Dear Parents,
Welcome back! We hope you and your children had a wonderful and restful break together after an action-packed term. Our Term 1 learning across Ecosystems, narrative writing and journalistic writing has really provided the students with a powerful opportunity to connect to our local environment and understand its relationship with the wider world – so much transferable and actionable learning took place. In addition, our efforts with redeveloping the Growth Garden, adjoining our Primary Science Hub, means that the learning continues into Term 2 and will help create a legacy that is sustainable and will impact future learning for the whole school.
So, we are now ready to embark on Term 2, which looks set to be as equally impactful, experiential and enjoyable as the last term.
In Discovery this term, we begin with a short scientific mini-inquiry called ‘Survivor’. This outdoor learning experience will allow us to discuss a range of scientific concepts, such as reversible and irreversible changes, while also learning key survival skills! After CNY, the children will be exploring ‘Why do People Migrate?’ We will inquire into what makes people want to move from one place to another. What is their motivation for migration – is it their choice or has it been forced upon them? In this unit, the students will explore the many factors that motivate people to migrate as well as the challenges they may face.
This unit will be aligned with our learning in English, in which we will have the opportunity to explore the stories of people’s lives. Everyone has a unique story to tell – where they come from, where they have gone, what has happened in their lives to make them who they are – all such individual stories that have helped create their identity. Our first unit of learning focuses on the book ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan, which we use as a prompt for developing our narrative writing skills. We will explore a range of stories – people’s biographies and autobiographies using the conceptual lens of Perspective to better understand these life stories. The connection to ‘Why do People Migrate?’ will provide us with a context for looking at the stories of people who have chosen to migrate or perhaps been forced to migrate. This will be a fantastic opportunity to understand the human condition.
Our Maths learning will continue to expand our knowledge of key mathematical concepts. First, we continue our learning from Term 1 with our unit ‘Pump up the volume!’, exploring calculating the area, perimeter and volume of different geometric shapes. Next, we focus on division strategies before moving on to exploring how we can present statistics in different ways, incorporating our art techniques too! Finally, we use our statistics learning to inquire into percentages, fractions and decimals.
For further details regarding the Discovery, English and Maths Units as well as an overview of the whole curriculum, including specialists, for this term, please read the Term 2 Parent Overview, which can be found on the Hub. This overview provides a summary of what your child will be learning this term.
Thank you for continuing to engage with your child’s learning on Seesaw – it is wonderful to see the interactions and celebrations between the teachers, the students and you as parents. It also gives a great opportunity for you to discuss your child’s learning with them.Â
With regards to home learning, we will be continuing with our regular system of Inquiry Home Learning books coming home on a Friday, to be returned the following Friday.Â
The Primary Student Councillors will be ‘Pointing out the Positives’ each week, and they would love your help in supporting children wearing the correct uniform to school. For more information, please see the additional Hub notice that went out before Christmas or check the school website for the uniform policy.
Key Dates for Year 6
- Monday 9th January – Start of Term 2.1
- Friday 20th January – Chinese New Year Celebrations. Children can wear traditional Chinese dress, red, gold or bright colours
- Friday 20th January – End of Term 2.1
Chinese New Year Holiday
- Monday 30th January – Start of Term 2.2
- Tuesday 31st January – Parenting Workshop 4, 8.30am–10am (Globe)
- Mental Health Week – 6th February, including Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 7th February
- Wednesday 8th February – Year 6 Migration Simulation Trip
- Saturday 11th February – DBIS 40th Ball
- Monday 13th March – DBIS Maths Day
- Friday 17th March – Staff Continuing Professional Development Afternoon – half day for children
- Monday 20th March – Year 6 Speech Competition
- Tuesday 21st March – World Down Syndrome Day Celebration (wear your odd socks to school!)
- Friday 24th March – Student-Led Parent–Teacher Conferences. More information to follow.
- Wednesday 29th March – Y6 Celebration of Learning: Migration 8.30am
- Thursday 30th March – Y5 & Y6 Sports Days
- Friday 31st March – End of Term 2
Easter Holiday
Term 3 will begin on Monday 17th April 2023.
Year 6 Celebration of Learning – Wednesday 29th March (8.30am)
On Wednesday 29th March, we look forward to having a Celebration of Learning to showcase the Y6 Discovery and English learning that will form the culminating performance assessment for the students. This a great opportunity to explore their understanding and transfer of learning to other examples and contexts.
Thank you for continuing to engage with your child’s learning. Term 1 was full of amazing opportunities, and this will be another fantastic Term full of learning for Year 6. As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
Best Wishes for 2023!
The Year 6 Team