The Learning Page

Call Out

Are you looking for a calming activity this week? Would you like to complete something in front of the TV over a couple of evenings? Do you enjoy the satisfaction of sliding paper into plastic pockets? We have the volunteer task for you!

• We are looking for 6 parents to help put sheets of paper into plastic pockets. You will be given a class set (approx. 21) of empty plastic pocket folders along with all the paper (20 sheets per folder).

• All you need to do is slot each page into a plastic pocket. 

• The result will be a class set of folders, full of poems and songs for our Prep students to learn across the years. A sample folder will be provided for you.

Unfortunately little Prep fingers and plastic pockets don't tend to mix well, so we are hoping some lovely members of our community would like to help. If you fit the bill, please pop by the office on Monday or Tuesday between 8:45am-9:00am school to collect a pack. Please bring a large bag or box to carry the folders and paper home. We ask that the completed folders are returned by Thursday afternoon (22nd May). Thank you in advance!

ICAS

We are excited to inform you that we will be offering ICAS again this year. 

The subjects that we are offering and their details are:

To register your child in ICAS:

1. Read about ICAS subjects and prices here: (https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas) 
2. Go to Parent Portal here: (https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps) 
3. Enter our school’s access code: EHH209
4. Add your child
5. Proceed to select the tests you would like to purchase, then proceed to payment.
6. Jot down the ICAS date in your diary and remind your child on the morning.

Registration closes on midnight of Monday 28th July at 11:59pm. This is a cut-off date from ICAS and cannot be extended.

Please think before paying and check that the dates above work for you. Due to the staffing and logistics required to offer these tests during the school day, we will not be able to offer alternate testing times for absent students.

New to ICAS?

Take a read of some frequently asked questions below.

What is ICAS? 

ICAS stands for International Competitions and Assessments for Schools. ICAS is an online academic competition that is designed to assess students’ higher order thinking and problem-solving skills.

The assessments are created by the University of New South Wales and provide an objective ranking of each child's performance compared to their age group. The tests have some similarities to NAPLAN, however they are optional, on a user-pay system, offered for more year levels and assess higher order skills. Students receive a participation, merit, credit, distinction or high distinction.

Who Can Sit ICAS?

Any family can register their child to sit ICAS as long as they are in the relevant year level as listed above. 

During ICAS, teachers cannot assist students with their responses, so children must be capable of working independently. 

Children who have sat NAPLAN before will be familiar with a formal testing environment. Students in Year 2 and children in other year levels who are new to the Australian schooling system may find the formal testing environment daunting, so parents of these children are asked to discuss this with their child in preparation.

What Results Do You Receive?

Every student who participates will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. The results are:

• The top 1% of students in each year level across Victoria = high distinction. 
• The next 10% = distinction
• The next 25% = credit
• The next 10% = merit
• The remaining students receive a participation mark.

We will notify you when your child’s ICAS results are ready (usually within a few weeks of the test being completed).

We are proud to offer ICAS and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year.