Learning 

Message from Learning & Teaching

As we come to the end of a fantastic term, we acknowledge the rich learning that has happened.  

In targeted literacy and numeracy groups, we hear questions being asked, discoveries being made, and reflective conversations with educators. 

Across the 3-6 Hubs, we have had the privilege to see some children LAUNCH their Discovery Projects to an audience.  An example of this comes from Maliko in the 3/4 Hub.  Maliko’s project was sparked by his interests in Blackholes and how they work.  He used the RESEARCH process to gather findings and think critically about what information is useful.  His research was collected on a Google Site where he developed his digital capabilities and skills with one on one conferencing with an educator.  Finally, Maliko used the language of LIGHT to demonstrate how the colour white reflects light whilst black absorbs light, similar to that of a black hole.  The concept of absorption stretched Maliko’s learning and left him with new wonderings.

Google Site:

Demonstration:

Seesaw

We are appreciating all the interaction through the likes and comments on children's learning experiences. Thank you families and friends! We are continually striving for improvement for how we use this platform. Considering all points of view, we will be trialling a few different ways of using Seesaw to achieve our goals over the next term and year. We look forward to gathering you and your family's perspective.

If you have anything you wish to share about the Learning and Teaching at St. John's, please do not hesitate to contact Jarryd or Lauren.

Kind regards,

Jarryd and Lauren

jbradford@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au ldavis@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Literacy

“A writer’s notebook is a blank book where a writer can engage in the fun, often messy job of being a writer – practicing, listening, playing with language, gathering images and insights and ideas. The purpose of such a notebook is to nourish the writer…

such a notebook… is one of the most essential tools of the trade.” (Ralph Fletcher)

The school holidays are an opportune time for children to gather 'seeds' for writing. Children write best about the things that are important to them and what they are interested in. It is writing that comes from what they know and what they have experienced. A 'Writer’s Notebook' is a space for children (and adults!) to practise living like a writer. Authors often draw inspiration from the world around them; their lived experience, the experience of others, texts they’ve read/viewed that has meant something to them or they’ve connected to. A Writer’s Notebook is a place to store thoughts and observations that spark interest and curiosity; through wonder, play, experimentation. One day the writer might choose to plant this ‘seed’ and launch it into a piece of writing! Quite literally, anything can be put into a Writer's Notebook. When something makes you think, believe or feel something… you can put it in your notebook! The contents of a Writer’s Notebook is usually individual, based in the owner of the Notebook. It may contain ideas, words, quotes, images, flyers, cards, song lyrics… the list is literally endless!

So, if you have a scrapbook / notebook or even loose paper that can be stapled together to make a book, perhaps invite your child to create their own Writer's Notebook at home! They can even bring it back to school on the first day back and use it to inspire their 'Love of writing'.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any Literacy-related questions!

Daniela De Luca

Literacy Leader

ddeluca@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Message from Numeracy

Across our learning Hubs we have been building our ability to think metacognitively while engaged with our maths learning. This means children have been encouraged to reflect on their thinking after solving or struggling with challenging problems. This may sound like children describing their feelings about being in a learning challenge, e.g. “This is so hard!” or describing certain strategies and processes they have used, e.g. “First I tried to understand the problem by putting it in my own words”. The Blob Tree is an example of a thinking prompt children might have used to help reflect on learning experiences. Developing metacognition or ‘thinking about our thinking’ is very important to develop self-regulation and independent learning skills.

If you have any further wonderings about numeracy learning and teaching at St. John’s, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Kind regards,

Lauren Davis

ldavis@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au

Message from Faith

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Monday 29th March, 6 pm

Thank you to the families who joined us for our Family Faith Evening last week, it was wonderful to spend time together discussing love and forgiveness and what this looks like for each of us. A letter will be sent home tomorrow with children who are celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation with some further details of the upcoming ceremony. 

Holy Week 

We are reflecting on the events of Holy Week in class and through our Prayer Gatherings (which you are warmly welcomed to join us in - as long as the rain stays away!). In the lead up to Easter we remember the teachings of Jesus and in particular his sacrifice for us. We have had a whole school focus on the Scripture story of the Washing of the Feet. We have been reflecting on what this meant for Jesus' followers and what this means for us in the world today. How do we serve others? Why should we serve others? What difference does this make to our lives as a human family? 

Thank you for your support of Project Compassion throughout Lent. Our donations will be sent to Caritas to support them in their work.

Aoife Mc Carthy

amccarthy@sjfootscray.catholic.edu.au 

Message from our Media Leader Thomas Nguyen

On Monday 22nd, the Mayor of Maribyrnong visited the 5/6 hub.  The first thing we learned was that we refer to him as “your worship” but we could call him Michael Clarke. 

The Mayor talked to us about the values of Respect and Kindness and his vision to spread these values across Maribyrnong and our nation. The Mayor represents the city of Maribyrnong and is known as the “First Citizen”.  

Currently in the 5/6 community project, we are learning about the three levels of Government being Federal, State, and Local.  Our Mayor is a part of our local government and this was helpful for our learning because he explained how he was elected. 

Interesting fact:  The Mayor started his journey into politics when he was passionate about it at the age of 12 years old. 

Sustainability