Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 12

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 12

Term 3 

Weeks 6 & 7

What has been happening in the Middle School?

WOW! What an amazing camp experience it was for the Middle School. During the three days we learnt and experienced a lot of new things. New friendships were made and current friendships were strengthened. You can read a few of the recounts from your children in this newsletter. From a school perspective, we were very proud of how all of the students showed Teamwork, Integrity and Respect while on camp and challenged themselves to try new things.

The next two weeks will be filled with the swimming program at Don Tatnell Leisure Centre on the corner of Warren Road and Brisbane Terrace.

Our swimming times, if you were interested in coming to watch are:

-Middle Hardie: 9:30am

-Middle McCallum/Beer: 10:00am

-Middle Wilton: 10:30am

-Middle McDonald: 11:00am

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: 

make accurate predictions from what we read based on clues in the text.

WRITING: 

understand that an information report is used to present information on a person, place, animal or thing.

MATHS:

conduct chance experiments and identify and describe possible outcomes

SPELLING: 

Grade 3: The digraph /ti/ making the sound “sh” as in station

Grade 4: The digraph /ui/ making the sound “oo” as in fruit and the digraph /ew/ making the sound “oo” as in screw

UNIT OF STUDY (History): 

Explain how and why life changed in the past, and identify aspects of the past that remained the same.

PLAY IS THE WAY: 

Pursue your personal best, no matter who you are working with.

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Monday 4th September: District Athletics
Friday 15th September: Teachers v Grade 6 All Star Basketball (12:15- 1:30)
Friday 15th September: School Disco Night

Monday 18th September: Student Free Day (Curriculum Day)

Wednesday 20th September: Footy Day

Friday 22nd September: Last Day of Term 3

Making News

Middle School Camp Reflections

I thought that camp was AWESOME!!! I loved the food and all of the activities. The activities were Hut Building, Archery, Giant Swing, Orienteering, Photo Trail and Ropes Course. It was so much fun, I didn’t want to get on the bus and go home.

Isabella - Middle MB

Camp was amazing!!! There was so much to do and the activities were great. After the bus ride we moved our bags into our cabins, everyone was filled with excitement. The food was delicious, my favourite meal was spaghetti! We went to the lighthouse on Thursday. It was really cool, did you know that Round the Twist was filmed there? My favourite part of camp was the Giant Swing. I went to the top and had lots of fun swinging for a long time.

Giaan - Middle MB

Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 11

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 11

Term 3 

Weeks 4 & 5

What has been happening in the Middle School?

Nesquik…...delicious! What a fun morning we had creating and following procedures to make some scrumptious flavoured milk. The Middle School students first watched Mrs Mac attempt the tough task of making this delicious drink. As they watched the cooking display, they took notes on the ingredients, equipment and procedure before tackling the challenge of writing their own procedure and following it.

 

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: 

make accurate predictions from what we read based on clues in the text.

WRITING: 

understand and use the structure of a procedural text.

MATHS:

use scales, legends and directions to interpret and create different maps.

SPELLING: 

Grade 3: The graph /g/ making the sound “j” as in giant and the graph /s/ making the sound “zh” as in treasure.

Grade 4: The graph /y/ making the sound “y” as in yawn and the digraph /or/ making the sound “eh” as in doctor.

UNIT OF STUDY (History): 

Explain how and why life changed in the past, and identify aspects of the past that remained the same.

PLAY IS THE WAY: 

Pursue your personal best, no matter who you are working with.

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Friday 18th August - National Science Week - STEM Activity

Monday 21st to Friday 25th August: Book Week

Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th August: Middle School Camp to Angahook

Monday 28th August to Friday 8th September: P-4 Swimming

Tuesday 29th August: Father’s Day Stall

Monday 4th September: District Athletics

Monday 18th September: Student Free Day (Curriculum Day)

Wednesday 20th September: Footy Day

Friday 22nd September: Last Day of Term 3

Current Notices

Camp

The excitement around the Middle School is building, and this time next week we will be at Camp Angahook having an absolutely fantastic time. Please make sure you camp payments are finalised with the office before we go. Unfortunately, if payments are not finalised, we cannot take children to camp with us.

Science Week

Our classroom will come alive with science for National Science Week. We will join over 300 Australian schools on Friday 18th August in welcoming Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) professionals into our classrooms – both virtually and physically – to promote the importance of STEM to Australia’s future.

The STEM in Schools event, run by CSIRO, forms part of National Science Week and will see our school come alive with science as the students participate in a virtual classroom discussion with scientists working in the international space industry, and undertake classroom activities.

