Creative, resilient and self-driven learners, who collaborate, communicate and solve problems.
Our whole school goals:
ENGAGE- Increase the number of students attending more than 80% (Applies to Preschool to Year 12)
GROW- Improve students two year gain in NAPLAN Writing in Years 5, 7 and 9 (Applies to Transition to Year 9)
World Teachers Day
This Friday is World Teachers Day. Each year we recognise the effort and commitment of all staff at Alyangula Area School in supporting each student’s learning. This year two teachers and two classroom support staff were nominated for the Teaching Excellence Awards at a school level for their contribution. Congratulations to every member of our school community and a very special mention to Sophie Moncrieff, Temira Wallis, Rachel Camp and Armanda Aholvelo who were nominated for awards.
School wide positive behavior system
The School Wide Positive Behavior System explicitly teaches and rewards positive school behaviors. We are focusing the reward system on the whole school for a TERM 4 trial. Students can earn points and can cash in at 1 point or save up to 5, 10, 25 or 50 points. Once points are redeemed, the point collection will start again at 0. Rewards may include:
Staffing
Unfortunately I had an accident on holidays, falling and breaking my humerus resulting in surgery and nerve damage. I am currently in Darwin receiving medical attention. I don’t expect to be back to Groote until week 6 of this term. Noella is taking on the role of Acting Principal in my absence and we continue to work together closely.
Due to personal reasons we are currently short-staffed in the administration team, and I thank you all for your support and patience.
Help us plan for 2020
If you haven’t already done so, please let us know of your intentions for 2020 by returning the intentions for 2020 form as soon as possible. We are currently making plans for staffing and classes, the purchasing of resources and book packs, and setting up for a smooth handover to learning for 2020. If you are planning to leave or will be on an extended holiday, please contact the office to inform us of the details.
School Council
The next General School Council meeting is Thursday 24 October at 7pm and will be held in the staff room. Everyone is welcome!
Tania Kolomitsev
Principal
“TOGETHER we, RESPECT ourselves, each other, school and community, strive for EXCELLENCE, show COURAGE in all situations and demonstrate SAFETY in all that we do.”
Helping your child avoid being cyberbullied
By Martine Oglethorpe
Cyberbullying of children and teenagers is one of the greatest fears facing parents today. The thought of their child being subjected to heinous words, threats to their physical safety, as well as their social and emotional wellbeing, is something no parent wants their child to experience.
Most of the bullying behaviours we now see are happening from behind a keyboard, playing out in social media feeds and gaming chat rooms. It is little wonder parents feel overwhelmed and out of their depth, especially when for most, online is an environment that is relatively unfamiliar.
So what can we do to help our kids avoid these types of behaviours, as well as give them the skills to deal with cyberbullying behaviours should they be exposed?
Remind them of all of the things they have control over
While it may not feel like it, we have a lot of control over what happens online. We can determine who we talk to, what we ignore, what we share, how we comment, who we follow, who we block or hide from our feeds. All of that helps us determine who is allowed to play a role in our online experiences and ultimately what behaviours we accept on our feeds
Give your child time away from the screens
Everyone needs a break from screens. We want to encourage regular times when a child doesn’t need to be tethered to their device. Building a wider community away from the screens helps a child or teen build their sense of self-worth.
Keeping devices away from the dinner table also gives them a break from being socially switched on and allows the child to connect with family without a device. Removing devices at night helps their active brains to switch off, and prepare for sleep.
Role play possible responses
Discuss with your child whether they should respond to bullying or nasty online comments. If they do, then consider how they could respond. Consider the statements or types of people they ignore, block or report.
Regularly check the privacy settings
Every app, game and social network has a settings button that enables you to determine how positive an experience your child can have on that platform and how much control they have. Visit these settings regularly to look at the options available
While nothing is guaranteed particularly when it comes to the online world, we can certainly be taking steps to help our kids. We can give them skills, encourage positive behaviours and thinking that allow them to minimise their exposure to the bullying behaviours of others.
If your child is being cyberbullied you can also access the reporting tool at esafety.gov.au
School message to parents and carers
Our school is commencing preparations to move NAPLAN testing from paper to online. These activities are part of a national program to transition all NAPLAN testing from paper to online testing by 2021. Around 60 schools from the NT, including our school, are preparing to transition to NAPLAN Online in 2020, with other schools to follow in 2021.
To ensure we will be ready in 2020, our school will participate in platform readiness testing from 21 October to 1 November 2019. Platform readiness testing is a ‘practice run’ designed to help schools gain insight into the NAPLAN Online test platform, experience testing and identify any technical issues. The platform readiness testing is not a test of the students, but will assist our school to prepare for online testing in May 2020.
