Head of Learning & Teaching- 19 September
Lauries Primary Curriculum Update
Purposeful, Real-Life Learning in Year 5 and 6
This term, both Year 5 and Year 6 students have been immersed in purposeful, real-life learning experiences that connected the curriculum to the world around them. Through inquiry, fieldwork, and creative expression, students engaged deeply with meaningful topics and developed skills that extend beyond the classroom.
Year 5 Students Explore Environmental Change at Runcorn
In Week 4, our Year 5 students brought their Science and HASS learning to life during an immersive field trip to the Runcorn Playing Fields. This hands-on experience strengthened their inquiry skills, fostered real-world connections, and deepened their understanding of how natural processes and human actions shape the environment.
Guided by a history talk from Ms Nat Kilburn, Head of Humanities, students explored key environmental concepts such as weathering, erosion, revegetation, and human modifications to landscapes. Back in the classroom, they applied their fieldwork observations to a rich assessment task focused on the Bulimba Creek corridor.
Students created multimodal presentations—including posters, slideshows, reports, and recorded speeches—that addressed the inquiry question:
How have natural processes and human actions shaped the Bulimba Creek corridor at the Runcorn Sporting Fields, and how can successful flood management strategies be used to improve vulnerable areas?
Their work followed a structured inquiry approach: explaining natural processes, describing human impact, evaluating changes, and proposing realistic strategies to reduce future flood risks.
To celebrate their learning, Mr Lowrie visited the Year 5 assembly this week to hear students’ ideas and strategies for improving flood resilience. A big thank you to the Year 5 teaching team for designing such a rich and relevant learning experience that connects classroom learning to real-world impact.
Year 6 Students Tackle Global Tensions Through English Learning
This term, our Year 6 students have been investigating global tensions and injustices—particularly those that contribute to intolerance within communities. Through a blend of research and personal storytelling, they explored the real-world impact of these issues and developed their ability to express informed opinions using the Slam Dunk structure from Writer’s Toolbox.
Each student crafted an opinion paragraph aimed at an upper primary audience, focusing on a specific issue they felt passionate about. To deepen their message, they created multimodal artifacts—creative pieces designed to raise awareness and connect emotionally with their audience.
These powerful works were proudly showcased at the Year 6 Expo on Wednesday, where students shared their learning and advocacy with their cohort. Their writing and artifacts sparked meaningful conversations and demonstrated the power of student voice.
A heartfelt thank you to the Year 6 teaching team for designing such an engaging and purposeful unit that empowered students to think critically and communicate with impact.
Why Book Club Matters 📚
Reading isn’t just a solitary activity—it’s social, reflective, and deeply enriching. Book clubs give young people a space to connect, share ideas, and build confidence through conversation. They help foster empathy, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of literature.
Our new primary book club, Lauries Literature Legends, is an initiative led by Mr Tracey and Ms Templeton to help younger students bond over their favourite books in a fun, inclusive environment. Each fortnight, students get to hang out in the cosy reading corner of the library, enjoy some snacks, and dive into great stories together—because let’s be honest, all boys are open to a little bribery when books are involved!
Whether they’re discussing characters, exploring themes, or simply enjoying stories side by side, Lauries Literature Legends turns reading into a shared adventure and helps build a vibrant reading culture across our College.
Jon Tracey
Head of Teaching and Learning (Primary)