Winner!!!

A huge congratulations to Milly who won the AB Paterson Speech Competition last night!

Milly was in the preliminary finals yesterday afternoon and then was chosen from this to go in the Grand Final. She then performed her speech again last night and was awarded the overall winner!

Such a fantastic result! First place out of 189 Year 5 students from 33 schools on the Gold Coast.

We are very proud of Milly indeed!

Congratulations to all those involved in the AB Paterson Speech Competition

Last Tuesday, 6 students from our class participated in the annual AB Paterson Speech Competition - Milly, Laura, Sienna, Grace, Tiana and Mikaela. All children did a wonderful job! It takes a lot of hard work and courage to get up in front of an audience to deliver a speech. Congratulations to all the children.

An extra special congratulations to Milly who made the Preliminary Finals which will be held this afternoon (Tuesday 25th October) at AB Paterson. Stage tuned for an update on how she goes! Good luck Milly! We are very proud of you as we are of all the children.

The rest of the class have now performed their speeches for our class. Well done to all the children!

Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory

Here is the trailer for Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory rated G.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Here is the trailer for Charlie and Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp.

Solids, Liquids and Gases

Premier's Reading Challenge!

The Premier's Reading Challenge is coming to a close. You only have until next Thursday to complete the challenge - reading 15 books!


There are many children who have completed the challenge and some who are so close to finishing.


All Premier's Reading Challenge sheets MUST be back in next Thursday so the information can be entered into the database in time.


Check out how everyone is going in the class:

20 + books - Genevieve & Zanae
16 books - Milly, Grace and Jack G
15 books - Kayla, William, Lily & Mathew
14 books - Redd
13 books - Laura
11 books - Ewen, Charlotte, Mikaela & Sienna
10 books - Jack J, Mike & Riley
9 books - Tim
7 books - Natalie & Tiana
5 books - Alex

1 week to go .... so get reading!!!!!

Alex's You Tube Video Clips

What causes day and night?

What causes Earth's seasons?

The Size of Stars

Our Solar System

Phases of the Moon

Caught in the Crowd

Are you a bystander?
 
Bullying is a difficult problem that only gets worse when it is ignored. Research has demonstrated that bystanders play a significant role in bullying.

• Bystanders are present most of the time (85%), where adults are rarely present
• Most young people feel uncomfortable but very few know what to do to stop it happening
• Bullying behaviour is reinforced where people watch but do nothing
• When bystanders do intervene, the bullying is more likely to stop quickly most of the time.

The solutions involve not only students but also school staff and parents. Members of the whole school community may be involved in bullying, being bullied or by knowing that the bullying is happening. We can each be part of the problem - or part of the solution.

It's up to everyone to create a safe school environment and we can all help. Motivating bystanders to act is now being promoted as a major positive response, not just for schools, but in communities and workplaces.

Hurtful Bystanders                          

Some bystanders . . . instigate the bullying by prodding the bully to begin.
Other bystanders . . . encourage the bullying by laughing, cheering, or making comments that further stimulate the bully. 
And other bystanders . . . join in the bullying once it has begun. 
Most bystanders . . . passively accept bullying by watching and doing nothing. Often without realizing it, these bystanders also contribute to the problem. Passive bystanders provide the audience a bully craves and the silent acceptance that allows bullies to continue their hurtful behavior.

Helpful Bystanders     

Bystanders also have the power to play a key role in preventing or stopping bullying. 

Some bystanders . . . directly intervene, by discouraging the bully, defending the victim, or redirecting the situation away from bullying.
Other bystanders . . .  get help, by rallying support from peers to stand up against bullying or by reporting the bullying to adults. 

Examining the Effects on The Bystander

Why don’t more bystanders intervene? 

• They think, “It’s none of my business.”
• They fear getting hurt or becoming another victim. 
• They feel powerless to stop the bully.    
• They don’t like the victim or believe the victim “deserves” it.
• They don’t want to draw attention to themselves.
• They fear retribution.
• They think that telling adults won’t help or it may make things worse.
• They don’t know what to do.

Bystanders who don’t intervene or don’t report the bullying often suffer negative consequences themselves. They may experience:

• Pressure to participate in the bullying
• Anxiety about speaking to anyone about the bullying
• Powerlessness to stop bullying
• Vulnerability to becoming victimized
• Fear of associating with the victim, the bully, or the bully’s pals 
• Guilt for not having defended the victim

What can you do?

If you find yourself in this situation, try to be a helpful bystander.  Remember ..... everyone has the right to feel safe all of the time!

Premier's Reading Challenge Update!

Check out how each person in our class is going.  I will be asking for your Reading Record at the end of Week 4 this term.

