What is heat? How is it produced? The children watch as fire, friction and electricity produce heat. They see how a balloon suspended over a flame will burst but not if it is first filled with a little water. We talk about atoms and molecules, conductors and insulators. mjp.

A mild, sunny and almost wind-still day last week on the oval for the 2015 Athletics Carnival.
Click on the photo below to see more shots of Year 4 in the competition.

Many thanks to all the children who brought in chocolate Easter treats for the up-and-coming Mini Fair. Good luck to all in the raffle!

Congratulations to the class for trialling IXL Maths -- after the first week, around 5,000 problems were attempted. A special mention goes to Oliver, Sol, Sam, Annabel and Luca for the amount of time spent working with the program.

Good wishes, Emily, for a safe overseas trip this week and a great summer break. Do you recognise your artwork here? It always brightens things up.

Also, thank you to those people who have wished me well in my new teaching post next year. If you're curious about what I'm up to in 2015, keep an eye on this website. -mjp

What do people around you think is important in their lives? What's important to you in your life? These are questions we'll be asking this term. 

For example, how much do people value having POWER over others, being WEALTHY or FAMOUS? What about TEAMWORK, GENEROSITY or FAIRNESS? Sometimes what people say they value seems to be different from how they really act. 

We might call some men and women heroes or leaders because they show outstanding values (even when life might be very difficult for them). If you're a parent who could share with the class a life story of a person you consider to be a hero then I'd like to hear from you. 

What made them a hero? What outstanding value did they demonstrate? Perhaps it was COURAGE or INTELLIGENCE or FAITH. Contact me either in person or through this website so that we can arrange a half hour talk. -mjp.

There's a rumour that gold is being discovered around here. Gold nuggets, in fact. 
What do they weigh? What are they worth?
 If you know more, be careful who you tell. 

At the end of Term 2, Mr Roland successfully finished his 3rd Year Practicum with 5P. We wish him well in his studies and career. Go to Photos to see us in class with Mr Roland.

Some people arrive in Australia seeking a better life for themselves and their families. Others leave Australia to seek their fortunes elsewhere. The movement of people in and out of Australia is one way in which we are connected with the rest of the world. My thanks to the parents who are sharing their stories of migration with us.

In class, we have looked at the paintings of Jeffrey Smart. He was an Australian who decided to spend most of his life in Italy. He admired an artist of the Renaissance called Piero della Francesca. 

On the weekend, The Sydney Morning Herald celebrated the work of Jeffrey Smart who died almost a year ago. You can see some of his paintings at http://www.smhshop.com.au/art/smart. 

Do you like his paintings? Is there one you like better than all the others?

Our theme this term is "Global Connections":
How is Australia connected with the rest of the world?

If you are a mum or dad who was born, or who has lived, in another country, I would like to invite you to visit our class and share with us some of your life experience:

• What was it like living in one country then another? What led to the move? 
• In what ways is Australia similar or different from the other country in which you have lived?
• How connected are you to Australia and to that other country? 
• Are those countries in which you have lived connected to each other in some ways? How?

The children would very much like to hear from you. If you can spare 30-60 minutes of your time, please contact me either through this website or in person. mjp.

Happy Easter to the Year 5 families!

My thanks to the thoughtful 5P mum who looked after the Forestville 4 team of soccer players on Gala Day. On this rainy Thursday, she brought a comfortable picnic rug, umbrellas to keep us dry and Easter Buns. The children played well and enjoyed their day. Here's a photo of the team between games (e-mail me if you need the password).

My family and I would like to thank the kind children and parents who expressed their concern and support after my wife went to hospital. She has recovered well from her operation and sends her warm wishes to you. - MJP.

5P would like to thank Father Stan for visiting Year 5 students on Friday morning.

Father spoke about the early Church. We learned about the great sweep of the Roman Empire. It seemed astonishing that the Church spread far and wide under quite hostile conditions and when travel was so much harder than it is today.

Some of the early disciples of Jesus were prepared to die for their beliefs. Stories of incredible courage in the face of death helped bring others to the faith.  

Our young reporters are beginning to file pieces to the blog, Your Posts.

The latest piece is from Alique who writes about our wonderful guest speaker, Professor Tracey Rogers.

There is a low-res video of her talk here.

Everyone should now have a new, working login to Maths Online.

Please make sure you complete the latest activities on addition using your new login. MJP.

We all seem to be settling in well to Year 5. 

It's only one week back, but we've started thinking about number patterns, how to draw a penguin, write persuasively and what it might mean to be a modern disciple. And that's only part of the story!

Today, science kicked off with an experiment on temperature. Could we make a thermometer out of a bottle, a straw, clay and coloured water?

Thanks to the students who wrote for our new blog, Your Posts.

It's the day before school starts. The classroom is ready. Desks and chairs are in position. Books and stationery supplies beckon from shelves. Oh my! A large penguin has waddled in through the door. Check it out at: http://360.io/9qG6Rp

More windows on our Advent Calendar (at left) are opening this week, Classroom walls will soon be bare and desk drawers emptied.

It's time to say "Thank you!" to the students and families of Year 2 for their work and support in 2013. 

It's also time to extend good wishes to the class of 2014 -- I look forward to welcoming you to 5P!