GRADE 6

Boat safety at Sandringham Yacht club

Grades 5s and 6s have enjoyed learning about boat safety at Sandringham Yacht club. In class they have been learning about our earth and its structure and have made maps of the earth’s tectonic plates. Grade 5&6 students are pictured (right) preparing for their boat ride at Sandringham Yacht Club following the "boat safety" information session.

Police Talk for Grades 5&6

House Swimming Sports

Grades 4,5,and 6 students participated in the House Swimming Sports held at King Club. It was a very successful afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Congratulations to our students for their enthusiasm and effort. A big thank you to Miss Price for her fantastic organisation and to the parents who assisted on the day.

Grade 6 Market Day

Our Market Day was a great success with all the stalls working together to provide such a great variety of items for sale and a lot of different activities. Some of the stalls that were very popular were "Doomzville", guess "the Lolly Number" and "Blue Sugar".
The grade 6s worked hard in preparing and advertising their stalls. Everybody enjoyed the day and the effort the grade 6s put into to making the stalls such fun. The market day was a very memorable day for us all. Thank you to all of the children who supported our effort.

Grade 5 and 6 Open Night

The grade 5 and 6 students participated in a very successful Open Night. The night kicked off with a challenge for the grade 5 /6 parents. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? We were surprised that our parents did not have enough knowledge to beat us except one grade six parent who drew with the grade 6 contestants. Afterwards the parents ventured around the class rooms viewing the stalls. All the stalls were beautifully presented. The costumes were also phenomenal with fantastically designed T-shirts and animal costumes that looked amazing. At the end of the night the grades had raised $200. This money will be given to an organization such as WWF to help support all animals causes. We hope everyone who came had a very enjoyable time. We had an awesome evening displaying our terms work. Written by Jaimee & Calvin

Active After School Communities

Our Active After School Communities Program has once again been very successful this term. The children participating from Grades 3 to 6 are pictured trying out some alternative games using fly swat type bats to get the ball over the line to score a goal. The AASC program promotes active leisure and provides opportunity for children to experience a range of interesting physical activities whilst keeping fit and having fun.

Thank you to Miss Hayward for her wonderful organisation of the program and to the teachers who assist with supervision. Without their support the program would not operate.

Remembrance Day

On the 11th day of the 11th month a ceremony was conducted at SEPS for Remembrance Day. Tom and James led the assembly having researched the history and significance of this day in class. They prepared the service and presented it beautifully on the day. They explained to everyone how we honour those who have given their lives in times of war on this day. They also explained that the ceremony began after World War 1, as it was on this day that the war officially ended back in 1918, ninety years ago. The day is also known as Armistice day. Included in the ceremony was the reading of a poem by Lieutenant John McCrae who served as a surgeon on the battlefields. The final part of the ceremony was the bowing of our heads for one minute’s silence followed by the music of the <Last Post>. Thank you to Mr. Lockwood and the students from 6L for preparing and presenting this very moving ceremony and to all of our students for displaying their respect on this very important day for all Australians.

Fashions on the Field

Grade 6 students used their creative talents to design and make some impressive outfits on Cup Eve. Sustainability was their theme with all outfits being made from recycled newspaper!! We certainly have some budding fashion designers within our midst!

Australasian Schools Maths and English Competition

Congratulations to all our Grade 4 and 6 students on a great effort in the University of New South Wales, Aus-tralasian Maths and English competitions. A special congratulations to the students who received Credits, Distinctions and High Distinctions. The results in the Maths competition were 21 students with credit awards and 7 with distinctions. In the English competition there were 11 credits, 5 distinctions, and 2 high distinctions which were awarded to Julia Haigh and Trent Wilson – congratulations!! The students proudly displayed their award certificates that were presented at Monday morning assembly last week

Grade 5 & 6 Werribee Zoo Excursion

We went to Werribee Zoo and we saw lots of animals that are endangered. We also went on a safari bus tour where we saw a camel, a rhino, a giraffe, a zebra and a bison. We also went to the hippopotamus enclosure but it was under water so you couldn’t see them. Next we went to the educational centre which had lots of endangered animals, there was even a lizard walking around on the ground. We got to pat a little possum called Bella who felt so soft. We also got to feel a soft tree frog. The teacher also showed us a Madagascan snake who liked to slither around the teachers arm. By Kelly and Billie.

