Learning and Teaching
ICAS
In Term 3 ICAS Assessments will take place.
ICAS assessments aim to celebrate academic excellence by identifying learners who demonstrate exceptional proficiency in English and Mathematics. It provides learners with an opportunity to further challenge themselves, showcase their skills, and receive recognition for their achievements.
ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) assessments by UNSW Global, evaluate learners skills from Year 2 to Year 12. These online tests assess reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary (English) and number skills, algebra, geometry (Mathematics).
At St Mary's learners are selected based on high performing PAT Assessment data from Terms 1 and 2. Learners from each year group (Years 2-6) are invited to participate. ICAS assessments provide insights into students' academic strengths and areas for improvement, aiming to foster continuous learning and development in key subjects.
Parents will be notified in week 2 of Term 3 of their child’s participation and are asked to complete a permission slip for the assessment to take place.
The dates for ICAS Assessments are:
- 12th Aug: English
- 29th Aug: Mathematics
Data Champion - New Award at St Mary’s
We are excited to introduce the Data Champion Award, a new initiative at St Mary's Echuca, to recognise students who have shown exceptional academic growth over two terms. One student from each year group will be presented with an award for most growth in Reading and in Mathematics.
The Data Champion Award encourages continuous learning and excellence, celebrating students' significant strides in their academic journey. Our first Data Champion award will be presented at the Week 3 Assembly.
The concept of the Most Growth Award has been inspired by the insights from Data Champions Professional Development by Dr. Selena Fisk. This initiative emphasises data informed approaches to recognising and fostering the greatest personal growth.
Summary of SME TV - Episode #1 | ||
Key Events & Reminders: |
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Ramp It Up Focus: | Back to school behaviours
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House Point Leader: | A fresh start for Term 3! Points will be available next week! | |
Learning Conversations
Term 3 Learning Conversations will be taking place on Tuesday August 6th. These provide an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s classroom teacher to discuss their progress, strengths and areas for growth. Bookings will be open on Compass Monday afternoon (July 22nd). We ask that you log onto Compass and locate the ‘Conferences’ icon to schedule a time. Conversations are in 15 minute time slots, allowing for 12 minutes of conversation with a 3 minute change over.
If you are yet to access your child’s Semester One Report, we recommend you read this prior to attending the Learning Conversation. This can be accessed via Compass, clicking on your child’s profile, then the ‘Reports’ tab.
All Learning Conversations will be in person in the Brigidine Centre. We ask that you enter the Brigidine Centre doors near the Rock Garden. If your Learning Conversation is after school hours, please arrange a meeting place with your child/ren. We kindly ask that your child either joins the after school hours conversation with you, alternatively, they are asked to sit on the allocated seats in the ‘waiting space’ inside the Brigidine Centre.
School remains open for the day. Learners will work in Cross Year Level groups with their House Team.
We look forward to meeting with you and working together to support your child’s educational journey.