Teaching and Learning

P/T Interviews - 3 way conferences

Hello families,

At our 3 way conferences, P-2 parents were given our Middle of Year (MOY) mCLASS Home Connect Reports. Here at Ballan Primary School, our teachers love using the DIBELS literacy assessments, so that we can clearly identify areas for development. We know that these can be tricky to understand, so I have included a ‘how to navigate’ and encourage parents to chat with your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.

How to Navigate my child’s mCLASS Home Connect report

On this front page, you will find your child's name and Year level. My ‘child's’ name is Lee Aaron - Year 1.

I can read on to understand why Lee is being assessed and his results in each measure. As Lee’s parent, I can see that he needs support in Letter Names (Letter Sounds) and Phonemic Awareness, and that he has reached his Beginning of Year goal in Decoding and Accurate and Fluent Reading.

Should I worry about Lee being below in Letter Names (Letter Sounds) and Phonemic Awareness?

The answer is no. I can trust that Lee’s teachers now know that these are areas he may need extra support in. Some students may have many areas below or well below. Teachers will be sure to communicate with families if they have any concerns. These results will  help teachers teach! If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. But how can I support Lee?

On the back page I can find information about how I can help Lee at home. I can see where he needs support and a few activities that I could try at home too.

I can also see a link to Home Connect that will give me more ideas about how I can help at home. I can access the link, click on Lee’s goal (Accurate and Fluent Reading) and choose from a selection of activities.

NAPLAN Results

Last week our Year 3 and 5 students received their 2024 NAPLAN results. We are very proud of our Year 3 and 5 students and congratulate them on their efforts. NAPLAN is only a small window into the work we do with our students each and every day, however we use this data as an opportunity to celebrate our strengths and identify areas for improvement as a school.

Please keep your reports somewhere safe, particularly if you are in Year 5, as you will require a copy when applying for secondary schools next year.

Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge

The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge (PRC) is now well and truly open with 40 days left to finish. The purpose of this year's challenge is to explore, learn and enjoy - promoting a love for reading. At Ballan PS, we are ready for the challenge!

Students and teachers have made an excellent start with reading books in class to work towards meeting and exceeding the challenge targets. At this stage, we have 63% of the school who have met or exceeded the challenge targets.

If you’d like to participate in the challenge at home and log books via the website, please request your child’s login from your classroom teacher.

Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.

All children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

Maths challenge of the week

What's the pattern? Can you find the missing number?

1  →  4

2  →  16

3  →  64

4  →  ?

If you can solve the pattern, take a photo and please share with Mr Baker. 

Book Club

Issue 5 of Book Club is now out and orders are due by Sunday 4th August, 2024. All orders from Issue 5 of Book Club earns a $5 promotional credit to spend on Issue 6 later in the term. If you ordered from the last issue, use your $5 code with Issue 5.

Scholastic Book Club is a service offered to students, parents and teachers. Brochures advertising a variety of books and computer software are sent home with each student, approximately twice a term.

Purchase of the books is not compulsory and there is no obligation. If you do wish to purchase any goods simply log into the Book Club site www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and follow the prompts. All Book Club orders must be ordered and paid for via LOOP. Do not send order forms and cash to school. When the order arrives at school, books are sent home with students.

The School earns “Bonus Points” for each order which can be used to purchase new resources for classroom libraries and the school library.

Click here for the Scholastic Book Club Parent Log in page or to register for new users.

How to order 

Click on ORDER in the top menu or REGISTER first to save your details for the first time.  Select Ballan PS and your child’s class.  Add your child’s name and last initial. Enter the item number from the brochure.

You can order for multiple children at once. All orders are linked directly to the school.  

Our school receives bonus points, which are redeemed for a variety of books for the children therefore we thank you for your continued support.

If parents wish to collect orders personally from the office, please let the school know.

Please go to www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP and find Ballan Primary School to order or alternatively you can download the LOOP app via the App Store or Google Play.

Happy learning!

Mr Baker