St Brendan's Primary School

Learning and Teaching

Literacy

Welcome back to the 2024 school year! We have an exciting year ahead for our students and teachers as we embody our theme for learning this year, ' Learning and Teaching the St Brendan’s Way’. As Sue mentioned in the previous newsletter, we will embed approaches from ‘The Science of Learning’ across all curriculum areas, as we seek to use research-based, evidence-based practices to ensure learning entitlement for all students at St Brendan’s.

 

In Literacy in particular, ‘The Science of Reading’ refers to a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing.  Through thousands of studies, the Science of Reading has culminated evidence to inform how proficient reading and writing develop, why some have difficulty, and how we can most effectively assess and teach, to improve outcomes for all our students.

 

A big change at St Brendan’s this year will be how the daily two-hour Literacy block will be structured. Across the school, from our youngest learners in Foundation to Grade 5/6 , students will receive explicit and systematic teaching of all important components of literacy, known as Structured Literacy. All students, each day will participate in:

  • Spelling (either phonics, MSL or Spelling Mastery)
  • Daily Review 
  • Phonemic Awareness
  • Fluency Reading
  • Explicit Writing
  • Comprehension through rich texts.
  • Handwriting (2 x per week)

Each fortnight, I will explain each pillar of our Structured Literacy session in further detail.

Home Reading

Take Home Reader Letter.pdf

 

There are many wonderful benefits to reading at home. Children who read often and widely get better at it. After all, practice makes perfect in almost everything humans do, and reading is no different. Nightly reading strengthens decoding skills, improves vocabulary, increases an understanding of syntax and grammar, exposes students to new knowledge, ideas or opinions, and helps spark to the imagination!

  • In the Junior Years (Prep – Year 2), reading (to parent, with parent or parent modelling reading) should not exceed 10 - 15 minutes each evening. Please see attached the Junior home reading letter which was sent out last week.
  • In the Middle Years (Years 3 – 4), reading of a ‘Good Fit’ book should be for a minimum of 15 minutes each evening.
  • In the Senior Years (Years 5 – 6), reading of a ‘Good Fit’ book should be for a minimum of 20 minutes each evening.

If you need any support regarding literacy or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out and I will do my best to guide you in the right direction. 

I look forward to chatting with you soon!

 

Erica Hudson

Literacy Leader

 

Speech

St Brendan’s Primary School has engaged with Speech Pathology for Schools (SPS) to provide holistic school-based speech pathology support. Amy is an engaging and dynamic speech pathologist who enjoys working alongside school-aged students to find their learning potential in the areas of language and literacy. She works collaboratively with students and staff to assess and target individual needs in the areas of Oral Language and Phonological Awareness. Amy’s sessions run on Thursdays and Fridays and consist of either whole-class or small-group learning.  An LSO may be present during the session to further support students with follow-up activities during class time. Amy will begin by predominantly supporting our Year 3-6 students and will move across the school as necessary.

Please visit www.speech.edu.au/brand   Use code:  SPS185  for more information.

Green Team News

 

It was very exciting to meet the 2024 Green Team last Friday. The students were so enthusiastic to come to Brendan’s Garden and learn about their important role in planting and nurturing the garden beds.

 

After a short explanation about the vegetables and fruit we currently have growing in Brendan’s Garden and also the purpose of the worm farm and compost bin, the students were eager to put on their gloves and get to work. All the students planted a Cos lettuce, picked some delicious cherry tomatoes and hand watered the plants. The team couldn’t wait to take the tomatoes back to their classroom to show their teachers and classmates.

 

I was impressed by the team's amazing teamwork and willingness to help each other when completing the various tasks. With such an eager group of students, I think Brendan’s Garden will flourish in 2024.

 

Make sure to look at the photos of the team in action!

YOGA

The Foundation students enjoyed their first yoga session last Monday. We talked about how we can use our breath to make our bodies feel calm, made lots of fun shapes with our bodies such as dog, cat and tree pose then finished with a lovely rest on the mat.