Teaching and Learning
Welcome everyone to a wonderful year of learning at Rangeview in 2023. We have had three 'first days' so far this year. On Friday 27th January, our staff spent the day as a team to prepare for the year ahead (and share some lovely stories from their holiday break). On Monday 30th January, we welcomed our Level 1-6 students back to school to settle into their new classrooms with their new teachers. On Tuesday 31st January, our new Foundation students started their primary school education. The morning was so special with smiles on faces and 'Cheers and Tears' on the Library deck for parents.
"I've always loved the first day of school better than the last day of school. Firsts are best because they are beginnings." Walt Disney.
Level 1-6 'Getting to Know You' Parent Teacher Interviews
We are looking forward to our Level 1-6 ‘Getting to Know You’ parent teacher interviews for 2023.
This interview will give parents and carers the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and discuss any important information that may be helpful to support your child’s learning and wellbeing in 2023.
Dates for Interviews
- Monday 13th February – 3:40pm – 5:30pm
- Wednesday 15th February – 3:40pm – 7:30pm.
Each interview will be 10 minutes long and will take place in your child’s classroom (booking via the Compass Parent Portal).
Specialist teachers will be available in the school Library to meet (bookings are not required).
How to book:
Bookings for interviews will be via the Compass Parent Portal.
- Bookings will open on Tuesday 7th February at 9:00am and will close at 9:00am on Monday 13th February.
If you are yet to set up your new Compass Parent Portal, I encourage you to do so. If you require any assistance, please contact the school office.
Phonological Awareness and Phonics
Learning to read is a complex process that begins with developing skills in phonological awareness and phonics. These skills as well as fluency, vocabulary and comprehension all come together to develop proficient readers.
Last year Rangeview introduced the program Heggerty, to the Foundation and Year 1 students to develop the phonemic awareness skills. These are the skills required to understand that spoken words are made up of individual sounds and it’s one of the best early predictors for reading success.
This year Rangeview is introducing a new reading and spelling program to teach reading and writing skills to the Foundation and Year 1 students, called Little Learners Love Literacy®. This program is an explicit and sequential literacy approach for teaching children to read, write and spell with confidence, based on scientific research. There is a strong focus on phonics for both reading and spelling success. This program incorporates the use of decodable readers that enable the students to sound out what they are reading, after being explicitly taught the specific sounds in the book.
You can help your child at home by continuing to read to them while they develop their own word reading skills. It is vital to hear books read to them so they continue to develop their vocabulary and listening comprehension. Talk to them about the story and ask questions to assist with their understanding.
iPad Program
Over the next week, all Level 1-6 families should have received iPad App Lists and Student iPad User Agreements. Level 1 and 5 students and any new students to our school will also receive an Acceptable Use Agreement.
It is a requirement that user agreements are signed and returned to the classroom teacher before students can bring their iPads to school or use school devices.
The App list will be specific to your child’s level and will contain the Apps that will be used in the classroom by students.
A reminder that students are not permitted to have an iPad at school with a SIM card and connectivity. This is to ensure students cannot access inappropriate content via the internet. All student iPads will be connected to the school EDUSTAR network which is safe and approved by the Department of Education and Training.
Enrichment
In 2023, our school timetable includes a 1 hour per week Enrichment class for each grade. This class will be taken by one of our passionate 2023 Enrichment teachers - Ryan Evans, April Warfield, Jackie Moran or Tania Balderston. The Enrichment class is designed to support student learning in the classroom, focusing on a designated topic across the level.
Our Term 1 Enrichment focus:
Mathematics - Place Value, Problem Solving, Proficiencies, Growth Mindset
Level 3 and 5 - Computer skills and NAPLAN readiness
Level 1 - Little Learners Love Literacy - Phonological Awareness
What is a Professional Learning Community?
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are an approach to school improvement where groups of teachers work collaboratively at the school level to improve student outcomes.
At Rangeview, teachers meet fortnightly in their year levels as a Professional Learning Community, to analyse student learning data to identify targeted learning needs. This collaborative approach allows collective efficacy, where all teachers in the level have a shared belief that they can have a positive impact on student achievement.
Throughout the school year, PLCs will conduct 'mini inquiry' projects where they will determine an area for improvement in student learning and will work through a structured improvement cycle of:
- Evaluate and Diagnose
- Prioritise and Set Goals
- Develop and Plan
- Implement and Monitor
In 2023, Rangeview has been selected as a school to take part in the PLC Teacher Coaching program by Cambridge Education. This is a fabulous opportunity for teachers to work with a skilled coach to strengthen and deepen PLC processes at our school and adapt the approach to our specific school needs.
Kate McLeod
Assistant Principal
Teaching and Learning
