Teaching, Learning and Wellbeing

The Cognitive Burden of Writing 

Writing is a highly complex skill for children to learn and master. Unlike speaking, writing doesn’t come naturally and needs to be explicitly taught and practised over time. When children write, they have to bring together many different skills all at once — forming letters, spelling words, choosing vocabulary, coming up with ideas, and organising their thoughts into clear sentences and paragraphs. Because so many skills are used at the same time, writing can put a heavy cognitive load on children. This means their brains are working very hard to manage several tasks at once, which can make writing feel tiring or frustrating. 

For example, a child who is still learning to form letters and spell might spend so much effort just getting words onto the page that they have little brainpower left to think about what they actually want to say. However, as these basic skills become more automatic through practice, writing becomes easier, and children can focus more on expressing their ideas and enjoying the process.

At RGLPS, we are supporting students’ writing development by teaching skills in small, manageable steps and using familiar topics. Through our explicit teaching approach, children can focus on one aspect of writing at a time while drawing on content they already know, which helps to reduce that cognitive load. Ultimately, our goal is to help every child become a confident, fluent writer who can clearly express their ideas and enjoy the writing process.

ICAS Certificate Presentation (English and Mathematics)

Students who achieved an ICAS higher place certificate (High Distinction, Distinction, Credit or Merit) in English or Mathematics will be presented with their certificates at the next school assembly on Monday 17th November (weather permitting). Students awarded a participation certificate will be presented with these by their classroom teachers. 

ICAS Certificate Results (Digitech, Science and Writing)

Congratulations to the the following RGLPS students who achieved a higher place certificate in Digitech, Science or Writing this year. Certificate presentations were made at school assembly on Monday 10th November. 

ICAS Digital Technologies 

Merit Certificate 

Oscar T (Year 4)

Amelia J (Year 5)

Credit Certificate  

Rowan T (Year 2)

Ish D (Year 2)

Sithmi Y (Year 3)

Tom T (Year 5) 

Distinction Certificate (top 10% of students in Australia)

Ayaansh T (Year 3) 

Lucas H (Year 3) 

Sathya H (Year 3) 

High Distinction Certificate (top 1% of students in Australia)

Minh P (Year 5)

ICAS Science 

Merit Certificate 

Kabir M (Year 2) 

Sithmi Y (Year 3) 

Steve G (Year 5)

Maeve N (Year 6) 

Credit Certificate 

Ish D (Year 2)

Rowan T (Year 2)

Yarra F (Year 2) 

Ayaansh T (Year 3)

Eve P (Year 3) 

Leonardo C.T (Year 3) 

Matilda E (Year 3)

Distinction Certificate (top 10% students in Australia)

Lillian H (Year 3)

Lucas H (Year 3) 

Sathya H (Year 3)

Zahara S (Year 3)

Jude M (Year 4)

Liam O (Year 5)

Vansh R (Year 5)

Minh P (Year 6)

Rayaan M (Year 6)

High Distinction Certificate (top 1% students in Australia)

Oscar T (Year 4) 

ICAS Writing

Credit Certificate  

Ervin K (Year 3) 

Leonardo C.T (Year 3)

Lillian H (Year 3)

Matilda E (Year 3)

Zahara S (Year 3)

Hazel S.B (Year 4)

Lyla P (Year 5)

Isla M (Year 6)

Jasper L (Year 6)

Jasper W (Year 6)

Distinction Certificate (top 10% of students in Australia )

Sithmi Y (Year 3)

Alice O (Year 4) 

Ava G (Year 4)

Heidi C (Year 4) 

Minh P (Year 5)

Rayaan M (Year 5)

Detailed ICAS Results 

A reminder that parents and carers can receive more detailed information about their child's ICAS results by accessing www.icasassessments.com  Login to the Results Portal and select Student Results. You will need your individual TAP ID and PIN to login. This is located in the footer on the rear of each ICAS certificate.

Have a wonderful week!

Kerron Worsdell 

Literacy Learning Specialist