Learning and Teaching
Learning Space 3 Seniors
Our Sacred Space: Our Lenten Journey : Stay tuned!
This term Learning Space 3 continues to focus on Scripture and Jesus, specifically through the experience of prayer. Students expressed new insights about how prayer allows us to share, praise and celebrate with God, but most importantly how prayer helps and influences our decision-making process. They drew on resources to explain the Catholic Tradition of signs, symbols and rituals within the Church’s Liturgical Calendar.
Students have identified how Jesus calls us to be in a personal relationship with God and know that Jesus is our Light House. The practice of prayer in our Learning Space enables our students to come to know and understand Jesus, as they deepen their love for him. It allows students to become disciples of God, with Jesus as our beacon of light, guiding them to become active 21st century global citizens.
Our students continue to explore their Lenten journey and recognise that Lent is a time of preparation and renewal. They have focussed on the three pillars of lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Our students are encouraged to celebrate their faith, contemplate life, grow their relationship with Christ and deepen their awareness of God’s loving presence through prayer each day.
Mathematics
In Maths one of our clinics has been exploring the different written strategies we can use to add and subtract numbers. We first looked at the jump strategy, where we need to use our knowledge of place value to help us solve the equation. We have enjoyed working with partners collaboratively, talking through our math thinking, as well as working independently on our own to practice these skills.
In another clinic the students have been exploring the topic of length and perimeter. Students are given open ended tasks to allow them to problem solve real-world problems in a collaborative environment. Students used different measuring tools to measure the length but then also challenged each other's estimates through open discussions with their peers. Open-ended tasks allow students to think mathematically, use their knowledge to express their reasoning and helps improve their confidence to express their ideas and opinions in both group and independent tasks.
Last week, students discussed and investigated the special properties of numbers. They were able to identify, describe and pose questions on Prime, composite and Triangular numbers.
This week students have been engaged with hands-on activities and have demonstrated their understanding of 12 and 24 hour elapsed time on analogue and digital clocks using different strategies such as a number line, T-chart, puzzles, interactive games and focusing on their problem-solving skills.
Andrea, Sarah, Melody, Tanya
LS3 Senior Teachers
READING AT SFS
This week’s focus is on how you at home can support your child in developing their comprehension skills.
Comprehension is one of the key skills a student needs to develop to become a
Good reader. While many children can decode effectively, that is use their knowledge
of sound and letter combinations to read words, it is their ability to understand what they
read (comprehend the text) that is key to their learning as they move through their primary
and secondary school education and into adult hood. At SFS, we are passionate not only about
developing student’s decoding skills but also their understanding of what they read and that is
why we explicitly teach key comprehension skills.
Below, you will find some resources that you can utilise at home with your children to discuss the texts
they read and in doing so support their comprehension.
Joanna Forbes
Learning and Teaching Leader
For Foundation students and Grade 1’s – 5 simple questions to ask your child.
-Children in Years 2-6 can think about some of these questions before, during or after reading and focus on one of these skills.
Going a little deeper – Years 4-6
MATHEMATICS – IMPROVING OUR MENTAL STRATEGIES AT SFS!
With the recent release of the Victorian Curriculum Mathematics V2, Mental Strategies continue toplay an important role in students becoming proficient in their ability to apply the skills and contenttaught in Mathematics. Over the last two years staff have worked on embedding a whole schoolapproach to the effective teaching of mental and written strategies in Mathematics with 10 minutesof each day spent focusing on one key strategy over a two-week period. The strategy is taught,practiced and student progress assessed before students move on to the next strategy.Students are introduced to each strategy following a developmental sequence from F-Year 6 in theareas of Addition & Subtraction, Multiplication & Division and Number Word Sequence. The teachingand practice of each strategy is short and sharp and utilises basic everyday maths equipment, suchas dice, cards, counters and other concrete materials/templates which support the development ofstudent’s mental fluency and accuracy.I thank teachers for their willingness to always embrace new initiatives with enthusiasm, as theystrive to do adopt and implement what is current best practice in learning and teaching for ourstudents at SFS. As a community we are so fortunate in this regard to have such wonderful teacherson staff.Every two weeks I will be including in the newsletter the mental strategy that students are focusingon at school and some ways you, as parents and carers, can support students in their learning athome. Five -10 minutes practising these strategies at home is all that is needed. Many can bepracticed in the car, around the dinner table, before bed or between siblings.Joanna ForbesLearning & Teaching LeaderWhat is a strategy?- A strategy is the thought process that a student uses to solve a problem.What is the difference between a written and mental strategy?-Written strategy:Computation that involves notating the steps being undertaken to solve the task.(Wright, R., & Ellemor, C., (2018)-Mental strategy:Mental computation is the way of working out the exact answer to a calculation in the head, withoutresorting to using materials or writing.(McIntosh, A., De Nardi, E., Swan, P. (2007)
SPORTS NEWS
Grade 5/6's Interschool Sport
Our Grade 5/6's participated in their Inter-school Sport Training, getting ready for our first match next week against Hampton Park Primary School. The weather has been quite warm however our Grade 5/6's trained with enthusiasm and showed great sportsmanship towards each other. Thank you to all the teachers that coach their respective sport, also to Courtney Thursfield, Zoe's mum who helps out with Netball. Next week St Francis will play against Hampton Park Primary School, however, soccer will be played at St Francis.