Research indicates that 75 per cent of the fastest growing occupations now require STEM skills and knowledge. With participation and engagement of STEM subjects in Australia declining, it is now more important than ever to engage students about the importance of science, technology, engineering and maths.

STEM in Schools events is taking place in more than 300 schools around Australia, with STEM professionals and members of parliament visiting schools across Australia to conduct activities and share their passion for STEM.

The initiative is designed to inspire students about the possibilities of pursuing a future STEM careers and to increase interest and engagement in STEM subjects.

In addition to all students in the Middle School participating in the STEM Open Classroom and Science Week activity, Mentone Park will also run a Satellite Club activity on this day.

Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 10

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 10

Term 3 

Weeks 2 & 3

What has been happening in the Middle School?

Welcome back everyone. The Middle School team hope you all had a restful break and have come back to school ready for another busy and fun filled term. The two major events for the Middle School this term are our camp to Anglesea (23-25 August) and the swimming program (28 August - 8 September).

Our teaching and learning is already well underway with Australian History being our Inquiry focus this term. Students will focus on how life has changed over time and recognise significant events that have caused these changes.

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: 

connect different texts to our own lives and other texts that we have read  and the world that we live in

WRITING: 

understand and use the structure of a procedural text. We have also completed our first Big Write for the term.

MATHS:

To use efficient mental and written strategies to solve multiplication problems

SPELLING: 

Grade 3:The graph /a/ making the sound “a” as in baby and the graph /g/ making the sound “j” as in giant

Grade 4: Words ending in the consonant suffix -ness, The graph /y/ making the sound “y” as in yawn and The graph /i/ making the sound “i” as in onion

UNIT OF STUDY (History) 

Explain how and why life changed in the past, and identify aspects of the past that remained the same.

PLAY IS THE WAY: 

Pursue your personal best, no matter who you are working with.

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Friday 4th August: Camp Notices Due

Tuesday 8th of August: Parent/Teacher Interviews

Sunday 13th August: Working Bee

Monday 14th August: Swimming Notices Due

Monday 21st to Friday 25th August: Book Week

Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th August: Middle School Camp to Angahook

Monday 28th August to Friday 8th September: P-4 Swimming

Tuesday 29th August: Father’s Day Stall

Monday 4th September: District Athletics

Wednesday 20th September: Footy Day

Friday 22nd September: Last Day of Term 3

Current Notices

Middle School Camp

Camp is fast approaching. Could all medical and dietary forms please be returned to your child’s classroom teacher by Friday 4th August so that planning can be finalised. Also, make sure all payments have be finalised with the office by this date too.

bCyberwise - Online Safety

Most children are unaware of the digital footprint they leave every time they post online and the harmful effects it can have on themselves, or on others. Similar to regular discussions we have with the students encouraging them when interacting face to face, the same applies online.

Always T.H.I.N.K.

T- is it TRUE?

H- is it HELPFUL?

I- is it INSPIRING?

N- is it NECESSARY?

K- is it KIND?

To read more about the program your child participated in please visit this link: bCyberwise

Or download the bCyberwise Monster Family App: Monster Family App

Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 9

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 9
Term 2 
Weeks 9-10

What has been happening in the Middle School?

Wow! Another term done and dusted! While we have been super busy, we still can't believe that we are half way through the year. This term has seen a focus on expanding our science knowledge and skills, with our chemical and physical science units. We hosted a whole school open night and our learning was supported by two separate invisits. Our clever and brave Year 3s spent three days in early May demonstrating their knowledge as part of the NAPLAN assessments and the remainder of the term has featured a range of assessment and reflection tasks for our upcoming student reports. Our Middle School team has continued to evolve and we look forward to working closely together again next term! From camp in August to the swimming program and a focus on history, it's sure to be another fun filled term of learning!

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: 
use clues in the text to help make informed guesses about what unknown words could mean.

WRITING: 
reflect on our semester of learning and understand the structure of an explanation piece of writing.

MATHS:
measure order and compare different objects using familar metric units.

SPELLING: 
Year 3: The digraph |oy| making the sound “oy” as in toy.

Year 4: The digraph |ie| make the sound E as in chief.

UNIT OF STUDY: 
understand that forces can be exerted by one object or another through direct contact or from a distance.

PLAY IS THE WAY: 
pursuing your personal best no matter who you are working with.

