The Learning Zone
BIG WRITE! COLD WRITE!
The Big Write method is designed to bring the fun back into writing, to make the children want to write and to be continuously challenged throughout the writing journey. Through games, activities, writing tasks, conversations and discussions, students will learn not only where their abilities lie in a fun and engaging way, but also the steps they need to take, in order to continue to improve.
Big Write is a methodology for raising the standards in writing across all ages and ability levels throughout Australasia. It seeks to address the reasons why there are falling standards in writing. Based on the premise that ‘if they can’t say it, they can’t write it’, we scaffold the learning to allow children to become articulate thinkers and speakers, who will then become articulate writers. Underpinning the progress the students will achieve is the 'back to basics' approach of teaching the building blocks of writing. The Big Write method is being rolled out throughout the Diocese.
More information will follow all about ‘home talk’ so stay tuned.We are very excited with this new methodology and we appreciate that parents will come on board with the ‘home talk’. Information sessions for parents will be advertised down the track.
Year 4 Science
Students in Year Four have been studying Food and Fibre in Science looking at the way products are progressed from the farm to markets. Mr Scott Davies from the Carrol Cotton Gin came to the class last Wednesday to talk about the ginning process and what happens to the product as it moves through the supply chain. Children were fascinated by the product and the process. We thank Mr Davies and look forward to continuing the unit with great enthusiasm. Students will now be able to produce a flowchart for the process otherwise known as 'How To Grow A Pair Of Jeans'.
Kinder Writing
Kinder did a writing assessment yesterday. They have learnt so much in such a short time!
ICAS ASSESSMENTS (only for years 3 - 6)
St Xavier's is once again giving students in years 3-6 the opportunity to participate in the world-renowned ICAS Assessments. This is totally voluntary.
ICAS is developed by UNSW Global, a wholly owned subsidiary of the University of New South Wales, with over 35 years’ experience in educational assessments.
ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.
Every student will receive a certificate and an online result report.
The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessment. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
Learn more about ICAS here: unsw.global/ICAS
You can now pay for ICAS online! To confirm your child’s participation, visit the link below and make a direct payment to UNSW Global. Online payment closes on 31st July 2019.
Parents can access this service by typing unsw.global/parentpay into a browser.
Parents will require a unique access code to purchase assessments that were registered by your school.
St Xavier's unique access code is: a65b337021