Armstrong Creek School Newsletter

Positive Climate for Learning

Armstrong Creek School Norms

What are the ACS Norms?

As mentioned at our last whole school assembly, we are launching 8 Armstrong Creek School Norms within our community at the beginning of 2024. Our norms are a set of common behaviours and routines that will support students to engage in their learning in a positive, predictable, orderly and safe environment. Our school values of Care, Collaboration, and Commitment are the foundational principles that support each of the norms. 

ACS norms will:

  • Support the creation of a disciplined, safe and predictable environment for children to learn
  • Create more time and space in student memory for learning as select behaviours and routines will be automatised (Cognitive Load Theory)
  • Reduce stress, anxiety and uncertainty 
  • Allow us to co-exist successfully and respectfully as a large, cohesive community
  • Allow us to create a safe environment where all students feel a sense of belonging and connectedness within our school community 

 

Staff will explicitly teach students the expectations of our norms. Then continually reinforce and monitor student progress towards displaying the expectations of each norm. As always, staff will ensure appropriate adjustments are made for students requiring additional support to learn these norms. 

 

Where to from here?

For the remainder of the year, we have a focus on ACS Norm 1 which is - Line up single file and wait to enter or exit a space.

Over the last couple of weeks, each home group has been learning how to line up single file in roll order when entering or exiting learning spaces. This is to help students feel present, centred and ready to learn upon entry to learning spaces. Until the end of term, staff who will be roving around line up areas and handing out creek coins to students who are following our line up expectations.

 

Well done to all staff and students on your efforts in launching and following our first ACS norm! 

ACS Norms

#1 Line up single file and wait to enter or exit a space

#2 Move from one space or activity to another in a quiet, calm and orderly way as directed by a learning adult

#3 Respond to all greetings when addressed by a learning adult with an appropriate response

#4 Stay in the learning space 

#5 Sit still and track the speaker in silence during group work time

#6 Remain quiet and focused during independent work time

#7 Stay seated in the allocated work space

#8 Put hand up to ask a question or speak 

 

 

This semester, the students in the Wakkakirri team were tasked with creating a performance based on the concept of ‘Change’. The story chosen was how being a positive bystander can create meaningful change in a school environment. Led by their fearless leaders, Lana, Harrison, Rory and Hamish, the students created a piece titled “Make The Change”. The students spent three lunch play-times each week rehearsing and tweaking to create a final product that they are all very proud of. This high quality work was also well received by the judges as the students were lucky enough to win four group awards!

  • Storytelling Award (Construction and Clarity)
  • Storytelling Award (Theme and Concept)
  • Storytelling Award (Great Use of Drama)
  • Production Award (Set Moving and Staging)

The performance also received one individual award for the very talented Taliah!

  • Lead Cast Award (Performing and Acting)

We are all very proud of our Wakka crew and are happy to see that all their hard work is being rewarded. Well done guys!

  • Bec W (B1), Bec D (B2), Janelle and Kiam.

ACS Debating!

Sending a massive congratulations to our inaugural Armstrong Creek School debating team. Our team was made up of Khushi, Prapti, Celeste, Georgia, Leyla and Evie. The team were incredibly committed and gracious. 

 

We are pleased to announce that on Wednesday the 1stof November, our team took home their very first win!! We faced Bellaire Primary School and we thank them for hosting us. 

 

A special mention to Prapti, she is the first Armstrong Creek School student to ever be awarded best speaker! I am very proud to have coached you all and I cannot wait to work with more debaters in the coming years.