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Thursday 29th June: Student reports go home to families
Friday 30th June: Last Day of Term 2
Monday 18th July: First Day of Term 3

Current Notices

Middle School Camp

Camp is coming up during Term 3. Could all expression of interest forms please be sent back to your classroom teacher ASAP, as well as deposits paid via Qkr.
More information for camp will be sent out in Term 3.

bCyberwise - Online Safety

Most children are unaware of the digital footprint they leave every time they post online and the harmful effects it can have on themselves, or on others. Similar to regular discussions we have with the students encouraging them when interacting face to face, the same applies online.
Always T.H.I.N.K.
T- is it TRUE?
H- is it HELPFUL?
I- is it INSPIRING?
N- is it NECESSARY?
K- is it KIND?

To read more about the program your child participated in please visit this link: bCyberwise
Or download the bCyberwise Monster Family App: Monster Family App

Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 8

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 8
Term 2 
Weeks 7-8

What has been happening in the Middle School?

This week we were lucky enough to have a visitor from 'Fizzics Education' conduct experiments with the 3/4 students. They explored their understandings of physics and how different objects move. This invisit supports our current Science unit, 'Magnetic Moves'.

We say farewell to Miss Maddie Oates and would like to thank her for all her hard work and dedication. We wish her the best of luck with everything and look forward to seeing her around in the future.

We would also like to welcome Mrs Nikki McCallum to the 3/4 area. Mrs McCallum will make a valuable addition to the middle school team and we look forward to having her join us for the remainder of the year.

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: question different texts before, during and after reading them as well as combine new information with prior knowledge to formulate new understandings (synthesising).

WRITING/V.C.O.P.: understand the structure of an explanation piece of writing and use our scientific research to create our own explanation pieces.

MATHS: measure, order and compare objects using familiar metric units.

SPELLING: 
Year 3: The digraph /se/ making the sound "s" as in horse.

Year 4: The consonant suffix -ly.

UNIT OF STUDY: Understand that forces can be exerted by one object or another through direct contact or from a distance.

PLAY IS THE WAY: Be Brave - Participate to Progress

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Monday 12th June: Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Thursday 29th June: Student reports go home to families
Friday 30th June: Last Day of Term 2

Current Notices

Next week, the grade sixes will be raising money for the Red Nose Day Appeal by selling a range of different products. All funds raised will go towards supporting the families of sick kids.

bCyberwise - Online Safety

Most children are unaware of the digital footprint they leave every time they post online and the harmful effects it can have on themselves, or on others. Similar to regular discussions we have with the students encouraging them when interacting face to face, the same applies online.
Always T.H.I.N.K.
T- is it TRUE?
H- is it HELPFUL?
I- is it INSPIRING?
N- is it NECESSARY?
K- is it KIND?

To read more about the program your child participated in please visit this link: bCyberwise
Or download the bCyberwise Monster Family App: Monster Family App

Making News

We have just started our new topic in Science. Here are some pictures of our recent visit from Fizzics Education.

Middle School Newsletter 2017: Volume 7

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 7
Term 2 
Weeks 5-6

What has been happening in the Middle School?

In week 5 we were visited by the ladies from 'Mad About Science' to discuss all things Matter, and how different objects and substances change.

In week 6 we had Italian Day and our Science Open Night... Thank you for everyone's participation in both events. 

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: question different texts before, during and after reading them.

WRITING/V.C.O.P.: understand the structure of an explanation piece of writing.

MATHS: to explore the basic understandings of fractions.

SPELLING: 
Year 3: the prefix 'inter'
Year 4: the digraph /ai/ making the sound “A” as in snail

UNIT OF STUDY: to support students to represent and explain their understandings of the way different materials change, from a solid to a liquid at different temperatures. Introduction of scientific views

PLAY IS THE WAY: Be Brave - Participate to Progress

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Monday 5th June: Forces, Friction and Movement Invisit
Monday 12th June: Queen's Birthday Public Holiday
Thursday 29th June: Student reports go home to families
Friday 30th June: Last Day of Term 2

Current Notices

Upcoming Invisits for Term 2

One down, one to go. To support our studies in Science this term, there will be one more exciting science workshop running. Details are as follows. A green coloured notice went home earlier in the term outlining the new term-by-term payment system. Please ensure that that this term's excursion/invisit levy has been paid as soon as possible.