Students in year levels 2, 4, 6 and 8 will participate in the platform readiness testing this month. Your child does not need to do anything to prepare. Students that participate will have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the online format and the styles of questions.
Students participating in the platform readiness testing may sit up to four online assessments; a writing test, reading test, conventions of language test and a numeracy test. Year 2 students will not participate in the writing test.
It is important to note that participation in the school platform test is not part of the NAPLAN Testing and results will not be released to the Department, schools or students.
For more information about school readiness testing or NAPLAN Online please see the attached fact sheet or visit www.nap.edu.au
Schools in the NT will continue the transition to NAPLAN Online in 2020. 32 schools successfully completed NAPLAN Online in May 2019. The move to NAPLAN Online will bring new benefits for schools, teachers and students.
What is platform readiness testing?
Platform readiness testing enables schools, teachers and students to become familiar with the NAPLAN Online test platform, experience testing, and help address potential technical issues. The platform readiness test is an opportunity for students to experience the online environment and the different question types that can be used in online testing. It is not a test of skills and knowledge.
Platform readiness testing allows schools to:
Assess their ICT capacity (bandwidth, wireless connectivity, number of devices)
What student involvement is required for platform readiness testing?
Students (currently in Years 2, 4, 6 and 8) participating in the platform readiness testing will sit four online assessments; a writing test, reading test, conventions of language test and numeracy test. Year 2 students will not participate in the writing test as they will still complete their writing test on paper next year.
Student involvement in platform testing will support schools to provide a better student experience in NAPLAN Online testing and allow the online platform to be tested.
When is platform readiness testing?
Platform readiness testing is held from 21 October 2019 to 1 November 2019
How many schools will participate in platform readiness testing?
As a part of the NT’s transition to NAPLAN Online, three high bandwidth schools from across the Territory will be participating in platform readiness testing in 2019.
What year levels will be taking the readiness test?
Students in year levels 2, 4, 6 and 8 will participate in the testing in preparation for undertaking NAPLAN Online in May 2020. NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9
Will my child have access to suitable technology required for the platform readiness test?
Schools can only participate in platform readiness testing if their equipment and infrastructure meets the minimum technical requirements needed to complete the online test. This includes having suitable hardware and reliable access to the internet. Students can complete NAPLAN Online using a variety of devices such as laptops and tablets.
Can students use their own devices in the readiness test?
The most suitable devices for performing platform readiness testing are NT Department of Education managed devices. If your child’s school has a policy of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), the Education Department will work with your school to identify if your device can be used for NAPLAN Online; not all devices will be suitable.
For BYOD there may be a need for students to have the ability to download an application, for example, for iPads a student may need their iTunes account details. Schools will inform students and parents if this is required.
Is any special software required?
Software called a ‘Locked-Down Browser’ will be required to be downloaded onto every device to be used in platform readiness testing; your school will manage this. The Locked-Down Browser software stops students from looking up answers or accessing search engines (Google, Bing etc.) during testing.
Will students need headphones?
Yes. There will be some questions with audio and therefore headphones, earphones or earbuds will be required for all students completing the platform readiness test. Students can choose to use their own headphones, earphones or earbuds, or they can be supplied by your school.
Have schools and teachers received training?
Schools participating in platform readiness testing have all received training, including Principals, NAPLAN coordinators, IT staff and teachers. The training provided schools with information about the process and requirements needed to undertake platform readiness testing and teachers and principals were able to experience the platform functions.
Will students’ personal information be safe?
Students’ and parents’ information is required for a student to participate in NAPLAN; however, security and privacy are key factors in the design of the testing system. The data required will only be used for purposes related to your child’s education and the online assessment complies with relevant national data security policies and guidelines as well as data encryption standards. The NAPLAN Online Privacy Notice can be accessed here: https://education.nt.gov.au/education/policies/privacy
For further information on NAPLAN online go to https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment and to try out the types of questions in the online tests go to https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site
Contact details:
facebook.com/themodernparent
Just a friendly reminder to all Families:
2020 Enrolments are now available for children turning 4 by the 30th of June 2020
Please contact Alyangula Area School for all enquiries or enrolment forms
Email: Alyangula.admin@ntschools.net
Phone: (08) 8987 6366
Due to the Halloween Disco, the Community Library will be closed on the 31st of October. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
A huge congratulation to all of our award recipients from last fortnight’s assembly. Well done!
Also, a special thank you to the Year 1 Class for their wonderful presentation!
Your fruit baskets were wonderfully drawn and presented.
To help support National Bandanna Day on the 25th of October, the school will be selling Bandannas in the front office from the 23rd of October for $5
