LONG STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the week 6 newsletter.

I have been delivered some outstanding achievement data in the area of reading improvement. Across the board (in all year levels) a high percentage of students have made growth and progress from their last recorded reading test result. Many students far exceeded their last result which is testament to the hard work being performed by staff during the Read, Write, Inc learning sessions. The engagement levels for many students has also been a very pleasing outcome of this program. This learning is also moving into other curriculum areas as the students are able to enter the curriculum at  a higher level. Keep up the great work.

Contractors have currently left the site as stage 1 and 2 of the COLA project has been completed. The new drainage system, drain covers, sub surface plumbing, new concrete paths, safety hand rails and disability ramp are now complete. I have a meeting in week 6 which will guide the installation of the actual COLA. I envisage this project being completed and delivered early in term 4. No heavy lifting will occur during school days.

Another significant faciltiies project will commence very soon. The exterior fence will be completely torn down and re installed with black mesh. The tender for this project ended last Friday. Once a contractor has been awarded the project, work will begin soon thereafter. Once again thanks to Mychelle Franke, Governing Council member, for her work in this project.

We are currently identifying what events we can run safely for the remainder of the year due to COVID restrictions. Our 2 big events still programmed are the Christmas Concert and Awards Night. I will inform you of future decisions based on safe practice.

Bryan Rotherham

Principal

We are continuing to see amazing results during Read, Write, Inc.  Our latest testing round has shown that most of our students are moving along rapidly and this is being displayed during other curriculum areas also.

Nicole Utting and myself have been involved in a Literacy R-3 program through Orbis this year.  We have worked with lecturers from the University of Melbourne on a project focussed on intervention.  Mrs Utting  focussing her project on writing and I am using our RWI program as the basis of my project.  We will be presenting the findings of our research to the Orbis team on November 19.

Our Year One students will be undertaking the yearly Phonics Screen Test this month.  Every Year One student in South Australia will be doing this and the data is used to drive funding and support for schools.

Jodie Turpin

Big Ideas in Number – Partitioning

For the past few newsletters, I have talked about the “Big Ideas in Number”, the large concepts that support our students’ learning in Numeracy.  The fourth of these “Big Ideas” is Partitioning.

Partitioning refers to the concept of fractions.  It is the process of dividing an object, or collection of objects into equal parts.

Research has shown that 90% of household texts require knowledge of fractions, decimals, precent, ratio and proportion.  Cooking is one clear example of how a solid understanding of partitioning is essential to follow recipes successfully.

In Junior Primary, it is essential to build the concept of equal shares.  We do this through dividing shapes and collections of objects into halves, quarters and beyond.  As students progress, they continue to use a range of equipment to explore and develop their understanding of partitioning. 

At home we can help our children develop their skills in partitioning in many ways.  We can divide collections of objects, or identify fractions of shapes or objects.  We can involve our children in cooking in the kitchen, measuring out ingredients, talking about halves, quarters of the ingredients that we are using. 

Mrs Kleinrahm

Attendance Matters

Did you know that if a student misses as little as eight days in a school term, by the end of primary school they will have missed over a year of school.

Why going to school is important. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education. Students learn new things at school every day. Attending and participating in school will help your child develop important skills and knowledge to help them learn social and emotional skills such as good communication, resilience and team work.

Children who attend school every day and complete year 12 have better health, better job opportunities and higher income across their lives.

There is no safe number of days for missing school. Each day a student misses puts them behind.

Tips to help improve your child’s attendance

· Talk to your child about school and how important it is. You can ask them how they feel about school, what they liked and if there are any problems.

· Reward good behaviour and not bad behaviour. For example, if your child refuses to go to school, do not let them have access to their phones or the internet.

· Set a good example. Show them how you keep to your own commitments.

· Encourage your child to take on hobbies that your child enjoys such as sports and clubs. This will help them develop positive relationships outside of the classroom.

· Have a set time to do homework and go to bed.

· Leave all technology out of their bedroom.

· Pack their school bag the night before with everything they need.

· Have a set time for breakfast.

· Plan to meet up with a friend so they can travel to school together.

Attendance Matters! Every Student, Every Day

Becc O’Neil

Student Wellbeing Leader

Please note that there will be no assemblies held until further notice.

Dates and events could be subject to change.