Police Talk for Grades 5&6

Matt Griffiths from the Victorian Police Force visited our school to speak to the Grade 5&6 students about using technology safely and appropriately. In his talk and power point presentation he covered issues such as cyber bullying and the legal ramifications of bullying. The things learnt from the session reinforced the safe internet practices our students are taught at school and helped to give everyone a sound understanding of the importance of this, as well as the consequences of misuse of the internet and mobile phones.

Tree Planting

As you are aware, SEPS participated in Plant Ark’s National Tree Planting Day. As part of that day, the AMP Foundation offered prize money to schools who wished to take photos and produce a poster around the theme “Get Growing”. Miss Majewski coordinated this competition with help from Angela Baxter and Keane Sensai. Year 6 students assisted with the art work and poem that accompanied our poster. It has now been sent off to Sydney where it will be judged with other school entries on September 5th.

We all have our fingers crossed that our entry will be a winner!

Monash Science Centre visits SEPS

The Grade 5 and 6 students were fortunate to be given a science lesson on the effects of global warming,  polar ice cap melting and carbon dioxide emissions by a visiting scientist from Monash Science Centre. Each  of these ‘hot’ issues was explained to the children in the form of short practical experiments which were conducted in pairs and were lots of fun.

“ It was easy to understand climate changes and Sandra made it fun!” Dan Swann.

“ I like doing simple experiments where you get quick results.” John Vasilakis.
This session was a great way of tying up our topic on Antarctica and gave the children some real food for thought about how their generation can change things for the better through environmental education.

St Kilda FC Visit - Healthy Choices Program

The grade six students were lucky enough to have a visit from two Saint Kilda footballers with a focus on Healthy Choices. Steven Baker and Ben McEvoy, who play in shirt numbers 10 and 5, were able to get the message across to our future adults about the importance of a healthier lifestyle. Choices were discussed for favourite snacks, dinners and weekend activities which were then voted as healthy or unhealthy.

Our students have an excellent grasp of these issues thanks to raised awareness in recent years and although most were taking on unhealthy choices, they were doing so in moderation. Steven Baker himself hinted that the cutting down of fast food meals in his weekly diet has done wonders for his fitness over the 10 years plus he has been playing.

Our students were asked to write down some short term health goals for the rest of this term. Tahlia Southwell was lucky enough to win two signed St Kilda training tops for winning a game called “choices”.
The program was a great reminder to all of our budding sportsmen and women at Sandy East, that they can control their own health by making good choices.

Typing in Japanese.

The Grade 5 and 6 students learnt how to use the Japanese word processor to type in Japanese. It was strange to see the lap tops in the LOTE room, but the students really enjoyed being able to see the hiragana characters pop up on the screen at the touch of a button! Keane Sensei

House Athletics Carnival

All the Grade 4,5 and 6 students participated in the House Track Athletics Carnival at Sandringham Athletics Club. Congratulations to all those students who competed on the day. We were lucky with the weather and enjoyed being in the sun for a change after the cold days we have been experiencing. The event ran smoothly thanks to all the parent and teacher helpers. Students also compete every Friday afternoon at Sandy Secondary College in athletic field events.

Olympic Games Presentation

The Grade 5s and 6s went to an Olympic presentation. Nicole Livingston (Olympic Backstroke Champion), Ian Hirst (Broadcaster for the Olympics), and David Wilson (Manager of the Australian Swimming Team) told us about the three different sections of the Olympic Games.

Ian Hirst told us about how the broadcasting is organised around the world, then David Wilson told us about a day in the life of an Olympic swimmer and talked to us about Leisel Jones’ swim timetable at Beijing. Finally Nicole Livingstone told us about her career. It was inspiring and very interesting. Nicole showed us some of her medals she’d won and we passed them around the room.

