From Our School Leaders

Reporting To Parents 

Staff have been conducting their mid-year testing and assessments over the past month, firming up evidence, tracking and monitoring student progression, so they can give their mid-year curriculum achievement marks to students in the semester reports. It’s a big job, and even though the reports have one page of curriculum achievement levels, they take lots of testing and comparing to develop and get right, as we want them to reflect your child’s progress. 

Students do not continuously learn throughout the year, even though we wish they would. Children often make progress in their learning in large steps, then for a period of time they plateau while the new learning and information makes its way into their long-term memory, as it is revised and rehearsed. Staff at SPS have been researching and reading about long-term and short-term memory, and how this effects learning. 

Our reports will be sent home to you via COMPASS on Friday 4th July. You will be able to access them after school on that day. If you need assistance, please come and see us early next term. 

Term 3 Parent-Teacher Interviews 

We will be holding Term 3 Parent-Teacher Interviews in Week 5 of next term - Wednesday 20th August, 2.00 – 6.00pm.  If you would like to discuss the mid-year report for your child sooner, please contact your child’s teacher and make a time to do so. 

The New Reading Approach 

This year, the Department of Education (DE) has released a new Reading approach for Foundation to Year 2. The "Big 6" of Reading refers to six key components that are essential for developing strong literacy skills. These components are - oral language, phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. 

• Oral language – knowing and using spoken words to express knowledge, ideas and emotions
• Phonemic awareness – the knowledge of sounds (phonemes)
• Phonics – knowing the sound (phoneme) and letter (grapheme) relationships
• Fluency – reading accurately and at an appropriate rate with expression
• Vocabulary – understanding words in isolation and in context
• Comprehension – making meaning from text, which includes developing knowledge of grammar.

At Scoresby PS we have already adopted some of these practices – phonics, comprehension and phonemic awareness. From next term, we are moving to include more explicit 'building fluency' lessons, and teaching vocabulary format, via new lesson plans from DE. 

New Lesson Plans Released From DE

To accommodate these changes in the recently released English Curriculum 2.0, and to encourage schools to adopt this new stance on literacy, the Department of Education (DE) have released lesson plans to accompany the new approach to Reading from Foundation – Year 10. 

In Term 3, we will be trialling the new lesson plans that have been developed by DE in all levels of the school. Our morning schedule will be a literacy block. On different days Reading or Writing will be the main focus, which differs from what we usually do, allotting even time to both subjects. 

Our Morning Rigour session (Rainbow Maths and Write2Read) will remain at 9.00- 9.40am. The rest of the morning will be following the lesson plans from the Department. The focus for the senior school in these lessons will be building fluency and expanding vocabulary. Fluency when reading is one of the keys to deeper comprehension. They will also be doing deep dives into text studies as a class. 

Wellbeing Week

Wellbeing Weeks have been at Scoresby PS for a few years now - usually held at the end of term - and are a great way to release the stresses and pressures at the end of term. Term 2 has been a week longer than usual, with lots packed into the 11 weeks. 

Activities for Wellbeing Week are always based on connection, mindfulness, resilience and gratitude; taking care of your mind and body and attitude.  This special week is always well received by our students and staff, and occasionally we get lovely feedback from our parent community as well. 

The actives that have been planned for this Wellbeing Week are varied; they include: kids' yoga, gratitude journalling, calm colouring, kindness cards, playground games (run by our school leaders), apple slinkies, chalk drawing, biscuit decorating, and free dress “Express Yourself” on Friday. 

Thanks to our Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, Nic Rheumer, for organising these extra activities for our students.

Retirement News

Our highly-regarded Mrs Caz Sheaf has decided to put down the chalk, and head into retirement at the end of Term 2. 

Caz has been teaching at Scoresby PS for many years, and has worked with hundreds of children in the middle and senior school. She is a dedicated teacher who makes fantastic connections with students, staff and parents, and she provides clear expectations for all kids, so they get the best in their learning. 

Caz loves to monitor progress and track data, and she keeps SPS assessment practices up-to-date for staff. It has been a pleasure working with Caz these past 7 years at SPS. She is a very much treasured staff member and will be missed. 

Caz is off to travel, spend time with her husband and, of course, her grandson Alfie. We wish you all the best Caz, and welcome you back to emergency teach in the near future at Scoresby PS, whenever you are free! 

Reminder: Smoking And Vaping Ban

A reminder that smoking and vaping (including e-cigarettes, even if nicotine-free or prescribed) is strictly prohibited on school grounds and within 4 metres of any entrance. This applies at all times and to everyone – including staff, parents, visitors and community groups.

The ban also covers all school activities and events, both on and off-site. Fines may apply for non-compliance. Thank you for helping us keep our school environment safe and healthy for everyone.

SUE HARTLEY AND NICOLE RHEUMER

Scoresby Primary School Leaders