St Mary's Bulletin

We play fairly for the enjoyment of all and encourage each other to do our best. 

As part of our ongoing internal reviews and feedback from the community via last year’s community survey we are introducing Assessment Portfolios from Pre-primary to Year Six.  The portfolios will go home on the last day of term, Friday 8 April and will contain a snapshot of the work that your child has completed in Literacy and Numeracy as well as a sample from other key learning areas.  The work in the Assessment Portfolio should complement the information shared to you by your child’s class teacher at parent teacher interviews and other feedback you have received in the term about your child.  Please take the time to go through the portfolio with your child and then provide feedback on the reflection sheet provided.  The portfolio and reflection sheet are to be returned to your child’s teacher by the end of Week One, Term Two (Friday, 29 April).

The staff partook in a very engaging (virtual) professional learning opportunity last Friday on the teaching of Mathematics.  The presenter shared with us research from the McCrindle Institute in relation to mathematical learning in a 21st century classroom – with classroom discussion having the highest effect size.  All the teachers are also trying out a new teaching strategy for teaching mental maths called ‘number talks’ which uses discussion as a means of learning problem solving strategies.  It is not enough to solve a mathematics problem mentally – students need to be able to articulate what strategies they use and why.

Thank you to the School Advisory Council and P&F Executive who have all provided input into a letter that has been sent on behalf of the school community to Mia Davies MLA and Darren West MLC in regard to the reduced swimming lesson opportunities that the Year Three to Six students received this year.   I am hopeful of a positive response and outcome for our students.

Congratulations to our Year Six class who presented a wonderful assembly about the meaning of Lent.  Hopefully you have all had a chance to watch it on the St Mary's School Facebook page.  Thank you to Mrs Riethmuller and Mrs O'Malley for preparing the students so well.

A reminder to email Mrs O’Malley at zoe.omalley@cewa.edu.au if you would like to join us for the Holy Week Liturgy on Friday morning.  Each class will be responsible for presenting a part of the Holy Week story.

God Bless and have a lovely weekend with your families.

Ms Adriana Coniglio

Principal