Lulli
PE Teacher
email: lbarbakos@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
SENIOR SPORTS
GRADE 6 BIKE EDUCATION
Next week our Grade 6's will continue their 2nd level of Bike Education: Pathways. They will continue their Pathways lessons out in our community. Students will need to bring their bikes and helmets to school Friday morning and leave in front of their Learning Space in the morning. If parents are dropping off bicycles, students are able to leave them in the bike shed for the duration of the program. If it is raining heavily, please leave bicycles at home.
For the remainder of the sessions students will be using the skills they have learnt, riding on pathways in the community. I would like to say a big thank you to the three parents that are assisting us with the Grade 6 Bike Ed Program. Your assistance is greatly appreciated!
GR 3/4 RUGBY CLINICS
What a great time the Grade 3/4 students had participating in the rugby clinics. We would like to say a big thank you to Ali the NRL Game Development Officer for providing us with this opportunity and also the coaches who ran the clinics. A flyer has also been included in the Community section of the newsletter for any students interested in joining Rugby.
JUNIOR SPORTS
SOFTBALL CLINICS
Through the Sporting Schools Program, which is funded by the Australian Government, we have been fortunate enough to receive funding. We will have a softball coach organised by DS Sports come to SFS to conduct Softball Clinics with our Junior students.
This is a great way for students to continue to improve their interpersonal skills, goal setting, self-management and resilience skills, as well as learning and developing new skills in a sport they may never have experienced before. Some students may discover that softball is a sport they would like to take up.
The students will participate in 4, 55 minute sessions. The clinics will take place in Week 6, 7, 8 and 9. Below are the days the Softball Clinics will be held for each Learning Space so that you ensure your child is wearing their sports uniform for the day and brings their drink bottle and hat. Reminders will also be placed on Morning Reminders as well as in the Newsletter.
Week 6
Monday 4th March LS1 & LS3 TB
Friday 5th March LS2 & LS3 RI
Week 7
Tuesday 12th March LS2 & LS3 RI
Friday 15th March LS1 & LS3 TB
Week 8
Monday 18th March LS1 & LS3 TB
Friday 22nd March LS2 & LS3 RI
Week 9
Monday 25th March LS2 & LS3 RI
Wednesday 27th March LS1 & LS3 TB
WHOLE SCHOOL SPORTING EVENTS
SFS TWILIGHT SPORTS
Next Thursday is the day for our Twilight Sports! Students will be meeting in their Houses on Monday to organise and practise their cheers for the evening. I wonder who will win the House Spirit Award this year! Please see the separate article for more detailed information. Parents please remember to give permission via Operoo if your child is attending.
AFL COME AND PLAY PROGRAM AT SFS
We have an exciting opportunity for your children. AFL Victoria are working closely with our local Junior Football Club and they are running a Come and Play Program at our school that focuses on providing a safe and inclusive introduction to AFL while learning about the basic skills of the game.
To provide this opportunity, there will be a FREE AFL Clinic run at St Francis De Sales on Wednesday March 27th from 3.30 – 4.30pm. Parent participation is encouraged and you will need to bring and remain with your child at the clinic, which will be run on our school oval.
All year levels are welcome to attend and to provide your child with this opportunity you will need to scan the QR Code on the flyer below and register your child.
Please note, your child does not need any special clothes and on the day they will be able to wear their sports uniform to school so that they can comfortably participate in the program. They will also need to bring their water bottle and hat.
This information has also been provided via Operoo.
I look forward to seeing many students and parents joining us for the Come and Play Program!
SFS CROSS COUNTRY
On the last day of term, which will be Thursday March 28th, the whole school will be involved in our traditional Cross Country which will be held at school. We will be looking for the winning House as well as the winners for each level in the Juniors and age group in the Seniors. We will also be identifying the Senior students who will qualify to attend District Cross Country in Term 2.
Please save the date so you can come and support your child. We will also be asking for parent assistance on the day. Remember to assist you must have a current Working with Children Check registered with the school office.
Giuliana
Sports Coordinator
gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
SFS TWILIGHT SPORTS
Thursday March 7th, 2023
5.30 pm – 8.00 pm
Our annual Twilight Sports will be held on Thursday March 7th. Please make sure you arrive no later than 5.15pm as we begin races promptly at 5.30 starting with the Juniors, specifically Grade 2 students. If you are late, your child might miss their race.
We are very grateful to Parents and Friends who will provide free sausages/vegetarian options to the students. Please ensure your form has been filled in and returned to school for your child to receive their sausage. They will also be selling drinks, icy poles and sausages on the evening near the new Hall so please bring your change.
Home Group Teachers have informed new students, including Foundation students of the House they belong to. If you have any queries about Houses please email your Home Group Teacher.
Students will be required to wear their sports uniform on the night as they will be running, but we hope that they will wear a t-shirt that is in their house colour and wear other accessories such as hats, scarves… in their house colour:
Teresa House - Blue
MacKillop House – Yellow
Bosco House – Red
Patrick House – Green
Students will be sitting with their houses under their house marques, supervised by staff. Those that come 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th will be awarded points for their House and we will also be giving out points to the House who supports their competitors the most. A presentation will be held at the end, to announce the House winners for the house sports award and the house spirit award. The Grade 6 Gift will also be presented to the fastest Grade 6.
We hope to have parent and toddler races as well! And this year parents you can receive points for your child’s House also!!
Parents will be asked to sit on the school side of the track across from where students are sitting in their Houses.
Please ensure you have given permission via Operoo for your child to attend and ensure their medical profile is up to date.
If any parents are able to assist putting up the marquees at 2.30pm Thursday afternoon, please come and join us on the oval. We will also need assistance at the end of the evening packing up the marquees. Your assistance will be greatly appreciate
Giuliana
Sports Co-ordinator
email: gfaiola@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au