Educational Achievement

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing

NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy) will be taking place for students in year 3 and year 5 very soon. Students will participate in:

Writing test on Wednesday 11th March
Reading test on Thursday 12th March
Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) test on Monday 16th March
Numeracy test on Tuesday 17th March
Make up sessions for students who are absent will take place between March 18 and March 23.

This week, students will participate in one practise test to ensure the digital systems, hardware and software are all ready for the official tests next week.

Students are not expected to study for NAPLAN. You can support your child by reassuring them that NAPLAN is a part of their school program and reminding them to simply do their best. Some explanation of NAPLAN is useful to help students understand and be comfortable with the format of the tests. However, it is not necessary for parents and carers to do this. Teachers will ensure students are familiar with the types of questions in the tests and will provide appropriate support and guidance.

All tests, besides the Year 3 Writing test will be undertaken online. Students have had access to the NAPLAN public demonstration site at school to become familiar with the format and the different ways to answer questions. You can access this website at home https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site if you wish to practise further or take a look at what students will be doing.

Parent teacher interviews

This term, we will be holding our first of 2 parent teacher interviews on Monday 23rd March and Tuesday 24th March. Interviews will be 15 minute timeslots and will be conducted primarily in the school Hall (except for Monday morning interviews, which will be held in classrooms).

Parent teacher interviews are a valuable opportunity to support your child’s learning and wellbeing. They provide time to celebrate progress, discuss strengths, and talk through any areas where your child may need extra support. These conversations help ensure that home and school are working together with shared goals and clear next steps. Even if your child is doing well, meeting with their teacher helps strengthen communication and keeps you informed about their learning journey.

Please keep an eye out on Facebook and in emails to parents for the link to directly book in an interview with SOBS. Please note, to ensure teachers have enough time to prepare for parent teacher interviews, SOBS will close at 3pm Friday 20th March.

If you are unable to make it to Parent Teacher Interviews on the selected date, please contact your child's teacher or the office to make an alternative, mutually convenient time.

Mac Young Writers

Mac Young Writers warmly invites you to attend our AGM and General Meeting on Wednesday 4th March at 4:00pm in the Williams Room.

We would love to see both new and returning members join us. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a passionate community that supports and celebrates young writers across Goondiwindi and surrounding areas. Whether you have been involved before or are simply curious about how you can contribute, we would be thrilled to welcome you.

If you know anyone who may be interested in being part of this rewarding work, please feel free to forward this invitation to them.

Instrumental Music

Last week we saw our large ensembles begin their weekly before school rehearsals! It was great to see new faces in our ensembles and fantastic to see our returning and senior students welcoming them into our ensembles.

The Concert Band has started strong and are currently learning a fun pop piece called 'High Hopes' by Panic At The Disco! They have also started a piece called 'Battle Of The Primes' which is in the theme of the Transformers show/movies which will also feature some new percussion instruments to create an industrial sound!

The String Orchestra has had an impressive start to their rehearsals and are learning a piece called 'First Finger Pachabel' which is a version of the very famous and popular wedding piece, Pachabel's Canon in D'.

Our beginning students have also been working hard on getting their hands around their new instrument and creating sounds both loud and soft, high and low! Please assist your young musicians by helping them to find an appropriate time and space to practice regularly at home.

Classroom Music

In classroom music we continue to build upon our knowledge and skills around the elements of music. The upper year levels are working on ensemble skills where they have to work as a group to start and finish together and perform the song or piece of music accurately.

Where the brain science helps

Music and language learning share the same neural pathway. When children practise rhythms and patterns, they strengthen the system behind speech, vocabulary, listening, and early reading.

The earlier this develops through music, the easier language learning becomes. (Bigger Better Brains)

Our school choirs have started the year well with most students remembering their rehearsal day and time. We have lots of songs to learn before the annual Eisteddfod and other performances, so attendance at rehearsals every week is really important.

Year 5 and 6 students in GSV will be attending a workshop on March 13, facilitated by the Opera in the Gardens committee in conjunction with the visiting professional performers, "The 7 Sopranos". They will workshop a song that will be performed during the first Act of the concert at the Botanic Gardens on the 14 March.

News from the Library

Scholastic Bookfair is in the library and open for purchases this week. We will be opening each morning from 8:30 -9:00 am and in the afternoons from Monday to Thursday from 3:00 until 3:30 pm. Your support of this fundraiser earns a commission for our Library to purchase further items for our Library.

Reader's Cup

We have a group of avid Year 5 & 6 students who meet weekly in the library preparing for the upcoming T2 Reading Challenge. Students will be tested later this term to check their knowledge and from this, we will select a School Team to represent us at the Regional Reader's Cup in Toowoomba at the end of Term 2.