Imagine being trapped in a super-small aeroplane bathroom or a two-hour traffic jam in a heatwave, students in Primary 2 have been. These have been just two of the examples we have used to help us ‘tighten the tension’ in stories. We are provided with a topic and then in pairs we brainstorm our ideas using the senses (touch, smell, sound, sight, hear and feel-emotions). This activity has helped us to know the importance of brainstorming, know how to use escalation and be able to use written and verbal descriptive language.
Dear families & friends,
We are now over halfway through term 1 and everything is speeding along. It has been a great start to the year and without all the disruptions of the past couple of years we are already seeing the difference in connections across classes and with families which is a great sign of things to come.
NAPLAN
This week and next week year 3 and 5 students will be participating in the NAPLAN assessments for writing, reading, conventions of language and numeracy. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is just one assessment on one day and does not measure all the other amazing things we know each student is capable of. We ensure students know that these assessments are more about giving us information about how we are supporting them in their learning and to help us identify next steps.
Inquiry
We are well and truly into our inquiry unit this term with our central idea ‘The diversity of Australia is expressed through traditions’. Students have been fascinated about learning about and sharing each other’s traditions and cultures. We are working towards an end of term celebration and sharing of traditions and cultures at our learning expo. Make sure you put the date in your diary – afternoon of Thursday 14th April.
Cricket team
We are very excited to have joined forces with some students from Paradise Primary School to create our first cricket team. Thank you to Emma, who has been able to coordinate the two schools as she teaches PE at both. We have a group of year 4/5 boys who will have their first game this weekend. Thank you to Rahgaveer’s Dad who has put his hand up to coach, and 2 parents from Paradise who have volunteered to assist on game day. We wish them luck for their first game!
Volunteers
We have been excited by the surge in interest in volunteering at our school. Thank you to those of you who came along to our first morning tea and induction session with Di, and those of you who attended Tuula’s workshop on supporting reading at school. We are very grateful to have families who are dedicated to their own child and others as well as to the school. We are looking forward to getting some programs and opportunities up and running with the support of our volunteers over the next few months. Look out for opportunities to get involved and speak with Di or Gillian if you would like to volunteer.
Congratulations to India
A big congratulations to our fabulous SSO India who is expecting her first baby next term. It is with mixed feelings that we sadly say goodbye at the end of this term and of course wish her and her husband well in their new role as parents. We know that India has a huge impact on children she works with and equally on staff with her warmth and generous spirit. She will always remain part of the Felixstow family and we hope we see her back in the future. We have a few weeks left before she leaves so make sure you drop by and wish her well.
Cheers Skye 😊
