What’s happening in Year 6

06 CORE 1

Science Investigations

The girls have started exploring that energy is everywhere, different types of energy do different things and energy can be transferred and transformed. As an introduction, they were involved in hands-on demonstrations of energy in action.

Through a series of rotational stations, they saw first hand how energy is used, transformed and/or transferred.

Eamonn Dunphy and Marisa Maks 
Year 6 Teachers

06 CORE 2

Australian Government

In preparation for our Year 6 Outdoor Education Experience in Week 9 we have been learning about how our Government works and looking forward to our visit to Parliament House in Canberra. At the moment we are learning about the time of Federation and the important people who played an important role at this time in Australian History. We are looking forward to investigating and creating an election scenario in our class to better understand the process of voting and how it works in our democracy. Parents feel free to speak to your child about your voting experiences.

Leonie Trees
Year 6 Teacher

06 CORE 3 

Brainstorming for Public Speaking

This term, Gioia House students have begun their participation in the Public Speaking Program. Year 6 students have spent time this week engaging in brainstorming sessions, where they were encouraged to think deeply about issues, concepts and personal interests they feel passionate about. These sessions provided a valuable opportunity for students to reflect on their values, experiences, and ideas they would like to share with a wider audience.

Following their initial brainstorming, students worked collaboratively in small groups to share and discuss their ideas. These small group discussions allowed students to think critically and to consider alternative perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and respectfully challenge each other’s viewpoints. 

This activity also played an important role in helping students begin to shape their ideas into focused speech topics. More importantly, it marked the beginning of a journey that will support the development of several important skills, including critical thinking, clarity in oral communication, self-confidence, and the ability to listen actively and respond thoughtfully. Over the coming weeks, students will continue to build on this foundation as they begin drafting, refining, and delivering their own speeches as part of the Public Speaking Program.

Monique Taylor and Tiffany Anderson
Year 6 Teachers

06 CORE 4 

Debating Term 3

In our recent debate on the topic Video Games Are Beneficial to Children debaters from both Santa Sabina College and Loreto Kirribilli brought fresh perspectives, using research and real-life examples to build compelling arguments around cognitive development, teamwork and strategic thinking in gaming. Their approach engaged the adjudicator, turning what could have been a simple discussion into an interesting exchange of ideas. Beyond the debate, our students extended a gracious welcome to the visiting school, fostering a friendly atmosphere throughout the event. We thoroughly enjoyed the debate and look forward to our next one.

Ann Milicic
Year 6 Teacher