DID YOU KNOW?

Our vision and values form the foundation of our educational ethos. They are our collective guide to every aspect of our school community, from daily interactions in the classroom to shaping long-term strategic goals.

Our vision sets the course for where we aspire to go as a learning community, ensuring that every student receives the best possible education. Meanwhile, our values define the principles that unite us in fostering a supportive, inclusive environment. Together, they empower our students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

OUR VISION STATEMENT (MISSION)

“At Carnegie Primary School, we foster a learning environment where every child is empowered to succeed through explicit teaching and shared routines. We ensure that students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive academically and socially. We believe in setting high expectations for all, supporting each child’s unique journey and preparing them to face challenges with confidence and resilience.”

OUR SCHOOL VALUES

Be Respectful

Valuing ourselves, others and property by being safe, supportive and inclusive.

Be Resilient

We are brave enough to make mistakes and learn and grow from challenges.

Be Curious

We explore, seek, ask and want to find out more!

Show Integrity

We do the right thing even when no one is watching.

PART 1: TEACHING AND LEARNING UPDATE

Engaging Students through Explicit Instruction: Engagement Norms at CPS!

At CPS, we continue to learn about evidence-based ways to improve teaching and learning.

We’re truly excited to be implementing Explicit Instruction, a structured, clear,

and direct way of teaching that supports all learners—especially when new or complex content is introduced.

Explicit Instruction is grounded in Cognitive Load Theory, which tells us that students learn best when their working memory isn't overloaded. By breaking down concepts into manageable steps, modelling clearly, and providing guided practice, we help students focus on the most important information, build confidence, and experience success.

Willingham’s simple memory model explains how we learn and remember things. Information first goes into our working memory, where we actively think about it. If we don’t focus on it, it’s quickly forgotten. But if we think about it deeply—like making connections or practising—it can move into long-term memory, where it’s stored for later. The more we practise retrieving it, the easier it becomes to remember.

To support this, we’ve introduced Engagement Norms that are now part of our daily classroom

routines. These simple strategies ensure that every child is actively involved in the learning

process—not just watching or listening, but doing, thinking, and responding. To date these include:

Mini Whiteboards

These small boards are used by every student during lessons. When the teacher asks a

question, all students write their answers and hold them up at the same time. This means:

Every student is engaged and thinking.
Teachers get instant feedback on who is understanding the concept.
Students get a chance to participate without fear of being wrong in front of the class.

Turn and Talk

This strategy gives students time to process their thinking and share it with a partner before

speaking to the whole class. It builds:

Confidence in expressing ideas aloud.
Active listening and respectful communication skills.
Deeper understanding through peer discussion.

Choral Response

In this technique, students answer a teacher’s question aloud together, as a group. While it might sound noisy, it’s a powerful tool that:

Reinforces key vocabulary and concepts.
Builds fluency and automatic recall.
Encourages full class participation in a low-pressure way.

These simple yet powerful routines are helping to create more focused, inclusive, and effective

classrooms.

We will keep you updated. Part 2 will be shared in our next newsletter - stay tuned.

THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS

As we celebrated National Volunteers Week last week, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the amazing volunteers who give their time, energy, and care to Carnegie Primary School. Whether you’re helping in the classroom, supporting events, offering time and grunt at a working bee, delivering wanted items or lending a hand wherever it’s needed – your contributions make a real difference.

Our school is a better place because of your generosity. You help create a warm, connected community where students thrive.

Thank you for all that you do – we truly appreciate you!

CURRICULUM DAY - PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS

This year we are implementing a revised format for parent-teacher interviews. On Monday 21st July 2025, the first day of Term 3, we will be hosting both face-to-face and online parent-teacher interviews – your preference. This will be a whole school ‘reporting day’ – student free. (PLEASE SAVE THE DATE).

A booking system via Compass will be implemented. This dedicated School Reporting Day will provide an invaluable opportunity for you to engage directly with teachers, discuss your child's progress, and collaborate on their educational goals.

Furthermore, we will hold an Open Afternoon dedicated to our Learning Sharing, scheduled for Friday 25th July.

This event will offer a firsthand glimpse into the learning experiences and achievements of our students. We encourage parents/carers to attend and celebrate the successes of our school community.

DISTRICT CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

Forty nine students represented our school in the district cross country held at Caulfield Park on Friday 16th May.

From all accounts the day was a BIG success.

Five of our fastest students will progress to Division.

Congratulations to Maddie, Annabel, Lulu, Oscar, Molly and Ashton.

Here’s hoping for a win!

ENVIROSTAR LEADERS

Environment representatives received their Envirostar badges at assembly. What a fabulous group of students who will represent our school in all matters pertaining to the environment including sustainability strategies. They were certainly very proud last Friday.

With thanks,

Karen Roberts

Principal

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of

the lands on which this is being read and pay my respects to elders past present and emerging. I wish to acknowledge our First Nations people and pay respects to them. I note further that these lands were never ceded and are, and always will be, Aboriginal Lands.

Be Respectful, Be Resilient, Be Curious,

Show Integrity

Envirostar News