notes returned promptly.

PB4L in Year 5:

• Respectful, Responsible and Safe
• Our Term focus is “Love of Learning”
• Mission Behaviours

Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School operates the Positive Behaviour 4 Learning framework to  assist in improving student behaviour and enhancing learning within the classroom. The PB4L  framework recognises individual student needs on both our playground and in learning spaces.  

PB4L enables the school to identify areas of need where work is able to be done with students who  are unclear of expectations and appropriate behaviour whilst developing empathy within their  relationships. This process may include the key principles of Restorative Practice. In this way Good  Samaritan is making our school and playground a friendly and enjoyable place for all our students.  

At Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School, we are proud of the positive behaviours displayed by  our students. Recognition and celebration of these behaviours occur both within the classroom and  at school assemblies. 

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. 

This term students are to wear the correct Summer/Winter uniform.

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

3. If the issue remains unresolved beyond the Middle Leader then please address your concern/s to the Assistant Principal or the Principal.

4.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. 

5.Parents are asked to understand that the teacher’s 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.

14th-18th February- Teacher/Parent Introduction Week

28th February- Catholic Schools Week

2nd March- Ash Wednesday Mass

4th March- Primary Football Rugby League and Netball Trials

4th March- Clean up Australia Day

21st March- Harmony Week

8th April- Holy Week Liturgy and Easter Hat Parade/Last day of Term One

10-20 May - Naplan Online Testing Window