There are still some children though who have not brought in their Premier's Reading Challenge sheet.  Please make sure you bring it in by Friday!

Keep reading!

15 books - Zanae
13 books - Mathew
11 books - Gen & Kayla
7 books - Charlotte, Ewen, Laura, Mikaela, Milly & Sienna
6 books - Grace, Jack J & Tim
5 books - Lily, Natalie & Tiana
4 books - Mike
1 book - Redd

Harry Potter

This Friday, we will be watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.  This movie is PG.  Below is a clip of the movie trailer and some details about the story line.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first film in the Harry Potter series based on the novels by J.K. Rowling. It is the tale of Harry Potter, an ordinary 11-year-old boy serving as a sort of slave for his aunt and uncle who learns that he is actually a wizard and has been invited to attend the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is snatched away from his mundane existence by Hagrid, the grounds keeper for Hogwarts, and quickly thrown into a world completely foreign to both him and the viewer. Famous for an incident that happened at his birth, Harry makes friends easily at his new school. He soon finds, however, that the wizarding world is far more dangerous for him than he would have imagined, and he quickly learns that not all wizards are ones to be trusted.

Do I really have to go now?

Dear Alex, Charlotte, Ewen, Gen, Grace, Jack G, Jack J, Kayla, Laura, Lily, Mathew, Mikaela, Mike, Milly, Natalie, Redd, Riley, Sienna, Tiana, Tim, William and Zanae

This past six weeks has been such a special time for me. I think you are wonderful and you did such a great job of adjusting to having me in your classroom.

Thank you so much for all of your kindness and hard work. I thought I'd try to put some words together to make a meaningful acrostic for you, so here goes...

For allowing me to come in and be a part of your classroom; for all of your hard work and funny stories,
I will be forever grateful. And I am
Very sure that
Each and every one of you will
Remain in my memory forever. I know that I was
Extraordinarily lucky to have been placed here in your class for my last teaching practise, and I cannot wait until the
Day when I next see you and hear how much more you've learned and see how much you've grown!

Keep working hard and enjoy the rest of Grade 5!

Sincerely,

Miss Lenan

Premier's Reading Challenge!

Check out how each person in our class is going.  I will be asking for your Reading Record at the end of the term.

Keep reading!

15 books - Zanae
6 books - Sienna, Tim & Kayla
5 books - Mikaela
4 books - Grace, Mathew, Mike, Milly & Natalie
2 books - Ewen & Lily
1 book - Redd

Web Quest

Over the next two weeks you will be embarking on a Web Quest.

Your challenge is to click on the link below and see if you can answer each question on the Web Quest.  You will need to click on different links to go to different websites to find out each answer.  If one of the links is missing, you may need to do a "Google" search to find out the answer.

Fill in the answer sheet and hand it in - don't forget it has to be your neatest work!

Good luck!

Australian Settlement Web Quest

Premier's Reading Challenge - How are you going?

Don't forget that on Monday, you need to bring in your sheet with the books you have read or are reading for the Premier's Reading Challenge.


Remember, your challenge is to read 15 novels between Monday 9th May to Friday 27th August. 


If you require more information, check out the link below to a previous post about the Premier's Reading Challenge:

Premier's Reading Challenge

How many books have you read so far?

Athletics

It has been a busy few weeks with Cross Country and Athletics with more to come!

Congratulations to everyone who particpated in the Athletics running carnival yesterday.  It was great to see everyone there and making a true effort.  Fantastic to see so many people as well in their house colours!

We have a few more events coming up so here are the details:

Friday 20th May - District Cross Country - Good luck to Jack Geraghty and Grace Pelleri in tomorrow's District Cross Country.  Hopefully the weather holds out for you this time - not like the Catholic Schools Cross Country.

Monday 23rd May - Field Events Day - Congratulations to everyone who made the finals for the Field Events.  Below is a list of the children involved in 5 Red and the times:

11 to 11:50 - 10 Years Long Jump - Lily, Natalie, Riley, Tim & Jack Geraghty
11 to 11:50 - 11 Years 800m - Grace, Milly, Kayla, Alex and Ewen
11:50 to 12:30 - 10 Years Shot Put - Natalie, Tim & Mike
11:50 to 12:30 - 11 Years High Jump - Grace & Jack Jurd
12:30 to 1:20 - 10 Years High Jump - Tim Bruce
12:30 to 1:20 - 11 Years Shot Put - Jack Jurd
1:50 to 2:30 - 10 Years 800m - Natalie, Tim, Jack Geraghty, Riley, Redd
1:50 to 2:30 - 11 Years Long Jump - Grace & Jack Jurd

Make sure you wear your house colours and sports uniform on the day.

