Term 3 provides the opportunity to really try and make up for learning time lost last term and staff are focused on the really important aspects of quality teaching; explicit instruction, regular feedback to students, modifying or extending learning and making children accountable and responsible for their own learning and that of others. There are some excellent examples of learning happening in every classroom, where students are showing pride in the presentation of their work, challenging themselves to become better writers and in one case, an upper primary student has spent hours at home trying to disprove a mathematical theory they learnt about in class. Not every student has to be the best- but we do expect that every student is the best they can be.

Maths Relay

This year’s annual Maths Relay has been an excellent example in engaging and extending students thinking about Maths. Watching the teams work together, problem solve and be resilient and persistent in solving the questions reminds us of the expectations we can have for student learning. Each student offered something to their team whether it be good mental maths skills, the ability to think openly about different ways to solve problems, cooperation or encouragement. Every student was engaged and participated as a valued member of their team.

This Thursday, Forest Primary is hosting the Circular Head Cluster Maths Relay; a competition to extend and enrich learning opportunities and challenge for our mathematically minded students against others in the Cluster.

A big thank you to Ms Pop for all the work she’s done in organising the event.

Winter Sports and Country Gold

Grades 5/6 students are certainly enjoying the opportunity to meet with students from other schools for sport on Friday afternoons. With ongoing COVID requirements, the Country Gold arrangements may need to alter. Once we complete selection trials for hockey, netball and football, we will be in touch with families of those students selected to discuss options.

Uniform reminder

A reminder that it is an expectation that students wear school uniform to school.There are some students who are wearing other jumpers or hoodies. It is preferred that students are wearing their Forest Primary jumpers. If you need uniform assistance, contact the school.

ICAS Competitions (International Competitions and Assessment for Schools)

A number of students have been selected to participate in the ICAS Science competition next week. This is an online assessment promoting excellence in learning where students answer a range of questions based on the science curriculum. Students in over 20 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa and the United States participate in ICAS each year. The competition provides challenging opportunities for students to extend their science abilities. Maths and English competitions will also be held on the following dates.

ICAS Science- Tuesday 18^th August

ICAS English-Tuesday 25^th August

ICAS Maths- Tuesday 1^st September

Growing Up

Next week, students from grades 3 to 6 will particiape in the Growing Up Program run by Family Planning Tasmania. The program provides an age appropriate program helping students understand the physical and emotional changes they’ll encounter as they grow.

An information session for parents will be held at school on Monday 17^th August at 9:00am in the library.

What do you call the number 7 and the number 3 when they go out on a date?

The odd couple (but 7 is in her prime).

Near Doubling

Our strategy for this newsletter is Near Doubling. This involves students using their Doubles Facts to help them to solve addition and subtraction problems.

Most young children learn how to double numbers pretty quickly on their own and then we can extend this to help them use the Near Doubling Strategy.

What is the near doubles strategy?

We use this strategy when adding two consecutive numbers, in other words two numbers that follow each other. This is where students use their knowledge of doubles to work out the answer. For example, the problem might be 5 + 6 =

This is the same as 5 + 5 + 1 = 11 or 6 + 6 – 1 = 11.

 In the classroom we use a number line, 100s chart, counters and  tens frames  to demonstrate this to the students.

You might like to watch the following YouTube clip together at home.

Congratulations to Sophie Perry on reaching 100 nights of reading.

The multi-purpose room was super busy on Thursday 6^th August with the sounds of the annual school maths relay. Well done to everyone for an amazing day. Special thanks to Mel, Kali, Lynne, Jess, Telina, Rob, Danielle, Constable Andrew, Kate and Margaret for all their help. Thanks to Mrs Young for the yummy scones to help keep the markers going! Special thanks to the Grade 5/6 helpers for the Prep - Grade 2 relay. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Results:

Grade 5/6:

1st Hillsbury - Sophie P, Chad, Tyler

2nd Pascoe - Kobi, Elijah, Ryland, Nate, Xavier

3rd Pascoe - Sophie E, Kirrily, Jade, Matilda

Grade 3/4:

1st Pascoe - Aden, Angus, Lilliarna, Ben, Charli

2nd Pascoe - Axle, Caleb, Ella-Kate, Lenny, Judd

3rd Pascoe - Isabella, Sophie, Austin, Beth

Prep - Grade 2:

1st Pascoe - Fin L, Jordan F, Lexi, Charli, Dustin

2nd Hillsbury - Peyton, Elsie, Zane, Brock, Amber

3rd Norwood - Charlie, Taylah, Seth K, Demi, Joseph

Overall winners:

1st Pascoe

2nd Hillsbury

3rd Norwood.

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent Forest Primary in the Cluster Maths Relay tomorrow. Have fun.

Grade 5/6:

• Sophie Perry
• Xavier Thompson
• Kirrily Ralston
• Brady Hursey
• Isabella McGlone
• Toby Mullins
• Elijah Champion–Smith
• Amelia Dixon

Grade 3/4 :

• Charlotte Thompson
• Lilliarna Cann
• Judd Ryan
• Clancy Payne
• Isabella Korpershoek
• Ella-Kate Grey
• Ruby Lardner
• Beth Bailey

During science in 1/2 Wright we have been exploring mixtures. We have posed questions such as:

Where can you find mixtures?

What do you use mixtures for?

Are all mixtures edible?

We have explored these questions through discussion and a hands on investigation. We have been learning that mixtures come in many different forms and textures, are used for multiple purposes and are used several times a day. We have even discovered that soap can be used in all of the wet rooms in your house! We realised that soap takes on a solid, liquid and powder form. Through our investigations we have found mixtures that do not combine with water (like sun cream) and mixtures that create bubbles and change the colour of water. Of all the mixtures, the most fun mixtures we investigated were those that we could eat!

The National Science week theme for 2020 is ‘Deep Blue’ innovations for the future of our oceans. As part of National Science Week students are given the opportunity to participate in some activities based around the theme for the year. This year we decided to give the students the choice between two techno challenges; the first was to build a tower that would hold a water tank (a can of Solo) and the other was to design a boat that would float with the weight of a can of Solo on top. Students were then given time to design and create a model that would be tested at the end of the lesson. These are some of the designs that the students innovated.

The 2020 Cirular Head Science Gig is going online, Monday 17th August. Pick up a pack from the Smithton Library ready for some science fun!

Have an adventure following the Deep Blue Science Trail! Download or ask the office for an entry form and start looking for clues!

Return your entry form to the Circular Head Council or Circular Head Office Supplies by Tuesday 18th of August and you might win a prize.