We also watched a quick three minute DVD that Nicole brought about her life as a swimmer and she told us that she won a bronze medal in the Olympics. Her message was to never give up! She is a great role model for us all to aspire to.

Grade 5 & 6 Visit Imax

The Grade 5/6 students travelled to the amazing IMAX cinema. We watched two films on our topic of Antarctica. The first was called “Antarctica” and it was all about how people explore Antarctica as well as the wildlife. The second movie was about Ernst Shackleton and how he and 27 other men explored Antarctica. It was a great experience and will help students with their studies of this topic.

Early Morning Maths Club

The Grade Five and Six staff have offered an early morning maths club to support, extend and enrich the learning of our students in Mathematics. Places have been limited but will hopefully be offered to all of our students by the end of the year. The sessions focus on number with emphasis on times tables and problem solving. The children have been attending in good numbers and are able to work in small groups with access to resources such as laptops and the interactive whiteboards.
Thank you to these dedicated teachers who are giving this extra time every Tuesday morning.

Canberra Camp

Congratulations to our Grade 5 and 6 students on a successful camp to Canberra recently. By all accounts, our students left the Sandy East mark on Canberra in a most positive way.

A trip to our nation's capital is the perfect way to cement the learning the children have been doing over term 1 and 2 about Australia, its history and its government. As adults, many of us have not made the trek to see our National War Memorial, National Art Gallery and Museum or our magnificent Parliament House, and as such have missed a valuable experience and insight into our wonderful country.

During their visit, the children got to visit all of these terrific places and more. I understand one of the highlights was to Questacon, our national
equivalent of Science Works. Here the children got to learn about scientific issues by being involved in some fun, hands on activities, including dropping free fall down a slide to experience zero gravity, such as in outer space!

Everywhere our students went, they left behind a lasting and positive impression of themselves and Sandy East - a reputation we look forward to cementing when we return in 2010.

This is one camp the children will remember forever and as they grow up to be mature citizens, will be able to build on this excellent foundation to ensure they are informed, responsible members of society.

A camp such as this is not possible without the willingness of staff and parents to support the program. A big thank you to parents for attending camp and assisting teachers so ably. Of course, thank the staff who attended. Staff give up their time with family and loved ones to enable school camps to happen. Without their dedication, we could not run a camping program.

Anzac Day Commemorative assembly

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who led the Anzac Day Commemorative assembly. What a great job they did! All Level 4 students have been learning the value of this important day in Australia’s history. Thank you to Mr Lockwood for organising this assembly.
On the 25th of April each year, we remember the brave men and women who have served our country in times of war. ANZAC Day is probably Australia's most important national occasion. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
On April 25th, Australians and New Zealanders celebrate the first major battle fought by the ANZACs at Gallipoli in Turkey, during World War 1. The date, 25th April, was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. During the 1920s, ANZAC Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who died during the war. The first year in which all the States observed some form of public holiday together on ANZAC Day was 1927. By the mid-1930s all the rituals we today associate with the day - dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, two-up games - were firmly established as part of ANZAC Day traditions.
With the coming of the Second World War, ANZAC Day became a day on which to commemorate the lives of Australians lost in that war as well, and in subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved. It is a day to remember the courage and sacrifice of all men and women who have served their country in times of war. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.

Walk to School on Wednesdays (WoW)

Our official launch of the Bayside Council WoW initiative was very exciting. Many of our children came to school by active means. The Grade 5s and 6s all rode their bikes to school and then cycled again for the bike-a-thon. Some children who lived a longer distance from the school participate in WoW by walking the last few blocks of their journey. Our children supporting WoW received some rewards donated by the Bayside Council. Well done everyone and keep up the active transport to school every Wednesday.

Boating Safety

Scott Turnbull from Surf Life Saving Victoria, visited the 5s and 6s. As an ex-student of SEPS, Scott was excited to return and deliver a boat safety program. Students learnt the five things you need to do before heading off on a boating trip to ensure your safety, including checking weather reports, boat’s condition, having all safety devices, food water & fuel and tell someone where you are going and expected time of returning home.

