SWIMMING

It is that time of the year again; Swimming commences on Monday, 21st November. We will be departing the school at 9.30am therefore students may wear bathers to school under their uniform to change just before we leave. Students will only take a towel, their school T-shirt and footwear (may be thongs) to the pool. Please have these items ready to go in a labelled plastic bag. The children will get changed back into their clothes on their return to school. School canteen will only be available for lunch, not recess for Room 17.

FAMILY FUN NIGHT

In support of the Family Fun Night, each year group is organising a game or activity to be presented at the event. The Year 5 classes are organising a "Cup-cake Decorating Stall." We ask that students bring in some cup-cakes or decorating items (such as frosting or icing in a tube etc.) no later than Thursday, 24th November.

We thank you in advance for any contribution, small or big and we appreciate your support in making this year's Family Fun Night a great event. 

GRADUATION

The Graduation Ceremony and Dance is fast approaching: Tuesday 29th November. A few notes were sent out this week regarding the event. One note asked for Year 5 parent/guardian volunteers to be part of the decorating committee. The committee is responsible for setting up and decorating the venue. When the Year 5's are in Year 6, parents/guardians of the 2017 Year 5 cohort will then form a committee and do the same for the graduating class. So far we have not had any volunteers for this event. Please send in the return slip as soon as you can if you are willing and able to help.

The Graduation Ceremony will be followed by the Graduation Dance for Year 5 and Year 6 students. Year 5 students are asked to contribute the food and drinks for this event. A note regarding this information has also been sent out. Both the decorating and food/drink contributions have been a wonderful Wattle Grove tradition for many years. Thank you for your support.


SCIENCE - STATES OF MATTER

Room 17 has been learning all about the states of matter. Is it a solid, liquid or gas? 
We can answer this question by thinking about the properties for each state of matter. During the unit we have learned a great deal. Some of the things that the children have learnt are:

"I have learnt that liquids can flow and that they take the shape of the container that they're in. Also, liquids have varying degrees of viscosity which means that they can be really runny and flow freely or they may be thick and flow slowly, like honey. Furthermore, the liquid molecules are held tightly together (not as much as solids) which allows them to flow. The gas molecules are spread apart and the bonds are weak. This is why they move freely around. In class we did an investigation where we sprayed a scent and measured how quickly it flowed around the room. This was interesting because it gave us a good example of how gases work." - Pavitra

"Did you know that some materials can not be directly defined as a solid, liquid or a gas? Toothpaste is an example of this. When a fluid has properties of different states of matter it is called a non-newtonian fluid. I also learned that matter has mass and volume so some things are not matter like our thoughts and imagination. I have been loving the investigations that we have been doing. Learning about how things work and why things happen is intriguing." - Aena

"What is the most common state of matter in the universe?
This state of matter is rather quite hot, some would say that it is the hottest of them all...
It can be found occurring naturally in lightning...
It is a gas of positive ions and free electrons...
Do you know yet?
It is Plasma!" - Tayler

BOOK REVIEW - GRACE by MORRIS GLEITZMAN

A book about love…

A book about trusting God…

A book about repentance…

Eleven year-old Grace has had a very religious upbringing in a strict church community. As she begins to grow up, she also begins to question life. She is a curious girl, she is a stubborn girl and she is an independent girl. These qualities are frowned upon by the Elders in her community. Whenever Grace seems to find happiness, trouble comes knocking at her door. Trouble for Grace begins when she befriends a boy who just happens to be a non-Christian.

Grace takes the reader on a journey that explores themes such as independence, tolerance and most importantly, being true to yourself. Grace spoke to me on a personal level because there are times where I would get caught up with the crowd but by reading this novel I learned the importance of being proud to make my own decisions and to stick by them. Everyone is different and be who you are. I enjoyed reading this book because of its strong and powerful moral messages.

Well, to find out about it for yourself I guess you have to read this brilliant book. I promise you that you will never read a book like this in your entire life! I definitely think Morris Gleitzman has produced his best work of art to date. The  BEST book in the world receives a perfect 5/5  stars from me, in fact, maybe even a 10/5 stars! I implore you to go out and find this book for yourself. Your mind will be blown!

By Catherine, Year 5, Room 17

SWIMMING NOTES

Just a reminder that swimming lessons commence in Week 7 and that swimming notes are now due. Thank you to everyone who has already paid and submitted the forms. 

BOOK REVIEW - WHO AM I - THE DIARY OF MARY TALENCE 

Poor Mary has no clue who she is. Her real family is unknown. We begin when Mary is forcibly removed away from her mother when she was only five years old and placed into an orphanage called ‘Home.’ There she stayed until the age of 10 before she was transported to a new family called 'The Burkes.' Miss Burke, Mr Burke, Sophie, Sam and now Mary make up the family. To Mary, it feels as though each and every day, the people she cares for are leaving her or she is leaving them, but why? Mary is Aboriginal and a different colour from all the rest and for this reason alone, everyone tease’s her. She feels uncomfortable in her own skin. Find out what happened in the past for Aboriginal people. While reading this heart-wrenching book, I felt as if I was taken on a journey to a place of unfortunate sadness and despair. To tell you the truth, I did cry through some parts of the story but I couldn’t put this book down. I read it all day, every day. Who am I? The Diary of Mary Talence will also make you ask yourself the same question “Who am I?” It makes you reflect on your life and realise how lucky we are that Australia has changed from the days where racism was so prevalent. Personally, I know that racism is still an issue in many areas around the world but I feel lucky to be here in Australia. Who am I? is such a powerful read – it is a game changer! This must have been Anita Heiss’ best book of all time. I recommend this fabulous read for all ages 8 and up (even adults should pick it up and take time out of their busy schedules to read it.) I give Heiss’ book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars for all the wonderful language, emotion, love, history and breath-taking experiences. I promise you, with all my heart and soul, that you will love this spectacular, life changing and incredible book… Enjoy!

By Aena, Year 5, Room 17