Fizzics Education Invisit  - Monday 5^th June

In the Forces, Friction & Movement Show students will look in depth at how push and pull forces act to move objects. They will also explore what variables impact friction between two surfaces and how this impacts on object movement. This workshops supports the Middle School’s Term 2 unit of Physical Science.

bCyberwise - Online Safety

Most children are unaware of the digital footprint they leave every time they post online and the harmful effects it can have on themselves, or on others. Similar to regular discussions we have with the students encouraging them when interacting face to face, the same applies online.
Always T.H.I.N.K.
T- is it TRUE?
H- is it HELPFUL?
I- is it INSPIRING?
N- is it NECESSARY?
K- is it KIND?

To read more about the program your child participated in please visit this link: bCyberwise
Or download the bCyberwise Monster Family App: Monster Family App

Making News

Well done to all students who participated in the Cross Country @ Karkarook Reserve last week. Tough conditions didn't dampen the Mentone Park spirit to much, and all reports were that everyone gave it the absolute best effort.

Middle School Newsletter 2017 - Volume 6

Middle School Newsletter: Volume 6
Term 2 
Weeks 3-4

What has been happening in the Middle School?

We've had a busy two weeks preparing and sitting for NAPLAN testing. Congratulations to our Grade 3s who did an incredible job of remaining cool, calm and collected throughout. We are very proud of all your efforts! Thank you also to our Grade 4s who were very supportive and accommodating, having done it previously.

Besides NAPLAN we have been excitedly exploring chemical science and the change of states in anticipation of our invisit next week - The Matter With Matter! We apologise as there was a mistake in our last newsletter regarding which classes would go on Monday and Friday. Please find them amended below in Term 2 Calendar Dates.

Learning and Teaching

We Are Learning To (WALT)....

READING: question different texts before, during and after reading them

WRITING/V.C.O.P.: understand the structure of an explanation piece of writing

MATHS: to explore the basic understandings of fractions

SPELLING: 
Year 3: the graph /c/ making the “s” as in city
Year 4: the digraph /ch/ making the sound “sh” as in chef

UNIT OF STUDY: to support students to represent and explain their understanding of the way different materials change from solid to liquid at different temperatures. Introduction of scientific views

PLAY IS THE WAY: Be Brave - Participate to Progress

Term 2 Calendar Dates

Monday 15th May: Mad About Science Invisit Middle W & M
Wednesday 17th May: District Cross Country
Friday 19th May: Mad About Science Invisit Middle H & OB
Tuesday 23rd May: Italian Day
Thursday 25th May: Education Week - Open Night 6pm - 7pm
Monday 5th June: Forces, Friction and Movement Invisit

Current Notices

Upcoming Invisits for Term 2

To support our studies into Science this term, there will be two exciting science workshops running (one for each of our two units). Details are as follows. A green coloured notice went home at the start of the week outlining the new term-by-term payment system. Please ensure that that this term's excursion/invisit levy has been paid as soon as possible.

Mad About Science Invisit - Monday 15^th May (Middle W & Middle M) & Friday 19^th May (Middle OB & Middle H)

Mad About Science presents ‘The Matter of Matter’ workshop. Students will investigate the three states of matter in a fun and exciting way. This workshop supports the Middle School’s Term 2 unit of Chemical Science.

Fizzics Education Invisit  - Monday 5^th June

In the Forces, Friction & Movement Show students will look in depth at how push and pull forces act to move objects. They will also explore what variables impact friction between two surfaces and how this impacts on object movement. This workshops supports the Middle School’s Term 2 unit of Physical Science.

2017 District Cross Country 

This year's 2017 District Cross Country will be held on Wednesday 17th May at Karkarook Park on Warrigal Road, Heatherton. Congratulations to all of the students who qualified for this year's event. Please ensure all permission slips returned and payments are made as soon as possible. We also welcome any parents who would like to come and support our team on the day. Go Mentone Park!

The 2017 team is as follows: Daniel, Oscar, Dimitri, Adam, Ben, Corey, Luke, Anton, Sam, Isabelle, Giaan, Jasmine, Harper, Dimitra, Layla, Kate, Amy, Chloe and Alana.

bCyberwise - Online Safety

Most children are unaware of the digital footprint they leave every time they post online and the harmful effects it can have on themselves, or on others. Similar to regular discussions we have with the students encouraging them when interacting face to face, the same applies online.
Always T.H.I.N.K.
T- is it TRUE?
H- is it HELPFUL?
I- is it INSPIRING?
N- is it NECESSARY?
K- is it KIND?

To read more about the program your child participated in please visit this link: bCyberwise
Or download the bCyberwise Monster Family App: Monster Family App

Making News

P.I.T.W Blogger activity. Students rotated around leaving their opinions on statements.