From the Principal's Desk

Week 7 Update

We are now over halfway through the term!  It was fantastic to see so many community members at our three-way conferences last week.  These meetings were a great opportunity to discuss and set goals for your children's learning.  A big thank you to our dedicated teachers for their hard work and availability throughout the week.

On Friday, Pippa and Arie represented our school at the International Women’s Day celebration at ASC.  They participated in various activities that recognised and celebrated women from around the world and in our local community.  Here are some thoughts from their experience:

'On Friday Pippa and I went to ASC for International Women's Day. We had so much fun meeting new people and learning about women and how strong they are. It was an amazing experience for the both of us. So many important people talked to us, and we both felt amazing and important.'

Armidale Show 

Congratulations to everyone who entered something in the Armidale Show over the weekend.  We are very proud of all of your achievements!  We were lucky that our Year 2 Possums walked away with third prize, and that we even have a grand champion that works in our school!!  Congratulations Miss See for your wonderful achievements!

Wellbeing

Imagine that there was a simple, inexpensive tool that could positively change the lives of all the children in a classroom, school, or community.  We are using such a tool, called the PAX Good Behaviour Game in our classroom!  The PAX Good Behaviour Game is an evidence-based intervention used by teachers as part of their daily management of the classroom.  It consists of a set of strategies that help teachers support children in: 

• Giving focused attention

• Working as part of a team 

• Staying on task 

• Limiting problematic behaviour 

• Transitioning from one task to another 

• Increasing prosocial behaviour 

The PAX Good Behaviour Game is a proven classroom-based preventive intervention and improves an array of outcomes for teachers, students, families, and communities.  When teachers use PAX in the classroom, children develop and improve self-regulation.  This has lasting effects beyond academic and behavioural success. 

We will be using these proven strategies during regular classroom instruction to improve student relationships and increase our meaningful learning time.  Below you will find a list of various PAX strategies we are using in the classroom and throughout the school. 

Read on to find out more about these strategies and how you can talk to your child about how they are going in their classroom.

Upcoming NAPLAN Assessments for Year 3 and Year 5

This week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students will begin their NAPLAN assessments.  NAPLAN evaluates the literacy and numeracy skills that students have been learning as part of their regular curriculum.  The assessments cover writing, reading, conventions of language (which includes spelling, grammar, and punctuation), and numeracy.

To prepare our students, we have been teaching them how to use the NAPLAN digital platform effectively. This includes helping them understand how to access, analyse, create, and communicate their ideas and knowledge, as well as distinguishing between using technology for learning versus for play.

If your child is participating in NAPLAN over the next two weeks, please encourage them to take their time. Remind them to read each question carefully, re-read if needed, and not to rush through the assessments. You might also want to refer to a letter that was circulated a few years ago regarding NAPLAN.

To Our Dearest Students From Year 3 and 5,

This week you will sit your first Naplan test. There is something very important for you to know.

This test does not assess all of what makes each of you exceptional and unique. 

The people who score these tests don’t know that some of you love to sing, are good at drawing or can teach others how to use a computer program. They have not seen the way that some of you can dance with grace or speak confidently to a large group. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them when they are sad. They do not know that you participate in sports, help your Mum and Dad or that you play with your little brother, sister or cousins. They do not know that you are caring, thoughtful and that every day you do your best. Because these attributes cannot be tested.

The scores you get from this test will tell you how you did on that day, but they will not tell you everything. They can’t tell you that you have improved on something that you once found difficult. They can’t tell you that you brighten up your teacher’s day. They can’t tell you how amazingly special you are.

So come to school ready to do your best for the NAPLAN test and remember there is no one way to ‘test’ all of the wonderful things that make you, YOU!

SOURCE: Naplan Letter to Kids - Dyslexia Daily Blog

Focusing on Vocabulary Development at MGPS

Words are everywhere! We think them, hear them, say them, read them, and write them down. At MGPS, we are placing a strong emphasis on vocabulary development as part of our literacy priorities for 2025.

Our staff is participating in professional learning to understand the importance of vocabulary knowledge for both writing and reading. We will work together to plan for explicit vocabulary instruction across all curriculum areas and create a culture that encourages our students to be word-conscious learners.

Why is Vocabulary Important?

Vocabulary refers to all the words in a language. Having a strong vocabulary is essential because it helps us understand what we hear and read, express our thoughts and feelings, write stories, learn in the classroom, make friends, and engage in life. A strong vocabulary is crucial for developing literacy skills.

You will continue to see information about our focus on vocabulary in our newsletters and throughout our school environment. We aim to partner with you in supporting your child's learning at home. Please keep an eye out for tips and activities you can do together to assist with vocabulary development.

Thank you for your involvement!

Vocabulary - NSW Centre for Effective Reading

Finally, at Martin's Gully we have a one-off excursion payment for all students.  This payment covers all local Armidale extra-curricular trips such as excursions, visiting performers, PSSA and sporting events.  This reduces the need for parents to be paying small amounts every time something is on.  

The one-off cost for Kindergarten to Year 2 students is $80.00, and for students in Years 3-6 it is $110.00, and remains the same as last year. 

This payment does not cover overnight excursions. 

It is now available in COMPASS for payment under the payments centre. 

Please keep checking our What's Happening for events coming up next week and for the remainder of the term. 

Wishing all families a wonderful week!

Mrs Polson