The Brief | Term 4 Week 6

Principal Message

Get excited!

It's that time of the year! Make sure you save the date!

Term 4 Events - updates

High School Orientation Day - Tuesday 3 December
Christmas Picnic on the Flat – Tuesday 10 December
In the event of inclement weather - this event will be cancelled.
Presentation Day – Thursday 12 December
We are in the process of finalising our award recipients. If your child is going to be receiving an award at Presentation Day, our school will advise you via email early next week.
Party Day – Monday 16 December
Stage 1, Stage 2 and Year 6 Party Day notes have been sent out via School Bytes. More notes to come!
Year 6 Farewell – Tuesday 17 December
Year 6 Clap Out – Wednesday 18 December
Last day for students – Wednesday 18 December

Kirstie Yeo
Principal

School News

Karabang Water Spirit - Book Illustrator

Isaac attended and presented at the Minimbah AECG Children’s Book Launch. He illustrated the entire ‘Karabung Water Spirit’ book authored by Aunty Laurel Williams. Isaac represented himself with pride and confidence as a young Wiradjuri boy. At the end of the presentation, Isaac signed copies of the book for those who purchased them. 

Belmont Community of Schools Choir (BCoS)

The Belmont Community of Schools Choir (BCoS), under the expert guidance of specialist vocal teacher Susan Johnson from Belmont High School, captivated our audience with a stunning performance during their BCoS Choir Schools Tour.

Throughout the year, the talented singers have dedicated themselves to honing their vocal technique, stage presence, and aural skills.

Auditions for the 2025 BCoS Choir will be held at school on Thursday 5 December. A note has been sent out to all eligible year levels and a reminder will go out prior to auditions. 

A huge thank you to the BCoS Choir for their exceptional performance!

Yarn Up!

Out of Uniform Day Fundraiser

We are excited to announce an upcoming out of uniform day! This semester, Year 6 are hosting a fundraiser to support a local charity, the Hunter Melanoma Foundation. We kindly ask all students to come out of uniform on Tuesday 26^th November and bring a gold coin donation to support this wonderful charity.
The Hunter Melanoma Foundation raises funds:

• to support the Newcastle Melanoma Unit;
• to support local melanoma patients & their families for research;
• for education on prevention and early detection and;
• to raise awareness about melanoma.

Clothing should be comfortable, respectful, and suitable for the school environment, taking into consideration safety (covered shoulders) and modesty.

Thank you for your support!

Awabakal Word of the Week

Early Stage 1

English 

Writing

Kindergarten are learning how to extend our sentences when writing recount. We are using picture prompts as a scaffold to help us remember what to write and the order to write our recount, so our sentences make sense. We are beginning to recount events from the quality texts we read each week. 

Mathematics 

Kindergarten have been busy measuring and comparing the mass and capacity of different objects. We know that objects can look different but still have the same internal volume (capacity). 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

Over the next two weeks, students will learn about a half as two equal parts of a whole and the use of symbols as efficient communication for mathematical ideas. They will be immersed in opportunities to recognise two equal parts of a linear model, find and describe the halfway point in a length, and investigate and form equal groups by sharing concrete materials. 

Visual Arts

During our art lessons, we have been learning about different artists and discussing how each style of artwork makes us feel. Last week we explored Andy Warhol’s Pop Art and this week we are learning about Romero Britto, who created a mixture of Pop Art and Cubism. We know that both artists use lots of bright colours!

Check out our artworks inspired by these artists. 

Science

Kindergarten have been learning to identify daily changes in the weather. By making a weather chart, we are describing what the weather is each day and drawing the different types of weather. We have seen all sorts of weather over the past month! ​ Did you know the weather can change each day and how the weather can affect what we wear, eat, and do each day? We know that daily weather changes also impact animals. Some animals choose to migrate or hibernate when the weather changes. 

Miss Gee
Early Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 1

English

We continue to work on grapheme- phoneme correspondence.  Talk to your child about what their focus is for spelling. Maybe they could find examples in their books at home. Reading is always one of our priorities at school. Reading at home supports fluency and comprehension. Ask your child to read to you while you are cooking dinner or just before bed and discuss the story. You could make predictions about what you think will happen next.

Mathematics

The next “big idea” we are exploring in mathematics is;

“Objects can be sorted and classified in different ways”.

This unit develops student knowledge, understanding and skills with three-dimensional objects, volume and internal volume. Students are provided opportunities to: 

• recognise that flat surfaces of 3D objects can be named as 2D shapes 

• use mathematical vocabulary to name, describe and compare the features of 2D shapes and 3D objects 

• deconstruct and construct prisms and cubes 

• see how 3D objects can look different depending on the point of view as it is manipulated 

• make and use a calibrated measuring device to measure and compare internal volume 

• measure and compare volume of various 3D objects. 

