Filter Content
External School Review
Last Monday and Tuesday we were involved in our External School Review. Over the two days the Review Panel spoke to every teacher, teacher assistants, the leadership team, a collection of students from Grade 2-6 and parent representatives. They also conducted classroom visits. The review was very positive with many commendations and affirmations, such as:
- A strong focus on quality learning
- There is a supportive and professional staff who understand the importance of building positive relationships with students
- Teachers have a deep understanding of strategies they are using to support all learners
- There is a strong and united commitment to continuous improvement across the school
- Leaders and teachers use data to inform planning and monitor student growth
- Classrooms are inviting and orderly learning spaces
- The leadership team is providing high quality support
The exit report outlined three recommendations for future focus. They were very relevant and affirmed the direction we were going next:
- Prioritise data to plan tasks that extend highly capable students
- Continue our inquiry approach to build students’ capacity to set goals, reflect and act responsibly to maximise their learning. This also involves further developing our learning assets.
- Develop a feedback culture at the staff and student level.
K-6 End of Year Performance
This year our K-6 performance will take place on Wednesday 15 December. Last year due to venue density restrictions we did not have a live audience and posted each performance online. This year we have been more innovative and worked out a plan which supports venue density plus allows parents to watch. In the first block we will do a rehearsal performance just for students and staff. Then between 11:30am-1:30pm the performance will be open to our community with no student audience. Classes will come into the gym in their performing group and then leave. The eldest child in the family will bring home two tickets for their parents or significant adult to attend. Closer to the date a running schedule will be published.
We hope you can save this date and come and celebrate the end of the 2021 school year with us.
Moana Junior Production
I interviewed Ava about her experience:
How did you get involved?
There was an information night where they walked through the roles and explained the process and auditions.
What parts did you audition for? –
I auditioned for Pua, he is a pig and Moana’s sensible side kick; Heihei, a chicken and Mona’s silly side kick; and the Ocean Chorus.
What did you need to do in the audition?
Individually we had to sing a song and do our own choregraphed dance. I am in Reflections, so I did one of the dances from my exam.
Which part did you end up getting?
The Ocean Chorus, it involves singing and dancing. I was basically on stage the whole time.
What was your favourite thing about being involved in the production?
It was a close cast and I made a lot of friends. Some people had their birthdays during the production, so we planned birthday surprises.
One of our school values is courage, how did this value relate to being in the production?
I was quite nervous to audition, I had done it before but it still takes courage to get up on stage.
Do you think you will do again?
Yes, I really like it.
Would you recommend the experience to others?
Yes, definitely if you have done stage before. If not, it is still good, people are inclusive and encouraging if you make a mistake. Plus, you also have the opportunity to make new friends.
Prep A - Making Rainy-Day Hats Science Investigation
We’ve had a lovely time in Prep A, making rainy day-hats all in the name of science! Our learning journey began by exploring a range of different objects which were made from different materials. We had to identify and explain what they were made from and why we thought those materials had been used. Lots of lengthy discussions about durability, strength and appearance encouraged us to think deeply and develop a sense of curiosity about the things around us in our everyday environment. Miss Brown decided that we could further expand our thinking by designing and making our own hat, specifically to be worn in the rain. We began by making a set of criteria which helped to steer our designs and began thinking about what we would use to make them.
Criteria for measuring success making a Rainy-Day hat!
- It needs to fit your head
- It can’t break
- Rain can’t soak through
- Hat must keep you dry
Next, we tested a range of materials, including fabric, aluminium foil, paper, and plastics using a balloon head and applying water. We had to predict, discuss and decide on which materials we would use for our hats.
Elaborate designs were drawn and attention to detail was fantastic, so beautifully thought out by such clever little minds. The creative lessons began, materials cut, shaped and fixed into some super stylish headwear, many reflecting the original designs and some taking a turn during the creating process. How exciting it was to learn that we would be testing our hats to see if they actually worked!
We had to improvise with our testing as there was no rain! Luckily Miss Brown helped us out with a gentle spray from a watering can!
It was so much fun and almost all hats passed the criteria we had set, how fantastic!
What's been happening in Prep B?
Artists of Prep
We have been learning to experiment with different line markings. All kinds of lines!
We then moved to making the different lines into formed shapes. All kinds of shapes!
We then moved on to making a picture using different shapes. We read the book For All Creatures that used wonderful lines and shapes for the animals and habitats. We then used the skills we had been learning to make our own. We did a great job learning to be artists through lines and shapes!
Fire Safety
In week 4, Firefighter Craig came to deliver some very important fire safety messages to our students. Prep B were very interested and engaged during the sessions and enjoyed some practical activities together. We discussed what to do in the case of a fire and a couple of students even got to try on an actual Firefighter's uniform. The message of 'Stop Drop Rock and Roll' was a fun song and dance to finish on and hopefully, a very important message that is remembered and passed on at home.
Water Orientation
Students experienced their first week of Water Orientation in week 5. Throughout the week, students practiced skills to help them become comfortable and competent participants in the water.
School Association – next meeting 23rd November 6:00pm in staffroom.
Agenda items:
- Levies
- Annual review and data
- External review feedback