In Science, Year 3 are investigating how we can group living things and distinguish them from non-living things. 3A conducted a nature walk in the school environment looking for evidence of living things (chirping, digging, rustling, bitten leaves, tracks, spoors, scats, eggs, holes). See the below photos the students captured as their evidence. They recorded their observations into tables that were divided into tracks, scats and signs. We were fortunate to have a student present an Animal Kingdom acrylic collection box with insects, fish, reptiles, and mammals.

Year 6 - 6G’s Journey in Building a Thinking Classroom

6G have been striving to build a Thinking Classroom where students actively engage in dynamic routines designed to promote critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.

In small, randomised groups, students are not only learning mathematical concepts - they are becoming effective communicators and problem solvers. These routines foster deeper understanding by encouraging students to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and work together to find solutions.

Our current focus centres around three key learning intentions:
• Promote thinking
• Communicate and collaborate effectively (ISS Learning Assets)
• Actively engage and fulfil your role within your group

To reflect on their experiences, students were asked: “What do you enjoy most about Building Thinking Classrooms?” Some of their responses included:
• “Because it allows us to work collaboratively with our peers.”
• “It’s an opportunity to solve fun maths questions in a group.”
• “You get to share your thinking with people you wouldn’t normally work with.”
• “I like how all our thinking comes together.”
• “It creates teamwork.”
• “It allows you to think about maths in a different environment.”
• “It’s an opportunity to see and appreciate how others solve the same problem and think differently.”

Through these thinking routines, our students are growing in confidence as learners - discovering that learning is not just about finding the right answer but about the process of thinking, questioning, and working together.

Mr O’Brien and ISS believe these skills will serve students well in their academic journey and beyond, especially as they prepare to transition into high school.

Year 6 Graduation Date Claimer