FROM MRS CURK (Yr 1 Science, Yr 4/5/6 History)

Year 1 Science: We investigated different items in our home that could stretch. Some of us investigated which was the stretchiest item we had. Have a look at Sophie's home investigation. (Picture attached).

Year 4 History: We are learning about the First Fleet. This week we focused on the living conditions in London in the 1700's and why the prisons were overflowing with criminals. We wrote a journal entry from the perspective of a convict:

By Layla Wass

Hi. My name is Addison. I am a convict and even this diary is stolen. I am on a boat travelling to Australia and in this diary I will tell you about why I am going to Australia. It all started when I was hiding behind a shop. A boat was taking people in so I made my move. I slipped into the line, put my head down and crossed my fingers. Then, from out of nowhere, a police officer yelled "Oi you!" and the next thing I knew I was at court. When in court, the judge said 'Addison, you are in court now because you were caught trying to go to Italy. "You are sentenced to 7 years in Australia unless you have a reason to convince us." I said my reason for the crime was "I want a better life in another country and I don't care which country I go to!" The judge did not like what I was saying and sent me to Australia. So this is why I am on a boat to Australia.

By Hayden Wallwork:

I stole a horse and I got transported to Australia. It was fun there but I was far from home. It was scary at first but I eventually got to like it there. And after seven years they said you can come back to England, but I didn't want to go back because I didn't know who my mum was. It was a long way back home so I decided to stay in Australia.

By Jessica Quiggin

I stole a loaf of bread because I would have died if I didn’t. It didn’t go well because my whole family was apart; my dad was in jail, my mum was in jail in America my sister and I were on the First Fleet. We were so sad to leave our Grandma because she needed help walking. I was too scared to see her face. It made me cry when they showed a picture of our family.

Year 5/6 History: We are learning about famous Australians in the 1800's and the significant contributions they made to shaping the colony. This week we looked at significant Australians on our bank notes. Have a look at some fact files below.

By Caitlin Farrell

1. Name: Banjo Paterson, $10 note.
2. Time period in Australian history: 1864-1941.
3. What was their significant contribution to the colony? Poet. Wrote the song 'Waltzing Matilda' and 'The Man From Snowy River'.
4. Explain how this person helped shape the colony: He was able to show what it was like to live in the bush for those who didn't live there.

By Lacey Joyce

1. Name: Mary Gilmore, $10 note.
2. Time period in Australian history: 1865-1962.
3. What was their significant contribution to the colony: She was a teacher and a writer who was the editor of the women's pages of the Australian Worker newspaper for 23 years.
4. Explain how this person helped shape the colony: She became the first person to be appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire for contributions to literature.

From Mrs Koster (Yr3)

• This week in Religion, Year 3 reflected on what makes us happy. Evan created a 'happiness' poster showing all of the things that make him happy while he is learning from home.
• Elliot interviewed his Mum about her school experience in Spain. This is a Venn diagram he made, comparing it to his own school experience at St Patrick's.

From Mr McCarthy (yr 3)

The children completed some great tasks on Seesaw this week .

• Blake went on a noun hunt
• Eva's ideas about how she is able to show respect
• Shyanna using Data in Maths
• Flynn and Elliot worked on some origami tulips for Mother's Day

From Mrs Walker (Kinder)

This week's collection of Kinder photos are of the following

• Archer made 2D shapes using sticks.
• Kingston did a directed drawing of a mother and child.
• Layla made a maraca as part of her music lesson.
• Ryker painted, worked in his number booklet and rode his bike for exercise.
• Scarlet drew her own weather symbols.
• Laith used lego pieces to show how numbers are made up of tens and ones.

From Mrs dent (Yr 5/6)

Another busy week of learning for Year 5/6 . Below are some pieces of writing by Dylan and Craig, and the photos here are of the Wijnans enjoying family time, and what yesterday’s Maths lesson looked like with Craig on Zoom.