At home, you could look for the different types of 3D objects you have around the house. You could carefully cut an old cereal box or muesli bar box to make the net of a 3D object, then discuss the 2D faces that are hiding inside. Look at effective ways of filling boxes to ensure that there is no space left inside. You could use Lego or building blocks, but you can also use cups of sand or rice to work out the internal volume. Are Lego blocks the best unit to use? Why is rice better?

Challenge:

Try this challenge at home!

Who am I?

Create or write down clues for a 3D object in your house.

For example;

I have 6 faces

I have 4 faces that are rectangles and 2 that are squares

I have 8 vertices

What 3D shape am I?

Science

In science we are learning about different forces. Did you know that gravity, friction, magnetism are all forces? Can you work out what kind of forces are happening at home? What experiments has your child been up to in class? Ask your child to show you some of our experiments and explain what is happening.

History

We are comparing old and new toys in history. You could talk to your child about what you played with as a child. How have toys changed?  Compare what is the same and different to how your child plays now. Towards the end of the term we will start to explore Ancient Egypt. What does your family know about this civilisation? Check in with your child and find out some great facts about Egypt!

Mindfulness 

Nginuwa!

Miss Katen
Stage 1 Assistant Principal

Stage 2

3B Fostering a Love for Reading!

3B are thrilled to share that they have been working diligently to develop a love for reading! They are not only increasing their reading stamina and fluency but are also learning to express dialogue with great emotion and understanding across a variety of texts.

To further support your child’s reading journey at home, here are some suggestions from the NSW Department of Education:

1. Create a Reading Routine: Set aside a specific time each day for reading. Consistency helps build stamina and makes reading a valued part of daily life.
2. Explore Different Genres: Encourage your child to explore various authors and book series. This will broaden their interests and expose them to different styles of writing.
3. Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, engage your child with questions that prompt discussion. For example, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How did the character feel about that?”
4. Visit the Library Together: Make regular trips to the school library to discover new books and authors. Allow your child to choose what they want to read, fostering independence and joy in reading.
5. Model Reading: Let your child see you reading for pleasure. Share your thoughts about the books you enjoy and discuss how reading enriches your life.

3K Explores 'The Rainbow Serpent'!

3K have been diving into the rich and vibrant story of 'The Rainbow Serpent.' This captivating tale is not only a beautiful narrative but also an important part of Aboriginal traditions, with many names and stories that highlight its cultural significance. Did you know that paintings of the Rainbow Serpent have been discovered in Arnhem Land rock art, dating back over 6,000 years? These ancient artworks continue to inspire and connect us to the land's history and the stories of its people. Students have been making creative art connections to this wonderful story. They have been using their imaginations to express their understanding and appreciation of the themes and values represented in 'The Rainbow Serpent.'

3/40 Literacy Journey: Connecting History and Personal Narratives!

3/4O has been embarking on an exciting literacy journey that aligns with the Stage 2 NSW Literacy Syllabus. Our focus has been on developing the skills to connect our knowledge of unique histories and events within narratives. Students have been crafting detailed accounts of important events in their personal lives, allowing them to make strong connections between their own experiences and the broader themes we explore in literature. By reflecting on their own stories, students are not only enhancing their writing skills but also deepening their understanding of narrative structure and the significance of personal history. During sharing lessons, students have utilised success criteria to provide constructive feedback to their peers, fostering a supportive environment for developing their writing skills.

4N’s Literary Adventure: Unravelling '200 Minutes Mystery'!

4N have been diving into the exciting short novel '200 Minutes Mystery.' This engaging children’s book revolves around a thrilling mystery that captivates young readers. The story features a main character, or group of characters, who find themselves in a puzzling situation that they must solve within a limited timeframe, keeping readers on the edge of their seats! As part of our literacy program, students have been honing their writing skills by crafting engaging and precise character summaries in their own words. This activity not only enhances their understanding of character development, but also allows them to express their thoughts creatively.

4R Exciting History Projects!

4R has been buzzing with creativity and curiosity as students dive into their history projects. Each student has been hard at work creating informative and visually appealing posters that showcase their understanding of various celebrations and commemorations from around the world. Through this project, students are not only learning about different cultural traditions but also exploring how these events bring communities together and celebrate shared histories. It's wonderful to see our students embrace the diversity of celebrations that exist globally! In addition to their exploration of world celebrations, students have also applied their research skills to delve into important events in Newcastle’s rich history. They have been uncovering fascinating facts about our local heritage, learning how these events have shaped our community today. This blend of global and local history helps students develop a well-rounded understanding of the world around them. We are incredibly excited to see the final results of their hard work and creativity!

Mr Cox
Stage 2 Assistant Principal Rel.

Stage 3

The end of the year is fast approaching, and our Stage 3 students are bursting with excitement! All the important details about end of year events and permissions are available on School Bytes. These include the upcoming high school orientation, and the Year 6 2025 shirts. We kindly ask you to take a moment to read through all information and complete the permissions, where applicable as soon as possible. We look forward to a busy and wonderful end of year!

