Principal Report
Dear parents and carers,
A big thank you to all colleagues for their work so far this term, it has been a busy one full of exciting events, even this week!
A special thank you to our female colleagues today on International Women's Day.
Our school cannot run without you all. You make up the majority of our school staff. I know you are appreciated by all of our students, parents and carers. You are appreciated by me.
ATHLETICS DAY
It was a warm one but probably the best attended by parents and carers yet. It was great to see every child giving their very best and earning house points for their efforts. These big school events do not just happen overnight. A special thank you to Mrs Layton for organising and the people in the background she has been able to rely on. Thank you to the parents who helped score on the day. It is appreciated.
NAPLAN
The students in year 3 and 5 will be completing NAPLAN next week. Please reassure them that they do not need to worry. It is just one way we know how children are progressing. It doesn't show us how caring, funny, or friendly they are. It does not highlight their amazing skills in creativity, sport, music or general knowledge. They are prepared, they have practiced, they now need to just give it a go.
REPORTING
Reports will look like they did last year. Our aim is to continue providing more regular feedback on where children are with their learning by using developmental rubrics linked to Victorian Curriculum progression standards.
Today you will receive your child's portfolio. Inside will be a learning task for Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Inquiry showing a piece of the work your child has completed this term.
On Compass you will find a tab called 'Learning Tasks' for your child. The assessment for the four term 1 tasks will be accessible there for you to read while viewing your learning task.
This is a snapshot of what your child has focused on since the start of the year and is just one aspect in that subject.
Where should my child be?
As a guide to where your child should be at the start of the year I have listed helpful information below. I cannot stress enough, this is a guide. Students can be ahead or behind as not every child is the same.
Prep - should be starting foundation at a level D, moving to a level F by the end of Prep.
Grade 1 - should be starting grade 1 at a level F, moving to a level 1 by the end of year 1.
Grade 2 - should be starting grade 2 at a level 1, moving to a level 2 by the end of year 2.
Grade 3 - should be starting grade 3 at a level 2, moving to a level 3 by the end of year 3.
Grade 4 - should be starting grade 4 at a level 3, moving to a level 4 by the end of year 4.
Grade 5 - should be starting grade 5 at a level 4, moving to a level 5 by the end of year 5.
Grade 6 - should be starting grade 6 at a level 5, moving to a level 6 by the end of year 6.
Should I be worried if my child is not at level?
The short answer is no. The chances are we have already been in contact and organised interventions to either enable or extend your child based on what we already know. It is also only week 6 of term 1.
In prep, grade 1 and 2 we have moved from LLI (Levelled Literacy Intervention) to MiniLit with Ms. Plunkett. We are all very excited about this change and hope it will quickly help identify and close any gaps. At 34 and 56 we have MacqLit with Mrs. Smith. We also have maths club in the mornings in the library.
Rember that the task is completed on one day. Students can have an 'off day' when they complete a task. If your teacher has any concerns after they have graded the tasks they will reach out to you.
NEXT STEPS - PROGRESS REPORTS
You will receive a progress report for your child at the end of term. This will share how your child has been progressing with their day-to-day skills such as effort and behaviour.
PARENT TEACHER
In week 1 of term 2 we will have a parent information night. This will be a chance to discuss the academic and class skills, so that we can all work together to support students to improve.
Usually each term you will receive your child's portfolio mid-way through each term. A reminder will be sent home to return the portfolio before the end of the term. At the end of the year the completed portfolio will be yours to keep and cherish.
As we will be having our interviews in term 2 you can hand the portfolio back at the interviews.
Spotlight for those students ahead in grade 34 and 56 will commence in week 8 this term, after NAPLAN. The teacher's will be Mr. Smith and Ms. Barnden. Mini-spotlight is happening for grade 1 and 2 and will be supported by Ms. Paps.
Wishing you all the best,
Craig