HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

I would like to welcome everyone back to school and extend a special welcome to all of our new students and their families. The staff and I are looking forward to another exciting term of engaging our student’s minds in learning at The Riverina Anglican College.

Kindergarten Transition - Little TRACers Readiness Program

Over the last two weeks, the College has welcomed 48 new students to our Little TRACers Readiness Program. Our program ensures a smooth transition to school by including evidence-based strategies, effective transition practices and nurturing learning spaces. The Little TRACer’s Readiness program is informed by:

●  NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)

●  International Baccalaureate Primary Year Program (PYP)

●  Continuity of Learning: A resource to support effective transition to school and

school-age care.Dockett S. & Perry, B. (2014). Canberra, ACT: Australian Government Department of Education.

It has been very exciting connecting with our youngest learners through our shared inquiry into starting school. I would like to thank my team of exceptional educators, Miss Georgie MacDiarmid - Kindergarten Educator, Mrs Kate Wickson - Kindergarten Educator, Ms Rachael Addison - Head of Junior School PDHPE, Mr Clinton Lough - Head of Digital Pedagogy & Analytics and Ms Martha Anaya - Spanish Educator for igniting our Little TRACers curiosity in learning. Last week the Little TRACers interviewed our current Kindergarten students and were introduced to their very excited Year 5 Buddy. I look forward to their return for the final fun-filled week of the program. 

Partnerships - Year 10 Child Studies Students

Mrs Kym Kjaer, Head of Representative Sport has partnered with the Junior School to provide students with the opportunity to experience what it is like being a Primary School educator. The Year 10 students engaged with the younger students while they actively participated in the classroom tasks. Kym commented that “as a professional, it was really fulfilling watching partnerships develop and witnessing the interactions between Senior School and Junior School students here at the College”. The students have also been offered the opportunity to observe a Kindergarten Readiness conference and participate in learning in action tours. Kym and I hope that these experiences inspire our students to consider education as a future profession. I would like to thank Kym for coordinating this program and we look forward to their next visit.

News From The Farm

Last term, Mr King’s Year 5 Class created chicken coops informed by their study of chickens and their welfare. They joined Ms McAleer’s Year 2 class and Head of Agriculture Mr Dawson’s Year 9 Agricultural Technology class to enhance and share their learning. Each coop needed to provide the appropriate conditions to meet the five freedoms of animal welfare requirements. Year 2 and Year 9 were invited to an exhibition and asked to provide feedback on the coop. The students and educators loved learning through this authentic hands-on inquiry.

This term, all classes are attending the farm for Junior School Agriculture lessons. Students will conduct an inquiry that addresses a number of outcomes from a variety of key learning areas including; Science and Technology, History, Geography, Maths and English. These experiences will give the students the opportunity to develop and transfer skills while having fun. Currently the Ag. show stock includes cattle, sheep, a donkey, Hylie laying chickens, incubating eggs, ducks, vegetables, strawberries and new lambs due in August. Please send your child in their gumboots so they don’t miss out.

Assembly, Commendations and Awards

The Riverina Anglican College acknowledges and promotes the reinforcement of positive behaviour through a variety of means including:

●  Praise and positive reinforcement directed at the student in the classroom and during break times

●  Extrinsic rewards during Class community time and College House days

●  Public acknowledgement of the positive behaviour or positive changes in behaviour through recognition awards during key school activities, such as at assembly or during

House time.

●  Commendations and awards in the categories of service, co-curricular, sport,

self-management and academics.

I am very excited to announce that a number of students have achieved 3 or more commendations for service, co-curricular, sport, self-management or academics. These students will receive an award at Friday’s assembly. For every three commendations, students will earn a College recognition certificate. Once students have received 3 certificates they will be presented with a Guardianship Of The Planet Award and attend a special ceremony. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions parents will not be able to attend assembly so we will record this special weekly event and share this with all of our families. Our award system is aligned with the International Baccalaureate program principles which aim to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world. International Baccalaureate Organization 2013. IB Learner Profile

ICAS - Year 2 to Year 4

I am delighted to inform you that The Riverina Anglican College will be participating in the world-renowned ICAS AssessmentsTM this year.

ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.

I encourage you to consider entering your child into ICAS this year. The assessments are suitable for students wishing to extend themselves academically and take up the personal challenge of competing in an international assessment. Your child will be presented with high-quality, expert-developed questions, allowing them to apply their learning without the need for prior study or revision.

Learn more about ICAS here: https://www.icasassessments.com/products-icas

2021 Participation - Parent payment system

The Junior school has signed up for the ICAS Assessments parent payment system (PPS) for all ICAS assessments. Through this system, parents can pay for ICAS directly online while tests will still be held at our school. Please use the following details to register your child no later than the date provided on the table below.

School Access Code: IHU088

Parent link: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps

Please email Jodie Noble at Jodie.Noble@trac.nsw.edu.au once you have made a payment.

These assessments will take place during the day. A timetable will be emailed once supervision and COVID safe practice details are finalised.

We are proud to offer the ICAS Assessments and look forward to some fantastic results later in the year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me at the College if you have any further questions. 

Upcoming events

Postponed Events

Year 6 Camp - September 

Year 5 Camp - September 

Kylie Chacon | Head of Junior School