Student Learning
Annabelle Marinelli - Deputy Principal & Learning and Teaching Leader
Literacy and Numeracy Assessments
Over the last week, students have been engaged in Literacy and Numeracy Testing prior to formal learning which will commence next week, in Week 3.
You may have heard your child/children talking about 'Essential Assessment' - these are online assessments which children complete independently (and with teacher support when needed) which help the teachers determine a Victorian Curriculum level, as well as what children already know and what they need to learn next.
The teachers also work 'one to one' with children on various reading, writing, spelling, oral language and numeracy assessments. These assessments help teachers develop a close working relationship with students, easing any anxiety about 'testing'. This also allows them to closely observe any learning behaviours and strategies students may be using. This helps them to plan for individual student learning moving forward.
An example of this 'one to one' testing is when teachers complete a 'Running Record' with a student. The Running Record assesses a child's reading skills, in particular, their decoding and comprehension skills. Teachers use this information to assign appropriate text levels/ readers for Home Reading and to support them with Guided Reading in the classroom.
Throughout the term, teachers will continue to assess student learning at the beginning of each new topic/unit and in an ongoing way. This helps us to plan and target learning for our students and make adjustments as needed and to cater for the learning needs of the students each day.
Home Learning
Home Learning will commence next week in Week 3. Home Learning comprises of Home Reading and Home Learning activites.
Students will take home a levelled reader or lexiled book as part of their Home Reading. Students are encouraged to read at home every day. For younger students it is ideal if children can read with an adult family member. Books that are taken home are always at a slightly easier reading level than the level that students work on at school. This is so that home reading is not tedious or stressful for students at home. Home reading should be an enjoyable learning experience, an opportunity to enjoy reading at home together, as well as practising skills at home that have been learnt at school. Older students may take home a Lexile book from the library as part of their home reading. Sometimes these books have a comprehension quiz that students are required to complete. Children will also have the opportunity to borrow books of their choice from the School Library. Class teachers help students select books that are suitable to their reading needs and interests.
As part of Home Learning children will also be encouraged to complete learning activities across the week at home. These activities will be related to the learning that is happening at school. These activities may include a Numeracy activity, SMART Spelling, Reading or Writing activity, a Religious Education or Inquiry activity, or a Family Engagement Activity, which encourages families to engage with their child/children in their home learning.
For more information about Home Learning or Home Reading please chat with your child's teacher or myself. You can also access the link to our Home Learning Policy:
Learning Overviews
Next week, the Learning Overviews for Term 1 will be attached to our School Newsletter. This will outline the learning that will be undertaken this term for each year level.
Parent Chats and Parent Information Night
Over the next two weeks we have two very important nights for you to attend.
The Parent Chats (held this afternoon/evening - Thursday 9th February) are an opportunity for you to meet your child's class teacher and to share with them any important information that you feel your child's teacher needs to know about your child. You would have received an email from Ru Lameijn with talking points that may be covered during this appointment. The more information we know about your child the better we can support them at school. We are very much looking forward to seeing you and continuing our journey as partners in your child/children's learning.
The Parent Information Night (held in Week 3 on Thursday 16th February) is an opportunity to meet the teachers in our school community, followed by time in your child's class to listen to the class teachers as they share information about class routines, home learning, important dates and events, and learning at school, as well as how you can support your child with their learning at home. Please mark this date in your calendar.
Learning Events/Opportunities in Term 1
Parent Chats (Week 2 - Thursday 9/2)
Information Night (Week 3 - Thursday 16/2)
Home Learning Commences (Week 3 - Monday 13/2)
Prep Play Date 3:15-4:15pm (Week 4 - Monday 20/2)
Learning Expo (Week 10 - Wednesday 5/4)
NAPLAN - Year 3 and 5 (Week 8 and 9)
Parent Helper Workshop (Term 2)
If at any time you would like to chat about the learning at Trinity, or you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning, please do not hesitate to see your child's teacher or myself.
We look forward to seeing you all for the Parent Chats on Thursday.
Kind Regards,
Annabelle Marinelli
Deputy Principal - Learning & Teaching Leader