Teaching and Learning

Hello families,

Welcome back to another school year of teaching and learning at Ballan Primary School. A warm welcome to our new families who have started at the school this year as well.

In my role as Assistant Principal (acting), my portfolio has a focus on the teaching and learning programs in Literacy and Mathematics and Curriculum. I work closely with our teachers, students and educational support staff to ensure all of our students are supported with their academic learning. This year we've made some tweaks and changes to our teaching and learning programs with the introduction of the Victorian Curriculum 2.0. We've also started a new spelling program with 2/3-6 grades called Spelling Mastery which has started super well. I'll share more information about this program in the next newsletter. Our Sounds-Write program continues in the P-2 grades.

Start to the year update

Over the first two weeks of Term 1, students have settled into their new classrooms and teachers and specialists have had a focus on teaching new classroom rituals and expectations and our school values as part of our 'Learning to Learn' program. We have also hit the ground running with our Literacy blocks and Maths units throughout all year levels. Literacy and Numeracy assessments have commenced using our Essential Assessment platform so teachers can begin to plan teaching and learning sequences and experiences while taking into account the needs of the students.

XUNO student progress reports

At Ballan Primary School, classroom teachers provide five student progress reports per semester providing a clear and concise picture of student's achievement and progress at a point in time. During Term 1, families will receive student progress reports focusing on the learning areas of 'settling in, maths and writing'. These reports are available via XUNO and you will be notified when they're ready to read.

Our first student progress report with a focus on 'settling in' will be made available to families to read via XUNO next Thursday afternoon (February 20th).  If you have any questions about the reporting comments, please get in touch with your child's classroom teacher.

Upcoming dates for the calendar

• P/T 3 Way interviews on Friday 28th February
• NAPLAN for Grades 3 and 5 from Wednesday 12th March to Monday 24th March.
• Our annual Maths Night in the P-2 building on Wednesday 19th March

More information to follow about these upcoming events.

Book Club - Issue 1

Scholastic Book Club is a service offered to students, parents and teachers. Brochures advertising a variety of books and computer software are sent home with each student, approximately twice a term.

Issue 1 of Scholastic Book Club was handed out last week to all students and orders are due by Sunday 16th February, 2025.

You can also view the Issue 1 Book Club catalogue via this link: https://scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-parents/issue-preview/

All loop orders from Issue 1 of Book Club earns a $5 promotional credit to spend on Issue 2 later in Term 1.

Purchase of the books is not compulsory and there is no obligation. If you do wish to purchase any goods simply log into the Book Club site www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and follow the prompts. All Book Club orders must be ordered and paid for via LOOP. Do not send order forms and cash to school. When the order arrives at school, books are sent home with students.

The School earns “Bonus Points” for each order which can be used to purchase new resources for classroom libraries and the school library.

Click here for the Scholastic Book Club Parent Log in page or to register for new users.

How to order 

Click on ORDER in the top menu or REGISTER first to save your details for the first time.  Select Ballan PS and your child’s class.  Add your child’s name and last initial. Enter the item number from the brochure.

You can order for multiple children at once. All orders are linked directly to the school.  

Our school receives bonus points, which are redeemed for a variety of books for the children therefore we thank you for your continued support.

If parents wish to collect orders personally from the office, please let the school know.

Please go to www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and find Ballan Primary School to order or alternatively you can download the LOOP app via the App Store or Google Play.

Happy learning!

Mr Baker