Teaching and Learning 

Welcome and what a fantastic start it has been to the 2025 school year.

Over the course of the first two weeks, our Start Up program has provided students with various opportunities to build relationships within their new class, and across their cohort. 

We are striving to create a calm and orderly learning environment, where all students feel connected to their peers and teachers. We are focusing on developing a deeper knowledge of our school values of Kindness, Personal Excellence and Tenacity, as well as developing high expectations of ourselves and one another- both in the classroom during learning time, as well as out in the yard. 

There is a real air of positivity around the school and this week it was my delight to talk with students about how they are feeling about being back, and what they are enjoying most at school. 

The Library

This week the students have had their first library session. Every class has had our wonderful new library technician, Mrs. Janna Wright, give them a special lesson about the library, so that all students can confidently and responsibly use the library to its full potential. Please ensure that your child has a library bag and encourage them to regularly borrow books (to both keep in the classroom as well as take home) so that they can maximise their reading enjoyment! 

Homework 

As part of a comprehensive and balanced curriculum within Victorian schools, homework is seen as one way of supporting and fostering life-long learning and connecting families with the learning of their children. Homework is a shared responsibility between the school, teachers, students and their parents/carers. The Department of Education and Training (DET), requires that all government schools have a documented approach to homework that takes into account the personal and developmental needs of students. Karoo PS has recently updated its Homework Policy to ensure that it aligns with Department guidelines. 

This policy can be found on our school website. See link below. Please take the time to read through the policy, you will notice it looks a little different for students, depending on what year level they are in so please stay tuned to your child's teacher’s Compass newsfeed for specific details. 

For students in Years 1-6, homework will commence during week 4. 

Homework-Policy-2024.pdf

Parent Helpers

On Friday 14th March from 9:15-am – 10:15am we will be offering our first PEPS (Parent Education Partnership Series) parent helpers' session, run by our English Learning Specialists. This will specifically focus on our reading pedagogy (approach to teaching reading), strategies parents can use to support student’s literacy development as well as responsibilities regarding confidentiality. Any parent wanting to volunteer their time and become a parent helper will need to attend the session first. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight our school’s desire to expand the number of parent helpers in the middle and senior years. Please know that parent helpers are a huge asset to all students, not just students in the early years. Teachers from Foundation to Year 6 are eager to work with you to find a mutually suitable time to have your support. Please register through Eventbrite - 'Book Tickets' button below.

PEPS Literacy Morning (Friday 14th March 9:15am) 

I look forward to seeing you all around our wonderful school,

Warm regards,

Mrs. Peta Phillips

Acting Assistant Principal