In C1 this week we have been learning about persuasive writing and convincing our friends why they should like our favourite fruits and lollies. Students have been experimenting with their strong word of 'because', and using planning and editing to improve their writing.
Small Schools Swimming Carnival
Last week Cattai PS hosted the Small Schools Swimming Carnival for the 11 small schools in the Hawkesbury. Well done to the Cattai Team both at the pool running the carnival but also the staff back at school supporting our other students in their learning. I'm particularly proud of the Cattai students who collectively swam so well that we placed 3rd overall. This is the first time in the last 7 years where we have placed in the top 3 schools. This is also without having any age champions. I see this as being the success of a culmination of many years of inclusive K-6 swimming carnivals and high participation numbers in our school swimming program. Well done Cattai!
The Morning Routine
On Thursday the 2/3/2023 we were fortunate enough to have Mr Justin come in and teach the students and staff all about a program called The Morning Routine. The short elevator pitch is that its a short 30 minute daily program that is all about building student's general knowledge. It is based around explicit teaching and moves at a quick, highly engaging tempo. The plan is to use the morning routine to help build students writing capacity. The theory being that the more students know about a topic the easier it is for them to write about it. Now that we have all seen the morning routine in action the staff will be discussing, over the next few weeks, how we are going to implement that across K-6 in a sustainable way. We look forward to Mr Justin visiting again for a day in Term 2 and Term 3.
The Hawkesbury Leadership Camp
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to take students in our five formal leadership roles (Captain, Vice Captain, SRC President and both our House Captains) to leadership camp. Steve and the team at Brewongle EEC did an amazing job of planning two engaging days of activities that were linked to three areas of leadership. The first being the development of leadership skills, the second being the deepening of their knowledge of Aboriginal Culture and the third being an appreciation for the environment. All three of these areas will be invaluable tools for our Cattai leaders both now in their roles at school but in the future when they go onto to be leaders in our society. It was such a rewarding two days spent with our students and I am very proud of them all.
Take care
Robert Hawkes
Principal
Cattai Public School
robert.william.hawkes@det.nsw.edu.au