Literacy

In literacy 5F, 5L and 5/6M will be gaining a deeper understanding of the textual concepts of ‘theme’ and ‘argument and authority’. Through studying the text, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, students will explore social, personal and moral messages in literature. Students will understand the authority given to objectivity versus subjectivity in informative and persuasive texts, and analyse the features of a text that characterise an authoritative style.

6A and 6S students will explore the mentor text Azaria: A True History to deepen their understanding of the textual concepts of ‘theme’ and ‘argument and authority’. They will analyse core themes within texts and discuss how these themes are common to lived experiences.

Mathematics

Year 5 will be developing the big idea that angles are the primary structural component of many shapes.

In this 2-week unit students are provided opportunities to:

• classify two-dimensional shapes and describe their properties
• estimate angles and use a protractor to measure, identify and compare angles using degrees
• solve problems involving duration, using 12- and 24-hour time.

Year 6 will be developing the big idea that angles are the primary structural component of many shapes.

In this 2-week unit students are provided opportunities to:

• solve problems involving duration, using 12- and 24-hour time
• investigate angles on a straight line, angles at a point and the relationships formed by the intersection of straight lines
• dissect two-dimensional shapes and rearrange them using translations, reflections and rotations.

Mrs Martinez
Stage 3 Assistant Principal

From The Office

Beat the Bite

As part of this initiative, our school has been provided with RID Tropical Antiseptic Bite Protection 100ml pump spray bottles that are available for families to purchase at a discounted cost of $5 (RRP $9.50).  These can be purchased from the office with cash or EFTPOS, or you can log into your School Bytes parent portal, go to the ‘Payments’ tab, select the ‘Add other item’ tab, and from there you can complete your purchase.

For all online purchases, office staff will send these home with students, or email the school if you would prefer to collect your order from the office.

P&C Community News

Second hand uniform shop

Thank you so much for the donations so far for the second-hand uniform shop! The purpose of the second-hand uniform shop is to give families a place to donate uniforms that their children have outgrown, to work towards goals for sustainability preventing quality items from becoming landfill, as well as allowing families to purchase second-hand items at an affordable cost. This is also a small revenue raising opportunity for the P&C, raising money to go back into school resources. For the second-hand uniform shop to get off the ground, we require lots of uniform donations! Donations can be winter or summer, current school uniform options. There is a uniform donation tub set up in the school office. We ask that all items are washed prior to donation and are in a condition that other people can wear. We know that many people will be trying to get those last few weeks of the year out of your current uniforms, but if you have any that are already outgrown and taking up space at home, please consider backing this venture and donating them this year.

Baker’s Delight Christmas Fundraiser

Who wants to be a bread winner?!?! You could win free Bakers Delight bread for a WHOLE YEAR! Bakers Delight Belmont have sweetened the deal for our school, and for every $10 you spend in our Christmas fundraiser, you’ll get one entry into the draw to win one years supply of the best bread in town. This prize is valued at over $1500. You’ve got to be in it to win it, so check in with your family and friends and place your Christmas cake and tart orders on Flexischools or message us if you’d prefer direct deposit. T&Cs available on request. Big thanks to those who have placed early orders. Orders close 3rd December. Orders can be collected from the school office on the 12^th December (this is presentation day for those attending the school, for ease of pick up). 

Mango Delivery Update

We’ve been notified the mangoes will be delivered to our school on FRIDAY 29^th NOVEMBER. We won’t be informed of the time until the morning but we will ensure there are some windows of time for collection for working families. 

Canteen

The canteen will be selling our annual Christmas bags again this year. Christmas bags will be available from Tuesday 26^th November until the end of the year. The bags include a food item, drink, Quelch ice block and a Christmas surprise – we have chosen a variety of Christmas themed trinkets suitable for all age groups. 

NPA Sports Equipment Fundraiser 

The Christmas countdown is moving quickly!!! NPA sports offer personalised sporting equipment, and these make the best Christmas gifts – the kids will love them! Our affiliation with NPA finishes at the end of the year so we’d love to add some extra sales before the promotion ends. Families are invited to purchase anything from the NPA website using our unique link and 20% of sales go back to the P&C, which then go back to our school. Items can be personalised with your child’s name or team/club name, so this means no more lost equipment! Items are sent quickly and posted directly to your home. For our school to receive the funds, orders need to be made using the following unique link: https://npaevents.com.au/?sca_ref=5593459.I2Qxx5OoE9.

P&C Communication

Please follow the official P&C Facebook page to keep up to date with the latest P&C information and events. Our page is www.facebook.com/p.c.floraville. If you need to get in touch with the P&C, you can send us a message on our Facebook page, or send an email to fpspresident@gmail.com. 

Amanda Bailey
P&C Committee

Community Newsletter

Please see November Community Newsletter for community events and news.