Wednesday 25th May - Age champions and the winning house will be announced at assembly.  GO RED!

Thursday 26th May - Ball Games Carnival - All Year 5 students will be involved in the Ball Games Carnival from 11am to 1pm.  Make sure you wear your house colours and sports uniform on this day.

Those chosen for District Athletics will be informed by Mrs Hazelwood after the carnivals.  Here are the dates for District & Catholic Athletics:

Wednesday 1st June - District Athletics Day 1
Tuesday 7th June - District Athletics Day 2
Thursday 4th August - Catholic Athletics and Ball Games Carnivals

More details will follow about these events.

Spelling City

Here is a great new website that you can practice your spelling words each week.

There are practice tests you can do, activities and games you can play related to our spelling words for the week.

Click on the link below and in the "Find" box enter my name to be able to find our weekly spelling lists.  Type in Rochelle Smith and you will find the next 2 weeks spelling words.

Spelling City - Find a List

Click on my name again and it will take you to the lists of spelling words.  This week's spelling words are named Term 2 Week 3.  You can either do a test, get the program to teach you the words or you can play games including hangman, crosswords, missing letters and many more.  Make sure you click on the green list of games under Free Activities.

Living History Australia Incursion

Next Friday, 13th of May, a group of performers from Living History Australia will be coming to perform their show for us.

Their show is entitled Colonial Australia.

This show covers the period in Australian History from the First Fleet in 1788 to Federation in 1901.  This programme examines European Settlement of Australia from both the Indigenous and European perspectives, and follows the growth of the young colony into Nationhood.  This is exactly what we are learning about this term!

This performance will be in the Activity Centre starting at 9am. 

Here is a link to their web page.  Check out some of the characters that will be performing on the day and learn a little more about the show.

Living History Australia

You do not have to pay for this show.

This is one of our incursions / excursions we will be doing this year.  We have a Music show coming up this term as well.  Next term we have a travelling Space Observatory coming to visit us when we learn about Space next term.

(Hope that answers your question Gen about excursions this year!)

Fun Activity

In the coming weeks, we will be learning about some of most famous and infamous Governors who helped shape Australia.  You may have noticed some of their names in your spelling words, one of which is William Bligh.

Below is a link to Scootle - an educational website - and to one of its Learning Objects.  This online activity gives you information about William Bligh.  Get a head start on learning about one of our most infamous Governors.

Click on the link below and add the pin YFWTBB:

History Maker: William Bligh

What did you find out about William Bligh?

Premier's Reading Challenge!

Are you up for a challenge?

Some classes at St Francis Xavier have entered the 2011 Premier's Reading Challenge.  I have registered our class.

Your challenge is to read 15 novels between Monday 9th May to Friday 27th August.  This might seem like a lot of books but don't panic!  You have over 3 months to read this many.

You have been given a "Reading Record" that you need to keep and fill out as you read.  This needs to be signed by a witness - either your parent or another adult.  Once you have meet the challenge, I will enter the details online.

In September or October, you will receive a certificate from the Queensland Premier's Office congratulating you on reaching your goal.  There are also prizes that can be won too!

For more information click on the links below:

About the Premier's Reading Challenge

Information for Students

Here is a reading list of possible books you can read.  You may choose other books but make sure they are novels.

Reading List Year 3 to 5

Reading List Year 5 to 7

Good luck and happy reading!

Mrs Smith

The First Fleet

Last term, we learnt about the First Fleet and their arrival into Sydney Cove.  This term we are going to look at what happened once the First Fleet arrived here in Australia.  What were the hardships they faced?  What did they have to do to start their colony?  Who were the people who helped shape the new colony?

Here is a video that contains some images that show the journey of the First Fleet and their arrival into Sydney Cove.

NAPLAN 2011

Next week NAPLAN Testing will commence which is an Australian wide test.

On Tuesday you will be completing the Language Conventions and the Writing Task (persuasvie writing).

On Wednesday you will be completing the Reading Test.

On Thursday you will be completing the Numeracy Test.

Here are some good links to have a look at:

Naplan Website     

Excel Test Zone                      

Welcome Back to Term 2

This term we will be following on from our studies of the First Fleet to the Early Settlement of Australia focussing on the conditions and challenges faced by the early settlers from 1788 to 1850. Children will be also be learning about different forms of Poetry.  The culminating activity will involve children writing and presenting their own poetry, filming and uploading their movies to a blog.

Our Religion topic this term is The Historical, Social and Cultural Contexts of the Bible.  Children will analyse Scriptural texts in light of their historical, social and cultural contexts of the time and how these can relate to us in modern times.

Our Science topic this term is Light Fantastic.  Children will be exploring where light comes from, how light travels and how it enables us to see.