Teaching and Learning
Foundation 2024
Our Foundation students have been settling in well and learning all about primary school life. From their classroom set up, to their first school assembly, it has been wonderful to see the smiles as well as new friendships forming.
What is the 'Learning Pit'?
The Learning Pit supports students to understand that sometimes we need to 'struggle' with a concept before we can master it. The Learning Pit is a positive place to be because it means that a student has fully considered the concept, and now has more questions then when they started. Learners can get out of the pit by finding answers to their questions.
Some of the benefits of using the Learning Pit include:
- Students create a culture that combines intellectual risk-taking with psychological safety
- Students challenge themselves
- Students build social and emotional learning skills
- Students build upon their reasoning skills
- Students place concepts at the heart of learning design
Students have been working with the Learning Pit over the past few weeks in their weekly specialist Mathematics class.
Below are some of our Level 1 student's drawings of the Learning Pit.
NAPLAN 2024 - Level 3 and Level 5
The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is fast approaching in Week 7 and 8 of Term 1. All students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN.
NAPLAN tests give you information on how your child is progressing against national standards. This information can be used to identify areas in which your child may benefit from additional assistance. NAPLAN does not replace, but rather complements assessments run by your child's classroom teacher throughout the year. NAPLAN results do not measure overall school quality.
Adjustments can be provided for students with a disability to enable them to access the tests on an equivalent basis to students without a disability. Some students who have been attending school in Australia for less than a year before the tests, may also be eligible for exemption. Your child's teacher will discuss this with you if your child is eligible.
Wherever possible, schools will organise for individual students who are absent at the time of testing to complete missed tests at another time during the test window.
Wednesday 13th March
9.30-11.00am Level 3 Writing (Paper) 40 mins
12.00-1.30pm Level 5 Writing (Online) 42 mins
Thursday 14th March
9.30-11.00 am Level 5 Reading (Online) 50 mins
12.00-1.30pm Level 3 Reading (Online) 45 mins
Friday 15th March
9.30-11.00 am Level 3 Conventions of Language (Online) 45 mins
12.00-1.30pm Level 5 Conventions of Language (Online) 45 mins
Monday 18th March
9.30-11.00 am Level 3 Numeracy (Online) 45 mins
12.00-1.30pm Level 5 Numeracy (Online) 50 mins
Tuesday 19th March until Monday 25th March 2024
Catch-up tests for any students that were absent on previous days
Preparation
All students in Level 3 and 5 are currently attending a STEM class weekly with Mr Ryan Evans to familiarise themselves with the NAPLAN test platform the use of laptops or Chromebooks to complete the tests.
NAPLAN tests are constructed to give students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they have learned over time through the school curriculum, and NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day.
ACARA does not recommend the use of commercial products, such as booklets and practise tests, to help your child prepare for NAPLAN tests. None of the commercial products currently on the market have been endorsed by ACARA. The use of services by coaching providers is not recommended.
Results
Schools generally receive their students’ NAPLAN reports from mid-August to mid-September. The school will notify you when the reports are being sent to your home.
More Information
To find out more about NAPLAN Online, visit https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan .
Assessment at Rangeview in Term 1
NAPLAN as discussed above is a once a year assessment, however teachers assess student achievement in a variety of ways and this is an ongoing process throughout the school year. One assessment used by teachers throughout the school year is 'Essential Assessment'.
Essential Assessment is an online assessment program that allows teachers to pre-assess each student within each strand or sub-strand of the Victorian Curriculum. Essential Assessment assists teachers to analyse student results and plan teaching by informing the achievement standards that each student has understood and misunderstood. As the year progresses, Essential Assessment is then used to monitor learning and inform achievement.
At Rangeview all students in Level 1-6 take part in Essential Assessment in Term 1. Foundation students take part from Term 2.
For more information go to: https://www.essentialassessment.com.au/
Late Arrivals - Signing in your Child
A reminder that students arriving late to school, must be accompanied to the school office by a parent and signed in at the Compass kiosk by the parent.
Students are not permitted to sign themselves in when arriving late. If a student arrives late that is not accompanied, parents will receive an unexplained absence note via the Compass Parent Portal.
Uniform and Hats
It is important that all students are in school uniform and are adhering to our school uniform policy.
The wearing of a school uniform creates a sense of collective and individual pride in our school, as well as giving our students a sense of belonging. Equality is fostered by a uniform policy common to all students. At Rangeview Primary school, our school uniform policy supports students in the areas of equality, health and safety.
A reminder of some of the guidelines in the policy:
- Correct school uniform should be worn during school hours, travelling to and from school and on excursions and sports days.
- Jewellery must be kept to a minimum (stud / sleeper earrings and non-smart watches are acceptable).
- Extreme non-natural hair colours (e.g. pink, green, purple blue etc.) are not permitted.
- Cosmetics must not be worn at school. Clear nail polish only.
- Hats worn during the Sunsmart months must be the school uniform hat.
- Non school uniform items such as coats and scarves are not to be worn
If your child cannot be sent to school in uniform, please ensure you provide written communication, either via email or a written note.
We have had a large number of students requesting to 'borrow' hats on a daily basis. Hats are a requirement to play outside, particularly during the high UV months. If your child does not have a hat, they are available to purchase from the school office for $18.
Kate McLeod
Assistant Principal
Teaching and Learning
