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Dear Parents/Caregivers,
PUPIL FREE DAY FIRST DAY OF TERM 3 – JULY 20th
Teachers will be working with other teachers from local partnership schools on LDAM (Learning Design, Assessment and Moderation strategies). The OSHC will be open for child care that day. Please book in with Lissy or Sally on 8381 7577.
TEACHING AND LEARNING VISITS
I have been undertaking observations in most teaching spaces as part of the performance and development program for teaching staff. It has been wonderful to observe students learning and engaging with high quality learning programs. The work I have been observing aligns closely with the work that the partnership schools are undertaking in the LDAM strategy. The biggest focus of the work is for teachers to design quality learning opportunities where working towards a high achievement standard is a priority. Learning intentions and success criteria are made clear to students to increase their abilities to be successful. While delivering these programs, problem solving and fun activities are employed to engage students in the work, feedback is sought from students and adjustments made to move students’ understanding on. Student discussions and conversations have been a focus in all learning programs as has literacy or numeracy. In all my observations to date these elements have been clearly observable. I have seen a range of interesting tasks including science activities involving changes in matter, making and testing parachutes, creating and testing coding, designing and testing earthquake resistant buildings, understanding recycling, breaking down and understanding computers, understanding the difference between needs and wants, learning how to take good photographs, understanding medicinal packaging, learning how to note take, learning about other countries, connections between community groups and animal adaptations, phonics based literacy programs, adding musical sound effects to a fairy tale and learning how to play glockenspiels and ukeleles. Don’t forget to ask your children what they have been learning and get them to share with you the interesting work they have done!
STAFFING NEWS
Our Groundsperson Tony Shepherd, is going to retire at the end of this term. We are currently working through our options to employ someone to replace Tony. On behalf of the school community, I would like to thank Tony for his important contribution to the school and wish him well in his retirement.
Helen Jefferson will be on leave as of this coming Monday and for the first 2 weeks of Term 3. Kylie Barnes-Sparks will manage the canteen in her absence on Tuesdays to Fridays, (with support from Linda Batten on Fridays). Judy Hart will manage the canteen on Mondays.
YEAR 7 TO HIGH SCHOOL
For students who are currently in Year 5 and 6, 2021 will be their last year in primary school. Please follow this link to read the latest update on this important strategy.
COVID UPDATE
Just a reminder that as of Monday June 29th parents are able to come onto the school grounds, (though not inside of classrooms without an appointment.) Volunteering can also recommence with volunteers asked to sign in (before starting), and out of the front office for each visit.
Unfortunately, and despite the fact that school sports can recommence, due to the many restrictions on the management of school sports, the soccer season for HCEPS has had to be fully cancelled for 2020.
WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
A new siren/sound system for the school is being installed during the holidays. It will include the ability to play music during breaks and before the bell goes at the end of each break. This should add a nice atmosphere to yard play and support our WH&S with a much clearer bell sound.
We are also currently seeking quotes to have air conditioning put into the pavilion. Because of the costs and department expectations associated with organisation of this job, it may take some time to achieve, but our hope is that it will be completed by summer.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Marley from 9W who recently completed his Grade 1 Piano exam achieving a B+. Well done Marley!
WRITTEN REPORTS
Teachers are currently writing reports and these will be sent home on Wednesday in Week 10.
Anne Rathjen
Principal