WELCOME TO DEAKIN - MRS JANINE TURNER
The Sky is the Limit!
Welcome to class Deakin! Our motto this year is ‘The sky is the limit!’ We have been working hard to set our goals and expectations for the term. The student’s have been excited to receive their AVID book packs and we have been spending time setting up our books to ensure that students are organised and are set up for success. We have been discussing preferred learning styles and ‘The Power of Yet’ which focuses on developing a growth mindset. Class Deakin’s aim is to be the best we can be, always strive for our personal best and never give up. Our class consists of 12 year 5 students and 16 year 6 students.
There are many students within our class who are pursuing leadership opportunities this year including School Captains, Ministers, House Captains, Environmental Group Representatives, Sound system Technicians, School Photographers and Student Parliament Representatives. Students are aware of the responsibilities of being in a leadership position and are taking on these roles very positively. Many additional opportunities will be presented to students this year including PSSA sport, debating, public speaking, dance group, djembe drumming, drum corps and choir.
In English we will be studying a variety of novels, and will explore themes including differences in culture, social standing and gender. Students will gain an appreciation of popular and youth cultures and how these can relate to their own lives. There will be a strong focus on developing writing skills and students will be utilizing the Lexile Program both at school and home to further develop comprehension skills. Maths lessons will include explicit teaching of concepts, hands on activities and independent consolidation using a text book. Specific problem-solving skills will be taught and students will be competing in the Maths Olympiad. In Science this term, Stage 3 will be researching properties of materials and exploring liquids, gasses and solids. In History we will look at ‘Australia as a Nation’ and examine government in preparation for our Stage 3 Camp to Canberra.
Homework is expected to be completed each week. It includes daily reading (15-20 minutes each night- own book or Lexile), spelling and maths revision. A booklet of Maths Problems will also be sent home. This is optional homework to further develop problem solving skills. Students are asked to bring this in their homework folder each week, even if it has not been completed, as we will be discussing solutions in class. Please reinforce with your child that they can approach me for assistance throughout the week if they are having difficulty with homework tasks. Various research projects will also be assigned throughout the year, including public speaking tasks. These will be uploaded to Google Classroom so that students and parents can access them from home. From time to time, students will also be encouraged to complete unfinished work at home, as taking responsibility for their own learning will assist them in preparing for High School.
It is essential that all students in Deakin bring in their own device (BYOD) fully charged each day. This will allow students to explore different avenues and learning experiences using current technology and develop their research skills.
Class Deakin’s timetable:
Monday: Science with Mrs Miller (11.30-12.30)
Tuesday: Scripture 12:25-1:00, Technology with Mrs Beven (1.55-2.55)
Wednesday: PE (11.30-12.00)
Friday: Stage sport 9:00-10:00, Library with Mrs Duke (10.00-11.00), Assembly (2.15- odd weeks)
Goal setting meetings will take place in week 5. If you would like to arrange a meeting with me or need any further information please don’t hesitate to contact me through class dojo or via email at janine.turner@det.nsw.edu.au.
Janine Turner
Deakin Classroom Teacher, Stage 3 Girls’ Advisor