As we move beyond the halfway point of the term, teachers and students are continuously reflecting, adjusting, and resetting to support the teaching and learning happening in the classroom. Personal and individualised learning goals assist students in maintaining focus and ensuring achievement and success.

To move this learning forward, students need a range of personal capabilities, such as resilience and stamina, a positive mindset, a zest for learning, and a readiness to listen and take on feedback. Qualities like these enable students to engage successfully in collaborative, whole-class, and individual learning opportunities that our teachers provide. However, the learning and living of these attributes extend far beyond the school environment and play important roles in the home and extracurricular activities students are involved in.

So, what are some of the ways teachers at Marion Primary School support students in developing these personal capabilities?

Teachers;

plan for productive struggle – move students out of the learning pit.
provide stretch and challenge to motivate and engage with problem-solving strategies.
tailor tasks to developmental levels.
explicitly teach the attributes through our school values of Courage, Harmony, and Integrity and the Berry Street and Play is the Way pedagogies.

How our students, your children engage in the events that school, home, and life present is governed by all of us in partnership. Through the teaching of personal attributes, children are better able to navigate through the disappointment, challenges, unpredictability, triumph, and success that life presents.

I asked a student from each class to explain to me how knowing the school values supports their learning. Let’s see their insights on how these impact on their thinking and doing.

Room 1

Mackenzie

Harmony is being nice and kind. I use harmony when I'm learning with Miss Menner.

Room 3

Brooklyn K - Harmony is when we work together. I use harmony when I helps others, and I can show them what they need to do. We work together to do the learning. We talk nicely, are kind to each other and I show others the right thing to do.

Room 4

Ella - I use courage to keep trying with my work. When I present work, I am brave. I use a loud voice and I smile. People see that I am happy.

Room 6

Chi - Using integrity helps me to do the right thing and complete my work to a high standard. Using integrity helps me to be more positive and be a good role model.

Room 7

Seanna - I use harmony when I share my thinking, listen to people and help others when they think something is tricky.

Room 10

Suhana - I try my best if my learning is hard and I don't give up. Sometimes I need courage when I'm working with someone, so I can help them and let them say an idea.

Room 11

Ryker - I use courage if there is a hard task. I always try and give it a go and I don't give up. I ask a peer or the teacher for help. When working in groups I help to explain the rules and give ideas.

Governing Council subcommittee volunteers

We are putting out a final call to our parent community for an expression of interest for parent volunteers who wish to join our Governing Council subcommittees.

This is a great way to become involved in our school and gain further information / have a say about the way we do things at our school and support the decision-making in these areas which report to the Governing Council.

The subcommittees we offer are:

Sports
Grounds
Fundraising
OSHC
Finance

Expressions of interest are required to be lodged with the Front Office by Friday 22nd March, 2024 (Week 8).

School Interviews

We are quickly approaching School Interviews which will be taking place in Weeks 10 and 11 of Term 1. Very soon we will be sharing information and links to book in for interviews through the usual online School Bookings portal. More information will be coming about this soon.

Farewell Teagan

It is with great sadness that we farewell Teagan Lipsys, one of our hardworking and dedicated SSOs. Teagan has worked collaboratively alongside colleagues and connected with many of our students, supporting their learning journeys. She has brought consistency, guidance and calmness to the learning spaces in our school. Thank you,

Teagan has kindly shared a few sentiments with us all:

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to Marion Primary School. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at this wonderful school and would like to thank everyone in the community for making my experience here so positive and rewarding.

To the amazing staff- your hard work does not go unrecognised. Thank you for all of the support and good times!

To the incredible students- you are all so kind and capable. Keep trying your very best!

I have loved my time with you all and will miss you!

Teagan

We wish Teagan all the very best for the future as she begins a new exciting venture.

NAPLAN

As the week comes to a close, I wish to thank all the staff who have supported our students through the NAPLAN testing process. The conduct, enthusiasm and persistence of our students through this process has been admirable. We wish them well for the last remaining assessment on Monday.

Have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards,

Georgina Sprigg

Deputy Principal

Harmony Week