Learning Support

& Enrichment

• NAPLAN - Disability Provisions for Years 5, 7 & 9
• OT@PIUS - Update on Courses
• After-School Study for Years 5-10
• NEW!  Maths Drop-In Centres for Years 7-9
• Da Vinci Decathlon Training & Competition

NAPLAN - Disability Provision for Years 5, 7 & 9

Dear Parents and Carers,

The approvals for provisions (Years 5, 7 and 9) will shortly be processed in readiness for the scheduled tests in Term 2 (May), and both permission notes and confirmations will be sent out via email in due course. The LSE (Learning Support and Enrichment) Department has the responsibility for processing NAPLAN disability applications, as well as for provisions applications for internal school exam and assessment purposes. We also administer and supervise all their provisions and adjustments during formal exam blocks, including the NAPLAN tests. 

If your son doesn’t currently have approved provisions for internal exams and assessments, but you believe he would be eligible to do so for the NAPLAN tests in Term 2, on the basis of a diagnosed disability which may impact on his performance, please contact Ms Joanne Raheb-Mol, Coordinator of Learning Support and Enrichment, via email at JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au for more information and to seek approval.

OT@PIUS - Update on Courses

The Term 1 courses are now in full swing.  Anna Orchard, our occupational therapist and external provider, is currently running two afternoon courses in Touch Typing on Monday and Thursday afternoons, and two courses in Handwriting Skills on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. All courses are full, with approximately 25–30 students involved this term. Thank you Anna!  

The next OT intake is scheduled for the start of Term 2 2017, so watch this space for details, or contact Anna anna.louise.orchard@gmail.com or Joanne JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au for more information.

After-School Study for Years 5-10

From 2017 onwards, After-school Study has replaced the previous Homework Help Program, and now provides broader opportunities for all students in Years 5-10 to study independently or receive assistance in order to complete homework, assignments, and assessments tasks in all subject areas. The Senior Library is the ideal space where students can enjoy the peaceful surrounds, plan for tomorrow’s schedule, read books, do research, catch up on missed work, or get a head start on homework, without pressure or distractions. Ms Raheb-Mol and Mrs Leonardi are on hand, to provide assistance and proof-reading advice for those students who would like help with their work in English, Maths, Science and a range of other subjects. This includes assistance in literacy, reading and writing skills, grammar, essay-writing, numeracy skills including mentals and problem-solving, as well as organisation skills and exam revision strategies such as memory techniques and note-making skills.

• WHAT: This after-school program operates all year round, and starts in Week 2 of each school term
• WHO: All students in Years 5 - 10
• WHERE: Senior Library, top of A Block (SRC). Library seminar rooms are also available.
• WHEN: Each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3.15pm - 4.30pm

NO NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT - Students may attend regularly or on a ‘drop-in’ basis. Students are welcome to attend on one or more than one afternoon per week, and students with regular attendance will receive merits for the time and effort they put in.

REFERRALS ARE WELCOME FROM PARENTS OR TEACHERS

Direct any queries about the After-School Study Program to Ms Joanne Raheb-Mol, LSE Coordinator, via phone (02) 94114733, or email: JRahebMol@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

NEW!  Maths Drop-In Centre for Years 7-9

For any boys in Year 7, 8 and 9 who would like some additional maths help in the mornings before school, Mrs Pence and Miss Offer will be running a Maths Drop-in Centre in C1, every Tuesday and Friday morning from 8am to 8.30am. There’s no need to book; just come along, and bring your questions with you.

The Maths Drop-in Centre is a joint initiative of the Mathematics Faculty, and the LSE Department, and it begins this Friday morning 24th February.

Parents and teachers are advised to direct any referrals or queries about the Maths Drop-in Centre, to Mrs Pence SPence@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au and Miss Offer JOffer@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Ms J Raheb-Mol - Learning Support & Enrichment Coordinator

Da Vinci Decathlon Training & Competition

For the attention of all creative-thinking students in Years 7-10

Are you interested in being part of a 7-8 or 9-10 team, and representing SPX in the Da Vinci Decathlon 2017, to be held at Knox Grammar School in Term 2?

It’s an academic gala day of enrichment activities for a team of 16 students from Years 7-8 and 9-10. In past years, the Decathlon has proven to be a very enjoyable day out for those involved as it poses team-based challenge problems in the following disciplines: Engineering, Art and Poetry, Mathematics, English, Science, Code Breaking, Philosophy, Creative Producers, Games of Strategy and General Knowledge. The 2017 theme for the day is ‘Imagination’.

If you would like to have a go, start by attending the training with each Thursday lunchtime in the Learning Enrichment room, level 2 Admin Block, with Mrs Waterson and Ms Raheb-Mol. It starts next week, and all you need to bring is your lunch, your creative thinking, sense of humour and enthusiasm. The final team members will be selected from those who show the most ability and commitment at the end of the training period. Any queries, just ask us! 

Ms J Raheb-Mol and Mrs M Waterson