Learning & Teaching 

LEARNING & TEACHING NEWS - Vira Pirrotta

Semester One Reports

Your child’s semester report will be available on Monday, June 30th, after 5:00 pm via the nForma Parent Portal.

Important Action Required: If you haven’t already, please:

• Download and set up the nForma app (available on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store), OR
• Access the portal through the nForma desktop version using your web browser.

If you have already installed the app, please check that you’ve updated it to version 3.0.

Setting up the app or desktop version:

1. Download the app from your device’s app store or visit the desktop version. Please see the attached PDFs for instructions. 
2. Follow the setup instructions attached below. → Important: Make sure you use the email address the school has on file to register your account. → If you recently updated your email address with the school, please allow up to 3 days for the system to reflect this change.

Notifications:

Ensure that notifications are enabled so you don’t miss any updates.

Learning Conversations 

We are looking forward to our upcoming Learning Conversations, which provide an important opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to come together to discuss progress and celebrate learning.

Years 3–6 Learning Conversations    Date: Thursday, 3rd July

Learning conversations will begin at 1:00 pm. This earlier start allows 20 minutes for each student and their parents to meet with their teacher. Please note that despite the earlier start, students will still be dismissed at the usual time of 3:30 pm.

Foundation–Year 2 Learning Conversations    Date: Thursday, 24th July 

A separate booking link will be sent to parents closer to this date.

Purpose of Learning Conversations:

• Give students a voice in the discussion by sharing their learning and progress.
• Place students at the centre of the assessment and reporting process.
• Strengthen the partnership between home and school.
• Help students see that their parents and teachers are working together to support their learning.

Additionally, Sarah Hogan and Belinda Filippone will begin their learning conversations at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3rd, to ensure that all students and parents have the opportunity to meet with them.

We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at these valuable conversations.

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/3qe6

If you have any questions or issues, please contact the school office on 93833600 or Vira via email at vpirrotta@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au. 

LITERACY NEWS - Bernadette Parnis

Writing this term

An information report is a type of factual writing that provides details about a topic. Its purpose is to inform the reader by presenting clear and well organised information. It begins with a general introduction that names the topic and gives an overview, followed by paragraphs that explore different aspects under subheadings. Students need to include facts, write in the present tense, and add labelled diagrams, maps, or charts to support their information.

A newspaper article is a form of factual recount reporting on real events or issues. It starts with a headline designed to grab attention, followed by a lead sentence that answers the key questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Newspaper articles use the past tense, engaging language, and often include quotes or reported speech.

This term, our Foundation students were introduced to information writing through learning about three different countries: India, Japan, and Germany. Through stories, videos, and class discussions, they explored key facts about each country’s culture, landmarks, and daily life. They then practised writing their own informative sentences to share facts they had learned.

Students in Years 1 to 4 continued developing their skills in writing information reports, focusing on presenting factual information clearly and organised.

In Years 1 and 2, students practised writing reports by identifying key facts and grouping related information. They focused on writing clear sentences and using structure to communicate ideas effectively. In Years 3 and 4, students researched and wrote about an Australian landmark of their choice, using paragraphs, technical vocabulary, and labelled diagrams to present their findings.

Students in Years 5 and 6 explored migration and First Nations perspectives. They examined reasons for migration to Australia, the experiences of different migrant communities, and the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As part of this learning, they wrote newspaper reports reflecting historical events and cultural viewpoints. The final pieces were thoughtfully written and well presented, showcasing their understanding and creativity.

Well done to all the students for their excellent writing this term!

Save the date! Scholastic Book Fair 

Bernadette Parnis

Literacy Leader

NUMERACY NEWS - Colleen Monaghan

Reminder  - Parent session on Addition & Subtraction in the early years 

• Tuesday 24th June 9am 
• Thursday 26th June 2:30pm 

Come along and have some fun playing maths games and learning how to support your child at home with strategies to add and subtract.  As the juniors are currently learning the subtraction strategies it will be relevant for supporting them at home.

Subtraction

Understanding Subtraction Challenges in the Junior Years

Subtraction is a fundamental mathematical skill, but many young learners encounter difficulties as they develop their understanding. Recognizing these challenges can empower parents to support their children's learning journey effectively.

Common Challenges:

1. Digit Misalignment: When performing vertical subtraction, students may misalign digits, leading to incorrect results. For example, in subtracting 46 from 29, misplacing digits can cause errors. This shows a lack of number sense and is a procedural error.
2. Regrouping Confusion: Also known as "borrowing," regrouping can be conceptually challenging. Students might struggle to understand when and how to regroup, especially in problems like 52 - 29  the common misconception is students thinking if I cant take 9 from 2, I will take 2 from 9! They don't understand they can rename 50 to 40 and make the 2 ones 12 ones.  Then subtract 9 from 12. 
3. Understanding the Minus Sign: Some children misinterpret the subtraction symbol, leading to confusion about the operation required, This is why we don't like to introduce the symbols until students have a solid understanding of the take away concept through stories and materials.
4. Limited Number Sense: A strong grasp of number relationships is crucial. Without it, students may find it hard to comprehend subtraction concepts fully. If students struggle counting backwards they may encounter difficulty subtracting as they don't know the numbers before to count back effectively. 

Supporting Your Child:

• Use Visual Aids: Employ number lines, counters, or drawings to illustrate subtraction problems. Visual representations can make abstract concepts more tangible.
• Relate to Real-Life Scenarios: Incorporate subtraction into daily activities, such as calculating change or measuring ingredients, to demonstrate its practical applications.
• Practice with Word Problems: Engage your child with subtraction word problems to enhance their problem-solving skills and contextual understanding.
• Encourage Open Discussion: Talk through problems together, allowing your child to express their thought process and reasoning. This dialogue can uncover misunderstandings and reinforce learning.

Subtraction in the junior years is more than a mechanical process - it’s about understanding quantity, place value, and number relationships. By targeting these common misconceptions and supporting thinking strategies through conversation, play, and visual tools, parents and teachers can significantly boost children’s math confidence and competence.

By acknowledging these common hurdles and actively participating in your child's mathematical development, you can foster confidence and competence in subtraction.

PE & SPORT NEWS  - Michael Jennings

SSV COBURG DISTRICT SPORT RESULTS

On Friday 20 June St Fidelis played Newlands in the SSV Coburg District Winter Sports Competitions.

Round 7 Results:

• AFL9’s Boys/Mixed

  St Fidelis 19 goals 3 behinds 117 points defeated Newlands 1 goal 1 behind 7 points 

   

• Soccer Boys/Mixed

  Newlands 2 goals defeated St Fidelis nil

   

• Soccer Girls

  Newlands 2 goals defeated St Fidelis 1 goal

   

• Netball Boys/Mixed

  St Fidelis 13 goals defeated Newlands 4 goals

   

• Netball Girls

  St Fidelis 29 goals defeated Newlands 11 goals. 

FINALS

Congratulations to our Girls Netball Team and our Boys/Mixed AFL 9s Team on being SSV Coburg District Division Champions. On Friday they will play the larger schools SSV Coburg District Division winner to qualify for SSV Inner North/Merri-Bek Finals to be held in Term 3.

Friday 27 June 2025

Boys/Mixed AFL 9s

St Fidelis v St Olivers at Hallam Reserve, Pascoe Vale

Girls Netball

St Fidelis v Pascoe Vale at Pascoe Vale PS, Cnr Gaffney St and Cumberland Rd

Good luck to our teams!!