Teaching and Learning
Learning at Caulfield Primary School
Presented by our School Improvement Team Leaders
Olivia Gibson (Literacy English Learning Specialist)
Asami Onda (Numeracy Learning Specialist)
Takako Morita (Bilingual Leader)
We are excited to introduce a regular “Learning at Our School” feature in our school newsletter. Each edition, one of our curriculum leaders will share insights into teaching and learning across the school, highlighting what students are exploring in the classroom and how we support their growth.
Welcome to ‘Learning at Our School’ Week 7 edition!
This edition is about building positive maths mindsets at home and school.
In Australia, many children - and adults, can feel anxious or lacking in confidence when it comes to mathematics. At our school, we are proud that many students genuinely enjoy Numeracy lessons, with Numeracy being one of our students’ favourite subjects. We know that positive experiences, encouragement and everyday conversations about maths can make a big difference in helping children develop confidence and resilience as learners.
To support families, the Victorian Academy recently published a helpful guide for parents and carers on supporting children to overcome maths anxiety. The guide includes tips on creating a positive home environment, fostering a growth mindset and engaging in practical, everyday activities to build a child’s confidence in mathematics.
We encourage families to explore the guide and try some of the simple ideas at home to help children see themselves as capable and successful mathematicians!
Asami Onda (Numeracy Learning Specialist)
Reconciliation Week Community Event
As part of my role as Caulfield Primary School's Marrung Champion, I recently attended a local Reconciliation Week community event in Mordialloc.
Before the event began, I had the opportunity to connect with Marrung Champions from local primary and secondary schools. It was inspiring to meet educators who are all working to strengthen understanding, respect and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within their school communities.
Despite the light rain, the event commenced with a Welcome to Country, followed by a Smoking Ceremony. These experiences provided a meaningful reminder of the deep and ongoing connection that First Nations peoples have with Country.
One message from the day particularly resonated with me:
"We move with the rhythm of Country, one moment at a time."
This idea encouraged me to reflect on the importance of slowing down, listening and building a stronger connection with the world around us. In our busy lives, it can be easy to focus on what comes next. However, this message reminds us to be present, to learn from Country and to value the relationships and communities that support us.
Reconciliation is often described as a journey rather than a destination. It is built through listening, learning, understanding and taking positive action. As a school community, we continue to support this journey by helping our students develop respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.
I look forward to sharing some of the resources and learning from this event with our students and staff throughout the year.
コーフィールド小学校の Marrung Champion として、先日 Mordialloc で開催された Reconciliation Week のコミュニティイベントに参加しました。
イベントが始まる前には、この地域の小学校や中学校で Marrung Champion を務めている先生方と交流する機会がありました。それぞれの学校で、アボリジナルおよびトレス海峡諸島民の歴史や文化への理解、尊重、そしてインクルージョンを推進するために取り組んでいる先生方とつながることができ、とても刺激を受けました。
当日は小雨が降る中での開催となりましたが、Welcome to Country から始まり、その後 Smoking Ceremony が行われました。これらの経験を通して、オーストラリアの先住民の人々と Country（土地・自然・文化・コミュニティ）の深いつながりを改めて感じることができました。
その中で、特に心に残った言葉があります。
“We move with the rhythm of Country, one moment at a time.”（私たちは、一瞬一瞬を大切にしながら、Country のリズムに合わせて歩んでいく。）
この言葉を聞いて、日々の忙しさの中で忘れがちな「立ち止まって耳を傾けること」の大切さについて考えさせられました。私たちはつい次にやるべきことばかりに目を向けてしまいますが、Country から学び、周りの人々とのつながりを大切にすることも同じくらい重要です。
Reconciliation（和解）は、ゴールではなく継続的な旅だと言われています。それは、互いの話を聞き、学び、理解し、そして行動することで少しずつ前に進んでいくものです。
今年の Reconciliation Week のテーマである “Bridging Now to Next” は、過去を学ぶだけでなく、より良い未来を共に築いていくことの大切さを私たちに教えてくれています。
コーフィールド小学校でも、子どもたちがオーストラリアの先住民の人々の歴史や文化について学び、尊重と思いやりの心を育めるよう、今後も取り組みを続けていきたいと思います。
Rika Klein
Marrung Champion