coming soon ...

Mothers Day

To the mothers in our community we thank you and pray that Sunday is a day of blessing, fun and laughter with your family. You show your love in so many ways. Some Stage Two students say thank you for:

             * being funny and making me laugh

             * packing my bag

             * big hugs and cuddles

             * for having us

             * taking us to places like Waterworld

             * waking us up

             * buying our house and food

             * tidying my bedroom

             * helping us when things are hard for us

             * taking care of our family

             * helping us do home learning

             * being a good mum

             * cooking lunch and dinner

             * smiles and cuddles

             * being so kind     

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) an assessment program for Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 9 students, testing knowledge and skills in aspects of literacy and numeracy, is taking place next week in all Australian schools.  

Testing at Good Shepherd takes place in the mornings of Tuesday 15/5 to Friday 18/5 with possible catch up sessions on Monday and Tuesday of the following week.

This year our school will be participating in NAPLAN on-line with the exception of the Year 3 writing test which will be a paper test.  

NAPLAN always makes its way into the media and usually takes the angle that it is a source of great stress and anxiety for students.  At Good Shepherd Lutheran School we continue to emphasise a balanced and pragmatic view of the testing.  The whole child is not well-catered for if we overplay the importance and place of NAPLAN in student growth and development. 

Students and staff who are encouraged to be optimistic and to creatively and critically explore, appreciate that problems can be solved in new and exciting ways.  In this environment, concepts are more readily learned and motivation and engagement is increased.  Our values of Love, Optimism and Creativity build a community of learners constantly striving think beyond the facts.

As parents you can support your child during and following the testing by encouraging them to have a growth mindset, focusing on what they can do and how they were challenged in their thinking.