Why plastic bags should be banned, by Dylan Wilks

Do you want the future of our world covered in half decomposed plastic bags? With the number of plastic bags that we are throwing away, our world will become a wasteland and the creatures of the ocean will perish due to so much plastic particles in the water. We need to change!

It won't just be the ocean full of plastic. It will be your bins and cupboards too, because every time you go shopping you pick up 15 to 20 single use bags which clog up quite quickly and just go straight to landfill and take 10 to 20 years to decompose. Multiply that all by 7.5 billion people, and the world is about to get messy if this goes on.

Multi use bags cost money so people won't buy as many and will take more care of them, which will mean less in landfill and in our cupboards. You know about how I said you take 15 to 20 bags per shopping trip? Well, with multi use you take about 7 per year instead, which means the earth is much cleaner with the use of multi use bags.

Instead of banning plastic bags completely, creating multi use plastic bags still gives shoppers the convenience of bags. So more people will agree with it and will increase the effectiveness of having less plastic in our landfill and in our environment. If we just got rid of bags, people would bring their own bags and just throw them away again and again.

So, will you join me and use multi use plastic bags, because together we can make a difference and save the creatures of the land and sea from single use plastic bags.

Why plastic bags should be banned, by Craig Warden

Did you know an apple core takes two months to break down, but a plastic bag takes 1,000 years to break down? We have used so many plastic bags that there are over 5.25 trillion pieces of rubbish in the ocean. This rubbish has killed some of our most beloved species of birds and marine life.

This is because a plastic bag only lasts 12 minutes of use which we would likely throw away. Does this seem fair that we spend so little time using it for it to end up in the ocean for hundreds of years? If we only use them for 12 minutes there are better alternatives such as:

• Paper – this can be recycled.
• Cardboard – you can use it multiple times and it is recyclable.
• Reusable bags – you can use them more times than cardboard or paper.

Over 1000 turtles are killed from plastic every year. I am 11 years old. This means that 11,000 turtles have been killed while I have been alive, because plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.

Perhaps the most distressing fate of all is when the plastic in the turtle’s stomach imitates the sensation of being full. Turtles then neglect to seek out other food sources and ultimately die from starvation.

Sadly, it’s not only the consumption of plastic that poses a threat to these marine reptiles. When turtles get entangled in plastic debris, they risk choking to death, losing limbs and generally injuring themselves, sometimes beyond repair.

From Mr Lockwood (Yr 4/5)

This week Year 4/5 have continued to focus on their persuasive writing skills. They have been very convincing in expressing their point of view. We have also participated in Kahoot quizzes about time on Maths. Well done to the winners.

“The Kahoot games have been great this week and I have really enjoyed the Zoom meetings, being able to see my friends and familiar faces. I even did a zoom meeting with cubs to make damper. Although I have enjoyed being home, I’m really looking forward to returning to school.” Jessica

I was thrilled to receive this feedback from Jessica’s mum. Thanks – it means a lot!

“I would like to express my appreciation and to say thank you to you and all the staff at St Patrick’s for your dedication in providing support to our Jess and to us. I congratulate you all on the success of the home learning implementations and guiding us through it as well. I know this has not been an easy process. Again I say thank you. We are very fortunate that we have had the support that you have provided.”

From Mrs Stewart (Yr 2)

Another fabulous week of home learning in Year 2.

• Zahlia Conway has welcomed a new baby sister – Nevaeh.
• Sienna Parker used mental strategies for addition and subtraction.
• Rhys Stewart wrote about how plants make their own food.
• Max Summers made a beautiful Mother’s day flower for his Mum.

FROM MRS T (MUSIC)

This week I asked all students to create their own musical instruments and play along to their favourite song. I had so much fun watching all of your rockstar performances! We have such a talented school of musicians. It’s been lovely to hear you all singing solo and having your moment to shine, as sometimes in class I can’t hear each student individually. Special shout out to Grace in Year 2 . . . I nearly fell off my chair when I heard her sing her solo. She is the next Whitney Houston I think! Such a beautiful voice. These pictures are of Sophie and Eva playing their home made instruments. See you all soon. Mrs Tanchevski.