SEPS Triathlete Visit

SEPS was fortunate to have three of the fastest triathletes in Australia come and speak to our Grade 3-6’s. The athletes took time out of their busy schedules to speak to the students about triathlon, their experiences in international racing and what their training involved. The students were shown the wetsuits, race bikes, equipment and shoes the athletes use in their racing. It was a fantastic way to expose SEPS students to a different sport and hopefully promote triathlon and active lifestyles in the community.
The children all had the opportunity to participate in a triathlon clinic. Each student bought in a swim cap and goggles from home to be involved in a triathlon transition race. The students had to run, take off their goggles and cap, then run a circuit of the oval.
We were very appreciative of the athletes providing such a wonderful experience for our students and to Mr. Steele for organising the event.

Project Rockit - Cyber Bullying

Grade 5 and 6 students were involved in a Cyber-Bullying program called “Project Rockit”. The program, run by sisters Rosie and Lucy Thomas (both ex-SEPS students) was a dynamic, hands-on program that addressed issues around bullying, cyber-bullying and developing resilience. It was a fantastic program, enjoyed by all students.

Boating Safety

Grade 5s and 6s participated in Boating Safety for Kids at the Sandringham Yacht Club. They enjoyed activities such as learning the importance of and how to use water safety equipment, how to recognize water safety signs and the correct use of water ways. They were also lucky enough to experience a ride on the SYC rescue craft.

Robyn Treyvaud at SEPS

Robyn Treyvaud is an experienced educator and leader in the field of ICT in education. She is playing a significant role in raising the awareness of cybersafety issues in the community together with providing resources and support for schools to use in the development of Internet Safety programs P-12.

Grade 5/6 children attended a discussion with internationally renowned Internet Safety speaker Robyn Treyvaud. Robyn spoke to the children about the issues surrounding safe and responsible use of technology – including e-mail, instant messaging, My Space, Face Book and mobile phones, as well as others. The children listened attentively and picked up the main points of: Think B4 U Click, NEVER reveal personal details on the internet, NEVER talk to strangers (anyone you don’t know in real life) and to TELL a trusted adult if anything suspicious or unnerving happened to them whilst using the internet. Robyn’s work with children from Years 3-12 reveals that children are concerned about Cyberbullying, obsession/addiction to activities, devices or websites, identity theft and exposure to pornography. It was frightening to hear that 53% of girls and 70% of boys are exposed to inappropriate images before the age of 12!
Later that night, Robyn addressed interested Grade 5/6 parents. Again, she gave an informative and for many of us, enlightening insight into the “Digital World” that our children are now growing up in. She highlighted the importance of parents being aware of the risks and of discussing these with their children – without the threat of taking them off line!

More information can be found on Robyn’s website: http://www.cybersafekids.com.au

Volleyball Club

After school on a Thursday the grade 5s and 6s who participate in volleyball for interschool sports get together to practice for games against a mix of schools in our area.
We learn valuable skills such as how to “dig”, “set and return” a ball during a game. That’s us in action, pictured below!
Coached by Mr. Lockwood we hope to get stronger as a team by working in together. 

House Swimming Carnival

All the Grade 4, 5 and 6 students participated in the House Swimming Carnival. Congratulations to all those students who competed on the day. The event ran smoothly thanks to all the parent and teacher helpers. Students who won their event will be competing in the District Swimming Carnival which will be held at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Buddies

The Buddy program is an important facet of the Grade 6 year. It aims to promote responsibility and connectedness amongst the students.
 

Camp

The camp program is organised on a two year cycle alternating between Camp Rumbug and Canberra. The camps run for 5 days and aim to promote social and team working skills.

Sport

All Year 5 & 6 students participate in Interschool Sport between local Bayside schools. Teams are selected for both the summer and winter season.
The children also participate in school House Sports in swimming, athletics and cross country. Numerous children have represented the school at Zone, District and State levels in these sports.

Leaders

All year 6 children are expected to act as models for the rest of the school. Opportunities exist for children to become House Captains and Junior School Councillors.

Work Samples