Welcome back to term 1!

Students have been back at school now for 8 days - and it feels like ages!! I've been getting used to getting up early, being organised with lunches and having things ready - and trying to get to sleep early each night. It can be a tough time for kids and families getting back into routines.

Here at school, students have been getting to know each other in new classes and developing great learning routines to help them work productively in class. Teachers have been focusing on setting students up for success; organising their classroom for maximum learning and ensuring that every student feels known and valued - and has a place in the class.

Our theme this year is celebrating Young Heroes. Young heroes are ordinary kids who have done extraordinary things. Throughout the year you will learn about a range of heroes - each class has been named after a young person who has made a difference - from kids who have achieved sporting success, who are entrepreneurs, through to those who have contributed to those less fortunate in our society. We know that, with support, all kids can make a difference.

Learning Focus

We have 3 key focus areas for the year:

Deep thinking - in Reading, Maths & Inquiry
Student Agency
Community Connections

Deep thinking is about not stopping at surface level answers to questions. Teaching all students how to go deeper to critical thinking; to developing independence and more sophisticated thinking.

Student Agency is teaching students the skills and dispositions to take more charge of their learning - to know what they are learning and why; to know what "good" looks like; and to know how to improve. This heart graphic is a great overview of what student agency can mean:

Connecting with Community involves our whole school and wider community. Building support for learning and student agency across our school and into the broader "real world" of our local community.

Coming up...

Our Community Welcome BBQ is next Monday 13 Feb 2:30-3:30pm. Please come and meet the staff, other parents and have a sausage sizzle.

Swimming Carnival for Years 3-6 is Wednesday 22 Feb at Granville pool. A detailed note will come about this event.

Playgroup runs every Wednesday morning 9:30-10:30 in our school hall. Offered by Cumberland Council - it's for any family with babies and toddlers who are not at school yet. It's free and fun!

Finally...

The recent earthquake in Turkiye and Syria has been devastating - and many students and adults have seen the news and are asking how to help.

The ABC have done some research on how to donate to charities - and have listed some charities who are already working in the region:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-08/turkiye-syria-earthquake-how-to-help-donation-fundraiser-charity/101938966

Kindy Focus