2026 Term 3 - Newsletter Two
It has been another action-packed few weeks in Year 5, with some particularly memorable experiences connected to our Science and HASS learning. From dissecting Powerful Owl pellets in the Science Lab to throwing boomerangs, playing traditional games and working with ochre, students have had some wonderful opportunities to take their learning beyond the classroom.
With camp now upon us and plenty more happening during the second half of the term, here is a look at what we have been up to and what is coming next.
Tutoring
A reminder that there will be no Tuesday afternoon tutoring in Week 6 or Week 10.
Tutoring will continue as usual on the other scheduled Tuesdays, finishing at 3:30 pm. Parents are asked to be ready for collection in the car park at this time.
Biomimicry Homework Project
Year 5 students are beginning an exciting Biomimicry Homework Project that will run for just over two weeks.
Students will choose a Powerful Owl adaptation, describe how it helps the owl survive, and then investigate how that adaptation could inspire a useful human invention or design. Their ideas might be based on night vision, powerful grip, silent flight, 3D hearing, or any other adaptation that sparks their imagination.
The invention does not have to already exist – in fact, we are encouraging students to think creatively! It could be something that makes life just a little bit better, such as quieter drones inspired by owl feathers or even hair pins inspired by an owl's powerful grip.
Students have been given a Google Slides project through Google Classroom where they can record and develop their ideas over the next two weeks. The due date is Friday of week 8.
For students who would like to take their idea even further, there is also the option to design their invention using Tinkercad. Where possible, we may then use our classroom 3D printer to turn some of these imaginative ideas into real prototypes.
We are very excited to see what their wonderfully creative minds come up with!
Powerful Owl Pellet Investigation
Our Year 5 students recently had another fantastic opportunity to work alongside Andrew Dinwoodie, Lucy Paul and Dr Nick Hamilton as part of our ongoing Powerful Owl project.
Students dissected Powerful Owl pellets collected from two different locations, one close to an urban area and another approximately three kilometres away. The aim was to investigate what the owls had been eating and see whether there were noticeable differences between the two sites.
Wearing lab coats and working in the Secondary School Science Lab, students carefully worked their way through fur and other material to identify prey remains. Their discoveries ranged from flying foxes and birds all the way down to beetles!
The results will now be analysed by scientists involved in the project, and we are very interested to find out whether our Year 5 scientists have uncovered anything particularly significant.
Burragun Aboriginal Cultural Experience
Year 5 also welcomed Uncle Boomerang from Burragun Aboriginal Cultural Services for a very special hands-on cultural experience.
Uncle Boomerang introduced students to a range of Aboriginal artefacts, including message sticks, different types of boomerangs and possum-skin balls, while explaining their purposes and significance.
Students then headed outside to put some of their learning into action. They practised throwing small boomerangs, played the Aboriginal game Possum Ball, and even crushed white ochre to create paint before using it to paint different patterns on one another.
It was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn through stories, artefacts and hands-on experiences.
Photos Updated 📸
Photos from both our Burragun Aboriginal Cultural Experience and the Powerful Owl pellet dissection have now been added to our Science photo folder.
View the Year 5 Science Photos
Inside the folder, families can find separate Burragun and Powerful Owl folders containing the latest photos.
Coming Up
Year 5/6 Camp – Week 6
The big event is finally here! Year 5 students will be heading to Camp Goodenough at Bilambil from Wednesday 19 August to Friday 21 August.
Camp is a fantastic opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build independence, strengthen friendships and enjoy some new experiences together. We are very much looking forward to sharing these three days with them.
Please make sure all belongings are clearly labelled and that students follow the packing information previously provided.
Book Week – Week 7
Book Week arrives in Week 7, including our much-loved Book Week Costume Day on Thursday 27 August.
Students are encouraged to come dressed as a character from a book they enjoy. We are looking forward to seeing which characters walk through the Year 5 doors this year!
Birds of Prey Display – Week 7
Our learning about bird adaptations will become very real when Mark and Aubrey Culleton, who normally run the Birds of Prey display at O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, visit Year 5.
Students will have the opportunity to see a number of incredible birds of prey up close and ask questions that can support their own research into bird adaptations.
A particularly special visitor each year is Agatha the Powerful Owl. After spending so much time studying Powerful Owls in the classroom and through our Powerful Owl project, seeing one up close is always an unforgettable experience for the students.
Father's Day Daddy Drop-Off & Stall – Week 8
On Wednesday 2 September, TMC will fire up the BBQ for our Father's Day Daddy Drop-Off, giving dads and father figures the chance to enjoy a Father's Day breakfast when dropping their children at school.
The Father's Day Stall will also take place that day. Students would normally bring approximately $5 to purchase a gift, or a little more if they would like to buy for multiple dads or father figures.
Photo Day – Week 8
School Photo Day will be held on Thursday 3 September.
Please make sure students arrive wearing the correct uniform and looking their Year 5 best!
Student-Free Day – Week 8
A reminder that Friday 4 September is a student-free day.
Primary Movie Afternoon
Later in the term, Primary classes will enjoy a Movie Afternoon on Thursday. Each teacher will organise their own class movie and any food arrangements, so further information will be shared closer to the day.
Students will remain in their normal school uniform for the afternoon.
Primary Talent Show – Week 10
We will finish the term with the Primary Talent Show on Friday of Week 10.
It is always wonderful to see students confidently sharing their talents with the Primary School, and it promises to be a fun way to finish another very busy term.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support. There is certainly plenty happening over the coming weeks, and we are looking forward to enjoying these experiences with our Year 5 students.
The Year 5 Team